Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Quarter Zip - Women's Review

With high marks in nearly every metric, our testers were truly impressed by this base layer hoody. We love the versatility of the hood to either increase or shed overall warmth, in addition to a quarter zip and thumbholes to help keep the layer in place during high-output activities. The innovative Nuyarn stretch Merino wool technology not only offers exceptional warmth and breathability — especially for a lightweight layer — but also allows the layer to breathe well and efficiently wick moisture away from the body.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

This base layer has a lightweight design that is built for high-output activities in the mountains and is functional all year long. Our testers were cool in the sun and warm in the shade while climbing multi-pitch in the spring in Pine Creek Canyon. There's no need to layer up or remove this layer, as it's highly breathable while also trapping that precious heat from exertion. It was also so nice to have an extra bit of warmth by utilizing the hood feature, which fits quite well, even beneath a climbing helmet.

This hoody is made out of 78% Merino wool with 22% polyester and features Nuyarn patented stretch extra-fine 18.5-micron Merino wool technology for top-notch thermoregulation and moisture management. This technology is exclusive to Black Diamond, and our testers could feel the difference. This lightweight and versatile hoody is one of the warmest and most functional layers we tested. That being said, it isn't thick enough to provide stand-alone warmth for the coldest months of the year, so we suggest you keep it moving uphill or layer over the top for additional warmth.

Breathability

This is a category where the Solution 150 Merino really stood apart from the rest. This layer features the innovative Black Diamond-specific Nuyarn stretch Merino wool technology, which wraps the extra-fine wool with a nylon core. This not only allows for a warm and strong base layer but also one that breathes well, sheds excess moisture, and dries faster than other layers in this review.

This layer never held onto moisture, even when running with a pack or wearing it during long approaches to remote climbing areas during the first hot days of spring. In fact, it was a perfect spring layer for skiing in the Eastern Sierra when the temperatures heat up, and you put in the hard work of earning your turns. With a primarily Merino wool design that features excellent breathability and superior thermoregulation, we highly recommend this hoody.

Comfort and Fit

Though the Solution 150 Merino Hoody offers quite a slim fit, we would still say that it's true to size, and we only recommend sizing up if you find yourself in between sizes or prefer a longer sleeve for more comfortable thumb loops. The design offers great length in the arms and torso when fit correctly. We also love the little bit of stretch built into the construction, thanks to the Black Diamond-specific Nuyarn patented stretch Merino wool technology, which allows for a greater range of motion and versatility within the base layer.

This layer offers a next-to-skin comfort that gets better after every wash, and while our testers were initially skeptical, we genuinely grew to love the versatility of this base layer. When it first arrived, the Solution felt stiff against the skin; however, we never found the material to be itchy, and the Merino definitely softened with use. Black Diamond also put a lot of thought into the comfort behind the design, utilizing flat lock seams in addition to a strategically placed shoulder panel that work together in order to prevent chafing while carrying a pack or when working up a sweat. When fit correctly and after a little break-in period, this hoody definitely delivers when it comes to overall comfort and a slim fit.

Durability

Initial skepticism aside, this layer kept up with us on every mission we embarked on. Whether we were climbing multi-pitch near the Eastern Sierra, romping the freshly melted trails, or soaking in the last days at the ski resort, this layer kept us cool in the sun and warm in the shade thanks to an exceptional and durable blend of Merino wool and polyester. We're also happy to report that the Solution did not hold onto smell during all those adventures, even without washing for several days. In fact, we've been testing this layer since the spring of 2022, and it still doesn't hold onto any smell, even after consistent use.

The flatlock stitching not only eliminates chafing but also helps reinforce the structure of this layer so it can last for many adventures to come. To be fair, this is a lightweight 150-weight Merino wool, and after a year of testing, we finally found the limit. While side-hilling on especially steep and slippery terrain, we slid into a tree branch that ripped the Merino fabric. While not a durability issue as much as user/tester error, we were happy when the Merino remained just a hole rather than running like pantyhose through the entire sleeve. While we appreciate that the Merino is reinforced with a polyester blend, it is thinner than other layers in this review and perhaps won't last quite as long if you're not mindful.

Drying Speed

We approach drying speed from several different angles: working up a sweat, drying overnight, and finally hanging on a line to dry out in the sun. For reference, the various layers in this review range from silk light to a 250 g/m² midweight and dried on the line between 37 minutes and one hour.

The Solution is considered a lightweight design with the additional hood material, and it dried in a respectable 47 minutes. After working up a sweat, we retreated inside for warm beverages near the fire and recorded this layer to dry on the body within 30 minutes of being inside. Since this layer is constructed primarily of Merino wool, our testers highly recommend allowing it to air dry overnight away from heat sources to maximize its lifetime.

Layering Ability

While it can be a little tricky to layer due to the quarter zip and hood, our testers found that the lightweight material of the Solution made it easy to layer a tank top or even a crew base layer under this hoody in addition to layering a vest or jacket on top. This hoody also functions well with a mid-layer, though it can be tricky if there are multiple hoods involved.

We love the thumbholes, which add a bit of extra warmth on a spring training run and help keep the garment in place while layering or trying to retain extra warmth inside a ski glove. We also love that the hood feature enhances warmth while also fitting well beneath a climbing helmet, just in case the wind is ripping as you ascend the mountain.

Should You Buy the Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino?

While a little more expensive than some other models we tested, we believe the investment is totally worth it for this exceptional base layer. Designed with high-output adventure in mind, this hoody is engineered from Black Diamond-specific Nuyarn stretch Merino Wool technology, which provides top-notch thermoregulation, excellent wicking capabilities, and a faster drying time. The material is stronger and more durable as it is reinforced by a nylon spun core. We don't think you'll be disappointed.

What Other Base Layers Should You Consider?