Black Diamond Alpine Start Jacket Review

Bottom Line

Constructed for alpine environments, the Black Diamond Alpine Start is a lightweight and packable jacket for those heading out above treeline on windy days. From skiing in Alaska’s Chugach range to backcountry ice skating, the Alpine Start is a reliable companion and one of our best windbreakers for colder days where you need a lightweight layer to block the wind.

Built with Schoeller fabric, the Alpine Start blurs the lines between a windbreaker and a soft shell. It has the low weight and packability of a windbreaker and the elasticity, comfort, and breathability of a soft shell. Even though it comes with an Eco-Repel Bio PFC-free DWR coating, the Alpine Start is not one to take out in more than a drizzle. It repels moisture better than most other jackets in our lineup, but it still shows the same wet weather limitations of other dedicated windbreakers.

With a helmet-compatible hood and abrasion-resistant material, the Alpine Start is built for alpine adventures. A cinch in the hood and elastic around the hem keep the jacket snug and secure. However, we found the fit of this jacket to be slightly oversized, particularly through the collar and hood. This makes it great for layering over, but if you’re going to be using this jacket for dedicated summer use, we suggest sizing down for a slimmer fit. The Alpine Start is the perfect choice for climbers and skiers looking for a durable option to offer great weather protection on windy days.

How We Tested

Over two months, we wore the Squamish jacket on hikes and runs as well as backcountry and cross-country ski trips to field test its performance in multiple conditions. Our tests consisted of real-world exposure to the wind and elements. We also used a blow drier to test wind resistance and also completed a one-hour run while intentionally overdressed to test its breathability and moisture management.

Wind & Weather Resistance

We wore the Alpine Start over our insulating layers on cold winter days when we needed a shell to break the wind. We were not disappointed. At first touch, the jacket may feel like it would be less wind resistant due to its soft and elastic feel. However, it blocked all wind effectively in our field test. 

Blurring the lines between softshell and windbreaker, the Alpine Start offers the lightweight breathability of a windbreaker but with the increased weather resistance of a soft shell. It’s good enough for brief exposure to precipitation, but it’s not a jacket to take out in more than a drizzle. The Eco-Repel Bio PFC-free DWR coating repelled snow and drizzle, but it suffered in anything more than light rain. Even though it showed better wet weather performance than other windbreakers tested, the Alpine Start would not fully replace a rain shell.  

Breathability

The unique construction of the Alpine Start strikes a balance between weather resistance and breathability. It’s one of the heavier and more weather-resistant jackets in our lineup yet still offers impressive breathability. Using this jacket for backcountry skiing and winter trail running, we noticed no excess sweat buildup on the inside. What perspiration we did generate quickly moved through the fabric and evaporated. 

However, it is noticeable that this jacket is warmer than others in our lineup. Its slightly thicker material, heavier weight, and roomier cut might make it too warm for hot summer days. However, it’s great for cooler alpine environments or layering for winter use.

Weight & Packability

With a manufacturer-stated weight of 7.7 ounces and a measured weight of 7.2 ounces (Men’s medium), the Alpine Start is the heaviest jacket in our lineup. It is three times heavier than the lightest jacket we tested but is still substantially smaller and lighter than most hardshells or softshells. 

Continuing the trend of walking the line between a softshell and windbreaker, the Alpine Start is still very light while maintaining all the pros of a heavier jacket. It zips into its chest pocket and packs down to about the size of an orange, making it perfect for fitting into a backpack. It also comes with a loop to clip to a harness.

Comfort & Fit

The Alpine Start is one of the roomier windbreakers we tested. This is particularly noticeable through the collar and hood. Designed to be helmet-compatible, the hood comfortably fits over bicycling, climbing, and skiing helmets. However, it feels overly bulky when worn over just a hat or bare head. A cinch does help tighten up the fit, but there is still a lot of excess material. If the jacket is fully zipped up, but the hood is not deployed, the collar sags over, leaving an awkward roll of material around the chin and neck. 

The jacket feels a little too loose around the torso if worn with only a base layer underneath. However, this made the Alpine Jacket a great option for winter use. We wore it over mid-layers and a midweight down jacket. If you plan on using the Alpine Start for summer use with only a base layer underneath, we recommend sizing down to get a more trim fit.

Should You Buy the Black Diamond Alpine Start?

The Alpine Start is our jacket of choice for days in the alpine where we need a durable, windproof, and weather-resistant layer to help keep us warm. This jacket is great for climbers, alpine hikers, and anyone who frequently recreates in windy and inclement weather. It may be too warm and baggy for dedicated summer use, but the Alpine Start is great for the winter and shoulder seasons. It’s roomy enough to layer under and is extremely stretchy and mobile. With a slightly larger fit, the Alpine Start is built for broader torsos. Its higher price may scare away budget shoppers, but the Alpine Start is a well-crafted jacket that belongs in the closets of many adventurers.

What Other Windbreaker Should You Consider?

Head to our gear guide to see the full lineup of best windbreakers.

Arc’Teryx Squamish Review: Similarly stretchy and elastic, the Squamish is lighter than the Alpine Start and packs down even smaller.

Cotopaxi Teca Review: If you’re looking for a more casual and stylish jacket, the Teca is a great option for front country and in-town use.

Rab Vital Review: With a similar cut, the Rab Vital is another great windbreaker for winter use.