The Black Diamond Solution Hoodie is a low-key jacket with 60g Primaloft Eco synthetic insulation. It makes a good general-purpose lightweight windproof jacket that can be used for outdoor sports or around town. It has three zippered pockets, stretch cuffs, and an oversized, non-adjustable hood. I wear it for shopping, when I go out for dinner with friends, or when hiking in the autumn woods.
- Gender: men’s (women’s also available)
- Pockets: 3 (2 zippered hand pockets and 1 external zippered chest pocket)
- Helmet-compatible Hood: yes (non-adjustable)
- Insulation: 60g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco
- Fabric: 20D Recycled, micro-ripstop nylon shell and lining
- DWR finish: PFC Free
- Packable: Left-hand pocket w/carabiner loop
- Fit: Regular (true-to-size)
- Weight: 15.2 oz in a men’s large
My Black Diamond Solution Jacket is a low-key green color that doesn’t call much attention to itself and could pass as an army jacket at a distance. I live in a rural community where people are more interested in function than flash. This jacket is a nice compromise between those two because it’s well-made without being plastered with logos or neon colors.
The hood has a front elastic hem, which shrinks the opening to a reasonable size if you’re wearing a fleece hat and protects you from the weather. There’s a large zippered chest pocket with ample space for a smartphone and two zippered handwarmer pockets. The jacket is stuffable in the left hand pocket, which also has a carabiner loop.
There are stretch cuffs at the ends of the sleeves that prevent the wind from blowing up your arms and lock in the warmth, as well as a cordlock adjustment along the bottom of the jacket that you can cinch tight.
You could wear a jacket like this as a mid-layer under a shell, and many people probably do. I’m not a huge advocate of that because perspiration has nowhere to go since a jacket like this is not breathable or wicking like a fleece or a wool pullover. Being synthetic, it will retain heat to keep you warm if your baselayer and mid-layer become soaked, but you’d be better off avoiding that by layering properly.
For me, the Black Diamond Solution Hoodie is an external layer that’s good for shoulder season use or as a car/truck coat for use in the winter. I think it’s overpriced for what it is: ($279 – now on sale now for $209.95), but if you can get it on sale, I think you’ll find it is well-made, warm, and nice to wear.
Disclosure: Black Diamond donated a jacket for review.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We only make money if you purchase a product through our affiliate links. Help us continue to test and write unsponsored and independent gear reviews, beginner FAQs, and free hiking guides.
