Dynafit Chugach Windstopper Jacket

We’ve reviewed many products from the company over the years. The Dynafit Zzeus Alpine Touring Boot was one of the site’s first, back in 2010. Since then, we’ve looked at the Dynafit Huascaran Alpine Touring ski, the Dynafit Vulcan Alpine Touring Boot, the Dynafit Stoke Ski, and the  Dynafit Radical ST bindings. Apparel-wise, take a look at our impressions of the Dynafit Eruption Down Jacket and the Dynafit DTS Breath jacket.

Get the idea? We are tried and true fans of this company and their products. Though Dynafit used to be more of a ski mountaineering focused company, over the last ten or so years, they’ve expanded their offer to include freeride kit like fat skis and beefy boots. This is good news for those of us in the North American West who like to ski powder – but we’re still sticklers for quality and appreciate companies with heritage and high craftsmanship value.

Let’s let some pictures do the talking…


Hood is ample for a helmet but not too big if you choose not to tour with one. Single-hand pull cord at rear.

Big, harness compatible pockets and 2 handy cinch cams at the waist. Here’s where my picture of the innovative bicep ventilation zips should be (but isn't)

The best thing about the skin pockets is that they fit skins for the big skis we are all enjoying these days. To give you an idea, these are POMOCAs, cut to 112mm underfoot. Napoleon outside chest pocket.

Here is the adjustable “sleeve cuff” as they call. The loose tab part is hollowed out to save weight and make you go faster. Yes, that’s High Hayden in the Beartooth Range in the background--just above my elbow.

Materials:

• Primary fabric: Windstopper Softshell 3L Stretch 170
• Secondary fabric: Dynastretch lite DWR 145, Windstopper activeshell 2l 70 bs

• Taped seams
• Helmet compatible
• Adjustable sleeve cuff
• Stowable in hood
• Windproof
• Hybrid construction
• Ventilation zip (pit zips)
• Water repellent

We have been enjoying the Chugach Windstopper Jacket for more than a season. It answers the need for a super comfortable (thanks to streeeetch), close fitting, windproof jacket with all the essential features for a day, or a week, in the backcountry. It is not a particularly warm jacket but I find it works well in milder temperatures. If it is super freezing and I’m not slogging up an uptrack (when it’s never cold) I’ll throw on a jacket with some insulation.

The Dynafit Chugach Windstopper Jacket performed very well for me on a week-long trip to Boulder Hut Adventures mid-winter, as well as for a week of touring around Cooke City in the Beartooths with Beartooth Powder Guides. I seem to vacillate between hardshell and softshell jackets for when I tour, and I like this jacket for warmer days. The Chugach is a lighter softshell than something like the Marmot Nabu—which is a little more robust, heavier and less stretchy. The Gore Windstopper fabric is light and if also found in the OR Valhalla Jacket, which we reviewed here.

I’ve grown to appreciate Dynafit designers because they are willing to take some risks to address issues they perceive in other manufacturer’s jackets. Case in point: the Chugach pitzips. They reside on the inside of the jacket’s upper arm, making them very easy to deploy and shut. The skin pockets, unlike other makers’ and even unlike some other Dynafit jackets, are actually big enough to fit fat skins. Jackets like the Yotie are positioned as freeride jackets, but the skin pockets fit only 100ish mm skins. Go figure.

I know colours aren’t a life or death feature but everybody likes to look nice. Dynafit’s colourways agree with me. Muted and classic at the same time, they help you stand out on the hill or in the backcountry.