Black Diamond Highline Stretch Shell Review
Updated:
Jan 20, 2025Somewhere between a rain shell and a hardshell jacket, the Black Diamond Highline ($529) is designed to offer impenetrable protection in mountain environments. The long and roomy cut accommodates bulky layers and the stretchy shell fabric is quiet, supple, and soft against the skin, with none of the crunchiness we’ve come to expect from a hardshell. However, the Highline is expensive for a rain jacket, overkill for mild temperatures, and not everyone will like the oversized fit.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
3-layer BD.dry
Weight
12.7 oz.
Fabric
40D nylon
Vents
Pit zips
Packable
No
Pros
Cons
Black Diamond Highline Stretch
For this season's top shells, see our guide to the Best Rain Jackets.
The Highline Stretch was my go-to rain jacket and kept me well-protected on a month-long trip to the Lofoten Islands in Norway—a region notorious for its heinous weather. Despite several days of torrential downpours—including non-stop rain for six hours straight at one point—the Highline Stretch never failed me: Its 3-layer BD.dry membrane and fully taped seams ensured no moisture snuck through. What’s more, the high collar and storm hood protected me from howling wind on exposed ridge lines and passes, and the easily adjustable cuffs and hem sealed out the elements even further.
Although the face fabric absorbed some moisture after six hours of downpour, water never leaked through the jacket. The Highline Stretch also retained a surprising amount of warmth (for a shell) in cold, windy conditions, thanks to its sturdy 40-denier face fabric. Compared to other jackets on the market, such as the Norrøna Falketind Dri1 (lighter and more packable, but less sturdy in rough weather) or the Marmot Minimalist Pertex (cheaper but less breathable), the Black Diamond Highline Stretch is better equipped to handle cold, wet conditions.
Comfort is also one of this jacket’s strong suits. The Highline Stretch’s softshell-like fabric provided a full range of motion, while its boxy fit and longer-than-average hem allowed me to extend my hands over my head and still have full coverage of my layers. Notably, the jacket is soft against bare skin; thanks to the jersey backer, it doesn’t feel clammy or trash bag-like at all, unlike many Gore-Tex rain jackets. In Lofoten, I varied my layers a lot: sometimes just a t-shirt or lightweight fleece, and sometimes a midlayer and down jacket—I stayed comfortable in all permutations. The Highline Stretch’s collar also has the same jersey backer for a soft, non-plasticky next-to-skin feel, even when fully zipped.
As far as rain shells go, the Highline Stretch offers average breathability. Its stretchy fabric and jersey backer help moisture escape, preventing a clammy feel on the inside, while the large, easy-to-use armpit zips made it easy to dump heat on steep inclines if I got warm. For the majority of my Lofoten trip, which tended towards cool weather, it was the perfect outer layer; I was very comfortable in 50-degree Fahrenheit conditions with driving rain and blowing wind sideways (with a midlayer and puffy underneath).
However, the Highline Stretch’s breathability faltered when temps reached the high 60s or low 70s Fahrenheit. The jacket is overkill in these conditions, and it didn’t shed heat as well as I wanted (especially for a $500 shell). I found myself needing to fully unzip the jacket on the uphills and even had to stop to take it off at points. That said, the Highline Stretch still fares better than jackets like the Arc’teryx Beta, which lacks vents, or the Marmot Minimalist, which has a plasticky interior that traps heat.
At 12.7 ounces for a size men’s medium, the Black Diamond Highline Stretch is relatively lightweight for the category but falls short in terms of packability. Despite weighing less than the 14.1-ounce Patagonia Granite Crest, the Highline Stretch feels bulkier. That can be a worthy tradeoff for the impervious weather protection, but if pack space is at premium this might not be the shell for you. (I wore the Highline Stretch 80% of my time on the trail in Lofoten, so the lack of packability didn’t bother me.) When I did pack it down, the Highline Stretch compressed to the size of a one-liter Nalgene when I rolled it up into its hood.
Despite its stretchy feel, the 40-denier face fabric of the Highline Stretch is plenty durable and able to withstand heavy use. It’s thicker than the material of your average everyday rain jacket, which usually lands in the 20- to 30-denier range. Plus, all the cords and plastic toggles worked great and felt robust. However, my one complaint with the Highline Stretch was its front zipper. At the bottom of the track, the zipper would get stuck, and I spent a lot of time fidgeting with it. Although I eventually avoided the issue by making sure the zipper started properly, it caused a lot of frustration. (While we believe this was a sample issue, it’s something to keep an eye out for.)
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Hood
The Highline Stretch nails its hood design: It’s climbing-helmet compatible but you can also cinch it down for a snug fit around your head. The drawcord adjustment at the back allowed me to tighten the hood, sealing out rain and wind, and it stayed put despite strong gusts. I had full range of motion with the hood on, and it never obstructed my view. The hood’s sturdy bill also helped keep water out of my eyes in heavy rain.
Storage
The pockets on the Highline Stretch are well-designed and plentiful. There are two harness-compatible zippered hand pockets, one zippered chest pocket, and one internal stash pocket. The waterproof hand pockets are huge, easily fitting a pair of mittens, snacks, and a satellite phone between the two of them—I could even fit a bottle of wine in there if I wanted to. (Ed. note: Whether you want to try this is up to you.) My phone felt secure in the zippered chest pocket on the left, while the stretchy internal pocket on the right chest was handy for stashing rain mitts when I wasn’t using them.
Tester: 6’2” 175 lb.; 41" chest; 32" waist
Size tested: Men’s large
Typically I wear a size men’s large, and the Black Diamond Highline Stretch in a large fit me well. The jacket has a roomy, boxy cut, with a longer-than-average hem that reaches the upper thigh. The sleeve length is generous, allowing me to tuck my long arms inside the sleeves if I was feeling too lazy to put on mittens. The loose fit, along with the long hems and sleeves, lends itself well to layering: I easily wore a base layer, fleece, and puffy jacket underneath. The hem covered all the layers, which was a nice change from other rain jackets that aren’t long enough to provide full coverage (for example, the Arc’teryx Beta is a bit short and my layers would stick out the bottom).
Arc’teryx Beta SL ($500): A Standard, Rigid Hardshell
If you’re looking for a reliable hardshell for hiking and weight-conscious skiing and climbing, Arc’teryx’s Beta SL is hard to beat. It’s slightly lighter (12 oz.) and more packable than the Highline, yet has a thicker shell fabric (40 x 70D vs the Highline’s 40D) and tacks on similar features such as a helmet-compatible hood, pit zips, and a soft backer. The most noteworthy difference comes in the overall feel of the Beta SL, which features rigid 3-layer Gore-Tex construction compared to the Highline’s stretch-infused build. We have yet to be let down by the Highline’s BD.dry, but the Beta SL’s shell fabric has less of a tendency to wet out in sustained moisture and it’s hard to beat the performance of Gore-Tex. The Beta SL also has a trim cut, while the Highline is noticeably long and roomy. For more, read our review of the Arc'teryx Beta SL.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch ($189): Streamlined but Still Stretchy
If you’re looking for waterproof protection for hiking, backpacking, or light alpine adventures, there’s a good chance you can get away with a rain jacket like the Black Diamond Fineline. For $260 less than the Highline Stretch, the Fineline offers similar moisture protection with a stretchy shell (50D vs. the Highline’s 40D) and the same BD.dry waterproof membrane. Given its 2.5-layer construction (which features a laminate liner rather than the Highline’s soft, moisture-wicking backer), it’s lighter and more packable than the Highline, but noticeably less durable and comfortable next to the skin. Finally, the Fineline’s trimmer fit doesn’t accommodate bulky layers (read: not great for cold weather), although we prefer the sleeker style. For three-season adventurers who want stretchy waterproof protection without a high price tag, it’s a compelling choice. For more, read our in-depth review of the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch.
With a long and roomy cut, the 3-layer Highline Stretch provides a high degree of coverage and accommodates bulky layers underneath, making it a great option for cold weather and outright bad conditions. The stretchy shell fabric is quiet, supple, and soft against the skin. However, the Highline is overkill for mild temperatures and not everyone will like the oversized fit.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
Arc’teryx’s most approachable hardshell is more durable, breathable, and protective than most 2- and 2.5-layer rain jackets while checking in at a similar weight. However, it’ll cost you $500 and has a rigid, crinkly feel.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
The Fineline is an extra-comfortable and easy-moving rain jacket, thanks to a stretch-woven shell and underarm gussets. With a low weight and packable design, it’s suitable for backcountry use. However, it isn’t our first choice as a daily driver due to its trim fit and relatively thin shell fabric.
Weather Protection
Comfort
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Highline Stretch for You?
The Black Diamond Highline Stretch is a compelling jacket for alpine climbers, backcountry skiers, and intrepid backpackers. Given its flexible fabric and soft backer, it moves more easily and quietly than a full-blown hardshell, which is a boon for activities that require high freedom of movement. On the other hand, it still gets high marks for weather protection and includes storm-worthy features like a high collar, long hem, and roomy, helmet-compatible hood. And while the $529 price tag looms large compared to the rain jacket competition, it’s on the low side of average for a hardshell. If you’re looking for hardshell protection for cold-weather pursuits but don’t want to compromise on freedom of movement, the Black Diamond Highline Stretch might be for you.
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