Backside Line
We’ve been carrying the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 (males’s) and Benton Springs (girls’s) jackets for many years and love their basic fashion and inexpensive price ticket. These jackets are stable all-around: dependable, comfy, and heat. Plus, they arrive in lots of sizes and colour decisions, so discovering one which fits you is a cinch. When the coolness begins to hit within the fall because the seasons tip in direction of winter, we attain for this cozy fleece.
The Steens Mountain/Benton Springs jackets aren’t as packable or performance-oriented as different top-performing fleeces on our listing, however they’re nonetheless glorious for work, day journeys, and on a regular basis put on. We’ve additionally trusted them for cold-weather backcountry journeys with no complaints.
Fast Specs
Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 / Benton Springs
Finest Finances Fleece
Worth:
$46
Measured Weight:
1 lb. 3.2 oz.(Males’s M)
Fleece Weight:
Mid-heavyweight
Execs
- Inexpensive
- Fast-drying
- Straightforward to layer
- A number of colour and dimension choices out there
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Not as heat as some
- On the cumbersome facet for backcountry use
- Not as sturdy as some
Heat
The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 affords distinctive heat for its value level. Its materials and building made it one of many toastiest choices we examined. We put it via its paces on a cold fall morning at a excessive alpine lake, the place it shrugged off the misty air and stored us comfortably heat. Whereas not absolutely the warmest in our lineup, it performs nicely for its mid-heavyweight class. It transitions seamlessly right into a mid-layer underneath a shell for bitter winter days. General, the Steens Mountain 2.0 delivers adequate heat with out breaking the financial institution.
Consolation
The Columbia Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 Jacket may be very comfy due to its ultra-soft 100% polyester MTR filament materials. It’s thought-about a basic match that’s true to dimension, so it’s not too tight or restrictive. The design features a collared neck and zippered closure that retains you heat and cozy. Nevertheless, should you begin to generate warmth throughout a high-energy hike or stroll, this fleece isn’t breathable and received’t be comfy when you begin sweating.
Sturdiness
The Columbia Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 stood as much as our testing with out difficulty. Nevertheless, like most gear, the fabric and seams might put on out with in depth use and frequent washing. We wore this totally on the path and in mild brush and bushes. The 100% polyester MTR filament fleece is smooth but additionally could also be inclined to put on. We wash this one on heat or cool and air-dry as really helpful. It is a excellent jacket for somebody who doesn’t put their gear via the wringer.
Weight
At greater than a pound, this can be a heavier mannequin however just a few ounces lighter than Patagonia’s Higher Sweater. It’s cumbersome and doesn’t pack down nicely, so it’s higher for front-country use on day hikes, round camp, or on the town. We advise a lighter-weight technical fleece for these longer backcountry journeys the place a mid-layer must stuff right into a pack and never lavatory you down.
Options
The Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 has the fundamental options anticipated of an inexpensive mid-layer fleece. It has two zippered facet pockets (no chest pocket). A pleasant pull tab loop on the full-length zipper makes it simpler to make use of should you put on gloves.
Ought to You Purchase The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 / Benton Springs?
The Columbia Steens jacket is a steal for the value. It’s heat, suits nicely, and is comfy. It’s excellent for a cool fall hike or a layer on a chilly winter’s day. Whereas this feature is a staple jacket, it’s not excellent for longer hikes or journeys the place weight and packability are a priority. Additionally, for high-output actions, it doesn’t breathe nicely. In the event you’re available in the market for an off-the-cuff, athletic midweight layer, you received’t be upset.
What Different Fleeces Ought to You Think about?
Patagonia Higher Sweater Overview: One other heavier possibility, the Higher Sweater is a good day hike or round city jacket just like the Steens. It’s constructed stronger than the Columbia and sure last more for a bit extra money.
KUHL Interceptr: Just like the Columbia Steens, the KUHL is a denser materials that works nice for front-country adventures. It’s heat, however received’t pack down for an ultralight hike. However for hanging across the campfire it appears nice and holds heat.
