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    • Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket and Pants

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket and Pants

    Black Diamond’s original Recon Jacket & Pants from about three years ago were a favourite ski kit of mine, they also won our Gear of the Year Award and so I was understandably sad to see this combo no longer in the Black Diamond line. As of this year, however, they’ve been resurrected in a stretch version with updated features and colours. The new and improved Recon Stretch Ski Shell & Ski Pants use Black Diamond’s proprietary BD.dry waterproof/breathable/windproof fabric whereas the previous versions was a hybrid design combining the protection of Windstopper fabric with strategically placed Schoeller stretch woven fabric. This new 100% waterproof capability of the BD.dry fabric is a welcome upgrade in addition to its built-in 4-way stretch. This stretch provides not only comfort but range of motion which is ideal for both resort skiing and ski touring. In addition to the BD.dry fabric, there is a long list of features both old and new so let's dive in.

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket and Pants

    Below is a front and back look at the new Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket and Pants.

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket and Pants
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket and Pants
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    Versatility is the name of the game with the Recon Stretch Ski Shell, it’s ideally suited to in and out-of-bounds missions. In addition to the BD.dry 4-way Stretch shell fabric, the jacket has ample storage with one chest pocket, two mesh internal drop pockets (ideal for climbing skins), and two hand warmer pockets. The built-in pit-zips allow you to dump heat when needed while the removable powder skirt keeps snow out so you can stay warm and dry. Add to this the ski-helmet compatible hood and waterproof front zipper and you’ve got one tough ski jacket ready to take on the elements.

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants
    Not to be outdone by the jacket, the Recon Stretch Ski Pants of course use the same great BD.dry fabric which is waterproof/breathable and also has built-in 4-way stretch that provides not only comfort but mobility that you’ll appreciate when skiing and ski touring. The offset side vents allow you to dump heat on the skin track while the gaiters around the cuffs keep out the snow and the instep patches guard against ski edges and crampon points. An integrated RECCO reflector will help locate you in the case of an avalanche and the low-profile PIEPS Pocket over the right thigh will securely store your transceiver if you don’t wish to wear it on your chest where it is traditionally carried.

    Material:

    84% Nylon, 16% Elastane - 3L Stretch Woven from Japan with Jersey Backer

    Features:

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    • BD.dry waterproof/breathable/windproof fabric.
    • 4-way Stretch shell fabric.
    • Ski-helmet compatible hood.
    • PU Coated centre front zipper.
    • DWR treated Pit zips for ventilation.
    • Front hand pockets.
    • Chest pocket and two skin-compatible, internal drop pockets.
    • Lift Pass pocket on the left arm.
    • Removable internal powder skirt.
    • Adjustable cuffs.
      Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants
    • BD.dry waterproof/breathable/windproof fabric.
    • 4-way Stretch shell fabric.
    • Updated, low profile PIEPS Pocket.
    • Two thigh pockets.
    • ¼-leg zip boot access.
    • Internal RECCO technology.
    • Articulated knees and seat.
    • Gusseted construction.
    • Integrated, removable belt with belt-loop waist.
    • Offset side venting.
    • Reinforced instep patches.
    • High-mounted snow gaiter.

    Chest pocket is ideal for valuables you need close at hand.

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    The helmet compatible hood has a back adjustment to snug it down when the weather kicks up.
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    The interior stash pocket is made for climbing skins and the large pit zips help vent when you over heat.
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    Sturdy cuff adjustment to secure around gloves.
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    The integrated powder skirt is very handy on those deep days,... and it's removable when not required.
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    The updated Pieps Pocket is even better than before, lighter and more discrete but still protects your transceiver.
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants
    Built in belt loop to keep the pants up and two large cargo pockets for storing your stuff.
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants
    Scuff guard on each leg's instep conceals the built in gaiter which helps keep snow out.
    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants

    Verdict:

    The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Shell and Ski Pants offer up a great fit, however, it’s more on the relaxed side which adds to the bulk when trying to compress them down into a ski touring pack. For this reason that I would say the Recon Stretch kit is aimed more at resort skiers who want to venture out into the backcountry occasionally and not for the dedicated backcountry skier who wants to go light and fast. If this is your thing then the Black Diamond Helio Active Jacket and Pants will be more to your liking. This combo is made for ski touring and weights almost nothing as it’s a stripped down version of the Stretch Recon.

    Weight and compactability aside, the Recon Stretch Shells have every feature you could ever want including RECCO, pockets-a-plenty, vents, powder skirt, gaiters, Pieps pocket, adjustability galore and the list goes on and on. These are a full feature waterproof/breathable jacket and pant combo made for winter adventure and more specifically skiing. The price point for both the jacket and pants are super reasonable and likely possible only because they do not use a brand name waterproof/breathable fabric, instead, they use Black Diamond’s own proprietary BD.dry technology. I’ve found this fabric to be just as waterproof and breathable as any other Gore-Tex like fabric but time will tell how it really stands up. The most notable difference, however, is the fact that the BD.dry fabric is very stretchy, hence their namesake. I’m always a big fan of any fabric that lets you move naturally and provides stretch for activities which require it. The built-in stretch makes both the pants and jacket very comfortable to wear and ski tour in but doesn’t limit their durability as far as I can see.

    Of all the features, the updated Pieps Pocket found on the Recon Stretch Ski Pants has to be my favourite. The original Piepes Pocket was bulky, heavy and kind of cumbersome. This newly designed Pieps Pocket is much easier to use and more streamlined so you don’t even know it’s there. Another feature that I find indispensable on the pants are the long vents for when things heat up, even if you don’t go ski touring these are very handy skiing the resort on warmer days or when you’re redlining it and just need to vent.

    The Jacket boasts its fair share of features as well but the climbing skin pockets inside the jacket ideal for keeping your skins warm on the descents. While I’m not a huge user of the powder skirt (given the generous cut of the Recon Stretch Jacket) I am a fan of the jacket’s generous, relaxed fit as it allows for plenty of mid layers to keep you warm and room to move without being impeded by the jacket itself. The large helmet compatible hood is also a nice-to-have when the weather turns ugly and like the pants, the jacket also has generous vents to dump heat.

    Overall Black Diamond’s Recon Stretch Ski Shell and Ski Pants are great deal given the quality and feature set they provide for such a modest price. The fit is first rate and I’d highly recommend this jacket/pant combo if you are a big resort skier and sometimes backcountry skier.

    PROS:

    • Stretch fabric provides incredible range of motion.
    • Roomy relaxed fit.
    • Pieps pocket in the pants.
    • Skin pockets inside the jacket.
    • Side zip in pants to vent when touring.
    • Affordable.
    • Colours and styling is first rate.

    CONS:

    • A proprietary waterproof/breathable fabric is used and not a brand name version such as Gore-Tex.
    • Jacket fits a little large.
    • All the zipper pulls don’t have loops so there is no where to attach a ski pass, season pass or whistle.
    • Don’t pack down well for ski touring, therefore more of a resort kit than touring.

    SPECS:

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Jacket
    Price:
    $379US
    Sizes: S, M, L, XL
    Colours: Verde, Bluebird, Black, Nickel

    Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants
    Price: $329US
    Sizes: S, M, L, XL
    Colours: Verde, Midnight, Black
    Awards: 2019 Outside Gear of the Year

    RATING: 9/10

    Fit:                                 1.5/2
    Packability:                      2/2
    Waterproof/Breathable:   1.5/2
    Features:                         2/2
    Quality/Price:                   2/2

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