Columbia’s New Gear Lets You Explore Like A Polar Bear
I certainly felt like a polar bear when I donned the thick, fluffy, snow-coloured Columbia Arctic Crest™ Sherpa Full Zip Fleece Jacket, so it wasn’t a huge surprise to find out the brand studied how Ursus maritimus handles the Arctic chill to develop outerwear that performs in frigid temps.
Yes, just like how a polar bear’s translucent fur allows solar rays to penetrate while also trapping in heat, so does Columbia Sportswear’s new light-hued fleece—using the sun to gain warmth and the thick pile to trap it inside.
Tested in laboratories and extreme outdoor environments, Columbia’s research teams determined that their new tech performs exceptionally well, even compared to standard black jackets in the sun. The team examined a donated polar bear pelt (from a bear that died of natural causes) to dig into how Mother Nature designed the world’s warmest coat. Not only did they uncover the bear’s secrets, but they also learned that classic black, which we all probably own at least one jacket in, will actually lose heat when compared to Columbia’s new Arctic Crest™ tech.
“We’ve upended the industry-wide belief that standard black and dark-coloured jackets are always warmer than lighter jackets,” said Dr. Haskell Beckham, vice president of innovation at Columbia Sportswear. “After years of research on Arctic wildlife and designing a multitude of fabrications, we’ve developed a new collection of outerwear that draws solar heat into the core of the jacket, providing solar-boosted warmth to keep everyone comfortable when the temperatures drop this winter.”
With this in mind, I zipped my fleece tight and went adventuring like a polar bear—well, more like a polar bear’s cousin, the Ursus americanus—as I headed out on a November hike on Vancouver’s North Shore.
Along with the warmth for weight—at only a few hundred grams for a large—I appreciated the nylon overlays on the hood, shoulders and forearms. The hood and shoulders shed the light rainfall I encountered mid-trail, and the forearm panels meant pushing errant branches out of the way was a snag-free experience. Even the chest pocket features a nylon panel, so I stashed my phone in there and it stayed dry. While not waterproof, the inherent hydrophobic nature of fleece means rainfall does not permeate easily. Light rain is no concern, and even a heavier shower would likely take up to an hour or more to penetrate. It dries quickly in a warm room or hung near a heat source. (Official wash-dry instructions read: “lay flat to dry.”)
In comparison, the Arctic Crest™ Down Hooded Jacket is a classic puffer with responsibly-sourced down, also featuring Columbia latest innovation—the solar-capture insulation technology inspired by Arctic wildlife. The result is high-efficiency warmth in the coldest conditions, while a tough outer shell repels rain and stains with ease.
With a protective hood, secure storage in zippered pockets, a drawcord-adjustable hem and stretch binding on the hood and cuffs, this Columbia Titanium style jacket is made for high-performance outdoor activity in the snowiest, coldest, wettest conditions. Omni-Shield™ repels moisture and resists stains, so you can stay cool, dry and clean. The entire jacket packs down into one pocket for quick and effortless storage.
The technology is also available in a Men’s Arctic Crest™ Down Vest and Women’s Arctic Crest™ Down Vest. As for the Sherpa, like all fleece, it is highly breathable, meaning you can wear it in a wide range of temperatures from upper-single digits to deep negatives The drawcord hem, elasticized cuffs and fleece-lined hood (with chin-guard) mean it’s easy to further seal out the snow.
Much like the polar bear that inspired it, the natural habitat of Columbia’s Omni-Heat Arctic collection is not a rainforest but a snowfield. I see it being a key part of my kit as winter progresses and as a toasty springtime jacket by itself.
But what I truly love about this fleece goes beyond its technical chops. The thick Sherpa fleece is a pleasure to put on; like slipping into a cozy blanket. The body-skimming fit allows a full range of mobility, but it’s just as well-suited to basecamp or cabin aprés-wear as it is on the slopes or the snowshoe trails. As outdoorspeople, we love fleece. And Columbia’s Omni-Heat Arctic is about as lovable as it gets.
Columbia’s Arctic Crest Products:
• Arctic Crest™ Down Hooded Jacket ($399.99): A puffer-style jacket featuring Omni-Heat™ Arctic solar-capture insulation system and Omni-Shield™ repellency, made for high-performance outdoor activity in the worst conditions.
• Arctic Crest™ Sherpa Full Zip ($159.99): A technical fleece full zip jacket featuring Omni-Heat™ Arctic technology, inspired by Arctic wildlife to deliver lightweight, high-efficiency warmth boosted by solar power.
This article was sponsored by Columbia Sportwear
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