What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:"I use this when I know I’ll be sweating and cooling off all day. The synthetic fill handles moisture really well, and the stretch panels make a noticeable difference when I’m climbing or touring. It’s one of the most forgiving midlayers I’ve worn."Cold mornings, steep skintracks, and long approaches all push us toward the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hooded Jacket for warmth that keeps up rather than holding us back. Its breathable synthetic insulation works through fluctuating output levels, staying warm when damp and venting heat as we climb. The stretch-woven exterior and underarm gussets move fluidly with poles, tools, or scrambling motions, giving us a midlayer that feels built for dynamic travel in cold terrain. When conditions force quick adjustments, the technical build shines. Body-mapped PrimaLoft Gold Active insulation trims weight where we don’t need it, while 20D ripstop fabric resists abrasion from packs and rock. The hood fits cleanly over climbing and touring helmets, and the jacket compresses into its internal mesh pocket for fast stowing during transitions. Designed for demanding winter pursuits, the First Light Stretch Hooded Jacket blends mobility, moisture management, and packability for days that never settle into a single pace.