It’s very hard to ski or snowboard these days and not use DAKINE products. When it comes to the accessory market, DAKINE is the clear king and for good reason, they make some of the best products available. Brand new for the 12/13 season, DAKINE is taking a huge step towards taking over your entire ski/snowboard gear bag by releasing a full line of technical outerwear.
The Clutch Jacket is the first piece from DAKINE’s outerwear collection that I’ve had the chance to review and it’s clear to see that they wanted to make a statement with their new lineup. The Clutch isn’t a rinky-dink, run of the mill jacket with DAKINE’s name slapped on for good measure. Instead, it’s a high-quality 3-Layer 20K/20K waterproof/breathable jacket that can easily hold its own in a seemingly endless market of outwear.
The Clutch is cut pretty large for a baggier fit and look (if you’re into that), the triple-layered fabric worked well and held up great during testing and the water-resistant zippers are perfect for those wet days in the Pacific Northwest or during a big storm. The only feature on this jacket that I’m not a big fan of are the cuff closures. Rather than a fold over and Velcro, cuff closure that is pretty standard with most higher-end shells, DAKINE instead opted for an elastic band that causes the cuff to bunch before it’s Velcroed. This new method creates a less than optimal seal around your wrist, especially if you’re wearing under cuff gloves or mittens.
It’s pretty easy to see why Chris Benchetler and other elite athletes are starting to rock DAKINE’s outerwear. The Clutch jacket is definitely one of the better jackets in its price range and loaded with smart features. Whether it’s this season or a future season, don’t be surprised to find everything in your ski/snowboard bag being made by DAKINE.
