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HomeHikingColumbia Steens Mountain / Benton Springs Fleece Jacket Assessment

Columbia Steens Mountain / Benton Springs Fleece Jacket Assessment


At greater than a pound, this can be a heavier fleece. We suggest utilizing it within the frontcountry for shorter hikes and round campfires at evening. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Backside Line

We’ve been sporting the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 (males’s) and Benton Springs (girls’s) jackets for many years and love their basic model and reasonably priced price ticket. These jackets are strong all-around: dependable, snug, and heat. Plus, they arrive in lots of sizes and colour selections, so discovering one which fits you is a cinch. When the nippiness begins to hit within the fall because the seasons tip in the 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 wonderful 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


Value:

$46


Measured Weight:

1 lb. 3.2 oz.(Males’s M)


Fleece Weight:

Mid-heavyweight

Execs

  • Inexpensive
  • Fast-drying
  • Straightforward to layer
  • A lot 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

A man wearing a blue fleece's back as he faces a lake.
We examined the Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 on day hikes and round city and located it really works nice for retaining you heat. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Heat

The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 gives distinctive heat for its value level. Its materials and development made it one of many toastiest choices we examined. We put it by 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 effectively for its mid-heavyweight class. It transitions seamlessly right into a mid-layer below a shell for bitter winter days. Total, the Steens Mountain 2.0 delivers enough heat with out breaking the financial institution.

The front of a man wearing a blue fleece.
The total-zip Steens Mountain fleece is smooth and cozy however doesn’t breathe in addition to different fleeces on our listing. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Consolation

The Columbia Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 Jacket may be very snug because of its ultra-soft 100% polyester MTR filament materials. It’s thought of 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. Nonetheless, in case you begin to generate warmth throughout a high-energy hike or stroll, this fleece is just not breathable and gained’t be snug when you begin sweating. 

A man stands by a lake wearing a blue fleece.
The Columbia Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 may be very snug. It’s made utilizing an ultra-soft 100% polyester MTR filament fleece that makes it heat and comfortable. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Sturdiness

The Columbia Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 stood as much as our testing with out situation. Nonetheless, like most gear, the fabric and seams could put on out with intensive use and frequent washing. We wore this totally on the path and in gentle brush and bushes. The 100% polyester MTR filament fleece is smooth but in addition could also be prone to put on. We wash this one on heat or cool and air-dry as really useful. This can be a good jacket for somebody who doesn’t put their gear by the wringer.

A man wearing a blue fleece looks down while walking on a trail.
The 100% polyester MTR filament is smooth but in addition could also be prone to put on. It held as much as our testing on quick hikes and round city. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Weight

At greater than a pound, this can be a heavier mannequin however a number of ounces lighter than Patagonia’s Higher Sweater. It’s cumbersome and doesn’t pack down effectively, so it’s higher for front-country use on day hikes, round camp, or on the town. We recommend 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.

A close up of the logo on a blue fleece.
The Columbia Steens fleece is an efficient deal for the value. It’s heat, suits effectively, and is snug. Weighing in at greater than a pound it’s a heavier possibility that doesn’t pack down simply. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Options

The Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 has the fundamental options anticipated of an reasonably priced 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 in case you put on gloves.

A hand in the pocket of a jacket.
The Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 has two zippered facet pockets. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

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 effectively, and is snug. It’s supreme for a cool fall hike or a layer on a chilly winter’s day. Whereas this feature is a staple jacket, it’s not supreme for longer hikes or journeys the place weight and packability are a priority. Additionally, for high-output actions, it doesn’t breathe effectively. For those who’re out there for an informal, athletic midweight layer, you gained’t be disenchanted.

The shoulder of a blue fleece close up.
The Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 is manufactured from an ultra-soft 100% polyester MTR filament, making it a cushty heat fleece. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

What Different Fleeces Ought to You Take into account?

Patagonia Higher Sweater Assessment: 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 more cash.

KUHL Interceptr: Just like the Columbia Steens, the KUHL is a denser materials that works nice for front-country adventures. It’s heat, however gained’t pack down for an ultralight hike. However for hanging across the campfire it appears to be like nice and holds heat. 

A hand pulls on the zipper of a fleece pocket.
The zippers on the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 have a pull wire making it simpler to understand. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)



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