Columbia Sportswear – A match made in heaven

During the Gys Pitzer Winter Classic at Vaal Dam, I was covering and also hosting the event for For Anglers Digital Network. It was in the middle of winter and temperatures dropped to -9°C in the mornings with a howling wind making it really uncomfortable. However, apart from the wind, the temperatures were mild during the day. This was the absolute best opportunity to put these jackets from Columbia through their paces. 

MEN’S KLAMATH RANGE ™ II HALF ZIP FLEECE JACKET

I had the Half Zip Fleece Jacket from the Klamath range which I wore basically all the time. This fleece jacket is light enough for when it is warmer, but also serves as an efficient wind breaker. It breathes well and provides freedom of movement. With the winter sun hitting hard on the UV side, the advanced Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 provides good protection.

The jacket is made from 100% polyester featherweight microfleece fabric, stitched in a classic modern fit that ensures easy wearing. It is a pull-over with a half zipper in front and a comfortable collar that can double up as a scarf around the neck when folded up. The centre back length of 29″ is perfect for keeping the lower back covered when bending down or leaning over to pick up something from the ground, but it is still short enough to remain comfortable, especially when wearing it underneath warmer clothes like the seriously warm Delta Ridge down jacket.

MEN’S DELTA RIDGE™ DOWN JACKET

Now this jacket is something really special! This is a jacket from another planet. First impressions dictate a neat, stylish but normal type of windbreaker – but it is NOT!

The moment you start feeling cold while wearing the light fleece jacket, and you put on the Delta Ridge, it feels as if you are walking into an airconditioned room, set at exactly the right temperature! 100% polyester is used for both the shell and the lining, while RDS Certified 650 Fill Power Down Insulation is employed to keep heat in and cold out. 

Although it is not a raincoat, the water resistant shell still keeps out light rain while it stays soft.

The beauty of this jacket, and the reason it performs so well, is entrenched in some really advanced technology that is used. Patented technologies such as Omni-Heat™ and HeatSeal™ work together to make this product unique!

• Omni-Heat™ thermal-reflective, breathable lining retains warmth using silver dots that reflect body heat, so you stay warm and comfortable as temps drop.
• HeatSeal™ keeps you warm with a no-stitch, thermal-bonded construction that seals warmth in and keeps cold out so you can take on chilly conditions.

All round, it also boasts a few nifty features like zip pockets that will secure essentials such as your phone and keys, or simply unzip the pockets to keep your hands warm. The binding at the hem, collar, and cuff is neat and stylish, while the chin guard provides the protection you need against the really chilly mornings. I found these two jackets as a combo really useful during the cool days and cold nights and mornings. When the temperature rose to mild, I could just take the jacket off, and when it dropped again at night, put it back on. The fact that the fleece jacket is so thin, meant that I could choose my sizes exactly the same and still wear both. During normal work weeks, I love to wear the Delta Ridge over just a shirt and be stylish as well as warm.

The latest digital edition of STYWE LYNE/TIGHT LINES is now available!