Great Funtionality - Awesome Buy for the Money

By Rocky Mountain Goat Ranked #525 - Men's Softshell Jackets January 9, 2009

I have this jacket and have worn it heavily during this 2008-2009 winter. I would NOT recommend this jacket in 20 degree weather without a good midlayer. For some reason, I find the lining not very insulating. My arse was cold sitting on the lift going to the top of the mountain when I only had a light layer underneath. I have worn this on winter hikes, snowboarding and around mountain towns in the Rockies. I would say that without a layer underneath, this is a great jacket for weather between 50-35 degrees (i.e. great for fall and spring). With a good baselayer or mid layer, you are going to signficantly extent the comfort range. If you are doing highly aerobic activities, that will also increase the tempeture range. This is a nice, tight atheletic fit. I am about 165 pounds and a medium fits just right...I can get a sweat shirt or fleece underneath but it is then snug (which is fine with me since I like it that way and since it stretches with movement). I've been wearing this jacket, a baselayer and the Backcountry Siphon sweatshirt and it works beautiflly.

My version of the jacket also has, in addition to the pockets in the description, two mesh interior pockets where you can stow skins, or some other junk.

This jacket is very windproof, has good DWR treatment (water just beads off). It seems waterproof (I left a sleeve dunked in a sink full of water and no water seeped through). The seems are NOT sealed but they do seem fairly tightly stitched. There is no powder skirt but the botton of the jacket has a drawstring cinch. HOWEVER, its not the greatest drawstring cinch and tends to get somewhat loose with movement. The only real complaint I have with jacket is the inner lining material that Columbia used to block out the wind. I am not a fan of it and I find that when I am pulling the jacket on the inner sleeve and jacket lining tends to get pulled out a bit so I have adjust at bit...not a big flaw. I would have opted for velcro wrist closures. Breathability is about middle of the road but it really does keep the wind and weather out.

Over all, this is a great jacket and given the price, I think its one of the best damn softshell jacket that you can get for you money. It has been my go to softshell since I bought it...over the Arc'Teryx Seeker comp, Arc'Teryx Hercules and Mountain Hardwear Alchemy jacket. I would actually consider getting another one if I can find a good sale price in a different color.

Hope that helps...

View Details: Columbia Ice Ax Soft Shell Jacket - Men's

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