How to Choose Insulated Outerwear

Inspired by ultralight missions in the mountains, the Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody easily layers over a sun hoodie on multi-pitch rock routes or under a shell on ice climbs and alpine trips.
Imported.
View all Black Diamond Men's Down JacketsBest Use | Multisport |
---|---|
Fabric | 10-denier x 7-denier 26 g/m2 nylon woven with GTT Empel durable water repellent (DWR) |
Lining Fabric | 10-denier 29 g/m2 nylon woven with DWR |
Insulated | Yes |
Insulation Type | Down |
Insulation | 800-fill-power goose down (90% down/10% feather white goose down) |
Warmth | Warmer |
Water-Resistant Down | Yes |
Hood | Yes |
Packable | Yes |
Back Length | Hip-length |
Back Length (in.) | Unavailable |
Gender | Men's |
Weight | 10.7 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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Nice jacket with a proper helmet compatible hood and two useful inner pockets. I fit a large in BD insulated jackets that are Slim or Regular fit, medium in Relaxed fit. The Approach is supposed to be Slim fit, but in a large it feels like it's a Regular+ fit compared to other BD down and synthetic insulated jackets. The arm length is good (shorter than other size large insulated jackets) but I'm not skinny and the sleeve size/volume is way more than needed. The volume across the chest/stomach is also more than needed but would accommodate fairly heavy layers underneath. It feels like a light-medium jacket that is sized like a parka.
Pros The jacket is very warm. I used it commuting in 40 deg weather The hood adjustment on the back works well Cons This jacket is not made for commuting. After a few weeks there were lots of dead spots on the shoulders and back. I tried washing then placing tennis balls in the dryer to fix it. The rest of the jacket puffed right back up but the dead spots remained flat.
A bit bigger than expected for size, had to return XL for a L at my cost :( but with the right fitting, wow. Super light, wind proof, snow proof, and warm. Not my first puffer but would never imagine a puffer could be so much windproof and rain/snowproof! T-shirt, fleece and this approach down hoody, good for -20C walk in Montreal. Was not expecting that much for something so light and thin.
Perfect isulating layer while keeping wieght to a minumum. The material is super soft and comfortable to wear and is very warm. This is replacing my synthetic layer for hunting and skiing.
I haven’t tested this as a mid layer in the context of sport. I’ve only worn it around town a few times and to show it off at the climbing gym. So far it’s great, warm and really nice.
Great addition as a layer or coat. Warm and comfortable with a fit that allows flexibility and movement. Love the light weight and packability. Tundra green was a beautiful surprise.
I love this jacket. It is super warm and cozy when it is cold out and the down insulation protects against cold winds. I highly recommend this jacket. :-)
Great down that provides all the warmth that it promises. The hood is very large and will easily cover any helmet and leave room for movement.
Pair this with a hard shell and you ready for any severe snow conditions you may run into.
Very very light, and very very warm, could not be happier, The fit was perfect