Name: Strafe Boomerang Jacket and Pants
MSRP (Price): $465 (Jacket) $325 (pant)
Pros: durable, breathable, lightweights
Cons: pricy product
Rating:★★★★☆
Overview: The Boomerang Pant and Jacket from Strafe Outerwear, based right here at Highlands, is designed for every mountain adventure in Aspen and beyond. The Boomerang kit is the trifecta of function, fashion and form. The female-specific fit combined with the perfect balance of breathability and durability make this outfit ready for everything the mountains can throw at you
Feature breakdown:
Strafe Outerwear’s approach is inspired by their dedication to living life in the mountains and if you have ever seen the Gaston brothers skinning their way to another victory, you know that performance and quality are key. The shell comes in weighing just 132 grams, giving it a light and dexterous feel, agile enough for the uphill and the downhill. Even though it is a shell, the brushed tricot adds warmth for even the stormiest days.
As skiing uphill and in the backcountry touring become more popular the three-layer eVent® fabric used in the Boomerang is just what skiers and boarders need. It is simultaneously ultra-waterproof, durable and breathable. It seemed only appropriate to test out the Boomerang, skinning up its home mountain, Highlands. The ergonomic cut made the pants easy to move in and comfortable at the bend when adjusting my bindings. The hidden cuff guard is a bonus on my splitboard, protecting my pants against sharp edges. The Velcro waist adjustments tabs means there is no need for a bulky belt.
As much as the jacket is all about protection from the elements, it is not just function over fashion. The asymmetrical design of the zipper in the jacket makes it sleek and stylish, with a splash of alternate color from the material. The details in the jacket are extremely well considered and designed by people that clearly use this gear day in and day out. The pockets are lined to be hand-warmer pockets, there is a pass pocket on the sleeve (keeping your RFID separate from your phone), zippered interior pockets for phones and media, and a mesh pocket for your beacon, with an external zipper to access it quickly. I really can’t think of anything they forgot, and for all its storage it still maintains a streamlined look.
Value: This combo is pricy for sure. But what really matters is if you are getting the bang for your buck? And with the Boomerang you are. It is perfect for sunny resort days, stormy backcountry days, and everything in between.
Use: So whether you are enjoying sunny days on the resort or braving blustering weather in the backcountry the Boomerang jacket and pants have you covered. The material used is the highest level of weatherproofing, but still breathable, and tough enough to last through a season of riding lifts, walking through the trees, shredding mountains and making the most of winter.
