Gear Review: Clothing
Company: Black Diamond (BD)
Product: Alpenglow Hoody
As you may recall from Climbing Off the Runway, BD’s Alpenglow Hoody sun shirt is quite fashionable, but let’s talk about how functional it is, too. I grew up in a temperate climate, and while I really did love having seasons and all kinds of weather, the one thing that always bothered me was the “right in between” days. Those days were the kind where it wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm either. You never knew what to wear. A sweatshirt would be too hot, but a t-shirt would be too cold. What ended up happening was you would put on a layer, get too warm, take off a layer, get too cold, and repeat the cycle. BD’s sun shirt completely solves the problem.
The range of temperatures that works for this shirt is astonishing. It’s thin enough that in the heat, it still breathes (and blocks the sun). It’s also thick enough that it retains your heat when the sun goes down or when the wind picks up. For me, it is the perfect multi-pitch shirt. You don’t have to waste space bringing layers because this shirt will work for the entire climb. Even more, the hood is specially shaped so that it fits over your helmet and comes up right to your chin so your neck isn’t exposed. I’m not sure what it is about my head, but hoods never stay up properly, yet this one stays up easily with or without a helmet, hat, etc.
Another consideration is durability. You might think something so perfect certainly cannot withstand the abuse that comes with hiking and climbing. Again, this shirt comes out on top. I’ve run into bushes, shimmied up chimneys, hiked with heavy packs, etc., and at most you can see a small dot (it was a really, really sharp bush). It has protected me from these abrasions and you can’t even tell by looking at it!
The maintenance is easy, too: you can use the usual washer/dryer cycle. A lot of sun shirts have this issue where no matter how many times you wash it, the smell of sweat just never leaves, but after one wash BD’s shirt smells fresh as can be. Even more, it wicks moisture away so you are not drenched during your excursions.
One of my favorite things about it is how light and small it actually is. You can easily stuff it anywhere while you are packing for a trip, and you won’t even know it’s there. Who doesn’t love spacious, light bags when they travel?
All around, this shirt is a great choice for any adventure, or even just a casual day!
Recommendation: All skill levels
Specs: UPF 50+; Polygiene Odor Control; 245g
MSPR: $95.00
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