Been following Ackks' winter jacket thread and have noted corsair's very helpful posts.

My Columbia Sportswear Cougar Peaks II jacket is now over 8 years old and has seen better days especially with the cuff elastic stretched out. This isn't a "soft-shell" but rather a lightweight nylon windbreaker - rain jacket. I sometimes layer with an original model Columbia Sportswear Steens Mountain Fleece jacket or more often, like corsair with his lightweight soft-shell jacket, simply wear it with a light shirt underneath.


Been looking around, especially at Columbia since I've had good luck with their stuff, and haven't really found anything similar to my old jacket. Those that did appear to have a lot in common have all been discontinued.

The Columbia Watertight II looked good but I the fact that the hood doesn't fold away into a collar nor is their a chest pocket kills it for me. I carry my large screen smartphone on a neck leash and tuck it into the vertical zip outer chest pocket when wearing my Cougar Peaks II.

Then there's the Tieton Trail Soft Shell which looks similar to their Ascender, but both are fleece lined and I wonder if they would be **too hot** in mild spring and fall days. The Tieton also has a hood that is foldable into a collar unlike the Ascenter. And the Tieton has a zip chest pocket too like my current jacket.

Any suggestions here would be appreciated.

Columbia Glennaker rain jacket. It packs into a mesh breast pocket and the hood folds into the collar. The cuffs are adjustable velcro. I have one in my golf bag and works extremely well. You can usually find them on sale around $30.

I have a Sierra Designs light rain jacket that wasn't super expensive and works well.

I have a Marmot Precip that I prefer.

Another Columbia fan. I've owned a few. I spring for the Gore-Tex (or whatever flavor of breathable they use).

quote:

Originally posted by berto:
I have a Sierra Designs light rain jacket that wasn't super expensive and works well.

I have a Marmot Precip that I prefer.

I have the Precip as well and like it. You can find it on sale a few times a year.

Third vote for the precip, I have had 2...lost one got the second as it breaths well and is waterproof

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

Been looking around, especially at Columbia since I've had good luck with their stuff, and haven't really found anything similar to my old jacket. Those that did appear to have a lot in common have all been discontinued.

Any suggestions here would be appreciated.

Thanks for posting the link. I recently noticed the same thing.
I went to several stores this past weekend and couldn't find anything remotely close to the lightweights i've had in the past.

Neither the Columbia Glennaker Lake nor the Marmot Precip Eco have a chest pocket like my current Columbia. As previously mentioned that's important for me to secure my cellphone.

The pocket is inside on the Glennaker, which I understand could be not what you are looking for.

That's a good reasons to need one. This forum is amazing. Someone will pop in and give you a good suggestion soon. I'll take a look around later to try and find something if not.

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
The pocket is inside on the Glennaker, which I understand could be not what you are looking for.

Ah missed that. Where are you seeing one for ~ $30? I'd be looking for a 3XL.

Kohls has them from time to time on sale. Right now they are $60 and buy one get one half off. Not much of a deal in my book. I just looked and a few places have them for $40. Bass Pro and Cabela's being 2 examples.

https://www.columbia.com/p/men...t---big-1442362.html

Right from Columbia

Also, if you live close to one of their outlet stores you might be able to do better.

I have this one: https://www.rei.com/product/13...cket-mens-tall-sizes

The hood doesn’t roll up but has a chest pocket. I would prefer it had pit zips but it was a good sale when I bought it.

My favorite is a Mountain Hardware Typhoon but it’s not made anymore. The hood rolls up, pit zips and a chest pocket. Maybe look at the Exposure 2 but it’s $300 or so.

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
Kohls has them from time to time on sale. Right now they are $60 and buy one get one half off. Not much of a deal in my book. I just looked and a few places have them for $40. Bass Pro and Cabela's being 2 examples.
Also, if you live close to one of their outlet stores you might be able to do better.

https://www.columbia.com/p/men...t---big-1442362.html
Right from Columbia

Thanks... Yeah in my size Cabelas has it for $50

How has your velcro cuffs held up?

And no, out here in sparsely populated flyover country, no outlet malls or stores.

Columbia is out of stock in big sizes other than <gasp> 6X.

The cuffs have held up well so far. I'm not using it for working around the house though. The sleeves are plenty big enough for your hand with gloves on to pass through.

I wore mine in a heavy rain and stayed dry.

Most places have free return shipping if you are not satisfied, but it think you will be happy with it.

I'm kinda leaning towards the Columbia Tieton Trail Soft Shell **IF** the 94% polyester / 6% spandex fabric is thin and the jacket **NOT** too hot in Spring and Fall. Hoping someone who has or is knowledgeable about the product can chime in.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bald1,

If you are going softshell that one corsair suggested seems nice. I picked one up today to have something to compare the Alpine jacket to.

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/col...AvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I looked for a non-hooded Ascender in my size and preferred color and came up dry.

The Ascender is 1.5" shorter in length (I'm long waisted so the 29" of the Tieton would suit better) and 100% polyester fabric. Other than it having Omni-Shield (resists the absorption of liquids) which the Tieton doesn't, and velcro vs elastic cuffs, I don't see much difference between the Ascender and the Tieton Trail. Maybe corsair knows different.

Oh and I've found the Tieton in 3XL for $39 + SH

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bald1,