Columbia Mens Arctic Crest Down Jacket

Most winter coats achieve their warmth by bulking up on heavy (cheap) insulation. The Arctic Crest coat from Columbia, however, uses 700 fill power down and a durable nylon shell to provide impressive warmth in a really lightweight package. On my scale at home, this coat (in size large) weighs just 0.8 lbs! For contrast, a similarly warm coat with polyester insulation is likely to be over 2 lbs.Other details about this coat are also well executed. The zippers move easily without snagging on the fabric. The hip contains a cinch cord to prevent wind drafting in from below. The baffles are well constructed so the down filling stays in place. The left pocket contains an inner zipper so you can actually stuff the entire coat into its own pocket and zip it closed for high packability.The low weight does mean that certain other features are missing. For example, there are no inner pockets. The sleeves have elastic to cinch tight around your wrists rather than providing an adjustable velcro closure. The zippers are also slightly smaller than you might expect on a heavier coat.None of these tradeoffs are a "bad" thing, per se. They are common tradeoffs to cut weight, and they're well executed on this coat.The other thing to call out is the sizing. I'm often right on the line between medium and large, so it's hard for me to know which size to buy. Based on the measurements shown here, I thought I should get a medium. However, based on the sizing tool on Columbia's website, they recommended a size large. In this case, I ordered a large. The result is that this coat is just a little too big for me. The body area has extra space so I can certainly layer up beneath this coat, and the sleeves are slightly longer than I need. It's an annoyance, but probably better than having a coat that's a bit too small or doesn't allow me to layer as needed. If you're familiar with sizing on other Columbia products, this coat will probably match your expectations.Finally, I do really like the color and style of this jacket! The blue is a nice, rich color. The style of the baffles is simple and attractive. There is a little branding on the back of the coat that I could do without, but even then it's not too bad. Having black logos on a blue jacket turns out to be pretty subtle in real life.If you want a lighter, packable coat that can still keep you warm in very cold conditions (and if you can afford the premium pricing that requires), then you'll find the Arctic Crest is a high quality jacket!

I ride motorcycles year round in the North East and saw this Colombia so I ordered it. I am not a person who aqsuires brand names but this was a great decision. When It got here I noticed it was thinner than most down jackets and I was concerned but as soon as I tried it on indoors, I was sweating within a minute. That interior material seems to hold the heat so well, I had to take it off. Last weekend I wore it on a fishing trip by motorcycle to the shoreline and wore it under my crash gear on the way home at night and it was just amazing, The feel, the fit, the one hand draw strings at the bottom, everything about this jacket makes it worth the price and I will look for more Colombia gear as I am always looking to make my commutes more comfortable. Five stars.

Very very nice puffer jacket. Lining is nice and you can feel the "Columbia" quality light and very warm. Yes there is a difference between my generic puffer and Columbia puffer.This can be packed very easily as it collapse nicely. Love the bright colors and nice lining.This jacket is worth it. Keeps me snuggly .

So this is a great jacket. I removed one star because as a lightweight puff jacket, it's a bit thick. I have a mountain hardware puff jacket that is extremely light and in the same price range. I wear it here in FL in the winter and it is perfect. I also wore it to Red Rocks for a concert last October and it kept me plenty warm. I would contend that this jacket may keep you warmer in colder climates, but for a warm weather climate Winter like FL it is likely too "warm/heavy." It's VERY well made. The blue is electric blue. I am 6' 178lbs with a decent build/broad shoulders and the XL is a little big on me. I like longer sleeves and these are just a tad too long so maybe a L would have suited me better.The only reason I removed as star is that it's a little heavy for my needs, but would likely be a 5 star in other climates!

At first, I thought this puffer jacket was going to have more puff. What I didn't realize is that it is packable. It definitely warms you up quickly as I tried it on. Great fit and very lightweight. I'm 5'10 about 220lb and wear an XL and this fit very well.Clearly the material is made to be weather resistant and Columbia is generally a brand you can count on. My wife and I have 2 in 1s that are great. This one will make a nice travel pillow and quick jacket for those 30-40 degree temps. Don't know how it'll be against frost but I imagine it'll hold up well with layers. It packs down to roughly 6" x 9".

I used to wear a very cheap down jacket. To be honest I think it might have been chicken feathers it was so bad. I swore I would never wear down again. So why did I change my mind? Because of the brand. Columbia makes decent stuff.I love this jacket. Warmth without much puff. Apparently you don't have to look like the Michelin Man when you wear down. I live in Wisconsin and I can't wait for below zero weather to try it. This is thin enough to ski in. It also packs so small it fits inside a motorcycle helmet, I tried it.

This jacket is extremely well made. Since it’s a puffer it’s very lightweight but very good at insulating and keeping that heat locked in. I was a little worried about the color, but it looks so nice. Don’t be afraid to get this beautiful blue color way, I actually prefer it to black. Great fit, I sized up so there would be room to wear a big sweater underneath.

The media could not be loaded. This high-performance jacket is insulated with premium down to provide superior warmth in harsh winter conditions. Its water-resistant shell ensures you stay dry, while the adjustable hood and cuffs offer a customizable fit for added comfort. Definitely keeps warm, very well insulated despite the logos and decals that may scuff off after several wash, in my humble opinion.