The Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody is super-stretchy hoody that makes nice mid-layer for four-season use. With a 50+ UPF (Extremely-Violet Safety Issue), it gives wonderful safety towards direct or mirrored solar when mountain climbing, fishing, climbing, or snowboarding. I often put on it over a base layer for solar safety, heat, and bug safety. It wicks sweat amazingly nicely and has a polygiene anti-stink therapy that lets me hang around with associates after outside recreation with out having to go residence and bathe first.
- Gender: Males’s (Ladies’s additionally obtainable)
- Weight: 8.1 oz (Dimension Massive, males’s)
- Supplies: 87% polyester/13% elastane
- Hood: Sure, under-helmet
- Sizing: Common Match and Not Dishevelled
The Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody is a UPF 50+ sun-protective mid-layer garment that can be utilized year-round. Its UPF solar safety score is the best clothes can obtain, that means that solely 2% of ultraviolet radiation can go by the material. As somebody who’s open air practically day by day year-round, I take my solar safety very critically, particularly after abusing it for years once I was youthful, when a darkish tan was an indication of fine well being fairly than a most cancers threat.
However there are quite a lot of UPF 50 solar hoodies obtainable as we speak. What makes the Alpenglow such a win? For me, it’s the woven texture of the material which is way more porous than the opposite solar hoodies I’ve. I discover it wicks extremely nicely, transferring moisture out of my base layer so it could possibly evaporate. Moisture administration is a crucial consolation issue for me, notably in cooler climate, as a result of I run scorching when mountain climbing, backpacking, or cross-country snowboarding.
I’ve additionally discovered the Alpenglow to be a very good layering piece in cooler climate. It gives simply the correct quantity of additional heat on cool mornings when worn alone or below a windbreaker like my Enlightened Tools Copperfield Jacket.
Concerning sizing, a big Alpenglow is barely giant on me which is nice for layering, however nothing just like the extremely outsized solar hoodies that different distributors promote, like Columbia or Stio. With one exception, the hood is a bit giant, contemplating it’s billed as an under-helmet hoodie. I often put on it with a billed cap, particularly once I’m fly fishing, which fills it out whereas offering the edges of my head and neck with wonderful solar safety. Nonetheless, I do want it had a drawstring neck closure so it carried out higher within the wind.
The Alpenglow is handled with the polygiene anti-odor therapy, which works amazingly nicely on this garment. I can put on it “out” after a hike with out having to vary or take a bathe earlier than heading out for a beer with associates. It additionally means I’ve to clean it much less usually and may put on it on consecutive days, which is one other profit I respect.
There are additionally no thumb-loops on the sleeves, which is a bit of shocking since that’s the norm with solar hoodies. If thumb loops are vital for you, the Black Diamond Alpenglow Professional, which prices $25 extra, has thumb loops along with a quarter-zip opening, a examine pocket, under-arm mesh panels, and an over-the-helmet hood.
Advice
The Black Diamond Alpenglow Hoody is a UPF 50+ solar safety hoody that’s nice on land or on the water. Along with UV gentle safety, it’s an incredible mid-layer with a porous weave that wicks perspiration nicely. Its stretchy cloth is great for dynamic sports activities from mountain climbing and climbing to snowboarding, with a snug match sized excellent for simple layering.
Disclosure: Black Diamond donated a garment for assessment.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely become profitable if you are going to buy a product by our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and impartial gear evaluations, newbie FAQs, and free mountain climbing guides.