The Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell is movement-friendly and comfier than average thanks to its 2-way stretch waterproof/breathable fabric and overall lightweight construction. Shop now.

• Weight: 11.3 oz
• Price: $180
• Fabric Tech: 2.5L BD.dry 88% nylon, 12% elastane
• Pros: Lightweight. Stretchy. Pit Zips. Good value. Highly rated.
  
• Cons: Light-not-ultralight. Average waterproofness/breathability.

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Construction & Features

Most rain jackets fabrics are completely static, stretch-less, and generally considered to be uncomfortable. This helps extend the life of the waterproof breathable membrane – the more you stretch it, the more you damage it. But Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Jacket is different. Not only can the BD.dry membrane sustain repeated stretches, the face fabric is comprised of 12% elastane.

The end result is a jacket that moves with you…somewhat. It’s not stretchy in the same way polyester leggings are, but it’s noticeably much comfier to move in than your average rain shell. It has what’s called 2-way stretch, which means the fabric can be stretched horizontally (the weft), but not vertically (the warp).

Aside from its stretch properties, one of the standout benefits to this jacket are that it’s incredibly highly rated by users, averaging 4.8 stars out of 5 on 155 reviews for the men’s garment at REI. Its waterproof breathable numbers 10k/10k are perfectly acceptable, if not terribly exciting.

Features-wise, you get pit zips, which are the single most desirable add-on and drastically increase breathability. There are also dual hand pockets, and hood/hem/cuff adjustability.

Verdict

This is a great jacket to choose for trips that involve lots of reaching, such as rope ladders, scree scrambles, and other hand-on hiking. What’s more, given the rave user reviews, we’re pretty confident that almost everyone likes this jacket.