Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Rain Jacket Assessment

Backside Line

The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch (males’s / girls’s)  is a flexible and dependable alternative for outside fanatics who require efficiency and luxury in moist situations. Constructed with BD.dry know-how that’s each waterproof and breathable, the Fineline contains a sturdy but versatile stretch cloth, that retains you dry with out proscribing motion. After repeated use, it’s one among our prime rain jackets.

With a extra trim match, the Fineline Stretch is a superb jacket for lively pursuits. It’s breathable and has reasonably giant pit zips to assist preserve you cool. A helmet-compatible hood, waterproof entrance zipper, and reversible proper pocket for packability are all nice options that make it an ideal jacket for backcountry adventures.

The Fineline is a favourite of ours and continues to carry out. Its mixture of climate resistance, modern profile, and easy options make it good for anybody searching for a reliable jacket for backcountry adventures.

How We Examined

Examined in Alaska’s rain, sleet, and snow, the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch has undergone rigorous discipline testing on a number of hikes within the wettest situations.

Consolation & Mobility

The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch provides wonderful consolation and mobility, making it a go-to alternative for outside actions in moist climate. Its stretch-woven cloth ensures a full vary of movement, permitting for unhindered climbing, mountaineering, or scrambling. Underarm gussets improve additional improve flexibility. 

Whereas the slim match is nice for thinner torsos or those that like a extra athletic minimize, it may make it tough to layer below in cooler temperatures. We examined this jacket in an early winter rain and had a tough time getting over something bigger than medium-pile fleece. This makes it an important choice for lively outings or a summertime rain jacket.

Climate Resistance

The Fineline Stretch has nice climate resistance, making it a reliable alternative for staying dry in moist situations. That includes BD.dry waterproof/breathable know-how and absolutely taped seams, the jacket offers a dependable barrier in opposition to rain and wind. The absolutely waterproof entrance zipper is a superb contact to maintain moisture from penetrating a standard weak level. The Fineline Streche’s sturdy water-repellent (DWR) end ensures that water beads off the floor, enhancing its means to face up to extended publicity to moisture. The helmet-compatible hood provides wonderful protection, and the adjustable hem and cuffs assist seal out the weather.

Throughout our testing in an Alaskan rainstorm, we discovered this to be a superb alternative for backcountry adventures. Its 2.5-layer development offers greater than sufficient safety for many situations.

Air flow

Within the fixed battle between air flow and climate resistance, the Fineline Stretch fastidiously toes the road whereas leaning barely in favor of climate resistance. The pit zips are giant sufficient that they prolong down the aspect of the torso, transferring heat and sweat out of the jacket.

The inner face cloth shouldn’t be plasticky like primary two-layer jackets. This helped it really feel extra snug on the pores and skin whereas sweating. Although it’s not essentially the most breathable jacket we examined, the Fineline balances weatherproofing and air flow successfully for many outside adventures.

Sturdiness

All through our testing, the Fineline Stretch has continued to carry out. We’ve observed no lower in its climate resistance. There was no delamination and all zippers proceed to perform even with their smaller tooth. Whereas the Fineline Stretch is noticeably thinner than different jackets we’ve reviewed, the integrity of the material has held up with no scratches or tears.

Weight

We’re impressed with the Fineline Stretch’s weight. Because of its trimmer match and comparatively skinny supplies, it’s competitively mild. It tipped our scales at 10.1 ounces (males’s medium), so we’d attain for it usually on backcountry adventures the place weight is paramount. It additionally packs down small into its proper pocket making it nice for shoving right into a small accessible pocket of your pack.

Ought to You Purchase the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch?

This jacket is a purpose-built piece designed for the backcountry. With its low weight, packability, and excessive climate resistance, it is a superb choice for taking alongside on backpacking journeys and backcountry outings in inclement climate.

Its trimmer match makes it finest suited to these with slender torsos or hikers who desire a streamlined match. Whereas this jacket lacks a few of the options of others like a chest pocket, it’s centered on light-weight efficiency and climate resistance. With a price ticket below 200 {dollars}, it’s a nice performer at an inexpensive value for backcountry fanatics who demand a robust and dependable rain jacket.

What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?

If you wish to try our full listing, you possibly can see all of our suggestions in our information to the perfect rain jackets. For those who like some issues concerning the Fineline however nonetheless wish to discover, listed here are some comparable fashions we advocate.

Arc’teryx Beta Assessment: The Beta has comparable options to the Fineline Stretch together with a water-proof entrance zipper however a thicker cloth and better climate resistance make it a superior jacket for a few of the most inclement climate.

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Assessment: One other jacket with an emphasis on stretch, the Stretch Ozonic is extra versatile and lighter than the Fineline Stretch.

Montbell Versalite Assessment: For those who liked the lighter weight and packability of the Fineline Stretch, the Versalite is our lightest and most packable rain jacket making it good for path runners or ultralight backpackers.