#OUTDOOR RESEARCH UBERLAYER BLACK MEDIUM ZIP#

The waistcord can be adjusted with one hand by pulling it taught, and cinching it in a plastic fastener sewn into the hem. ItвЂ™s a subtle, effective design choice for helping hands stay warm. The handwarmer pockets include a layer of insulated fabric on the outer edge, so the zipper is concealed by almost an inch of warm material. In these instances, the First Light Hoody proved highly versatile and comfortable, even up to 50Вє F. While rating breathability often comes down to how sweat build-up was avoided during cold weather activities, itвЂ™s perhaps more important to retard overheating when a jacket is worn during warmer conditions. That said, it excelled in keeping its tester warm in a variety of conditions, from lift-served laps in early spring to sunny winter bike rides to town. As an active insulator, improved access to a harness, for example, could vault this jacket to the ultimate shoulder-season belay piece. Temperature ControlДЄ wish-more than a complaint-the First Light Hoody could benefit greatly from a dual-zipper, even with the Primaloft Silver ActiveвЂ™s inherent breathability. As a wind protector, the First Light Hoody holds its own against heavier softshells and windshirts.

#OUTDOOR RESEARCH UBERLAYER BLACK MEDIUM ZIP#

The center zip finishes just above the chin to aid in security against the elements, especially the wind. The hood stretches enough to accommodate ski helmets, but lacks adjustment features to fully batten it down around the head without one (Black Diamond currently markets the jacket as having hood adjustments-the version tested did not). It shouldnвЂ™t be depended on as a reason to leave the rain shell at home. The jacket didnвЂ™t face rain during testing, but circumstantial evidence suggests its a dependable barrier against prolonged mist and light rain. The jacket stays close to the body to build warmth quickly but manages to breathe enough to remain comfortable, even when trudging through waist-high snow. One tester faced more than 30 minutes of heavy late-season snow in the northern Sierras before considering a more advanced hardshell while another tester found, вЂќ вЂ¦ it remained comfortable at rest despite freezing temperatures and gusts of cold north wind.вЂќ The materials excel in giving the First Light Hoody above-average performance when faced with direct precipitation. In terms of durability, one tester said that вЂќ вЂ¦ the Schoeller stretch woven nylon face fabric used in the Black Diamond Equipment First Light Hoody scoffed at attempts to abrade or puncture it during extended use in rocky and brushy areas.вЂќ Weatherproofness The stretch-nylon shell affords the wearer flexible comfort and aids in packability. The former was more evident than the latter, as the primary tester was able to mar with it notable cosmetic evidence of continued use. SchoellerвЂ™s NanoSphere finish has been in the market for some time, introduced to provide exterior water and stain resistance. ItвЂ™s also considerably water-resistant and breathable as a result. However, as a synthetic insulator not pretending to be down, PrimaLoft Silver Active eschews bulk, emulating a mid-layer softshell more than it does a traditional synthetic puffy. Black Diamond partnered with outdoor apparel mainstay Schoeller for the First Light HoodyвЂ™s lightweight, NanoSphere-finished exterior, and PrimaLoft to fill it with its Silver Insulation Active.Д«oth materials are used in situations where manufacturers are shooting for a warmth-to-weight balance.

Outdoor research uberlayer black medium