Best known for their backpacks and luggage, Oregon-based Dakine has long been a player in the snowboard world. Though only recently have they gone full force into the outerwear space. For winter 2016 they tapped Northwest legend Peter Line to head up the design department, and with what we've seen so far, it seems like a bet that's paid off.
Growing up snowboarding in the Seattle area afforded me many opportunities to see Line rip in person. And every time, without fail, he would seem to appear out of nowhere, wearing all black and riding solo, and boost twice as high as anyone else off side hits and natural bumps no one else ever even saw before. This vibe seems to come across pretty naturally in his debut collection for Dakine as well—there are many useful pieces in the W16 line, though the design core is clearly focused on clean lines and effecient functionality. If you want your gear to yell "look at me," head elsewhere.
The two-layer GORE-TEX Smyth shell jacket caught our eye for its fully taped seams and slightly elongated cut. It's got all you need—wrist and waist gaiters for pow days, a few interior and exterior pockets—and nothing you don't. No fancy bells or whistles here. Just how it should be.
$320
