Black Diamond Alpine Start hoody—insulated version! (full review up)

[Justin Crossley]

Mike's full review is up on our homepage!

Black Diamond Alpine Start Insulated Hoody Review

 

[mtwarden]

Thanks Justin!

 

[mtwarden]

Just a footnote—the last three or four days we’ve been in the mid 30’s to low 40’s, with pretty significant wind. With the wind none of my moving pieces would work without a wind shell over the top of them. I was able to grab this jacket on it’s own and was comfortable throughout my hikes.

I would have been comfortable with a moving piece and a windshell, just a little added simplicity grabbing one jacket.

 

[LostArra]

How does the insulated Alpine Start compare to the Kenai and Vario you reviewed earlier?
I assume the Kenai and Vario are for colder temps?

 

[mtwarden]

How does the insulated Alpine Start compare to the Kenai and Vario you reviewed earlier?
I assume the Kenai and Vario are for colder temps?

They do differ in warmth, but the biggest difference in my opinion is the Alpine Start is a full on wind (light precip) layer as well an insulating layer. The Kenai and Vario would be a little warmer, especially lacking wind. With wind, the Alpine Start starts catching up.

I look at both the Kenai and Vario as more “traditional” insulating layers, the Alpine Start as more of a hybrid layer.

 

[FOS373]

Picked up one of these and I like it. Only used it on a couple of morning walks (mid 40's) with a t-shirt underneath and it has worked well.

I do wish it had a waist draw string to cinch in a little, but that's my only "complaint".