Dakine Winter Gear – Fall Line Ski Roller Bag, Sawtooth Jacket and Stoker Bib Review
If you are wondering where a name like Dakine comes from the answer is rather simple: It comes from the Hawaiian Pidgin word, “da kine.” Founded in 1979, the once Hawaiian company, calls Hood River, Oregon home today. With almost forty-years of crafting sportswear for skiers to surfers and beyond under their belt, the team at Dakine knows a thing or two about the great outdoors.
After seeing one of their fall line roller bags at a local ski shop (and among other neat gear at OR), I knew I wanted to sport more of their gear this season.
And so, I got hands on their fall line ski roller bag in field camo, plus a head to toe ski outwear set up with their latest Sawtooth GORE-TEX 3L jacket and Stoker GORE-TEX 3L Bib.
After countless runs down the slopes at Winter Park, and numerous tosses of my ski bag into the G-Wagen trunk for transport, I’m tremendously impressed with what Dakine managed to deliver.
Below, you’ll find my thoughts, field tests and reviews of each piece of Dakine gear.
Quick Highlights:
Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller Bag
- Available in field camo, tamarindo, scout, Rincon, brighton, zion, silverton onyx and black color options.
- #10 YKK Lockable main zipper
- Removable boot bag
- 360 degree padded ski protection
- End handle pairs with rolling luggage for one-handed operation
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Stores 2 pairs of skis alongside 1 pair of boots, poles and misc. outerwear
- Heavy duty, over-sized 9cm urethane wheels
- Exterior zippered pocket for fast gear access
- Packs down to compact size for easy storage
Men’s Dakine Sawtooth GORE-TEX 3L Jacket
- Available in black, amethyst and fennel color options.
- Stretch powder skirt
- Ventilated chest zippered compartments
- Media compatible chest pocket
- Stretch mesh google pockets
- 2-way front center zipper
- 2-way adjustable hood
- Wrist gaiters
- YKK AquaGuard water resistant zippers
- 2 year limited warranty
- Tailored fit
- GORE-TEX 3L Polyester Plain Weave bluesign approved material shell
- Tricot backer lining
- Fully taped seams
Men’s Dakine Stoker GORE-TEX 3L Bib
- Available in fennel, black and amethyst color options.
- Boot gaiters
- Inner hand pocket sleeve with tether clip
- Quick Fly hidden zipper
- Stretch back panel
- Reinforced hems with scuff guard
- Mesh lined inner leg ventilation
- YKK AquaGuard water resistant zippers
- 2 year limited warranty
- Articulated knees for superior range of motion
- Fully taped seams
- Tailored Fit
- Generously sized, comfortable straps that don’t lose shape
- GORE-TEX 3L Polyester Plain Weave bluesign approved material
- Tricot backer lining
Black Men’s Dakine Stoker GORE-TEX 3L Bib Review
For added warmth and functionality, putting on the Dakine’s Stoker GORE-TEX 3L bib was a no-brainer. While you can wear either a bib or pants, personally I prefer a bib. Luckily, Dakine makes both.
Aside from the already great waterproof, breathable and windproof construction, each bib features YKK Aquaguard water resistant zippers, fully taped seams, boot gaiters, reinforced hems with scuff guard, articulated knees and more.
After going down the slopes, my overall impressions were excellent! The Stoker bib offered plenty of natural movement, while the straps remained ultra-comfortable well into the end of the day. Even though I took a few spills here and there, they managed to keep all the snow and water out. If you want comfort while on the slopes, the Stoker bib is a golden choice!
Speaking of comfort, two mesh-lined inner leg vents offer an easy way to get some air flowing.
Regardless of conditions, the Dakine Stoker bib makes for one rock-solid piece of ski outwear.
Black Men’s Dakine Sawtooth GORE-TEX 3L Jacket Review
At the heart of it all, the men’s Dakine Sawtooth ski (or snowboard) jacket features a GORE-TEX 3L polyester plain weave, bluesign approved, shell construction. If you need protection from winter’s worst and nature’s harshest elements, the jacket works wonders.
After sliding mine on and heading down the slopes, the breathable, windproof and waterproof features delivered beautifully. Even with high winds, a downpour of snow, cold temps and strenuous runs, the Sawtooth jacket managed to keep me entirely comfortable.
In reality, I spent more time enjoying myself rather than worrying about whether or not my gear was going to perform well enough for the day. In other words, this jacket is fantastic to ski around with!
Aside from performance, functionality is top notch too. You’ll find a stretch mesh goggle pocket, YKK AquaGuard zippers, a 2-way adjustable hood, fully taped seams, a tricot backer lining, ventilated chest compartments, stretch powder skirt and much more.
Regarding fit, the Sawtooth jacket offered plenty of natural movement, while still retaining a neatly tailored hug to the body.
Field Camo Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller Bag Review
Armed with a pair of 178cm Line Blend skis, fitting them inside of the 190cm Dakine Fall Line Roller Bag was a quite an easy task. Of course, as was using the really nice, removable boot bag for my Atomic Hawx Magna 110 S men’s ski boots.
In addition to the two main items I needed to protect, I was also able to store my Scott ski poles, winter gloves, balaclava, a spare mid-layer jacket, and some misc. things like chapstick, sunscreen and so on.
And while I only take one pair of skis with me, it’s nice to know that a second pair, alongside an additional set of poles, will easily fit. If you love to hit the slopes, but your friends, family or girlfriend only go once in a blue moon, well, you’ve got plenty of room for their gear too.
Concerning protection, the Fall Line Ski Roller Bag left me impressed after multiple trips of transporting my gear. For functionality, the chunky, 9cm urethane wheels roll over deep snow and ice with a monster truck like performance. Add in the handle options, YKK lockable zipper, and limited lifetime warranty, and you’ve got a great piece of gear for getting to and from the slopes.