Black Diamond  First Light 1.0 Stretch Insulated Hoody - Women's

I bought this hoody years ago in SLC before a trip to City of Rocks and I love it so darn much. It keeps me warm without feeling sticky with sweat, Its started to pill but not as I would have expected after being jammed into granite cracks and backpacks, I love the stretch and mapped insulation. It's a great all-around layer for anyone to have in their layering system.

I am 5 feet tall with an athletic build. I ordered an XS and the sleeves are too long. The torso section is also too long. When I sit down, the jacket is so long that the zipper and jacket bunches up and becomes a bowl. Perfect to eat cereal from, not a very flattering or fitting jacket for the small ladies. Lastly, the hood is also very strangely designed. There is a tab on the front that might serve as a small and flexible bill to protect from very little drizzles but otherwise serves no other purpose that I can imagine. It would be great is BD provided XXS sizes.

This jacket is my daily wear! It truly stretches to meet my movement requirements. I find the stretch hoody meets expectations as a 2. 0 in terms of warmth, sometimes I even find myself shedding layers. For size reference, I purchased a large. I typically run between a medium and large. However, after trying wearing a few times I wish I had gotten a medium, as this jacket’s stretch compensates for extra movement.

Love, love this jacket. I used it on a backcountry hut trip in CO in all sorts of weather conditions: full sun, dumping snow, wind, and single-digit temps. The breathability is amazing. I didn't overheat while skinning in when it was warm and I stayed warm on the ski down when the wind picked up and it started snowing. Definitely the most versatile layer I own.

This is my new live-in hoody. It is so comfortable, breathe-able, and layer-able. Might run just the tiniest bit on the large size, but I would still recommend sticking to your usual size. I would like BD to make it it more colors!!

First Light Stretch Hoody feels so comfortable I can wear it all day long. The breathable fabric is perfect for cross-country skiing and the merino wool is sewn in to the perfect places to provide warmth.

I actually inherited the men's First Light from my husband a few years ago, so mine is maybe 7 years old. But I'm a woman, so I'm reviewing it here for women. ANYWAY this is the hands down best mid layer. I wear it all the time on the ski hill. My go-to resort ski outfit is a light merino base layer, this hoody, and then a shell. I wear this combo down into the teens and am perfectly comfortable. The location of the merino panels and light insulation mean that it breathes and I don't overheat, but it keeps me plenty warm. I've been amazed at the warmth it provides when I add it to my layers, but I never feel overheated like I have with down jackets. I don't ever wear a mid layer when touring, as I get too hot, and choose to carry a different insulating layer in my pack. This hoody is not a tiny packable one, so I don't recommend it for that. When touring I take a puffy to throw on at the summit or have as an emergency layer. Sorry I can't speak to sizing (unless you want to buy mens, then a M fits me with a 42" chest usually women's 10/12). But I would buy this hoodie again and again.

This hoody fits like a dream and is so comfortable while allowing full arm mobility. It is the perfect layer for cold desert hikes and breathes really well on high output winter hikes.

This jacket is my new favourite for mountain adventures. Light weight, just the right right amount of warmth.

Perfect weight, great fit and will easily be able to be used for multiple pursuits!