Columbia Ultrachange Parka Jacket

www.columbia.com, 24 ounces
We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: versatility is key. Witness the following scenario: You’re flying from a temperate clime to a snow-chocked state with a 30-degree temperature difference between departure and arrival. Then, you head to your favorite resort and sign up for First Tracks, which means you’re up before the sun, staring at a thermometer that won’t budge above zero. By midday? Temperature inversion and the heat of the sun have bounced the temps up 20 degrees. There’s two ways to combat this. Pack a lot of layers, or go with an interchangeable setup like Columbia’s Ultrachange Parka.  This two-in-one jacket gives you a warm liner jacket, plus a waterproof/breathable, wicking outer shell to keep you warm and dry in even the wettest blizzards. The insulated, ploy inner layer boasts Columbia’s proprietary Omni-Heat liner, which is scattered with small silver dots that reflect the body heat to create oven-like warmth (the spaces in between the dots allow the jacket to breathe). Two large zippered side pockets and a tall collar also make it a fashion-forward, insulated stand-alone.  The outer shell, meanwhile, amplifies the weather-proofing, with an advanced waterproof/breathable laminate, vented hand pockets, an adjustable hood, waterproof zips, and a drop tail that you’ll really appreciate when you have to sit down on a snow-covered chair lift. The fit is on the baggy side—especially when you are wearing just the shell. Oh, and our tester’s application to the scenario listed above? He wore the inner lining to the airport and then to the resort. The next morning he started off with both layers to combat the pre-dawn cold, then stripped to just the inner for one bluebird day. And when the white stuff started to fall but the mercury held at around freezing, he wore the outer shell under a mid- and base layer. Four scenarios, one solution, and lots of extra space in his suitcase.