 This Product
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  Best for Ultralight Adventures |  Best Overall Rain Jacket for Women |  Best Value for Active Use | Best Value for Everyday Use | Most Portable Design |
| Price | $180 List $180.00 at REI | $116.35 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $59.98 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $106.80 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $107.97 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This super lightweight rain jacket focuses on water-resistant performance within an ultra-light, stretchy design that's perfect for fast and light alpine missions | A quality rain jacket offering exceptional water resistance and performance that will hold up to the wildest weather | A reliable rain jacket that offers great value and solid performance at a reasonable price | A highly wind and waterproof design that is perfect for urban commutes or low-output chores during inclement weather | A barebones rain jacket that is ultralightweight, scrapping comfort features to keep weight and size at a minimum |
| Rating Categories | Black Diamond Finel... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Marmot PreCip Eco -... | Helly Hansen Moss -... | Outdoor Research He... |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Black Diamond Finel... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Marmot PreCip Eco -... | Helly Hansen Moss -... | Outdoor Research He... |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 8.6 oz | 11.8 oz | 9.0 oz | 24.3 oz | 6.2 oz |
| Number of Fabric Layers | 2.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Waterproof Fabric Material | BD.dry 2.5L waterproof/breathable technology | 3-layer 50D H2No Performance Standard ECONYL (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer PFC-free NanoPro (proprietary material) | 100% polyurethane | 2.5-layer Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 hand with button closure | 2 zippered hand |
| Pit Zips | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Pit Zip Length | 11 in | 11 in | 10 in | N/A | N/A |
| Stows into Pocket | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Additional Features | Adjustable cuffs and hem, Waterproof YKK AquaGuard center-front zipper, stretch fabric for increased mobility | Dual adjustable and stowable hood, microfleece-lined neck, external and internal zipper storm flaps, chin zipper guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem, carabiner clip-in loop | Adjustable stowable hood, DriClime-lined chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Back yoke with ventilation holes, front placket with hidden snap button closure and YKK zipper, welded waterproof seams | Adjustable hood, YKK Aquaguard Zipper, elastic cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, carabiner loop, key clip, reflective logo |
Formally known as the “Stormline,” the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch rain jacket is perfect for those seeking protection from inclement weather during fast and light missions. The lightweight and packable design is easy to attach to your harness or throw into a pack, while the 2.5-layer BD.dry fabric and the helmet-compatible hood will keep you dry on the route. Gusseted arms and stretch fabric allow a full range of motion, and the price makes for an easy investment.
The Fineline rain jacket is constructed from a 2.5-layer BD dry face fabric treated with a DWR (durable water repellant) made without harmful chemicals such as PFCs or PFAs. The interior microporous membrane works alongside the face fabric and watertight zippers to prevent water from penetrating and reaching the jacket's interior. “Although the fabric is flexible and stretchy, it can still bead water effectively during extended rainfall,” says tester Trish Matheny after wearing the jacket in an afternoon thunderstorm. The hood is also large enough to fit your helmet while adjustable enough to tighten down for a custom fit that will help keep you dry.
During our home lab objective pour and shower tests, we noticed the jacket successfully beaded water off the shell without absorbing much into the fabric. Unfortunately, the zipper proved the weakest design piece, as we noticed standing water could penetrate the teeth of the zipper to reach layers inside. During the shower test, the jacket kept us dry until about 50 minutes into the process, when we noticed some damp areas on the shoulders of our cotton shirt. While not our first choice for maximum breathability, this is the jacket we would select to bring on route with afternoon storms in the forecast.
The Fineline fabric is thin and flexible, while the fit is generous enough to allow more airflow to reach inside. A breathability rating of between 10,000 and 15,000 g/m2/24h is generally considered the sweet spot for active layers. That's the amount of water that can pass through one square meter of fabric throughout 24 hours. The Fineline offers a breathability rating of 10,000 g/m2/24h, and the design features an adjustable hood, wrist cuffs, and hemline that you can tighten or release depending on the weather and your activity level. Rounding out the design are 11-inch pit vents with DWR-coated zippers to increase the breathability further when necessary.
The ultra-thin layer performed well during our objective uphill hiking tests. Although we noticed no condensation on our smartphone, we did notice a little build-up on the interior fabric. That is until we opened the vents to allow air to flow for improved cooling. Although not as breathable as other jackets in this review, the Fineline successfully combines water resistance and breathability within a lightweight design.
Our testers found the Fineline one of the more comfortable rain jacket designs we've tested. The stretch fabric and underarm gussets help increase the comfort level, and the jacket never limits our full range of motion. The hemline, wrists, and hood are all adjustable to better customize the fit to your body type. “The design is meant to be true to size, yet I found it something more of a relaxed fit that allowed me to add layers underneath easily,” says Trish Matheny, who preferred this jacket over others due to its full range of motion. The arm length is longer than other women's small sizes, and the longer hemline allows the jacket to layer easily under your climbing harness.
During our objective hill tests, training runs, and hikes, we couldn't help but notice how comfortable the stretchy fabric was, even when directly laid against our skin. Perhaps our only complaint is that the lightweight design foregoes any softer material covering the main zipper, so there can be a rough interface where the chin and zipper meet when fully zipped. This was especially uncomfortable in colder temperatures. Overall, this is a comfy design with a fit that's spacious enough for layers underneath.
Weighing a mere 8.6 ounces for a Women's size small, the Fineline is the second lightest rain jacket we tested. And if we're being honest, it is much more functional and protective than the lightest option we had in hand, making it our first choice for fast and light missions where every ounce is accounted for.
The jacket packs easily into the right-hand pocket, and the two-way zipper with attached webbing is long enough to be useful even with cold fingers or while wearing gloves. Although this design is minimally weighted, the jacket remains feature-rich, protective, and functional even when the weather turns bad.
The lightweight design of the Fineline inevitably means it will sacrifice some longevity due to the thinner fabric used. That said, we experienced nothing beyond a tiny hole in the outer shell after getting too close to some desert plants during our testing period.
Beyond the small hole, the zippers, velcro, and seams showed no signs of wear. The hood and toggles remained functional, too. We just wish that the adjustment for the hood was on the interior rather than the hood's exterior. If you experience any issues during use, Black Diamond backs the design with a two-year warranty. Ultimately, it is a jacket built for lightweight protection during high-output activities. This means it is unlikely to have the same lengthy lifespan as other options with heavier designs and thicker, less breathable outer face fabrics.
If you want a moderately priced rain jacket that prioritizes comfort, mobility, and water-resistant performance within a lightweight design, the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch won't disappoint. This jacket is built for the outdoor enthusiast who is counting every ounce before setting out to achieve their goals. The fit is true to size yet spacious enough to allow for easy layering, while the stretchy fabric offers a full range of motion. While not the best jacket for everyday use in the heaviest rains, it would be highly valuable to have in hand when caught in a storm while pursuing an alpine objective.
If you like the sounds of the Fineline but are more focused on maximizing waterproof performance, and you can spare some extra cash, check out the Arc'teryx Beta SL. The fabric isn't as stretchy, but the Beta SL will keep you drier for longer, thanks to a 3L Gore-Tex waterproof and breathable membrane. If you want to stick within the same price range as the Fineline and don't mind a more rigid fabric, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is another 3-layer option with a high-performing DWR finish for ample water resistance. If you consider yourself the ultimate minimalist and don't anticipate much moisture, the Outdoor Research Helium is the most packable option we tested, even if it doesn't offer anywhere near the same level of performance.
