Columbia Northern Comfort Insulated Hoody Jacket

Field Notes: If your ski or ride areas are in the coldest haunts, this hoody from Columbia is your ready companion. At Jackson, Big Sky and Sugarloaf, you know you’ll be battling winds and frigid temperatures when gobbling up the snow and steeps. The hybrid design combines tried and true classic duck down/duck feather (75/25) insulation with a cotton-polyester fleece shell overlay and polyester taffeta shell. Testers liked the insulation mapping, which puts the warmth where you need it around the torso and fleece on the arms to maintain dexterity and fit. The classic fit won’t be too tight or too baggy. In Active Junky’s field tests early in the season, the Northern Comfort was a bit much since it wasn’t deep winter. However, when the temperature drops along the spine of the Green Mountains, we’ll be tapping and appreciating the warmth Columbia jackets provide through years of experience and perfecting cold weather know how. 

Pros: The polyester-cotton blend in the sleeves has the look and feel of your favorite broken-in cotton hoody while insulated duck down keeps your core toasty warm

Cons: This Columbia model is weighty and not very packable. Cotton naysayers take note.

Tester Comments: “If you run a bit cold and always find yourself needing to add another layer, consider adding the Columbia Northern Comfort. Body mapped duck down keeps your core body temperature regulated and never overheated. And the fit is comfortable too, like your favorite broken-in hoody.”

Key Attribute: Function