This is a unique winter for many reasons, but one is the increasing time people spend outdoors!
As the cool weather typically rolls in, Americans begin their annual hibernation and avoid spending time outside. As an Alaskan saying goes: “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” So, if you want to spend time outdoors, you need a warm winter jacket!
You should consider a Columbia jacket for a jacket that will keep you warm on winter walks and outdoor activities.
The Legacy of Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear is famous for its hiking boots and quality winter wear, which can take you from running errands to hitting the slopes.
Launched in 1938, the nearly 100-year-old brand began as a family-owned hat distributor in Portland, Oregon, where it is still headquartered. The business has remained in the family and has been called “an American success story.”
Gert Boyle moved from Germany with her parents, who purchased a small hat store and named it Columbia Hat Co. Gert grew the business with her husband, Neal.
The Columbia Sportswear Company is famous for warm winter jackets made from high-quality materials (Credit: Lester Balajadia / Shutterstock)
After Neal’s passing, Gert and her son, Timothy, ran the business. They experienced their share of struggles, but the mother and son team were determined to make it work.
They finally started to see significant success with the release of their Gore-Tex parka and their proprietary waterproof technology. Word about these incredible jackets spread, and Columbia took off.
The company went public in 1998 but remains under family control. Gert passed away in 2019, and her son, Timothy Boyle, is now the CEO of Columbia Sportswear. Other brands owned by the same company include SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna.
Now a billionaire, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he reduced his salary to $10,000 while maintaining the full salary and benefits of all his company’s retail employees.
Exploring Columbia’s Global Reach
Columbia Sportswear is an international brand with jackets sold in over 13,000 retailers in 72 countries.
Although they do have brick-and-mortar stores, they are often sold in stores that sell sports apparel for skiing and snowboarding. This usually means you will find them displayed next to their competition.
Although these are great brands, North Face, Patagonia, and Helly Hansen are Columbia’s main competitors, Columbia’s reputation is unmatched.
In addition to the company’s official website, Columbia Sportswear, you can find a solid selection of Columbia jackets at most major clothing retailers like Amazon, Zappos, and Nordstrom.
If you want a warm, waterproof jacket, check out our list of Columbia’s 12 warmest winter jackets for men and women.
Columbia’s Warmest Winter Jackets for Men
1. Men’s Rugged Path Parka, $199 at Zappos
This parka is built for cold weather and will protect you against the winter elements.
With OmniTech waterproof seal and 200g of insulation, the Rugged Path guarantees to keep you toasty
It features patented technologies, like the Omni-Tech waterproof seal, which provides waterproof and breathable air-permeable protection, and the Omni-Heat thermal-reflective lining, which helps retain heat.
It has a drawcord-adjustable hood and hem to protect you from blowing snow
This parka jacket also has an impressive 200g of insulation.
For blowing snow, it has a drawcord-adjustable hood, adjustable sleeve cuffs, and a drawcord-adjustable hem. Priced at $199, this parka is of great value.
2. Men’s South Canyon Long Down Parka, $139.93 – $418 at Columbia and Zappos
A winter jacket should fall past your behind for extra warmth, and that’s exactly how this coat fits.
The South Canyon Long Down parka is down-filled—an impressive 650-fill power goose down!
Filled with 650-fill power goose down for a warmer, cozier winter adventure
Additionally, it boasts a waterproof and breathable Omni-Tech shell, complemented by a patented Omni-Heat thermal-reflective lining that adeptly retains warmth while effectively repelling moisture.
The South Canyon Long Down parka has patented Omni-Heat thermal-reflective lining that keeps warmth in and wetness out
It also has a drawcord-adjustable hood with a removable faux fur trim, a drawcord adjustable hem, and a 2-way center-front zip.
Available in black, navy, and olive green, this is one of the more expensive men’s jackets on this list due to the down-filling.
3. Men’s Barrett Spur Black Dot Parka, $600 at Columbia
If you are looking for a super warm jacket that is also fashion-forward, this is the jacket for you. It has industry-leading protection and warmth, with a lavish appearance.
A fashion-forward jacket that doesn’t sacrifice warmth and comfort needed for winter use
The Barret Spur Black Dot jacket actually has a heat magnet! There are Omni-Heat external black dots that trap warmth and capture solar heat. Additionally, it has a 700-fill power down.
The Omni-Heat shell, 700-fill power down, and 800 TurboDown insulation should keep you warm
This parka falls mid-thigh and has a comfort cuff with a thumb hole that should keep your hands warm. Lastly, it has an attached adjustable hood to keep out snow and rain.
Available in black, this coat is designed to compete with brands like Canada Goose and Moose Knuckle, and the $600 price tag reflects this.
4. Men’s Grand Trek Down Jacket, $131.31 – $338.72 on Amazon and Zappos
If you are looking for a jacket that provides a lot of warmth without the bulk, this is the jacket for you!
Warm but not bulky, the Grand Trek Down jacket is perfect for on-the-go men
It is insulated with 650-fill power goose down and has Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining and Omni-Tech heat seal construction. This jacket is great for wet weather as it is entirely waterproof.
A lightweight puffer-style parka integrated with must-have technologies for warmth and dryness
This puffer jacket-inspired parka has a shorter center-back length of 28 inches and comes in three colors: stone green, two-tone city gray and shark, and black.
5. Men’s Powder Chute Shell, $600 at Columbia
For a jacket that could keep you warm on the ski hill, the Powder Chute Shell has all the performance features you need.
Built for backcountry, it has an abrasion-resistant construction in high-wear areas and a 4-way comfort stretch fabric that should provide protection and comfort.
An essential winter jacket for backcountry snow adventures
It is also integrated with RECCO technology, which is a patented two-part system—featuring an active detector carried by the rescuer and a passive reflector carried by the user—to ensure searchability in outdoor areas.
It is integrated with RECCO technology that makes you searchable by rescue professionals in case you get lost or trapped outdoors
While it will keep you warm, it is also breathable with a 2-way underarm venting and a breathable shell.
The helmet-compatible hood has a wire brim and an adjustable snapback powder skirt. There are also pockets for all your ski and snowboarding accessories, including a ski pass pocket and goggle pocket.
For $600, this jacket will keep you warm and comfortable and enhance your performance.
6. Men’s Sideline Parka, $150 at Columbia
This vintage-looking puffy jacket will bring you back to the early 90s but with better technology and warmth.
A ’90s-inspired puffy parka that takes the weather head-on with synthetic insulation and nylon shell
It features classic branding and a pop of color with pockets to keep all your essentials. The shell is 100% nylon and waterproof, and the lining is 100% polyester. It has more than enough insulation to keep you toasty with 200g!
The Sideline parka is one of Columbia’s trendiest outerwear
The Sideline parka comes in two color options: a mix of black and fjord blue and fjord blue and plum for a bolder look. This is one of the trendiest Columbia jackets and costs $150.
Columbia’s Warmest Winter Jackets for Women
1. Women’s Mountain Croo Long Down Jacket, $150 – $389 at Columbia
Both stylish and practical, the Mountain Croo jacket comes in five different color options.
Waterproof and breathable with sealed seams, the Mountain Croo jacket can stand up to the heavy storms
It’s built for warmth with a reflective lining, stress-free baffling, and 650-fill power-down insulation.
Not only will it keep you warm, but it will also keep you dry thanks to the waterproof-breathable fabric and critically sealed seams.
Perfect for travel and casual use with 650-fill power-down insulation
This jacket is great for casual walks outdoors or running errands. It has an adjustable hood, a drawcord adjustable hem, and a drop tail to help keep in the warmth.
2. Women’s Abbott Peak Insulated Jacket, $115.41 – $240.52 at Columbia
If you are a fan of the classic puffer jacket style, then you will love this! The Abbot Peak has extra fashion flair with eye-catching graphics in 4 different color combinations.
With eye-catching graphics and color combination, the Abbott Peak is as cool as it is warm and protective
As great as this jacket looks, it is also warm and will protect you from the elements. It has synthetic insulation, a waterproof shell, and a featherlight thermal-reflective lining.
It’s great for the mountain slopes with an adjustable hood and multiple pockets
This jacket is great for outdoor sports like skiing or snowboarding and running errands or a social distance visit outdoors. It has an attached, adjustable hood, adjustable sleeve cuffs, an adjustable snap-back powder skirt, and multiple pockets.
3. Women’s Dawn Watch Black Dot Jacket, $350 at Columbia
This jacket is equipped with superior technology to keep you warm. The coat is covered in tiny black dots stylishly designed to trap warmth and capture solar heat!
A lush jacket that features cutting-edge warmth and protection
It also has a 60gsm Omni-Heat Thermal Stretch insulation, a thermal-reflective lining, and a water-resistant polyester shell that has a bit of stretch and an elongated back hem for added comfort.
Features a heat magnet with external black dots that trap warmth and capture solar heat
It also features a removable, adjustable hood and adjustable cuffs to protect you from wind, wet weather, and winter storms. This is one of the most expensive women’s Columbia jackets on this list, costing $350.
4. Women’s Firwood Parka, $135.50 – $199 on Amazon
This is a great casual jacket that will keep you extra warm in cold weather. Made from a soft blend of cotton and nylon, it is breathable and waterproof.
Technology meets style in the Firwood parka with a cotton-nylon blend and waterproof, breathable properties
The Omni-Tech critical seam seals keep water out, and the adjustable cuffs and zipped hand pockets will keep your hands warm.
Great for casual use and can be paired with just about every outfit
This parka comes in three different colors: elk, stone green, and black. It’s a longer jacket that will fall just above the knees.
5. Women’s Ava Alpine Insulated Jacket, $158.99 – $260 at Columbia
This jacket is great for both on and off the mountain. It has a classic look and is available in three different colors.
A classic parka look with mountain-ready technologies, this winter jacket can take you anywhere
The Omni-Tech Rebound Stretch waterproof polyester material, Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining, and synthetic insulation will keep you both warm and dry!
The waterproof fabric, synthetic insulation, and thermal-reflective lining will keep you dry and toasty
It also has everything you need for a day of skiing, including a ski pass pocket, goggle pocket, adjustable sleeve cuffs, drawcord adjustable hem, internal key clip, and a removable faux fur-trimmed hood.
This is a great jacket for snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing.
6. Women’s Lay D Down II Mid Jacket, $117.74 – $406 at Columbia and Zappos
The waterproof and breathable polyester satin shell makes this jacket extra chic.
A winter jacket built for those looking for both style and warmth in the chilly winter weather
Available in 5 different colors, it has an adjustable hood with removable fur and is designed for cold weather with 550-fill power goose-down insulation.
It also has Omni-Heat thermal-reflective lining for added warmth.
Keeping cold out and warmth in, the Lay D Down II features a breathable polyester satin shell with 550-fill power-down insulation
Additionally, the Lay D Down II Mid jacket boasts comfort cuffs with thumb holes, a longer center back with a curved hem, and adjustable cuffs.