If you’re the kind of person who reads the first description of a piece of clothing, and then moves on if it’s described as good for a particular sport in which you don’t spend much time pursuing, I’m here to tell you to adopt a new behavior.
Keep reading. Just because a jacket is “for ski” doesn’t mean it’s not good for other sports, or even general winter use. The more you read about the clothing item, the more its features will tell you whether it truly is sport specific, or if its uses can stretch to cover a variety of things.
Take the Black Diamond Pursuit Hoody, for example.
The waterproof shell fabric (made from polyester plain-weave with breathable PU coating and DWR finish) is combined with ThermoLite polyester insulation that provides reliable warmth, even when wet. It’s ideal for skiing and skinning, but also great in wet winter conditions from hiking to wandering the streets of a new city when rain is in the forecast. It’s my go-to mid-weight winter jacket at home when a puffy is too much, and a windbreaker is too little.
The ski helmet-compatible hood and zip-out powder skirt also speaks to the jacket’s use in the snow. But that’s not all. Underarm gussets allow a wide range of motion, single-pull cord adjustment on the hood and hem, two zippered hand pockets, two internal drop pockets, and a concealed zip chest pocket are all features that are appreciated whether you’re skiing or doing non-snow activities.
The women’s version of the Pursuit Hoody comes in black, nickel, and night sky, and lists for $279 on the Black Diamond site. The men’s version (which also goes by the name Pursuit Ski Shell) comes in black, verde, and red oxide, and lists for the same amount on the Black Diamond site.