Columbia is for real!

By Ty Nelson Ranked #77 - Men's Vests July 24, 2009

For some reason, in the gear world, Columbia is considered somewhat of an ugly stepsister to the elite Arc'Teryx, Patagonia, Marmot, etc. I don't understand this. I have several Columbia products and all are first rate pieces of gear which cost much less than similar pieces from the elites. This vest is no exception. It is an essential backpacking piece. Its 700 fill is very warm, yet it weighs a mere 8 ounces, and packs to the size of a softball with the included stuff sack (could get smaller with a compression sack). It could be a life saver in an emergency (such as when I got caught in a thunderstorm in near freezing temps above treeline in Glacier NP and only had this and a merino mid-layer dry to stave off hypothermia) or just worn around the fire on a car camping trip. And if you care about that sort of thing, the reversible function is kind of nice. Bottom line: buy it put it in your pack and be thankful later.

View Details: Columbia Alpino II Reversible Down Vest - Men's

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