Gear Review: Black Diamond Deploy Down Hoody
Black Diamond's Deploy Down Hoody has become a staple in my backpack. It weighs next to nothing and takes up very little space. It's versatile because of its slim fit and no-frills design.
Weighing in at 4.86 ounces (women’s medium), or 5.22 ounces (men's medium) the 1000-fill Deploy Down Hoody is the lightest down hoody in the world. This hoody is a soon-to-be staple inulator for hikers and backpackers. It's obviously ultralight. And a great technical layer too; providing warmth and security in a super packable design. The half-zip style keeps weight low, while the adjustable hood adds more warmth without bulk. Toss the Deploy Down Hoody in your pack anytime you’re heading out and know you’ve got a layer of warmth eady to go.
Quick Rundown of the Black Diamond Deploy Down Hoody
- 1000-fill goose down that is traceable through Allied Down
- Water repellant (DWR) treatment that PFCs, so you can stay dry without the use of nasty forever chemicals
- Lightest down jacket in the world
- Weighs just 10 ounces
- Internal stow pocket
- Comes with a practical lifetime guarantee
My Experience with Black Diamond's Deploy Down Hoody
I've been using the Deploy Down Hoody for nearly half a year and it's been a phenomenal little insulation layer! I pretty much always have it in whatever backpack I'm using, whether I am backpacking or day hiking in the Southwest. It's lightweight enough to simply bring along if you think the weather might change.
Due to its slim style fit, it's a wonderful down hoody for layering under hardshells. It's a pop of really warm insulation with basically zero bulk. I have found this to be kickass while backpacking in Arizona during monsoon seasons and shoulder seasons when the weather gets pretty intense in the blink of an eye. But of course it's also a great piece in the alpine, when the general weather is pretty chilly, but not always freezing cold.
I really like that the Deploy has zero frills about it. It makes it its own thing. Most down jackets have pockets and full zips and internal pockets and... you get the idea. The Deploy is more like a down sweater. It isn't fancy, but is incredibly high quality and does what it sets out to do: be lightweight and insulate like a champ.
I've tested out the DWR water-repellent finish a handful of times now, and it works well. If you brush off water or moisture quickly, you will not get wet and the hoody will remain dry. That makes it a pretty nice layer for snowy adventures, where it might be really chilly but you don't feel like sporting hardshells.
Black Diamond's Deploy Down Hoody has become a staple in my backpack. It weighs next to nothing and takes up very little space. It's versatile because of its slim fit and no-frills design. It can easily handle every elements thrown at it!
My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
