DC : Storm

Review:
A good jacket is definitely one of, if not the most, key essentials to your comfort and appearance when getting equipped for the winter season. Of course everyone wants something that is functional, comfortable, and especially durable. I’ve had jackets that got big tears in them as well as jackets that have had seams that fall apart or even jackets that just get completely soaked due to ineffective waterproofing. It is certainly frustrating to have these issues with such a crucial piece of your snowboarding apparel but there are certainly products out there that are designed to withstand all these things. The DC Storm jacket is one of these products.

This jacket has a fairly simple design but has a lot of features that contribute to its functionality. First of all, it is made entirely of Exotex 20,000 fabric which has a real sturdy feel to it and is truly waterproof. I really like the vent system it has as well. Instead of just having armpit vents the Storm has both front and back vents (chest and middle back) that will allow air to actually circulate through the jacket on a hot day. Of course it does have more of the standard features as well, such as a clear pass holder on the sleeve, stretch hand gaiters, and a powder skirt that has snap attachments for connecting to various snow pants. The jacket also has large zipper tabs that are conveniently located and make one handed mitten zipping easy.

This jacket has a pretty simple look. It’s a solid color and doesn’t have any special patterns or color schemes.

The DC Storm is around $260 which is a chunk of change but as we all have heard, “you get what you pay for.” Also it’s a lot better in my opinion to buy a nice jacket that will last a few seasons, rather than something cheap that will have inferior waterproofing or will get torn up easier and will require you to buy again the next season.

Review:
I didn't really know what I was missing by not having this jacket! It, combined with the DC Spectrum snowpants (which I wore into the ground by having them on for most of the season), has tied itself with my old K2 outerwear (reviewed a few years ago) for first place lineup in my closet for varying conditions. The jacket is bulletproof but functional and visually attractive.

The coat is jet black with baby-blue trim (zipper pulls, Velcro etc.). The inside feels like it is rubber (even with its 20,000 mm waterproofing rating, it is extremely breathable) while the outside is a softer material, and all the seams are taped. The coat also has two vents that open up in the lower back and two that open up in the chest area. There is also a pass holder on the left sleeve that isn't quite big enough for a season's pass.

What I really dig about this coat is the attached balaclava (basically it is a pull-over facemask). It is made out of a really thin synthetic material that tucks unnoticeably into a pocket at the back of the neck while not in use. Steamboat was sporting temperatures in the range of -15 F a various time I was reviewing the coat, and it was huge to have that face layer. Combined with a neck warmer, it adds a whole level of protection in cold weather. It dries fast, and if it gets wet from your breath, it will dry over lunch or during a break.

This is one of those coats that you begin to rely on so much that when you are not wearing it you really miss its features.