Review: Black Diamond Men's Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell Jacket
By Ski Expert
Jason Shumaker
9 photos
The Curated Take
4.8/5
The Black Diamond Men's Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell Jacket is ideal for backcountry touring and mountaineering enthusiasts. It balances breathability and waterproofing, making it excellent for hiking up and protecting against high winds during descents. It is designed with a slim fit and can comfortably accommodate a light insulation layer underneath. Its durability and technical features tailored to backcountry use offer a good value.
Ideal for
- Offers lots of features and plenty of ventilation
- Ideal for backcountry touring and mountaineering
Not ideal for
- Features snow skirts on the wrists
Aesthetics
The color selection for the Dawn Patrol is fairly deep and not too flashy for a shell. This shell's slim fit and shape have nice cuts, and it looks good...Read more
Waterproofing
I have worn this shell for day tours, yurt trips, and backcountry tent ski trips in the Rocky Mountains. Many shells start absorbing melted snow or retaining moisture from the...Read more
Durability
I use the Dawn Patrol mostly for backcountry tours, but I also wear it at the resort, so it sees a decent amount of use. It also comes along on...Read more
Comfort
I like when outerwear manufacturers think about their garments and how they are used. The Dawn Patrol has a nice patch of supple material at the top of the zipper...Read more
Warmth
Since this piece is a shell, it doesn't offer much warmth, but it really packs a punch when I combine it with a lightweight down or synthetic insulated jacket. The...Read more
Breathability
The Dawn Patrol offers different materials for different shell parts to provide maximum waterproofness and breathability. A large part of the back is very breathable, and the material allows the...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Jason Shumaker
About the jackets
- Model: Black Diamond Men's Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell Jacket
Test conditions
- Where I’ve used it: Backcountry
- How many times I've used it: 60
Expert Reviews of the Black Diamond Men's Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell Jacket
Jason Shumaker I live in the Wasatch and tour in the backcountry around 60-70 days per season, and I have quite a few years under my belt. I have paired down my kit to be efficient and minimal, and I am always looking for a shell that is breathable enough for the hike up and beefy enough for high winds on the summit and down ski. The Dawn Patrol hits this balance perfectly with plenty of tech options at a great price.
I tend to gravitate toward a slimmer fit with shells, which are harder to find these days. The Dawn Patrol has a nice slim fit with sufficient room for a light down jacket or synthetic warm layer underneath. I hope Black Diamond doesn't stop making this shell because I will be purchasing it for years.
Product Specs
| Gender | Men's |
| Age Group | Adult |
| Featured technology | BD.dry™, DWR, RECCO®, VELCRO® |
| Features | Hood, Lightweight, Waterproof, Windproof, Breathable, Zippered pocket |
| Style | Shell, Long sleeve, Full-Zip, Hoodie |
| Material | 3L, Down, Elastane, Nylon/Nylon blend |
Review Ratings
Aesthetics
5/5
Jason Shumaker gave 5 of 5 stars. The color selection for the Dawn Patrol is fairly deep and not too flashy for a shell. This shell's slim fit and shape have nice cuts, and it looks good even when I'm not skiing. I like that it is a technical piece but not too technical when I wear it around town.
Waterproofing
5/5
Jason Shumaker gave 5 of 5 stars. I have worn this shell for day tours, yurt trips, and backcountry tent ski trips in the Rocky Mountains. Many shells start absorbing melted snow or retaining moisture from the interior the longer someone is in a storm or hiking. However, the Dawn Patrol finds a nice balance between breathability and waterproofing to prevent both issues.
Durability
5/5
Jason Shumaker gave 5 of 5 stars. I use the Dawn Patrol mostly for backcountry tours, but I also wear it at the resort, so it sees a decent amount of use. It also comes along on spring and fall climbing trips where I might get wet or exposed to winds or storms. After all this use, the material has held well, and the waterproofing is just as good as when I first bought it.
Comfort
5/5
Jason Shumaker gave 5 of 5 stars. I like when outerwear manufacturers think about their garments and how they are used. The Dawn Patrol has a nice patch of supple material at the top of the zipper where my face meets the fabric to prevent rubbing or irritation. Some vent holes also allow moisture to escape if the zipper is fully closed.
Warmth
4/5
Jason Shumaker gave 4 of 5 stars. Since this piece is a shell, it doesn't offer much warmth, but it really packs a punch when I combine it with a lightweight down or synthetic insulated jacket. The combo sheds the wind and keeps the warmth trapped where it needs to be. The cuffs work with either under-the-cuff gloves or gauntlet-style gloves.
Breathability
5/5
Jason Shumaker gave 5 of 5 stars. The Dawn Patrol offers different materials for different shell parts to provide maximum waterproofness and breathability. A large part of the back is very breathable, and the material allows the heat and moisture to escape easily.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Jason Shumaker When I first put this shell on, I knew it was the one for me. The fit was exceptional and exactly what I was looking for. So many shells these days are boxy and oversized. The Dawn Patrol is a slim fit, with enough room underneath for an insulation layer.
Why did you choose this product?
Jason Shumaker I ski a lot in the backcountry, and this shell is designed specifically for this activity with max breathability, strategically placed pockets, and a hood that can accommodate a helmet.
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