Designed as a technical mid-layer, Black Diamond’s new Deployment Hybrid Hoody utilizes a mixture of different materials and fabrics in different locations in an effort to provide warmth where it’s needed and breath-ability where it’s not. The result is a nice fitting mid-layer with some great features though it still has it’s flaws.
The light green panels are insulated Shoeller and the dark green a thinner merino blend. The entire back panel is the thinner material which is great when wearing a pack.
Features:
- Size: Mens medium
- Materials (varies between these two materials by location):
- Schoeller® stretch-woven nylon with NanoSphere® Technology with PrimaLoft® Silver Hi-Loft insulation
- 300 g/m2 merino wool back with a 100% nylon face
- Pockets: 2 chest pockets
- Hood: Under-helmet
- Cuffs: Stretch fit
Starting with the fabrics, the hoody has an insulated Schoeller material (Schoeller® stretch-woven nylon with NanoSphere® Technology with PrimaLoft® Silver Hi-Loft insulation) on the arms, chest and hood and a blended merino wool material (300 g/m2, 100% nylon face, 100% merino wool back) on the underarms, back and the cuffs. This combination works really well; areas that need more insulation (arms and chest) have it and areas where it’s not needed (waist, underarms and back) are thinner, stretch and breathe. I really like the thinner material on the back as I find that my pack keeps me warm (often sweaty) in that area and so no extra insulation is needed. Unfortunately the hood is made of the PrimaLoft insulated Schoeller material which is quite thick for an under-helmet hood and noisy. I was not able to wear the hood when ice climbing as I couldn’t hear my partner and the sound of my ice tools was muffled. A hood made of the thinner merino blend would have been preferable, more sleek and quiet.
The fit on Deployment Hybrid hoody is great, though I didn’t love it right away. When I first put on the hoody it seemed a little snug on my arms and shoulders, thinking something a little looser would be better I almost traded it in for a larger size. I’m really glad I didn’t though! After wearing the Hybrid on a few trips I found I really liked the fit, it would move with me and felt much more like a warm base layer than the thicker mid-layer it is. The fit and length of the waist is also great, cut a little longer so stays tucked into my pants and/or under my harness all-day.
The waist is a little longer and made of the stretchy merino blend so it fits well under a climbing harness.
Pros: Great fit (especially under a harness), thin breathable material along the back (which is insulated by a backpack anyway).
Cons: The hood is noisy and thick, I found it uncomfortable to wear under my helmet.
Overall: A fantastic mid-layer for ice climbing, skiing or any cold weather outdoor pursuit involving a pack. During a recent cold-snap in Canmore the Deployment Hybrid Hoody became my go-to ice climbing mid-layer, I just didn’t use the hood.
Photos by Bonsta photography. Black Diamond supplied a review sample but of course this doesn’t influence us in any way.
