Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody Review

The Alpine Start Hoody is designed as a crossover between softshell and windbreaker jackets. While many nylon windbreakers can feel tarp-like, the stretch-woven Schoeller fabric is much more comfortable next to skin, and just as breathable—if not more—as its rivals. This jacket is specifically designed for alpine activities like climbing, with underarm gussets for improved reach and an oversized hood to easily fit over a climbing helmet.

Performance Comparison

Wind Resistance

Not quite as thickly cut as your standard softshell, the Alpine Start Hoody still manages most of the wind and weather resistance, without any of the extra weight. Oftentimes, designers opt for impermeable fabrics in order to block wind, which can leave a jacket feeling stiff or plastic. But the particular nylon-elastane weave of this Schoeller shell strikes a comfortable balance between wind resistance and comfort. The slightly heavier-weight of the material keeps this jacket from billowing while crossing exposed ridgetops, and also helps cut the chill of the shoulder seasons. The cords on the oversized hood wrap around the back, sides, and brim, and do an exceptional job of securing the hood to your head.

Breathability and Venting

The unique softshell material deftly balances wind resistance and breathability — not an easy feat for most windbreakers. These two metrics are normally mutually exclusive, since many simple fabrics allow for equal airflow in both directions. The extra material weight is a small sacrifice for the best of both worlds, and indeed the Alpine Start Hoody is just as comfortable walking in an early-morning approach as it is climbing throughout the heat of the day. Whereas other nylon shells can feel plastic-like, this stretch-weave shell is much more comfortable wearing next-to-skin. It is particularly comfortable wearing over just a non-cotton tee, which places less material between you and the outside air. This fact, combined with the efficient moisture-wicking capacity of this thin shell, makes the Alpine Start Hoody a superior option for thermoregulation through a variety of temperatures.

Weight and Packability

Although this shell is exceptional in many aspects, relative to the competition it could easily be considered heavy and bulky. That may seem ridiculous to many — our testers included — but when compared side-by-side with the rest of the field, the 7.6 ounce Alpine Start Hoody weighs nearly twice as much as a number of other options in this review. While this is one side of the glass, the other side is that it weighs less than 1/3 of the weight of most softshell options. It is certainly much more packable than the latter, easily packing up into its ample chest pocket. In its stowed form, this alpine-inspired jacket features a large carabiner loop, which makes it especially easy to attach to a harness.

Fit and Functionality

While other jackets may look or feel like they are specifically designed for athletics, the Alpine Start Hoody is as equally functional as the rest, but much more stylish. It has the sleek, European-inspired cut of a true alpine piece — one that comfortably transitions from a day in the mountains to a night out on the town. A medium perfectly fits the 5'10", skinny mountaineer's frame of our head tester. However, friends of a similar height with broader shoulders or chests found the slim fit of this jacket much more constricting.

We enjoyed wearing this shell for longer spring ski tours. It is sized perfectly to accommodate a variety of layers underneath, which can often change in the mountains as quickly as the weather. The high collar keeps just the right amount of warmth around your core, and the helmet-compatible storm hood is one of the few that is comfortable over a helmet when fully zipped up. Besides the adjustable cord locks on the hood and hem, and the single chest pocket, the Alpine Start Hoody is minimalist — a concept rooted in the natural simplicity of alpine climbing. The Schoeller fabric is also resistant to scuffs and scrapes, making this lightweight jacket an ideal companion for any adventure in the mountains.

Water Resistance

In addition to its stand-out softshell feel, the Schoeller stretch-weave is embedded with a proprietary ecorepel Bio durable water repellent finish. Design engineers with the company were inspired by the natural water-repellency of leaves, and created ecorepel Bio as a PFC-free alternative. The thin biopolymer film wraps the individual fibers, which allows them to efficiently shed water droplets, and maintain efficacy for longer than face-fabric washes. Despite the intriguing technology, this thin shell is set up better to block moisture in the form of snow than it will against rain — like many soft, supple jackets we've tested, the fabric tends to quickly soak up water, even in a light rain.

Value

Though it is a lightweight jacket at heart, looking at the price tag of the Alpine Start Hoody, it may be more convincing to consider its value as a two-in-one piece that splits the difference between softshell and windbreaker. The difference in weight and packability are minimal, and are more than made up for with regard to performance, comfort, and durability.

Conclusion