Shell Construction

Insulation

Seams

Length

Recommended Use

Activity

Features

Gender

Hood

Shirt Style

bottomline

Black Diamond

Although the Black Diamond name was officially adopted in 1989, the company's roots can be traced back to 1957. That's when climber and mountaineer Yvon Chouinard started hammering out chromoly pitons on an anvil in his backyard and selling them from the trunk of his car in Yosemite. Yvon's equipment quickly became an industry standard. In 1989 Chouinard Equipment LTD was purchased by a group of former employees and renamed 'Black Diamond.' Today, Black Diamond has offices on three continents. Its focus is, and always has been, innovative ski and climbing gear and an equally innovative approach to sustainable business practices.<br><br>Black Diamond's approaches to innovation and sustainability have been inseparably intertwined since the very beginning. When climbers noticed that popular routes had been damaged by the pitons traditionally used for protection, Chouinard and his business partner Tom Frost developed aluminum chocks that had significantly less impact on the rock, and then phased out of the piton business entirely. It was a risk, but one that defined a lasting environmentally aware direction for Chouinard and Black Diamond.<br><br>Today, Black Diamond's expertise extends well beyond climbing, with notable innovations in skis, headlamps, backpacks, harnesses, trekking poles, tents, helmets, and many other outdoor products. Black Diamond has earned an outstanding reputation in backcountry skiing for its ground-breaking designs in both AT and telemark gear, including award-winning skis, boots, bindings, gloves, climbing skins, and vital accessories like beacons, probes, and Avalung packs. Moving beyond gear, Black Diamond continues to expand its line of high-quality apparel, offering both the technical jackets and pants one would expect from Black Diamond, as well as appealing, comfortable casual wear.<br><br>Even with Black Diamond's broad range of products and worldwide distribution, it never lost sight of its roots or its high standards of environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and safe working conditions. In 2010 it initiated an official Corporate Responsibility program to monitor and ensure environmental and social compliance and stewardship within the brand, and it put into place a Vendor Code of Conduct to hold its outside vendors to a similarly high standard. Black Diamond is also extremely active in environmental programs, providing continuing support for over a dozen groups whose focus is environmental preservation.<br><br>The company came a long way from a backyard anvil and a climber's vision in Yosemite. Fortunately, it hasn't lost sight of its values along the way. Black Diamond produces some of the finest climbing and skiing equipment and clothing in the world, but its commitment to the environment and fair labor practices are equally impressive. As it grows, Black Diamond's influence will also grow—helping to advance the outdoor industry not only through technical innovation, but through social and environmental programs as well.

Black Diamond continues to introduce cutting-edge climbing & skiing gear year after year. Shop skis, gloves, headlamps, climbing harnesses, & more on Backcountry.com.

Black Diamond Gear & Apparel

Although the Black Diamond name was officially adopted in 1989, the company's roots can be traced back to 1957. That's when climber and mountaineer Yvon Chouinard started hammering out chromoly pitons on an anvil in his backyard and selling them from the trunk of his car in Yosemite. Yvon's equipment quickly became an industry standard. In 1989 Chouinard Equipment LTD was purchased by a group of former employees and renamed 'Black Diamond.' Today, Black Diamond has offices on three continents. Its focus is, and always has been, innovative ski and climbing gear and an equally innovative approach to sustainable business practices.
<br><br>
Black Diamond's approaches to innovation and sustainability have been inseparably intertwined since the very beginning. When climbers noticed that popular routes had been damaged by the pitons traditionally used for protection, Chouinard and his business partner Tom Frost developed aluminum chocks that had significantly less impact on the rock, and then phased out of the piton business entirely. It was a risk, but one that defined a lasting environmentally aware direction for Chouinard and Black Diamond.
<br><br>
Today, Black Diamond's expertise extends well beyond climbing, with notable innovations in skis, headlamps, backpacks, harnesses, trekking poles, tents, helmets, and many other outdoor products. Black Diamond has earned an outstanding reputation in backcountry skiing for its ground-breaking designs in both AT and telemark gear, including award-winning skis, boots, bindings, gloves, climbing skins, and vital accessories like beacons, probes, and Avalung packs. Moving beyond gear, Black Diamond continues to expand its line of high-quality apparel, offering both the technical jackets and pants one would expect from Black Diamond, as well as appealing, comfortable casual wear.
<br><br>
Even with Black Diamond's broad range of products and worldwide distribution, it never lost sight of its roots or its high standards of environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and safe working conditions. In 2010 it initiated an official Corporate Responsibility program to monitor and ensure environmental and social compliance and stewardship within the brand, and it put into place a Vendor Code of Conduct to hold its outside vendors to a similarly high standard. Black Diamond is also extremely active in environmental programs, providing continuing support for over a dozen groups whose focus is environmental preservation.
<br><br>
The company came a long way from a backyard anvil and a climber's vision in Yosemite. Fortunately, it hasn't lost sight of its values along the way. Black Diamond produces some of the finest climbing and skiing equipment and clothing in the world, but its commitment to the environment and fair labor practices are equally impressive. As it grows, Black Diamond's influence will also grow—helping to advance the outdoor industry not only through technical innovation, but through social and environmental programs as well.

<p>The Black Diamond Men's Alpine Start Hooded Jacket keeps wind and light rain at arm's length whether you're on the approach or arête. Weighing a mere 8.5 ounces and featuring a stowable design, this jacket fits great in your pack or attached to your harness, and it won't weigh your alpine rack down too much. Climbing specific gussets allow your arms full mobility, while the helmet-compatible hood keeps your head protected from the elements. Schoeller softshell fabric is highly breathable, so you can hike fast and climb hard, and the jacket is treated with Nanosphere technology, making the stretch fabric resistant to both moisture and dirt.</p>

Stash

Cuff

Back

Material

Pockets

Thumbholes

Claimed Weight

Manufacturer Warranty

Alpine Start Hooded Jacket - Men's

Discount applies to full-price items only. 

Get the scoop on sales and gear

15% off when you sign up for email

<a href="/rc/winter-clearance?INT_ID=202303_topbrandsandsteepestsale_rc-winter-clearance" class="">Roxy, Patagonia, 686, Flylow & More Up To 50% Off <u>Shop Now</u></a>

Top Brands

Shop The North Face

Shop Patagonia

Shop Mountain Hardwear

Brands

Clothing

Footwear

Accessories

Women

Activities

Shop Ski

Shop Hike & Camp

Shop Snowboard

Current Steal

Smartwool, icebreaker & More

Stoic, Backcountry & More

Mammut, Helly Hansen & More

Black Diamond & Outdoor Research

Brand Steals

By submitting this form, you agree to receive recurring automated promotional and personalized marketing text messages (e.g. cart reminders) from Backcountry at the cell number provided when signing up. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Msg frequency varies. Msg. and data rates may apply. 

First dibs on products, sales & exclusives

Sign up for text alerts & get 15% off

Black Diamond
Alpine Start Hooded Jacket - Men's

Out of Stock

A lightweight shell for misty mountain climbs.

Details

Tech Specs