How to Choose Insulated Outerwear

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Layer up for chilly fall climbs, windy summits and big expeditions in the men's Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody. It packs down small for easy stowage and delivers dependable, alpine-ready warmth.
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View all Black Diamond Men's Down JacketsBest Use | Multisport |
---|---|
Fabric | Ripstop nylon |
Lining Fabric | Ripstop nylon |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Down |
Insulation | Allied HyperDRY goose down |
Warmth | Warmer |
Water-Resistant Down | Yes |
Hood | Yes |
Packable | Yes |
Back Length | Hip-length |
Gender | Men's |
Weight | 9.7 ounces |
XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 34 - 35.5 | 36 - 38 | 38.5 - 41 | 41.5 - 44.5 | 45 - 48.5 | 49 - 52 | 52 -55 | ||||||
Sleeve Length | 33.5 | 33.5 | 34 | 34 | 34.5 | ||||||||
Waist | 27 - 28.5 | 29 - 31 | 31.5 - 34 | 34.5 - 37.5 | 38 - 42 | 42.5 - 46 | 46 - 49 | 27 - 28.5 | 29 - 30.5 | 31 - 32.5 | 33 - 34.5 | 35 - 36.5 | 37 - 38.5 |
Hip | 33.5 - 35 | 35.5 - 37.5 | 38 - 40.5 | 41 - 44 | 44.5 - 48 | 48 - 51 | 51 - 54 | 33.5 - 35 | 35.5 - 37 | 37.5 - 39 | 39.5 - 41 | 41.5 - 43 | 43.5 - 45 |
Inseam | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 |
HOW TO MEASURE:
Neck: Around the fullest part of the neck, at the base.
Chest: Around the chest, just under the arms and across the shoulder blades.
Sleeve: From the center back of the neck, across the shoulder, and down the arm to the wrist.
Waist: Around the narrowest part of the waist.
Hip: Around the widest point of the hips.
Inseam: From the crotch to the anklebone on the inside of the leg.
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Great first time experience using this jacket in 20* temps during my mountain climb. Used it during breaks and could instantly feel the warmth being trapped. I love the look and packs up into its pocket. I would like to see an inside pocket in future designs for gloves but not a deal breaker for me. Hood is big enough for helmet and sinches down to fit head when not wearing one. Could be used as pillow if needed. Highly recommend!
Bought this to wear as a mid-layer for climbing Mt Rainier. I’m 5’8” 165lbs (unless it’s enchilada Wednesday) and I got a size medium. With my Smartwool base layer, and a light fleece, I could wear this jacket for most Rainier activities, and stay comfy warm without having to breakout the parka. It was snug, but not at all uncomfortable or binding. After I returned home from a week on the Mountain, the jacket smelled like a boys locker room after football practice (in Texas, in August). I threw it in the washer, then dryer per instructions. The down pretty much redistributed throughout the jacket and hasn’t lost any insulation. Based on my research versus the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket, I thought this was a great jacket at a great price.
800 fill down keeps the jacket bulkiness down but doesn't compromise on warmth. It feels wonderfully toasty as I have hiked in this jacket in sub freezing temperatures. Pockets are deep and can hold everything you would want to keep in them. The chest pocket is also large enough for your phone/headlamp/keys/snacks anything you would want to keep there. Hood fits well thanks to the cord on the back that you pull to adjust. This is the best fitting jacket I have had in a while, I am 6', 150lbs, definitely on the lanky side with longer arms, but these sleeves fit perfect for a size small! I love this jacket.
This jacket works exactly as it should. Plenty warm enough on its own for most cold days around freezing temps even when not very active. Where it really shines is when it is layered on top of a base layer or beneath a hard/waterproof shell. I am rather short and athletically stocky (5’6 180lbs) with a 44 inch chest so sizing is always an issue for me but the medium I ordered fits fine on its own as well as with layers underneath. I wear body armor for work and It can easily stretch over it but still isn’t too baggy when worn alone. Being so light it also fits comfortably with another layer on top of it. Sleeves are indeed a bit long but they do fit above the wrist well and easily compacts so that it doesn’t extend past your hands. A few feathers snuck out of it at first but not anymore and I’ve never known a down jacket that hasn’t done that. Photo is with body armor and layer underneath.
This is one of my favorite purchases in a while. Its surprisingly warm for how light it is. It packs really small and light. Perfect for trips where weight is important consideration. True to size, i got the medium and I'm 5'9" 180 lbs
Great jacket, it starts to get cold with just a t-shirt under 25 degrees. I wish there was an option to buy an overstuffed jacket because it was flatter than I hoped and if it were fully lofted it would give me more confidence for dealing with the colder mountain weather it is marketed for. Otherwise it is lightweight and comfortable with minimal down leakage. So far the construction has been durable enough for outdoor activities, with a side note that I am always conscious of keeping it away from sticks and branches because it feels fragile with such thin ripstop nylon.
I haven't had a chance to put it through the paces, however I have a lot of puff jackets and experience with these products. I'm 510 190lbs and fit with fairly broad shoulders and the fit (L) was perfect with room for base layers. I love the cut of the hood. Craftsmanship seems top notch. Its light. Wore it to build a snow man for about 3 hours in the low 30s with just a polypropylene base layer and with moderate movement stayed perfectly toasty. Can't wait to get up in the mountains with this thing. Will likely be ordering another for normal wear.
I'm 6'6, 180lbs and have been trying to find a down jacket to fit my tall/lanky build for years. I bought a large in this jacket and due to its slim fit and longer arms, it fits me perfectly. It's super comfortable and feels like I'm walking around in a down sleeping bag. I haven't given it a thorough testing outside yet, but so far it seems like it would hold up pretty well to about -10 or -15 C if you weren't moving around, but colder if you were hiking/climbing - it started radiating heat once I started moving more. Due to it's slim profile, I could also easily add a shell over top when it gets colder. The pockets are huge and great for keeping hands warm and I love the cuffs on the arms - not typical down jacket cuffs, but very comfortable. I love this jacket!
Echoing other comments, this jacket just arrived and its has very little shape, quite a wide fit, and the fill is light. This feels like a thin underlayer - I can't imagine it can provide much insulation over my shell if the wind picks up beyond 20 km/h. the shape of the coat looks nothing like the pictures (more like an umbrella shape than the athletic silhouette). i purchased from a reputable seller, so don't think its counterfeit. Overall very disappointing.
This is a GREAT jacket! The pockets are over-sized, the fit is exactly as expected and the cut is great. It's pretty light (not as light as some, but lighter than most) and the material is really nice. It has a draw-string at the waist for a snug fit. elastic around the wrists, but not overly tight. I would say its warmer than I expected and breaths really well. 9/10 for recommended 4/5 for over-all Nothing is perfect! I haven't "put it through the paces" yet but I am worried i might catch (and tear) the lighter material on things hiking. It would be nice if the jacket ventilated when you started to over-heat Honestly, i don't see a reason to have another down jacket unless i'm wanting a parka, or a different color. Really like this thing. BD is a solid name in the outdoors game, I would expect less from them