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 supplies 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 effectively and has a polygiene anti-stink remedy that lets me hang around with pals after outside recreation with out having to go residence and bathe first.
- Gender: Males’s (Girls’s additionally accessible)
- 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 ranking is the very best clothes can obtain, that means that solely 2% of ultraviolet radiation can cross by means of the material. As somebody who’s open air practically each day year-round, I take my solar safety very significantly, particularly after abusing it for years after I was youthful, when a darkish tan was an indication of excellent well being somewhat than a most cancers danger.
However there are numerous UPF 50 solar hoodies accessible at the moment. What makes the Alpenglow such a win? For me, it’s the woven texture of the material which is far more porous than the opposite solar hoodies I’ve. I discover it wicks extremely effectively, shifting moisture out of my base layer so it might probably evaporate. Moisture administration is a vital 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 superb layering piece in cooler climate. It supplies simply the correct amount of additional heat on cool mornings when worn alone or underneath a windbreaker like my Enlightened Tools Copperfield Jacket.
Concerning sizing, a big Alpenglow is barely massive 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 massive, contemplating it’s billed as an under-helmet hoodie. I often put on it with a billed cap, particularly after I’m fly fishing, which fills it out whereas offering the perimeters 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 remedy, which works amazingly effectively on this garment. I can put on it “out” after a hike with out having to alter or take a bathe earlier than heading out for a beer with pals. It additionally means I’ve to scrub it much less usually and may put on it on consecutive days, which is one other profit I recognize.
There are additionally no thumb-loops on the sleeves, which is just a little shocking since that’s the norm with solar hoodies. If thumb loops are essential for you, the Black Diamond Alpenglow Professional, which prices $25 extra, has thumb loops along with a quarter-zip opening, a verify 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 mild safety, it’s an important mid-layer with a porous weave that wicks perspiration effectively. Its stretchy cloth is great for dynamic sports activities from mountain climbing and climbing to snowboarding, with a cushty match sized excellent for simple layering.
Disclosure: Black Diamond donated a garment for evaluate.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely make cash if you buy a product by means of our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and impartial gear critiques, newbie FAQs, and free mountain climbing guides.
