Here’s where the Alpine Start truly shines: at only 6.7 ounces (just slightly heavier than most windbreakers), the Alpine Start is incredibly breathable. In general, softshells are great breathers but weigh more and are bulkier, while wind shells are impressively light but can feel like you’re wearing a plastic garbage bag. Finally, simple elastic cuffs keep the jacket off my hands, and a single drawcord at the right hip cinches it tight at the hem.īreathability is a hot topic, and particularly in the debate between softshell and windbreaker jackets. Remarkably, the hood stayed put on my head even during some of the strongest Patagonian winds I’ve ever experienced.
Houdini air full#
The helmet-compatible hood offers great coverage, and the one-hand pullcord at the back of the head is easy to use and results in a secure fit and full range of vision. In addition to the wind- and water-resistant fabric, the Alpine Start has a number of features that allow you to effectively batten down the hatches. In fact, it does such a good job keeping wind out that I’m often able to layer it over just a t-shirt, even in cold gusts. And in terms of wind protection, the jacket provides a serious buffer. While my hiking partners donned their rain jackets in Patagonia, water continued to bead up and roll off of my hoody, and I stayed dry despite a fairly constant drizzle. Although the jacket is water-resistant and not fully waterproof, the Nanosphere does a truly impressive job in rain and wet snow. In terms of construction, Black Diamond used a stretch-woven nylon shell (93% nylon, 7% elastane) and a Nanosphere coating that’s designed to repel water, dirt, and oil. But no matter what you call it, the jacket puts it all together better than most: it’s impressively light and breathable while still packing in solid resistance to water and wind. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our articles on the best windbreaker jackets and best softshell jackets.Īs an ultralight piece designed to protect against light weather, the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody toes the line between softshell and wind breaker.
Below we outline our experiences with the Alpine Start. Black Diamond’s Alpine Start Hoody is one of the most competitive and well-rounded in this category: it’s breathable, highly protective against the elements, and still manages to keep weight low. However, softshells are making a comeback, this time merging technical performance with lighter constructions. Instead, climbers and skiers turned to less breathable windbreakers for ultralight protection. Softshell jackets had their heyday almost a decade ago, but the push for lighter and more packable options rendered them nearly obsolete for true performance-oriented activities.
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