How to Choose Rainwear

Alpine squalls or urban downpours, this Black Diamond rain shell can handle it all. The BD.dry™ 2.5-layer waterproof technology will shield you from whatever the weather holds.
Imported.
View all Black Diamond Men's Multi-Sport Rain JacketsBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Fabric | BD.dry 2.5L, 2-way stretch woven face with PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish: 110 g/m2, 100% nylon |
Windproof | Yes |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | BD.dry waterproof/breathable/windproof solution |
Hood | Yes |
Packable | Yes |
Ventilation | Pit Zips |
Back Length | Hip-length |
Back Length (in.) | 30.25 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Weight | 11.4 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.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
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.
I purchased this for a lightweight rain jacket for hiking and backpacking. I like the quality of build, fit, color, etc. I won't have any feedback on how it performs because I will be returning it for one reason. It's hood it way too big unless you are wearing a helmet of some sort. With a ball cap on I adjusted it to fit tighter, but it still had a large empty portion about the hat itself. This info about what sizing build is intended for a jacket's hood would help potential buyers make a more informed choice. I have other jackets that have hoods built clearly to fit just a head without any helmet. This info should be standard for any jackets with hoods in my opinion.
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.
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!!
Bought this for our adventurous son and he is thrilled. Pit Zips. Lightweight. Good collar and spacious hood. All the features he wants and none he didn't. He'll use it all over the Alps this winter.