Finisterre
Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket - Mens
£250.00
SHOP NOW
TESTING THE FINISTERRE STORMBIRD IN DUBLIN
One Jacket, One Long Weekend
Packing for a long weekend away is always a bit of a balancing act, especially when you're flying with Ryanair and trying to squeeze everything into a small cabin bag. Every item needs to earn its place, and outerwear is one of the harder decisions. You want something that will keep you warm and dry, but you don't want to fill half your bag with layers to make it work.
For our long weekend in Dublin, I decided to take the Finisterre Stormbird jacket. We were heading over for a joint birthday trip, with plenty of time planned for exploring the city, visiting the sights and heading out in the evenings. I wanted a jacket that would work for all of it, without needing to pack extra jumpers just to stay warm.
The Stormbird seemed like a good fit. It has a slightly more substantial feel than a lightweight waterproof shell, but still works as an everyday jacket. After a few days exploring Dublin and a day trip out to the coast at Howth, I came away appreciating it for reasons I hadn't necessarily expected.
Packing light without compromising on warmth
With limited luggage space, I wanted to avoid packing a jacket that would only really come into its own when it rained. Ideally, it needed to be something I could wear throughout the day, take out in the evening and rely on if the weather turned.
Some of the family had opted for the Montane Minimus Lite and Cotopaxi Cielo jacket. Both were worth comparing against the Stormbird, particularly given our different approaches to packing.
What appealed to me about the Finisterre was its structure and slightly thicker fabric. It felt more substantial than a basic packable waterproof, without looking like something I'd only wear when heading out on a hike.
That was important for a city break. I wanted something practical, but also something that looked good with everyday clothes. With the Stormbird, I felt I could get away with packing less and still have a jacket that worked for most of the weekend.
Exploring Dublin
Most of our time in Dublin was spent wandering around the city, taking in the sights and making the most of a few days away. We visited Trinity College, explored the National Museums and Gallery, and spent plenty of time walking between different parts of the city.
The Stormbird was comfortable to wear throughout the day and didn't feel out of place in an urban setting. Its slightly heavier-looking fabric gave it a more considered appearance than the lightweight waterproofs I'm used to seeing, and I liked how it sat when worn casually. I actually found myself reaching for it over my usual Harrington jacket when leaving the room to head out in the evening. I hadn't packed it specifically as an alternative to my usual casual jacket, but I ended up preferring the way it looked. It worked particularly well with wide-leg trousers. Rolling the hem up slightly gave the jacket a more cropped look, which changed the proportions of the outfit and made it feel a little more considered.
It's a small detail, but it's one of the things I appreciated about the Stormbird. It doesn't feel like a jacket you have to put away once you're back in the city. I was just as happy wearing it out for a drink as I was walking around Dublin during the day.
Where the Stormbird really came into its own
A Day Trip to Howth
The real test came when we took the train out to Howth for the day. The coastal village was a welcome change from the city, with plenty of opportunities to explore the harbour and take in the surrounding coastline. The wind was noticeably stronger out there, and it was where I really started to appreciate the Stormbird.
I was wearing just a T-shirt underneath the jacket and felt comfortable, despite the strong coastal wind. Other members of the family were wearing the Montane Minimus Lite and Cotopaxi Cielo, with jumpers underneath, but were still feeling the cold. Obviously, this wasn't a controlled comparison, and there are plenty of factors that affect how warm someone feels. But it was interesting to see how differently we got on in the same conditions.
For me, the Stormbird offered the sort of protection I was looking for without needing to add extra layers. That was a big plus, particularly when I'd been trying to keep the amount of clothing in my bag to a minimum.
It's easy to focus on how lightweight a jacket is when choosing something for travelling, but this trip reminded me that there's more to it than that. If you end up needing extra layers to stay comfortable, the space you've saved by packing a thinner jacket can quickly disappear.
The Stormbird struck a good balance for the conditions we encountered in Howth, and it was probably the point at which I appreciated taking it over a lighter alternative.
PERFECT FOR THE COAST
Finisterre
Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket - Mens
£250.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket - Mens
£250.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Skybird Waterproof Jacket - Mens
£175.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Firecrest Hooded Jacket - Mens
£180.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Skybird Waterproof Jacket - Mens
£175.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Firecrest Hooded Jacket - Mens
£180.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket - Womens
£250.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket - Womens
£250.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket - Womens
£250.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Firecrest Gilet - Womens
£125.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Firecrest Hooded Jacket - Womens
£180.00
SHOP NOW
Finisterre
Finisterre Firecrest Hooded Jacket - Womens
£180.00
SHOP NOWThe little details that stood out
We were pretty lucky with the weather in Dublin, so the Stormbird didn't have to deal with any prolonged downpours. We did get caught in some rain on the walk to the Guinness Storehouse, though, and it was good to see water beading on the outer fabric rather than soaking straight in. It even had to contend with a few spills of Guinness along the way, perhaps an unofficial test for a weekend in Dublin!
One feature I particularly appreciated was the structured hood. It stayed in place when the wind picked up, rather than constantly blowing backwards, meaning I wasn't forever stopping to pull it back over my head.
The pockets were another detail that stood out. Positioned slightly higher up the body than on some jackets I've worn, they allowed my arms to sit in a more naturally bent, relaxed position when walking with my hands tucked away. It's a small design choice, but one that made the jacket comfortable to wear throughout the day.
What I liked most, though, was the overall feel of the Stormbird. The slightly thicker, textured fabric gives it more structure than a typical lightweight waterproof, making it feel just as suited to everyday wear as it is to the outdoors. I found myself reaching for it over my usual Harrington jacket when heading out in the evening, particularly when wearing wider-leg trousers with the hem rolled up slightly for a more cropped look.
Would I pack it again?
For this particular trip, the Stormbird ticked a lot of boxes.
It was versatile enough to wear throughout the day, looked good enough to take out in the evening and provided the protection I wanted when we headed out to the coast. Most importantly, it allowed me to travel without feeling like I needed to pack half my wardrobe to prepare for every possible change in weather.
The Howth trip was the standout moment. Being comfortable in just a T-shirt while others in lighter jackets were reaching for extra layers reinforced why choosing outerwear based on more than pack size alone can pay off.
There are always compromises when travelling with limited luggage. If your absolute priority is carrying the smallest and lightest jacket possible, a more minimalist shell may make more sense. But if you're looking for something that can work across city breaks, everyday wear and outdoor adventures, the Stormbird makes a compelling case for itself.
I also came away appreciating just how much the design and styling matter. I expected to value its weather protection, but I hadn't anticipated choosing it over my usual Harrington jacket for evenings out. That versatility is what made it feel like such a good fit for the weekend.
Would I pack it for another long weekend? Absolutely.
