About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the jacket, which I tested for 6 days in November of 2022.

My take

The Strafe Lynx 3L Shell Pullover is a high-performing shell packed full of features designed to excel in the backcountry or with layering for any day in the resort.

About the jacket

• Model: 2022/23 Strafe Lynx 3L Shell Pullover
• Size: Small
• Fit: True to Size

About me

• Height: 5’7”
• Weight: 135lbs
• Experience: 29 years of snowboarding/skiing

Test conditions

• When I received this: November 2022
• Days tested: 6
• Where I’ve used it: Early season skiing at Keystone Resort on both a 30-degree and 4-degree day, backcountry skiing, and teaching an avalanche class.
• Conditions I’ve used it in: Hard-packed resort day, powdery touring day, and while trudging around in the snow teaching a class.

How it performs

What I was looking for

I’ve been on the hunt to replace my 9-year-old backcountry touring shell for several months now and was really excited when I got the opportunity to test a new option from Strafe. I was looking for a jacket that meets basic criteria like wind and waterproof but also one with plenty of venting, useful pockets, and a good fit.

Why I chose to test this gear

Strafe gifted me this jacket in November 2022 to test. I’d been considering some other options like the Patagonia Stormstride or FlyLow Domino Jacket, but with the anorak style, I’d choose the Lynx.

What I love about it

• Fit: I LOVE the fit of the Lynx. It’s roomy enough to easily fit layers under without looking baggy or bulky. It’s also a little longer than a traditional alpine jacket or shell, which I really like for the extra coverage over my hips to keep cold and snow out.
• Range of Motion: Sometimes, anorak-style jackets can feel a little restrictive, but this jacket has enough stretch and the perfect amount of room to move with me while skiing.
• Style: The sleek, anorak style is my favorite thing about this jacket. It’s the perfect balance of performance and steeze. Long and comfortable while still looking sleek and not frumpy. I also really dig the olive green color with hints of lavender in the logo and hood. I love colorful ski gear and think Strafe did a great job giving the jacket a little extra personality.
• Quality of Materials: The Lynx is made with Strafe’s proprietary 3L fabric, which feels like a rugged hard shell but still provides great stretch and movement. It also is quite soft for a hardshell jacket rather than a more traditional, swishy raincoat material and packs down great in my gear bin and touring pack.
• Durability: I haven’t had the jacket long enough to push its durability limits; however, the material is definitely top-of-the-line. It’s also obvious to me that if I were to get any hole in the jacket, it would be easy to fix with a gear repair patch or tape.
• Pockets: This jacket has sneaky, well-thought-out pockets throughout. Typical to the anorak style, there is a kangaroo pouch double pocket with a zippered hand warmer pocket that goes across the front and a zippered drop-in pocket on top of it. The drop-in pocket has two additional sewed in stretchy pockets that are perfect for a phone, snacks, etc. In addition, it has a chest pocket and a pass pocket on the sleeve. The Lynx will do the trick if someone is looking for a jacket that can stash what they need for a full day out on the slopes.
• Waterproofing: Thanks to the DWR treatment, the Lynx is waterproof. I haven’t had any issues getting wet so far.
• Breathability: The Lynx has underarm vents and a ½ zip on the front, which are critical on hot spring days or while skinning.
• Features: The wrist gaiters with built-in thumb holes were one of the first features I noticed about this jacket, and they are awesome. They are made of a soft, stretchy material that looks like it’s part of a separate base layer but is actually integrated into the jacket. In addition, the left side zipper zips from the armpit down to the hip, which means I can still use the restroom without having to take the jacket off, and it’s easy to take on and off at the beginning and end of the day. This is key to a successful ski anorak design when wearing bib snow pants, and Strafe nailed it. The front of the hood also has soft fleece, so when it’s really windy, and the hood is pulled up over my helmet, the front is soft on my face.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Warmth: The Lynx Shell is not warm at all, but it isn’t meant to be. It is a performance shell that is meant to be layered underneath and protect someone from the elements, so they can add or subtract the level of insulation they need in the form of jackets, mid-layers, and base layers.

Favorite moment with this gear

In addition to skiing, I took the Lynx skating and on snowy walks in Maine over the holidays. It’s definitely become a staple, and I’m happy to wear it on any winter adventure. I get so many compliments on this jacket. The fit and style are so great, and I’m constantly telling people that it’s one of my favorite pieces of gear.

Value for the money vs. other options

The Lynx is not a cheap shell, but I think it’s priced well compared to other jackets of a similar caliber, especially for the number of pockets and style. The Patagonia Stormstride and FlyLow Domino are priced closely to the Lynx and have similar quality and features. However, they aren’t anoraks. I’ve had some experiences with similarly priced brands where the jacket materials and features are of amazing quality, but the fit/style is not; Strafe really nailed both and didn’t compromise.

Final verdict

The Strafe Lynx 3L Shell Pullover is a highly functional shell for both backcountry and resort use that looks good, too. I would absolutely recommend this jacket and purchase it for myself or others.