Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody – Women’s Review

The Black Diamond First Light Stretch hoody is a highly versatile, breathable midlayer that provides warmth while remaining comfortable to wear and easy to pack. It’s ideal for climbing a big alpine route, skiing a frigid ski day, or simply exploring the backcountry in any season.

It combines baffled insulation and a breathable Schoeller face fabric to provide warmth without sacrificing breathability, and it can be worn as a baselayer or outer layer depending on the activity. It’s also incredibly durable, so it can stand up to rugged talus and brushy approaches in the backcountry.

With a baffled body packed with migration-resistant PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active, this jacket breathes efficiently during even the most intense high-output pursuits. It’s durable enough to use as an outerlayer for rugged talus, and the Schoeller face fabric stretches with your movements to prevent binding.

A toggle is located at the rear of the hood, so you can adjust it for comfort and protect your head from wind and rain. It’s a nice touch that helps prevent the hood from getting blown away when the weather turns bad (the previous version didn’t have this toggle).

This hoody is a little heavier than many of its competitors, but it’s warmer and more breathable than most of them as well. The extra weight is due to the added insulation, so it’s a good choice for colder or higher-altitude adventures where you need more than the average level of insulation.

It’s also quite warm, with 60 g/m2 of PrimaLoft Silver Active insulation. The PrimaLoft is a highly rated, highly efficient synthetic insulation that traps and releases heat efficiently, which is important for keeping you warm without overheating.

For the price, this jacket is a good value, especially for active outdoor lovers looking to add some warmth and breathability to their wardrobe. But it’s heavier than many of its competitors, so it’s not the perfect choice for everyone.

The First Light Stretch hoody is one of the most versatile and breathable midlayers on the market, which makes it an excellent choice for climbing a big alpine route, snowshoeing in the backcountry, or simply exploring the backcountry in any weather. It’s also a good choice for winter skiing, as it can be layered underneath a shell jacket or used as an outer layer.

It’s a bit on the heavy side for a synthetic midlayer, but it’s still a good value and worth considering if you’re on the lookout for a warm, breathable active insulated layer that won’t add too much weight to your load.

Despite its heavyweight, this hoody is extremely durable and held up very well after extensive use. It doesn’t pill like most synthetic liners, and it has held up to hardwearing activities such as bouldering, hiking, and ice climbing.

The First Light Stretch hoody isn’t the best-suited hoody for skiers or mountain bikers because it’s a little too form-fitting to be able to comfortably wear it under a helmet, but it is a good option for climbers who are looking for a comfortable, breathable, lightweight midlayer that can handle anything from cold-weather belays to ski tours and backcountry touring.