Despite the movement towards synthetic and down insulated jackets, fleece is still high on our list of travel and outdoor gear requirements for its next to skin comfort and decent warmth to weight it provides, not to mention the conventional good looks.
The Jackson Creek II fleece is an excellent example from Columbia. It feels like a 200 weight fleece which is mid-warmth. This makes it versatile, as you can use it as a layering piece for hiking but it's also ideal for travel, and the good looks and variety of colour options lend themselves well to everyday wear.
The full zip pulls up into a zip garage on the high collar which keeps your neck toasty, and the soft brushed material inside feels lovely to wear. The cut is casual rather than athletic which adds to the comfort, it's not so baggy that it doesn't work as a technical layering piece though.
The two hand warmer pockets have zips, as does the chest pocket which is backed by a subtle detailing panel. The chest pocket is small so it's best to consider it as styling rather than as a genuinely useful pocket.
The jacket doesn't pack especially small nor is it particularly light, but it does the job it intends to do well and looks good while doing it. Although not as fashionable amongst the outdoor community as down we still love a good old fleece, and this effort from Columbia is definitely worth the £60 asking price.
