With the Recon Stretch Shell, Black Diamond clearly aims to offer a jacket capable of facing all winter conditions: deep powder, humidity, wind, long days at the resort as well as freerando. Built around the in-house membrane BD.dry™ 3L, this model focuses on comfort, versatility, and a more accessible performance/price ratio than the premium membranes on the market. We tested it in various conditions: cold days in the mountains, active ascents, spring conditions, and outings with gear carrying.

Comfort & freedom of movement: its real strength

The most immediate sensation is the flexibility of the fabric. The four-way stretch makes for a much more pleasant jacket to wear than most 3-layer hardshells, which are often more rigid.
In ski touring, this elasticity is really felt:
– no pulling at the shoulders when handling poles,
– no tension at the chest with a loaded backpack,
– the jacket naturally follows the movement during conversions.

Even on long ascents, the fit remains comfortable and well-cleared.

Protection & BD.dry 3L membrane: effective but not extreme

Black Diamond announces a 20,000 mm / 20,000 g/m², within the norm of a versatile 3L membrane.
In practice:
– no infiltration on humid days,
– the PU-coated front zip holds up well,
– the helmet-compatible hood offers excellent protection in windy conditions.

Breathability is decent, but like most 3L jackets not “pure mountaineering,” you end up opening the underarm vents during big ascents. These DWR-treated ventilation zips are easy to handle, even with gloves.

Note: the PFC-free DWR finish works well to shed snow and light precipitation.

Organization & storage: ideal for freerando / resort

The Recon Stretch Shell is designed for those who alternate between ascent, descent, and quick manipulations.
It includes:
– a practical chest pocket (radio, phone, map…),
– a ski pass pocket on the arm,
– handwarmer pockets accessible even with a backpack,
– most importantly: two large internal mesh pockets, perfect for slipping in skins or a light down jacket.

This is clearly a strong point for touring, as the skins dry much better in these internal pockets than in a damp backpack.

The removable snow skirt is appreciated: you keep it at the resort, you remove it for touring outings where it would hinder carrying.

Performance on the field: an all-purpose jacket

On the field, the Recon Stretch Shell falls into the category of true all-rounders:
– sturdy enough to withstand branches, heavy snow, repeated manipulations,
– flexible enough for long ascents,
– protective enough to ski in a storm.

The weight (791 g) places it in the versatile freerando hardshells, and not in the ultralight models oriented towards ski mountaineering. You gain in comfort what you lose in minimalism.

Durability & responsible design

The jacket uses:
– a durable BD.dry 3L,
– a PFC-free DWR treatment,
– robust materials intended to last several seasons.

It is not the most “eco-friendly” brand on the market, but the absence of PFC is a really positive point for a hardshell.

• Very comfortable 4-way stretch fabric
• Total versatility: resort, freeride, touring
• Two large internal pockets perfect for skins
• Very protective helmet-compatible hood
• Effective ventilation for ascents
• PFC-free DWR + well-balanced 3L membrane
• Redesigned very ergonomic fit

• A bit heavy for ski mountaineering purists
• Intermediate price but still high for a proprietary membrane
• Not the most compact jacket when stored

SRM Verdict

The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Shell is an excellent versatile jacket, designed for those who want a single hardshell for the entire winter: freeride, touring, powder, storm. Its great comfort and internal storage make it a very pleasant model for everyday use, especially in ski touring where the skins finally have a real place. It is aimed at those who seek reliability + comfort + modularity, without absolutely aiming for ultralight. A robust, practical, and ultra-comfortable hardshell, perfect for complete winter use.

More info here: https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/mens-recon-stretch-shell

Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pant

The Recon Stretch Pant naturally accompanies the jacket of the same name in the Black Diamond range. Redesigned with a more ergonomic fit and built around the BD.dry™ 3L four-way stretch membrane, it clearly targets skiers who spend a lot of time outdoors: ski touring, resort, freeride, wet days, or long ascents. We tested it over several varied sessions: skinning approach, sustained descents, deep snow, cold temperatures, and frequent gear handling.

Comfort & mobility: a true “all-day ski” pant

From the first turns, you feel the benefit of the 4-way stretch.

The pant perfectly follows movements:
– no pulling during conversions,
– knees well cleared thanks to the reworked fit,
– excellent sense of fluidity in the joints.

Black Diamond has reworked the fit with:
– more ample preformed knees,
– a better-designed seat panel,
– an adjusted waist that covers the lower back well without hindering mobility.

On both ascent and descent, you enjoy a flexible, stable, and very comfortable pant, which is not always the case with more rigid 3-layer models.

BD.dry 3L protection: a reliable barrier against moisture

The BD.dry™ 3L membrane is identical to that of the jacket:
– 20,000 mm waterproofing,
– 20,000 g/m²/24 h breathability,
– PFC-free DWR treatment.

On the field, this translates to:
– good protection against heavy or wet snow,
– a fairly robust outer fabric,
– decent breathability, enhanced by the diagonal side ventilation zips during ascents.

It is not the most high-performance membrane on the market, but it offers an excellent balance of versatility / comfort / protection, ideal for major season use.

Functionality & organization: designed for practice

The Recon Stretch Pant incorporates the details found in good freerando pants:

Pockets & storage
– Two zippered thigh pockets, accessible with a backpack or light harness.
– An internal DVA attachment in the right pocket, designed for those who like to keep their device there — although it is not the recommended location for all practitioners.

Ventilation & thermoregulation

The diagonal side vents are effective:
– they ventilate well without letting snow in,
– the diagonal allows for no hindrance with movements.

Protection & durability

– Strong reinforcements at the bottom of the legs, effective against edges or crampons.
– High integrated snow gaiters, which hold well on the shoe without flipping over.

Adjustments

– Removable integrated belt,
– loops for those who prefer their own belt,
– side velcros easy to handle with gloves.

The whole is coherent and well thought out for mixed resort / touring use.

Performance in skiing: precise, comfortable, and reliable

On descent, the pant is forgotten:

– fluid fit,
– good support at the waist,
– no excessive wind resistance thanks to the flexible fabric.

On ascent, mobility is very appreciable and the diagonal ventilation offers a clear gain in comfort. The weight (about 700 g) places it in the versatile freerando category, and not in the ultralight segment, but it is assumed: here, durability and comfort throughout the season are targeted.

Durability & responsible design

We find:
– durable BD.dry membrane,
– PFC-free DWR treatment,
– sturdy reinforcements to extend lifespan.

As with the jacket, it is not the most “eco-driven” brand, but the choice of PFC-free is a step in the right direction.

• Excellent mobility thanks to four-way stretch
• Revised fit: preformed knees, adjusted seat, protective waist
• Very effective diagonal side zips on ascent
• Strong bottom leg reinforcements
• Reliable integrated gaiters
• Balanced and comfortable BD.dry 3L membrane
• Thigh pocket with DVA attachment for those who use it

• A bit heavy for ski mountaineering or “fast & light” purists
• Look more oriented towards freeride / resort than technical ski mountaineering

SRM Verdict

The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pant is a robust, comfortable, and extremely mobile pant, designed for those who seek a single model for the entire winter. Ideal for freeride + touring use, it combines protection, comfort, and modularity, while adopting a cleaner approach thanks to the PFC-free DWR. It will perfectly suit skiers who want a versatile, reliable, pleasant to wear pant that is sufficiently technical for demanding conditions — without absolutely aiming for minimalism. An excellent choice for a complete winter in freerando / resort / powder.

More info here: https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/mens-recon-stretch-pants