Columbia's Peak 2 Peak Jacket: A Pricey Bargain

High-end jackets are a tough proposition-unless you've got Charlie Sheen money, buying one is a major event. I mean, if you're going to cough up $300+ for a shell, it had better be an awesome one, right?

I've been testing out Columbia's Peak 2 Peak Jacket ($350), and it lives up to its price tag. It's a storm shell, so its main purpose is to keep wind, rain, and whatever else nature is going to hit you with (maybe not lightning) at bay. And it does so in spades.

The Peak 2 Peak utilizes Columbia's Omni-Dry fabric, which is touted to be 100% windproof and waterproof, yet is able to diffuse the sweat that you'll work up during intense activity. As a stormshell, the Peak 2 Peak's bonded liner and taped seams held up like a champ in rain and snow, not letting in a drop. The "Invizzip" zippers are completely waterproof as well, so anything you stow will stay as dry as you do.

Snowshoeing the Peak 2 Peak to the peak. Photo by Matt Moseley

As far as wind goes, I had a great chance to test it out on a snowshoeing trip up Mount Shasta. It was warm enough at the lower altitudes, but once we got past the treeline, the wind really picked up and started making things miserable. I slipped on the Peak 2 Peak, and I didn't feel a thing for the rest of the ascent.

Making a stormshell that keeps the weather out is one thing, but making one that doesn't collect your sweat while you're working is a whole other beast. I worked up a wicked sweat on my way up Mt. Shasta and the the Peak 2 Peak handled it. The Omni-Dry fabric kept things from getting too clammy inside, and when things started to really heat up, the pit vents did a good job of letting the excess heat escape.

Add the jacket's slim cut and articulated elbows to keep the jacket from getting in your way, the adjustable storm hood, the drawcord hem, and the fact that the whole deal weighs less than a pound (14oz) and you've got a jacket that'll work for every penny you spent on it. Heck, you might feel like you ripped Columbia off.

Take a closer look at Columbia.com.

Tough Poly Shell, Soft, Chewy Merino Center: Ortovox Merino Fleece Logo Hoody Review

It usually takes a few years for a sweatshirt to enter the pantheon of favorite articles of clothing. Material must be softened with countless washings, it has to shrink just enough to provide that custom fit, and it has to prove its toughness though a series of life-threatening(ish) adventures. German mountaineering company Ortovox's Merino Fleece Logo Hoody ($159, available Summer 2012) broke into "no-you-can't-borrow-it" status within the first two wears.

No thumbholes? Come on.

At first glance, it seems pretty basic. The only external feature that really distinguished the Logo Hoody from other sweatshirts is the easy-pull drawstring.  A one-piece shock cord loops around the lining of the hood and locks automatically when you give it a pull. Great for blocking out the wind without completely letting go of your handlebars.

Of course, it's what's inside that counts: the Hoody has a super-soft inner layer of merino wool and a wind- and abrasion-resistant polyester exterior. Its combination of breathable materials and extreme stretch make the Hoody a great piece for just about any activity. The merino interior is soft enough to let you wear the Hoody as a next-to-skin layer, and the slim cut lets you layer up over it without feeling bulky. The fleece's stretchiness keeps it from hindering your range of motion in any way, so early morning climbing sessions don't have to be frigid crag-fests.

Pack straps didn't abrade the Hoody's exterior.

The tough polyester exterior proved very abrasion-resistant - it held up to friction from pack straps for miles of hiking without showing any wear or piling. On a series of way-too-early hikes, the Hoody was comfortable over a wide range of temperatures. It was warm and blocked the breeze during the 50-degree early am, but when the sun started heating up, the Hoody breathed well and any sweat wicked away and dried quickly. 

I have yet to survive anything but harrowing downhill bike descents in it, but since it'll be my new go-to layer for cold weather, I'm sure we'll be bonding over how-did-I-survive moments in the years to come.

This is my new midlayer. For everything. No, you can't borrow it.