If you’re looking for the perfect does-it-all winter jacket, Columbia’s three-in-one jacket is waterproof, insulated, and gives you three different pieces of outerwear in one
If there’s one thing I’m not cut out for, it’s being cold. Which makes the winter months quite a problem, especially when the temperatures have been reaching minus figures most days for weeks on end.
As I spend quite a lot of time outdoors, especially on dog walks, I’ve been hunting high and low for the perfect winter jacket that does it all. And I mean all. I want waterproof, I want warm, I want it to still look cool and stylish even when I’m ankle deep in mud. And it seems I may have found the winter jacket to end all other winter jackets – Columbia’s Unisex Powderkeg II Remastered 3-In-1 Waterproof Insulated Jacket.
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As soon as I spotted this on the Columbia website, I knew it would tick all my boxes. And although it’s priced at £270, you’re actually getting three (well, more like four) different jackets in one, which works out at around £67.50 per jacket if you were to buy each one individually.
That’s because the Powderkeg II Remastered 3-In-1 Waterproof Insulated Jacket has a detachable liner jacket which is fully reversible, and can be worn on its own in two different ways. With a lightweight puffer on one side and a colourful trendy fleece on the other, that leaves you with four wearable options:
The outer “main” jacket is everything you need for the winter weather. It’s finished with Columbia’s Omni-Tech which is both waterproof and breathable with fully sealed seams, so not a drop of water will get inside.
Even when worn on its own this jacket is incredibly warm and dry, whilst still being lightweight enough to pop into a backpack. It has velcro tabs on the sleeves that can be pulled tight to keep your wrists warm, an elastic hem to keep the cold out, and zipped pockets.
If you’re looking for some extra warmth, all you need to do is zip the liner into it and you’ve got an ultra-cosy padded fleece lining that was shockingly warm. I wore it out when the weather was -2 degrees with just a thin jumper underneath and I didn’t notice the cold once.
However, my absolute favourite part about this jacket is the fleece liner. There’s nothing more effortlessly cool than a colourful, patterned fleece, and the one that comes with the Columbia Powderkeg II Jacket would have been a winner all by itself. Made from sherpa fleece, it’s lightweight and easy to roll up into a bag or tie around your waist, and has zipped outer pockets.
If you flip it over, the quilted puffer-style jacket also features its own outer zipped pockets, and is perfect for a more laid back look. This liner layer is also fully insulated, making it ideal for protecting you from the cold.
Having something as versatile as this is perfect if you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially if you do things like hikes or long walks and find your temperature fluctuates a lot. With the Powderkeg II Jacket you can easily swap between layers to keep your body temperature regulated, whilst always knowing you’re ready for any weather. I timed myself and it took me under two minutes to reattach the liner to the jacket on my first try, so you can easily swap it on the go.
Whilst I think it’s worth every penny and a worthwhile investment, I know that £270 may be a little out of budget for some. If you’re looking for more affordable alternatives, this Men’s Juell 3-In-1 Shell And Insulator Jacket from Helly Hansen is down from £240 to £168.
Elsewhere, the Alaskan Womens 3 in 1 Long Waterproof Jacket has been reduced from £219.99 to £99.99 and comes in six different colours. For something that’s just as wearable to the office as it is on a hike, this Anthology 3-in-1 Parka Coat looks just like a waterproof trench coat, with a removable fleece gilet lining.
For me, though, Columbia’s Unisex Powderkeg II Remastered 3-In-1 Waterproof Insulated Jacket has stolen my heart – you’ll not catch me in anything else this winter.
