You’re about to hear some massive excitement in the following video. I own a lot of jackets and it’s safe to say I’ve never been this excited about one; actually two, as you’re about to find out. Enter: Columbia’s Back To Hells Mountain Interchange Jacket.
Like the title says, this is an interchangeable jacket. I’m usually not a fan of zip-in liners, but I’m making a big exception here.
By itself, the outer-jacket is Omni-Tech. That means waterproof and breathable: everything want and expect in a technical outer layer.
Inside the Hells Mountain Jacket you’ll find a down-filled acrylic/wool blend. The Back To Hells Mountain Interchange Jacket I’m reviewing is actually packed with a polyester/recycled polyester. Yup, no skimping here.
A Liner With Serious Technology
I’ve been wearing the liner jacket by itself for around town milling about and hikes through the snow. It’s plenty warm and is no where near being too technical looking for a date with my wife. Two chest pockets carry everything I need.
As if all this wasn’t enough, Columbia topped off the liner’s interior with Omni-heat. What’s Omni-Heat you ask? You see those silly-looking reflective dots on the inside?
Those serious bits of technology reflect your body heat back onto itself, allowing you to be warmer for a lighter weight piece of clothing. And it really works! I stood outdoors at the World Skiing Freestyle Competition with high winds and cold temperatures and I was toasty the entire time.
Omni-Tech Shell
The shell sheds rain and melting snow, wether from the clouds or the annoying ski lift cable above you. (I need to remember not to sit under it on warm days.) If you get hot, open the underarm vents. For a vertical foot challenge at Park City’s Canyons Resort I competed in a vertical challenge. Underneath this jacket I only wore an Omni-Heat baselayer and I was perfectly warm on the lift and the trail.
Inside you’ll find a media pocket that allows you to pass a headphone cable into the phone without worry about your phone falling out. On the right side is a generous goggle pocket that also fits a pair of liner gloves at the same time. Nice touch.
You’ll appreciate the length, cut just long enough to keep out the snow. For me, I’m putting this in top of my resort bag and using it every time. At 150 pounds and 6′ tall, the small fits me perfectly.
Links
Columbia’s Back To Hells Mountain Interchange Jacket
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