Columbia Men's Triple Trail Shell Jacket Review
Features:
Columbia Sportswear's Triple Trail™ Shell is a wet-stopping 3-layer hybrid softshell waterproof jacket with Omni-Heat® thermal reflective lining. This breathable, seam sealed jacket has stretch panels strategically placed for action-loving adventurers. The Triple Trail™ jacket, part of Columbia's Titanium™ collection, features zippered underarm vents, storm hood, drawcord adjustable hem, hand pockets, and a security pocket. Available in three colors (hot rod/red element/dynasty, abyss, & black).
Specifications:
Fabric: 100% nylon 3L Heat; 89% nylon/11% elastane 3L Heat Cyberstretch
Insulation: Omni-Heat® thermal reflective lining
Waterproof: Yes > Omni-Tech® and fully taped seams
Center Back Length: 31 in.
Weight (sz M): 21.8 ounces (618 g)
Initial Thoughts (01/16/12):
The Triple Trail™ by Columbia Sportswear is a cross between a typical waterproof shell jacket, stretchy softshell jacket, and insulating liner with the help of the Omni-Heat® thermal reflective lining. It is a modern marvel with a minimalistic design. Like other Columbia products I have used in the Titanium™ line, this jacket appears to be very well made. The Omni-Heat®' lining is a nice addition that will hopefully prove warmer.
The two breast pockets and one small security pocket provide enough storage space without added bulk. I fould the vertical placement of the hand/breast pockets are not quite low enough to be comfortable for my hands, but they are great for storage space. The main zipper is waterproof, so it requires a firmer pull compared to a standard zipper. It appears to seal tightly, and thus should be waterproof as claimed. The hood has a flexible cord around the brim to provide some structure. I have seen this feature on other Columbia jackets, but it is less stiff and more flexible on the Triple Trail™. The hood works well as a storage pouch too. I simply roll the jacket up and stuff it inside the hood for a neat package that is easy to toss into my pack. The Omni-Heat® lining covers the entire inside of the jacket. I am excited to see how it actually performs in the field.
Initial Field Test (01/20/12):
My first adventure with the Columbia Triple Trail Shell jacket was on a cold rainy day near Mt Hood, Oregon. My wife and I were snowmobiling in intermittent rain showers. The temperature was around 35°F with light winds. First off, the waterproofness of the jacket is great. I didn't have any water penetrate inside and the rain beaded up on the outside of the jacket. The material never wetted out even under my backpack straps indicated the DWR coating is quite durable (at least during my initial test). We got our snowmobiles stuck a couple times and I worked up a sweat while digging them out. After doing this a couple times I noticed a moist/clammy feeling inside the jacket. It does not breathe very well in humid rainy conditions. Opening the pit zips help venting a little, but I suspect the Omni-Heat® lining plays a factor in making this shell a little too warm for active pursuits in above freezing temperatures.
The following day the weather turned cooler and the rain turned to snow. In these conditions, the first thing I liked was the hood. It was easy to adjust and stayed in place during windy conditions. The breathability was much better in the cooler snowy conditions. I was snowshoeing at a brisk pace, mildly sweating, but did not feel as clammy/moist as the previous day in the rain. While stopped I felt comfortably warm with just a mid-weight base layer underneath in temperatures in the upper 20's F. It's hard to say if the Omni-Heat® lining resulted in an overall warmer jacket as I did not bring an unlined jacked to compare to. I suspect it helps a little and it definitely feels warmer quicker (the jacket feels warm almost immediately after putting it on).
See Clear Lake Lookout adventure where the Columbia Men's Triple Trail Shell Jacket was used.
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Available from amazon.com.
Special thanks to Columbia Sportswear for providing the Peak 2 Peak jacket for review.
Disclaimer: You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards of backcountry travel and taking the necessary precautions. Loomis Adventures may not be held liable.
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