Dakine Quinn Jacket
Size: Medium
Color: Plum
Shell Material: 2-Layer Gore-Tex Plain Weave; DWR treated face fabric; Taffeta, closed-cell mesh, brushed tricot, and brushed mesh lining
Fit: “Contour fit + length”
Front Zipper Length: 30.75“
Features:
- Helmet compatible hood
- One draw cord system for hood
- Collar venting system
- Shoulder print for pack integration
- YKK Aqua-guard water resistant zippers
- Two-way opening center front zipper
- Draw cord system in front hand pockets
- Wrist gaiters
- Napoleon pocket for phone/media device
- Sleeve pass pocket
- Underarm vents with mesh
- Fully taped seams
- Inner storage pocket, goggle pocket
- Safety whistle pocket, inner pass pocket
- Non-removable powder skirt with hook system
- Stow away snaps for powder skirt
MSRP: $360.00
Reviewer: 5’2”, 115 lbs. Arm Length (shoulder to wrist): 20”
Days Tested: 25
Locations Tested: Solitude Ski Area, Wasatch backcountry
There are a number of 2-layer Gore Tex jackets on the market, but we happen to think that the Quinn Jacket from Dakine looks particularly great. So we decided to put it to the test and check out the fit, the features, and the performance of this stylish shell.
Sizing / Fit
At 5’2” and 115 pounds, I’m usually in between a size Small and Medium. According to most sizing charts I’m a Small, but in reality, once I add a few layers I am more comfortable in a Medium. Since I want to have the option to layer, I went with the Medium Quinn.
The Quinn fits similarly to other Medium jackets that I’ve worn, such as the Dakine Kaitlin and Oakley Moving Jacket. I’ve been happy with the larger size because with a base layer + mid layer + a large cell phone + other stuff, I wouldn’t want the jacket to be any more snug.
Like the Kaitlin, the Quinn also has a long, slim fit, and is one of the more stylish jackets I have worn.
While the Kaitlin has more decorative features, like a side zipper and buttons, the Quinn has a very simple design, with a single zipper straight up the center. The plum-colored Quinn that I have been wearing also has light purple zippers that complement the darker purple nicely.
Although the Quinn has a longer cut, when I wear the jacket with only a base layer underneath, it doesn’t look too loose or baggy. With my arms hanging by my sides, the sleeves reach to the ends of my fingertips, and the bottom of the jacket also reaches to my fingertips (high school appropriate dress length). I can fit my Arc’teryx Cerium Hooded Down Jacket or North Face Radium midlayer comfortably under the Quinn without feeling restricted. This winter hasn’t been that cold, to say the least, but these layers under the Quinn have kept me plenty warm on colder days in the low 20’s.
I’ve gotten so used to the 60ºF weather we’ve had in Salt Lake this winter that, during the few storm days we’ve had, I’ve been really cold and wore the Quinn zipped up all the way with the hood over my helmet. The hood fits comfortably over my helmet and doesn’t restrict my range of motion. Although the hood blocks my peripheral vision a little, it’s not significant, and I just have to turn my head a little more to look out for nearby people and trees.
Waterproofing
It’s been a pretty dry winter, unfortunately, and I haven’t gotten the Quinn in much precipitation to test its waterproofing capabilities. However, during the few storm days we’ve had, the precipitation beaded up on the Gore-Tex shell and none of it was absorbed. And on days with wetter snow, moisture would soak through my Scott Rockell pants while the Quinn stayed dry.
This season, I have been wearing both the Dakine Quinn and the Oakley Moving jacket. The Moving jacket also has a 2-Layer Gore-Tex construction, but I have noticed that moisture beads up much better on the Quinn, indicating a more effective DWR. As a result, at the end of a wet day, the Moving jacket feels heavier from the precipitation it has absorbed; I haven’t experienced that with the Quinn.
Breathability / Venting
While I haven’t had many opportunities to test the Quinn’s waterproofing performance, I have put in a lot of time testing its breathability. Given the unseasonably warm temps in Utah this season, and that I also ended up hiking Evergreen Peak at Solitude almost every run, I am pretty much constantly trying to cool down. The Quinn has 14” underarm vents with mesh filling; they do a good job of moving air through the jacket when I have them open on warm days, or when I’m hiking.
The Quinn’s fabric has also been very breathable. Even with the high temperatures, I’ve been comfortable leaving the jacket on to boot pack, side step, and tour. On a number of days in the 40’s and 50’s, I’ve hiked in just the Quinn over a base layer, or with my North Face Radium underneath. With the pit zips open and the front of the jacket unzipped a few inches, the heat has been tolerable.
It recently started snowing again (finally!) and I wore the Quinn while touring. Since temperatures were in the low 20’s and it was snowing and windy, I needed a shell to protect me from the elements; however, I was pretty worried about overheating since I had my North Face Radium layer underneath. I was committed to this setup, though, because I didn’t want to unzip my jacket in the snowstorm.
Despite wearing multiple layers, the Quinn still maintained good breathability and I never got too hot or sweaty when going up, which prevented me from getting cold once I stopped moving.
I have worn the Oakley Moving jacket for the same activities across a similar temperature range, and have found that its breathability is similar to the Quinn’s.
Pockets
The Quinn has a number of pockets, and I found it could carry more than the Moving jacket. The jacket has two large pockets on the front. I have a large phone that fits comfortably in these pockets, and can also often carry 25-30 pages of my notes for studying on the chairlift. I had a more difficult time fitting all of this in the Moving jacket.
The jacket also has a pass pocket on the left sleeve, as well as a zipped pocket and two open mesh pockets on the inside of the jacket. There is a small velcro pocket on the inside that has a whistle in it.
Durability
Even though I tend to ski a little too close to trees, the Quinn doesn’t have any stains or scuff marks, and all of the seams are intact.
One unique feature of the Quinn is a grippy print on each shoulder that is designed for “pack integration. “ While I’ve never had an issue with backpack straps falling off my shoulders before, I’ve noticed that the print definitely helps my skis stay on my shoulder. The textured print also seems to have protected the jacket’s fabric from my ski edges while boot packing.
Packability
Last season, I’d bring the insulated Dakine Kaitlin while touring, and since it is so bulky, I’d have to strap it onto the outside of my backpack. I much prefer bringing the Quinn on tours since it packs down significantly smaller than the Kaitlin and I can easily fit it in my backpack.
Bottom Line
The Dakine Quinn is an excellent shell for women looking for a longer, slim-fitting jacket. It offers good breathability and waterproofing at a more reasonable price than other high-end, technical shells, and it is a stylish, versatile option for resort and backcountry skiing.