When Stoic announced its first line of outdoor gear last fall, I was nervous about testing one of the company’s jackets because new lines often take a season or two to work out everything from simple fit problems to finer details. But after a few months wearing the Bombshell jacket — and reading reams of positive customer reviews online — it’s clear the outdoor clothing line from online retailer Backcountry.com is a solid first go. A home run? Maybe. And if not, it’s definitely a stand-up triple.
Built from a three-ply stretch fabric, I’ve worn the waterproof Bombshell jacket everywhere from the backcountry to the slopes this season. I have worn it on my regular, two-wheeled 1,000-foot (bike) descent from Mammoth Mountain’s lodge to my apartment and it’s kept me warm and dry, even during a winter that’s already dropped more than 400 inches of fluff.
It is indeed windproof and waterproof, as the company touts. I’ve appreciated touches like the mp3 player pocket, which is complete with a small rubber gasket for a headphone cord so you don’t have to thread it through the pocket.
The Stoic Bombshell Jacket has a lifetime warranty. There are taped seams, a removable power skirt, and a hood that may be the perfect size for those who snowboard, ski or climb with a helmet.
My only complaint was minor: The cut on the sleeves was a bit roomy for my scrawny chicken arms.
Overall, the Bombshell is one of the best-looking jackets I own. Rare was the co-worker who didn’t compliment the black jacket with turquoise highlights. You could definitely describe its retro-future look as Tron-esque.
Size-wise, you may want to go a size larger than normal. At 6’2” and about 200 lbs, I usually wear a large jacket. But I have an XL Stoic and it fits well, leaving enough room for layering.
If you’re looking for a new shell, the Bombshell is well worth considering. It retails for $259 but is on sale at this writing on Backcountry.com. And keep an eye out for it on SteepAndCheap.com, one of Backcountry’s one-deal-at-a-time websites that may have it for even less as the season winds down this year.
—Stephen Krcmar lives in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
