Tried and tested: Dakine women’s Silcox ski jacket review

Fall-Line’s Co-Editor Yolanda Carslaw puts Dakine’s Silcox ski jacket through its paces on the slopes

Two things mark this jacket out from any I’ve ever owned or tested. First, the muted colour – a foretaste of next winter’s major outerwear trend, and in practice a big plus in terms of wearability off the slopes or at home. Second, the long length – initially a strange concept to me, but in practice a bonus for warmth, as well as a look and feel that grew on me.

Despite its ‘street’ look, this garment is properly technical and fully weatherproof. The 2L plain-weave Gore-Tex is insulated with Primaloft Gold and lined with brushed Tricot, giving protection and warmth without weight. Seams are fully taped and wrist gaiters cosy. I took a medium – I need a large in some brands – and it fitted perfectly with up to two base-layers, although I only ever needed one as it’s super-warm. It’s clearly not designed for touring but we did a couple of skin-ups under spring sunshine and with the front zipper undone and generous pit-zips fully open I didn’t roast as much as I expected.

Pockets are well configured and look stylish but they’re not especially roomy: I couldn’t get much more than phone, camera, purse and lipsalve in once I’d strapped on my transceiver. There are two mesh goggle/stuff pockets inside as well as an outer pocket on the chest (with goggle wipe), dual-entry handwarmer pockets (with popper access from the top and zips at the side) and a lift-pass pocket on the arm.

The jacket’s arms are long but the hood – with bonded brim – not roomy enough to fit over my helmet or even my bobble hat. The chin-guard is lovely and high, with soft lining. Zip-pulls in brown leather match the Dakine label sewn discreetly onto one arm and one pocket-flap. There’s a removable and very elasticky powder skirt.

The long cut didn’t restrict movement at all – for schussing, very wide snowplough, skating, kick-turns and sitting down it was fine. However, when I wanted to fiddle with base-layer/trouser arrangements, such as tucking something in, it was a bit of a faff to pull up the lower part or partially unzip.

The tan Dakine pants that go with this jacket are cut for someone with slinkier thighs than mine, so I’ve been wearing it with a pair of roomier Salomon pants, in bright pink. I think this muted blue would go with pretty much any colour, even if pink wasn’t the intended partner. My ski buddies loved the jacket’s style: their only niggle was that I’m harder to spot.

Low-down: Dakine Silcox jacket

Verdict: Warm, weatherproof and easy to wear on (and off) the slopes. A refreshing departure from the norm, both in cut and hue.
RRP: £335