HomeHikingColumbia Steens Mountain / Benton Springs Fleece Jacket Evaluate

Columbia Steens Mountain / Benton Springs Fleece Jacket Evaluate


Columbia Steens Mountain / Benton Springs Fleece Jacket Evaluate
At greater than a pound, this can be a heavier fleece. We advocate 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 (ladies’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 decisions, so discovering one which fits you is a cinch. When the chilliness 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 checklist, 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

Greatest Price range Fleece


Worth:

$46


Measured Weight:

1 lb. 3.2 oz.(Males’s M)


Fleece Weight:

Mid-heavyweight

Professionals

  • Inexpensive
  • Fast-drying
  • Straightforward to layer
  • Numerous colour and measurement choices accessible
  • 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 holding you heat. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)

Heat

The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 affords distinctive heat for its worth level. Its materials and development made it one of many toastiest choices we examined. We put it by way of its paces on a cold fall morning at a excessive alpine lake, the place it shrugged off the misty air and saved 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 beneath a shell for bitter winter days. General, the Steens Mountain 2.0 delivers adequate heat with out breaking the financial institution.

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

Consolation

The Columbia Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 Jacket may be very snug due to its ultra-soft 100% polyester MTR filament materials. It’s thought of a basic match that’s true to measurement, so it’s not too tight or restrictive. The design features a collared neck and zippered closure that retains you heat and comfy. Nevertheless, in the event you begin to generate warmth throughout a high-energy hike or stroll, this fleece isn’t breathable and received’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 concern. Nevertheless, like most gear, the fabric and seams could 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 tender but in addition could also be inclined to put on. We wash this one on heat or cool and air-dry as advisable. It is a good jacket for somebody who doesn’t put their gear by way of the wringer.

A man wearing a blue fleece looks down while walking on a trail.
The 100% polyester MTR filament is tender but in addition could also be inclined to put on. It held as much as our testing on brief 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 bathroom you down.

A close up of the logo on a blue fleece.
The Columbia Steens fleece is an effective 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 essential 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 the event 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 ideally suited for a cool fall hike or a layer on a chilly winter’s day. Whereas this selection is a staple jacket, it’s not ideally suited for longer hikes or journeys the place weight and packability are a priority. Additionally, for high-output actions, it doesn’t breathe effectively. In the event you’re out there for an informal, athletic midweight layer, you received’t be upset.

The shoulder of a blue fleece close up.
The Steens Mountain Full Zip 2.0 is made 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 Evaluate: One other heavier possibility, the Higher Sweater is a superb day hike or round city jacket much 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 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 know. – photograph credit score: David Younger (cleverhiker.com)