![]() As an active insulator, improved access to a harness, for example, could vault this jacket to the ultimate shoulder-season belay piece. Temperature ControlĪ wish-more than a complaint-the First Light Hoody could benefit greatly from a dual-zipper, even with the Primaloft Silver Active’s inherent breathability. As a wind protector, the First Light Hoody holds its own against heavier softshells and windshirts. The center zip finishes just above the chin to aid in security against the elements, especially the wind. The hood stretches enough to accommodate ski helmets, but lacks adjustment features to fully batten it down around the head without one (Black Diamond currently markets the jacket as having hood adjustments-the version tested did not). It shouldn’t be depended on as a reason to leave the rain shell at home. ![]() The jacket didn’t face rain during testing, but circumstantial evidence suggests its a dependable barrier against prolonged mist and light rain. The jacket stays close to the body to build warmth quickly but manages to breathe enough to remain comfortable, even when trudging through waist-high snow. One tester faced more than 30 minutes of heavy late-season snow in the northern Sierras before considering a more advanced hardshell while another tester found, ” … it remained comfortable at rest despite freezing temperatures and gusts of cold north wind.” The materials excel in giving the First Light Hoody above-average performance when faced with direct precipitation. In terms of durability, one tester said that ” … the Schoeller stretch woven nylon face fabric used in the Black Diamond Equipment First Light Hoody scoffed at attempts to abrade or puncture it during extended use in rocky and brushy areas.” Weatherproofness The stretch-nylon shell affords the wearer flexible comfort and aids in packability. The former was more evident than the latter, as the primary tester was able to mar with it notable cosmetic evidence of continued use. ![]() Schoeller’s NanoSphere finish has been in the market for some time, introduced to provide exterior water and stain resistance. It’s also considerably water-resistant and breathable as a result. However, as a synthetic insulator not pretending to be down, PrimaLoft Silver Active eschews bulk, emulating a mid-layer softshell more than it does a traditional synthetic puffy. Black Diamond partnered with outdoor apparel mainstay Schoeller for the First Light Hoody’s lightweight, NanoSphere-finished exterior, and PrimaLoft to fill it with its Silver Insulation Active.īoth materials are used in situations where manufacturers are shooting for a warmth-to-weight balance. ![]()
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