The Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody is excellent for an active winter. Photo: Beth Parsons//The Inertia
For the past few years, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect Women’s Puffer Jacket. I’ve had the opportunity to test dozens of options for our guide, and I’ve tried out insulated jackets in the mountains, at the beach, on backpacking trips, and elsewhere on my travels. Puffers are ideal active jackets: packable, warm, and lightweight. Recently, I got my hands on the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody and was curious if it could contend with my favorites. Upon first inspection, it seemed incredibly soft both inside and out and felt lightweight and breathable.
I did the bulk of my testing during wintertime in California, where the temps approach freezing in the wee hours of the morning but never get too cold. Because it’s lightweight and breathable, the First Light is a great option for active endeavors or for folks who live in moderately cold climates.
Related: Best Puffer Jackets for Women | Best Puffer Jackets for Men
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent range of motion | Somewhat heavy for warmth |
| Works well for high-output activity | Pricey |
| More packable than expected | Lacks internal pockets |
Because the First Light Stretch Hoody is lightweight and breathable, it’s perfect for hiking, skiing, and climbing. Photo: Beth Parsons//The Inertia
Testing the First Light Along the California Coast
Weight: 11.5 oz
Fill: Primaloft Gold Active Insulation (100% Polyester)
Fit: Regular
Category: Lightweight
Wintertime in California is chilly. Not midwest frigid, but cold nonetheless. Maybe I’m soft, but when the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, it takes some self-motivating to continue daily surfs and weekend camping trips. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that good gear really makes all the difference.
Because California is a bit unpredictable with weather, it’s essential for me to have a breathable yet warm jacket. I prefer to wear my jackets a tad oversized, so I ordered the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody in a medium and found that it was a little baggy on me. Because I mainly plan to wear it as my outer layer, the fit worked well, as I could easily wear long sleeves and/or a puffer vest underneath it. However, if I wished to wear an outer layer over it, I’d order a small. For reference, I’m 5’7″, 125 pounds.
Surfing is my M.O. and as such, cold weather isn’t about to stop me. I have a solid wetsuit, but post session I often find myself shivering. For my wintertime surfs, I packed along the First Light Stretch Hoody to cozy up in after. I also spent some time hitting my local trails in the puffer jacket and was especially grateful to have it during sunrise and sunset treks, when the temps dipped particularly low.
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The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between
The shell of the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody is made from 20d nylon stretch ripstop with PFC-Free DWR, meaning it holds up well in mist and small showers but you wouldn’t want to get caught in a rainstorm. Luckily the material is squishy enough that you can easily layer a rain jacket over if necessary. Because the fill is polyester, it dries out pretty quickly should it get wet (faster than down, of course).
The First Light is a lightweight and medium-warmth puffer jacket. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Synthetic Insulation
The Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody jacket is filled with Primaloft Gold Active insulation (100% polyester), resulting in a lightweight and medium-warm jacket. The First Light is advertised as a four seasons jacket — I’d say that’s true as long as you’re somewhere with mild winters. If you’re somewhere particularly cold, the First Light likely won’t keep you warm enough unless you plan to wear it running, backcountry, or cross country skiing.
Breathability
Because the First Light Stretch Hoody is nylon stretch woven, it’s incredibly flexible, making it a good pick for hiking, climbing, running, etc. Thanks to the stretch lining, the First Light is nice and breathable, so it keeps you warm without drenching you in sweat. The insulation is strategically placed throughout the body, shoulders, and arms, delivering warmth where you most need it and enhancing its overall flexibility.
The First Light has two discreet hand warmer pockets as well as a zippered chest pocket. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Great for Active Endeavors
Although I don’t climb often, I regularly swap clothes with my sister who is an avid climber. A feature she loves about the First Light jacket is the adjustable hood because it’s compatible with a climbing helmet. The jacket also has two discreet zippered hand pockets as well as a zippered chest pocket that works well for stowing your cell phone and other small essentials. Because I’m a firm believer that you can never have too many pockets, I wish the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody had some interior pockets as well to keep items extra secure. Plus, in an insulated jacket, internal pockets are nice for keeping your phone warm and fully-functioning in the cold.
The adjustable hood is large enough to fit over a helmet. Photo: Beth Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
While a tad pricey, the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody is an ideal puffer jacket for folks who like to ski, climb, hike, or bike in the winter. It’s a touch heavy, but the breathability and flexibility are top-notch. PrimaLoft Gold is one of our best-tested synthetic fills, and it performs admirably in this jacket. At the end of the day, the entire jacket packs down into its own pocket—a solid achievement for a synthetic option—making it a great puffer for backpacking and traveling.
Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in checking out some of our other favorite puffers, give The Best Women’s Puffer Jackets a read. Or, if you need a men’s jacket, check out The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets. If you’re looking for something warmer, we’ve got you covered with The Best Winter Jackets and The Best Women’s Winter Jackets.
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