Black Diamond Alpine Start hoody—insulated version!

[Fritz D]

Glad you’re out there getting after it! I’m stuck home with a head cold. Rotten luck, but at least I can still surf the interwebs?

 

[Fritz D]

Found one on sale. It’s on the way, looking forward to trying it out- if the bleeping weather will ever cooperate? Can’t believe how warm and dry it’s been?

 

[S.Clancy]

I've been a big fan of all the Black Diamond and RAB gear I've used. So much so that it's basically all the outerwear I use anymore.

 

[mtwarden]

^I've got a few Rab pieces too

 

[Fritz D]

I really wanted to like Rab but their zippers never fail to disappoint? Small, hard to start, and on the wrong side to boot? They make nice stuff apart from that.

 

[S.Clancy]

I really wanted to like Rab but their zippers never fail to disappoint? Small, hard to start, and on the wrong side to boot? They make nice stuff apart from that.

The only issue I've ever had with RAB is the zippers, but it's happened at a point where I believe the garment has reached or was well beyond a reasonable life span.

 

[mtwarden]

They are on the wrong side

 

[Fritz D]

The only issue I've ever had with RAB is the zippers, but it's happened at a point where I believe the garment has reached or was well beyond a reasonable life span.

Couldn’t be more different than my experience with Rab? I’ve had issues with zippers right off the get go with some, I even returned a Neutrino parka once because the zipper failed the first time I wore it?
I only own one Rab now, another Neutrino I bought on sale from Black Ovis a year ago. The zipper still isn’t up to Sitka or Arc Teryx standards but it is better than others I’ve had.

 

[S.Clancy]

Couldn’t be more different than my experience with Rab? I’ve had issues with zippers right off the get go with some, I even returned a Neutrino parka once because the zipper failed the first time I wore it?
I only own one Rab now, another Neutrino I bought on sale from Black Ovis a year ago. The zipper still isn’t up to Sitka or Arc Teryx standards but it is better than others I’ve had.

That is strange

 

[Fritz D]

Received my BD jacket last weekend and am liking it so far? Warm and fairly wind resistant. Look forward to snowshoeing with it when(if) we finally get any snow? Really put the breathability to the test I hope.
So far the jacket reminds me of an Ambient 100 with a more durable face fabric?

 

[mtwarden]

I’ve been hiking in mine almost everyday. Mostly with just a light base layer, but on colder days an addition of a light midlayer