DC Dutton Softshell Jacket

The DC Dutton is a softshell hoodie that's versitale enough to wear almost year round.

Pros

Cons

At first glance, the DC Dutton looks more or less like a typical hoodie you would wear around town. After a little closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that DC wasn't messing around when they built this jacket. It incorporates many of the technical features found in full-on snowboarding jackets. 10K waterproofing, pit zips, and a removable powder skirt make the Dutton plenty capable of handling all but the most extreme weather conditions.

Softshells are great because they don't have the "hard" feel of a typical ski jacket, but they do offer great protection from the elements. DC has taken this fabric and built a hoodie that puts any cotton hoodie to shame - at least when it comes to snowboarding. Designed and tested at the DC Mtn. Lab, you can bet the Dutton is more than ready for the park.

I'm not sure if I would choose the Dutton as my only snowboarding jacket, but I love having it around. You hear a lot about street-inspired riding gear, but this is one piece that has no problem going from town to the slopes, to the beach or to the skatepark. The fit isn't as baggy as you might expect from DC, but there is still plenty of room to move around. I was also stoked that the waist didn't ride up every time I bent over to strap into my bindings as it does with most hoodies.

I mostly wore the Dutton for snowboarding on warmer days, so the pit vents are a nice addition for dumping heat. The Dutton also worked well on snowy/rainy days in the city. The only thing really missing is an mp3 player pocket. It seems like every snow jacket has one these days.

Nice zipper pulls, a rubberized DC Mtn. Lab patch and other small DC emblems round out the details. The DC Dutton softshell hoodie is great for anyone looking for a jacket they can kick around in all year long.