How to Choose Rainwear

Alpine squalls to urban downpours—the men's Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell jacket can handle it all, with a design that holds up to the wettest conditions yet also adapts to moderate weather.
Imported.
View all Black Diamond Men's Multi-Sport Rain JacketsBest Use | Multisport |
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Fabric | BD.dry 2.5-layer, 2-way stretch woven face with durable water repellent (DWR) finish (100% nylon, 110 g) |
Windproof | Yes |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | 2.5-layer BD.dry waterproof/breathable technology |
Hood | Yes |
Packable | Yes |
Ventilation | Pit Zips |
Back Length | Hip-length |
Back Length (in.) | 30.25 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Weight | 11.3 ounces |
XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 34 - 35.5 | 36 - 38 | 38.5 - 41 | 41.5 - 44.5 | 45 - 48.5 | 49 - 52 | 52 -55 | ||||||
Sleeve Length | 33.5 | 33.5 | 34 | 34 | 34.5 | ||||||||
Waist | 27 - 28.5 | 29 - 31 | 31.5 - 34 | 34.5 - 37.5 | 38 - 42 | 42.5 - 46 | 46 - 49 | 27 - 28.5 | 29 - 30.5 | 31 - 32.5 | 33 - 34.5 | 35 - 36.5 | 37 - 38.5 |
Hip | 33.5 - 35 | 35.5 - 37.5 | 38 - 40.5 | 41 - 44 | 44.5 - 48 | 48 - 51 | 51 - 54 | 33.5 - 35 | 35.5 - 37 | 37.5 - 39 | 39.5 - 41 | 41.5 - 43 | 43.5 - 45 |
Inseam | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 |
HOW TO MEASURE:
Neck: Around the fullest part of the neck, at the base.
Chest: Around the chest, just under the arms and across the shoulder blades.
Sleeve: From the center back of the neck, across the shoulder, and down the arm to the wrist.
Waist: Around the narrowest part of the waist.
Hip: Around the widest point of the hips.
Inseam: From the crotch to the anklebone on the inside of the leg.
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This is a solid shell jacket. I’ve worn it on a handful of occasions - a few times just for the added warmth retention in cold weather but also a few times while volunteering walking dogs at a shelter - twice in cold rainy weather. It kept me dry, warm and my clothes clean while also withstanding the claws of excited, jumpy dogs with no markings. The fit is spot on - I typically wear mediums and got a medium. Everything was sized as expected for a piece of athletic outerwear. More of a tailored fit - not boxy or wide, not tight but enough room for layers underneath. I have long arms and this has well-sized sleeves that extend to the base of my thumbs. Back length is solid - covers my bum. I’m 5’11” and 165lbs for reference. Zippers are all smooth to operate. Drawcords at the waist and hood. Velcro cuffs. Love the all black, clean look with the black diamond logo! Simple on the exterior but if you look inside you can tell it’s high quality with the seam sealing it has. This thing was constructed to keep you dry. Big fan - would recommend!
This is a great all-around rain jacket. So far, I've used it on local park trails and on my 10 minute walks in the rain to my office. The jacket worked well on steady rain and wind. The coating from the factory is superb as the rain beads off really well. The front zipper is waterproof sealed. The vent zippers under the arms are not waterproof, but I haven't noticed it to be an issue with water intrusion. I can imagine if I was climbing/reaching overhead a lot, then there may be more moisture intrusion through those underarm zippers, but I am only speculating. The hood is very well designed. It has a shape and form that tightens down well when I'm not wearing a hat/helmet. The front zipper goes all the way up, so it almost tightens down like a balaclava hood, which aids well in covering my head in the rain. I am 5'9"/180 lbs. I got a large size in case I was wearing multiple layers underneath. The bungee at the bottom of the jacket works well in capturing multiple layers under itself. Overall, I'm impressed with this rain shell!
My Brooks Range Mountaineering Light Armor Jacket (PolarTec NeoShell), a rain jacket, needed replacement because the fully seam taped garment was leaking on the seams. It once worked well. I reviewed several sized medium coats on sale at REI (see attached matrix analysis) and this Black Diamond won by specs. The OR coat was a favorite, but not very roomy and no space for a helmet. I fell in love with hood over helmet using a Pearl Izumi MTB WRX Jacket, but it was not waterproof. This Black Diamond's hood easily cover the helmet. I have tried the shower-cap-over-helmet method, but that only works briefly. On tours in Germany and again in Spain with all-day rain, eventually rain comes in around the neck. Once I selected the Black Diamond Fineline I tested it in the shower and it passed. I like that the coat has minimal stitching and few pockets (to leak from). I have now owned it for months and tested it cycling in the rain and skiing - the size medium is sized well enough for me for a light coat underneath. I am 5'10" at 165 lbs of medium a runner or cyclist build.
My Black Diamond jacket arrived a few days before Washington State's "bomb cyclone" hit in mid-November 2024. I was able to try out this jacket on a daily basis during some really lousy, wet, windy weather. I liked it. I have an imperfect body shape. My "perfect" size would be "medium-large," but I've never seen that size. Therefore I'm reluctant to buy clothes on-line for fear of the item not fitting well (and I hate to return stuff). The jacket I received was a large. It fit me well. [I'm 5'11" with a 34" waist and weigh 183 pounds]. The only place where it was too big on me was in the arms. However, the Velcro adjustment band at the end of each arm made it easy to fit my arms. Other than briskly walking while wearing the jacket, I didn't work out in the jacket. But I never over-heated (nor got cold) and it did a fantastic job of protecting me from the wind and rain. As a result, wearing it was quite comfortable. {Note: I kept the under-arm vents zipped closed.} I also liked that the hood adjustment actually worked! I wasn't wearing a helmet so without tightening the hood, it would have been huge. But the hood adjustment strap on this jacket worked (unlike some other jackets I've owned) and I was able to use the hood and not have to keep pulling it back out of my eyes. The only thing I didn't like about the jacket was that it doesn't have a breast pocket (inside or out) for putting your cell phone. But that's a minor thing and it does have two zippered side pockets that work just fine. Currently, I'm in the desert and not expecting much rain! Yet, I still like wearing this jacket at night because it's so light-weight but keeps me warm.
A great shell jacket. It fit a little small across my shoulders, so maybe go up a size if you find that area to be a problem. This was a great simple jacket for walking and hiking in here in the PNW.
This jacket performs in quality and durability along the best in its class from competitors. From hail to downpour to blizzard to lite mist, this jacket protects, I’ve had ice crystallized to the entire exterior and I’ve had rain beaded for hours on end, this jacket fits well and is simple and practical. It leans heavy on the breathable side which is amazing for spring through fall ascents. It also makes a great daily driver to keep in the car for the rainy season. After wearing a backpack for a few months the dwr on the shoulders wore away, to be expected and self maintainable. A must have jacket in the quiver.
I purchased this jacket for my trip to Ireland. I was very happy with how light it is and how well it kept me dry. It also packs up nicely, so it did not take up too much space in my luggage.
This shell can take a beating and keep going whether it be the rain, the wind, or the cold! Recently used it to skin up ski slopes in the white mountains when the weather was in the single digits with just a base layer and a vest underneath. Also have used it on rainy days while hiking. The color pops and provides good visibility while the construction of the seems and hood provides quality protection from anything mother nature has to throw at you! Packs down small so that you can always have it in your pack to be prepared.
This jacket is extremely well designed with its simplicity and elegance. The BDdry fabric is top quality and will keep you dry even through the worst storms. The true highlight of this jacket is the helmet-compatible hood and the associated cinch. I also have the Recon insulated shell that uses the same design and lI ove it. It makes the hood useable with and without a helmet. BD knocked it out of the park with this one. I am 5'9" and 180 pounds and bought a medium and it fits perfectly with light clothing underneath.
Based on reviews, it is very difficult to find a rain jacket that will keep you dry. This Black Diamond did!! Put it on and zipped it up, then got under a rain shower for 5 minutes, followed by the regular shower for 5 minutes. Was dry underneath!!