Black diamond alpine start hoody - recent thoughts?

The BD alpine start hoody has been updated and revised several times since its release, hood adjustments, hood design, hem adjustments, different DWR's, changes in the front pocket in both design and the most recent conceals it completely, it wouldn't surprise me if even the fabric has changed. Despite this, every review i can find is years out of date.

So, has anyone out there got the most recent version? Anyone have multiple versions and can give feedback as to how notable the changes are? The hood changes are visibly apparent but I've never seen anchor points for hood drawcords be down on the chin, how comfortable is that?

The BD alpine start seems to be the only mid weight wind jacket out there that offers a proper helmet compatible hood with a good peak, I would consider the Houdini but I'm after something a little more stout and I hate the fit of new squamish.

So, any thoughts on the latest version of the alpine start hoody?

I have had several generations over the years. The newest version seems to have a larger/longer design - both in the arm length and torso length. I wear a medium, and the older versions were super short on torso and even sometimes short on the arms (mine arms are longer-ish). If you wear a medium, then the current design will be awesome. If you were in between a large and medium, I would go with the medium for a nice fit. The hood, fabric, and zippers all seem the same to me It also a lot easier to pack it into its own pocket too!

In my opinion, it's a different jacket than the Houdini because it's at least two or three times as thick. But but still very thin and lightweight. The schoeller fabric absolutely beats out all other wind jackets of this category for durability and wind resistance.

I have the OG Alpine Start hoody so I cannot comment on more recent iterations, BUT, I picked up the Alpine Start Insulated Hoody in the fall and have been very impressed with it so far. My only gripe is I wish it was a little more fitted. 

If you're a size med I got pretty much new one for sale

Ben Ha wrote:

If you're a size med I got pretty much new one for sale

UK based, no point sending it over an ocean, why are you selling it? 

I got fat and don't fit a medium anymore

Dallin Carey wrote:

I have the OG Alpine Start hoody so I cannot comment on more recent iterations, BUT, I picked up the Alpine Start Insulated Hoody in the fall and have been very impressed with it so far. My only gripe is I wish it was a little more fitted. 

Hi there, does the insulated alpine start have hand pockets?

Hows the sizing on these? I'm kinda M/L in most brands (6'2 ~165lbs with not long arms). Would it be better to go to Large for layering or just medium for a bit less bunchiness

Dan Jutzi wrote:

Hi there, does the insulated alpine start have hand pockets?

No, it's more or less the same as the standard jacket but with 120 gsm Alpha Direct in the arms and part of the torso.

Chris Dold wrote:

No, it's more or less the same as the standard jacket but with 120 gsm Alpha Direct in the arms and part of the torso.

This is incorrect. There are two zippered hand pockets in addition to the chest pocket. 

Dallin Carey wrote:

This is incorrect. There are two zippered hand pockets in addition to the chest pocket. 

I assume there was an update to the pattern because BD has images of the Insulated Alpine Start with and without pockets. I don't recall the blue one I tried on the other week having hand pockets

It's 80 bucks on sierra if you want it.

https://www.sierra.com/black-diamond-alpine-start-insulated-hoodie~p~5mmnc/?filterString=black-diamond~b~41242%2F&merch=prod-rec-prod-prod5MMNC

Dallin Carey wrote:

This is incorrect. There are two zippered hand pockets in addition to the chest pocket. 

Mine only has one chest pocket. It's either current or next years.

Bought mine in December of 23, so my guess is this next iteration does not have hand pockets.

Well I ordered one so hope it has pockets!

Thanks everyone 

Dan Jutzi wrote:

Well I ordered one so hope it has pockets!

Why do you want hand pockets? 

Ben Ha wrote:

It's 80 bucks on sierra if you want it.

https://www.sierra.com/black-diamond-alpine-start-insulated-hoodie~p~5mmnc/?filterString=black-diamond~b~41242%2F&merch=prod-rec-prod-prod5MMNC

and $60 for non-insulated
https://www.sierra.com/black-diamond-alpine-start-hoodie~p~5mmnd/?merch=prod-rec-prod5MMND 

that guy named seb wrote:

The BD alpine start seems to be the only mid weight wind jacket out there that offers a proper helmet compatible hood with a good peak, I would consider the Houdini but I'm after something a little more stout and I hate the fit of new squamish.

Can't recommend the Mammut Aenergy WB Jacket highly enough. It's essentially the now-discontinued Houdini Air but if it were actually designed for climbing. Perfect helmet compatible hood. Reinforced sleeves. Great fit. Way more breathable than the garbage bag that is the regular Houdini. And almost 80g less than the Alpine Start. The latter is probably a little more water resistant, but neither jacket is a hardshell so we're just talking about whether they wet out in 10m or 20m. Obviously the Alpine Start is a little thicker, so it would be a bit more insulative. But if I'm in conditions that call for insulation I'm bringing that separately anyway.

I only found out about it thanks to a single post here on MP. It has zero online English review presence as far as I can find.

I replaced a 18yo neon Squamish with the Mammut last winter and could not be happier. 

Just bought one for my birthday and love it. 

Including the hand pockets!

I wonder if you could take a heat gun/sharpie to that logo and remove it. That thing is huge!