DaKine Smyth 2016

My testing period for this jacket was over the summer on the glacier in Switzerland. Not ideal you might think for a fairly tech jacket. But actually it turned out pretty well. Summer snow is super wet and it rained a few times so that gave the waterproofing a good runout. And glacier days are hot, which gave the breathability a real test.

The short story is this is a great jacket. It looks good and is nicely cut. I rode in a large at 5'9 and I would describe it as too big for me, but not obnoxious or uncomfortable. Plenty of guys wear stuff bigger but I don't find the massive fit comfortable or practical. This jacket is clearly designed to fit progressive (looser than your normal tech jacket, but without venturing towards thug) and on me it was a little bigger.

The 2L Goretex, the most basic goretex construction, still does the job perfectly. I was always bone dry, even going out in horizontal rain and crashing in slush. The jacket also comes with all the things you'd expect: pass pocket, pit vents, internal goggle pocket etc.

It's of relatively normal weight for a shell and the breathability feels excellent. However the netted pit vents/hood vents do not allow for the same airflow as the fully open vents I had on the Planks Yeti Hunter. I have to say that despite the benefit of keeping snow out to a greater degree, I prefer the fully open vent system in hot weather/when hiking/touring.

I'd also really love there to be a zip off hood/button down hood, something I want in any shell jacket because the hood is so light it flaps around when riding switch.

It's not warm, being a shell, so you'd have to layer up for colder days but that aside it has all the tech you'd need and the Dakine durability seems good across all the items I tested. Overall, the Smyth is a great choice for a daily jacket. You won't look out of place rocking it in the park, but it has all the tech you need for even quite extensive ventures in to the backcountry.

• Design
  Clean
  Busy
• Weight
  Light
  Heavy
• Durability
  Fragile
  Durable
• Style
  Uncool
  Cool
• Fit
  Tight
  Baggy
• Waterproofing
  Wet
  Dry
• Breathability
  Pourous
  Airtight
• Warmth
  Cold
  Warm