Strafe Cham Jacket
Best shell for tall folks from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Our lankiest testers loved this shell’s cut. “I struggle to find jackets with long-enough sleeves and torsos that aren’t baggy,” reports one 6’9” skier. “But this jacket fit me well without having to size up, and the cut is athletic while still leaving room for a puffy.” Strafe doesn’t offer extended sizing; it just includes details that cater to people who can reach the top shelf. Extended sleeves prevent the dreaded wrist gap even for the long-limbed, and the hem kept snow out of our pants even when we bent and reached. Tradeoff: The Cham is the heaviest hardshell in the test.
THE DETAILS
High-set chest pockets fit goggles and skins (there are also two interior mesh pockets and a sleeve pocket); the two-way adjustable hood fits a helmet (it’s a bit baggy without one); and the chamois-lined hood is soft against the face. Strafe’s proprietary three-layer membrane left us sticky on uphills, but pit zips helped air things out.
TRAIL CRED
“The Cham’s ample four-way stretch means no pinched shoulders on pole plants and reaches,” said one rangy tester after a day spent lapping Tuckerman Ravine in New Hampshire.
Weight: 1 lb. 4 oz.
Sizes: Men’s XS-XL
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See more of the best Hardshell Jackets for Winter 2018
See the entire Winter Gear Guide
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