Strafe Nomad Jacket & Pants - Outerwear Kit Review
Strafe has been good to us for the past few years here at SkiEssentials.com, and we’ve been overwhelmingly satisfied with their stuff. This year, I went to Nomad land, receiving and using their 3L shell jacket and bibs kit for the first two months of the ski season. Not only does this setup look fantastic in the Arctic Blue/Moss combo, but it’s also incredibly functional. Like a versatile all-mountain ski, this setup literally does it all. I’ve had it out there in pouring rain, freezing cold, high winds, and everything in between. Nomad stands up to it all, making it one of the most well-rounded kits out there. Like we normally do when it comes to outerwear, we like to focus on Fit, Fabric, and Features while going through the kit.
I’m 6’2” tall and weigh about 225 pounds. Normally I’m an Extra Large in both top and bottom, and that’s what I requested. The jacket, unfortunately, was pretty darn big and roomy, so I exchanged it for a Large. Even with a base, mid, and insulating layer under, the shell fits great—good length in the waist and the arms. In the shoulders and upper arms, the jacket is slightly snug, but not uncomfortable. I did spend some time in the gym this summer and fall, and that likely contributed to the tighter fit in the top. Even so, the Large for me is the way to go. For the bibs, the XL is perfect for me. I can sometimes have issues with the thigh room, and these Nomad bibs fit great in that zone. Length is good—I do let the suspenders of the bibs all the way out, so they’re maxed out when it comes to how long the cuffs go down. While I didn’t try on a Large, I do think it’d be on the snug side for my midsection.
Strafe does some awesome things with the technology of their 3L fabric. The three layers are incredibly powerful when it comes to wind and rain repellent, all while using their eVent tech to keep it breathable. At no point, whether wet, dry, warm, or cold, did I feel any condensation build up on the inside of the kit, and that’s a huge testament to this fabric. The outer layer is made from 100% recycled nylon ripstop material with the internal layer containing their N20 Tricot backer. While Strafe forgoes the normal uses of 10K/10K waterproof/breathable numbers, they do use a 0.1 CFM/113 g/m2 split to indicate that the jacket is both waterproof and breathable. We also get a DWR treatment to the outer layer that firmly keeps water beading, and not penetrating. Technically, this jacket makes a lot of sense for skiers who split their time between resort and backcountry use as it is light, breathable, and mainly waterproof. The bibs follow most of the same suit, with similar 3L technology in the pant section, just with a different fabric going on in the bib zone. It’s a soft, stretchy, and breathable fabric up top, seamless from bib to belt. It conforms to your midsection and is incredibly comfortable. Like the jacket, these shell bibs are light, waterproof, and breathable. Overall, this fabric, from hood to cuff, blends the technical with the comfortable.
Loaded with features, this kit can carry with it a whole lot of snacks and items. Starting at the top, the hood fits great over a helmet, keeping elements at bay. Personally, I’m not a hood guy, but I still understand and appreciate the fit. The jacket has underarm vents, two chest pockets, and two front pockets on the outside. I keep my keys in one chest pocket and my GoPro on a stick in the other. I rarely use the other two pockets, but it’s nice to know they’re there. On the inside, the powder skirt is removable and keeps snow and wind at bay. We get a tech pocket on the inside left and a stretchy mesh pocket on the right. I have been using the pass pocket on the sleeve, and it works great. Drawstrings at the waist and in the hood make it easy to tighten it up when the conditions get weird. Moving into the bibs, we get two upper bib pockets that I don’t really feel comfortable using because I think I’ll crush whatever is in there. Maybe some hand warmers to keep the core warm? The zipper is the cool thing about the bib, as it’s a two-way zipper from the top and the bottom. For pants pockets, there are two hip pockets and one thigh pocket for ultimate snack carrying. I tend to just keep paper towels in there to help keep goggles clear. We get two vents on the outer legs and elastic gaiters in the zippered cuffs. From head to toe, this Nomad jacket and bib kit is loaded with goodies and features that will satisfy the neediest of resort skiers and backcountry enthusiasts.
Overall, I’ve been incredibly impressed with the technical and professional aspects of this suit. While I’m personally more of a pants than a bibs guy, I still appreciate how cohesive the combination is. It goes incredibly well together, and I’ve gotten numerous compliments out there on the hill as to the sharp looks of the kit. The best part of this setup is the versatility. I normally think something is either too technical and not warm enough, or it’s too warm and not technical enough. Rarely do they meet in the middle, but that’s exactly what you get with the Strafe Nomad jacket and bib kit.
