On a night hike in 25-degree temperatures, the Heat Elite kept me toasty without causing me to overheat. The fleece-lined pockets were a nice touch, and I appreciated the seam-sealed, waterproof chest pocket, perfect for a phone. The fleece is also coated with Columbia’s Omni Shield, which provides wind protection and a small amount of water resistance.
I also spent an hour in a walk-in freezer at 11 below. My shoulders got a little chilly, but I never got uncomfortably cold. My torso remained toasty warm, which is surprising considering the Heat Elite has a paltry 60 grams of insulation. You’ll find a lot of puffies built for this sort of extreme weather with 600 grams of down or more.
The Heat Elite may be overkill for warmer winter days, but if you’re skiing or hiking on bitter cold days, this fleece could easily replace your thicker puffy jackets. $170. columbia.com
