This Columbia Fleece Vest Is Up to 49% Off and Is 'Just the Right Weight' for Spring
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To "fleece" someone is to take advantage of or rip them off, but there’s nothing duplicitous about fleece as a fabric. The dense, fuzzy texture makes fleece comfortable and warm, yet lightweight and insulating. That's why outdoor brands like Columbia turn to fleece when crafting reliable, versatile performance pieces for adventure lovers.
Fleece vests from brands like Patagonia and The North Face can be expensive, but Columbia is a reliable and affordable alternative. The brand’s Steens Mountain Vest is normally a modest $50, but Zappos has it in stock starting at $26 in a range of colors and sizes. It’s great to layer under warmer jackets, but can also be worn on its own in nicer weather.
Columbia Steens Mountain Vest in Collegiate Navy, From $26 (was $50) at Zappos
The Columbia Steens Mountain Vest is the pinnacle of versatility. It's warm enough to be worn over a lighter sweatshirt but light enough to go under a thick coat, adding insulation to your core while keeping your arms flexible and free. It’s made with a fleece front and backing, and the full-zip design can be closed up to the chin for maximum warmth. There are two practical zippered hand pockets and pocket bags on the inside of the jacket that can be used for additional storage. The vest also features a small patch with Columbia’s logo on the chest.
Shoppers were impressed with this fleece vest's warmth and its easy layering, with one calling it, “Perfect for layering and mid temperatures.” Another shopper said it was “just the right weight” for a “spring or fall vest.”
Columbia Steens Mountain Vest in Charcoal Heather, From $26 (was $50) at Zappos
It comes in handy in colder weather, too. One shopper used it under a ski jacket in temperatures as low as -15 degrees, noting that it “required a mid-layer between my moisture-wicking synthetic base layer and my ski jacket.” They added, “It's a big plus that the vest is machine washable to easily keep it clean.”
Another shopper said they enjoy its multi-season appeal, writing that the vest “adapts to different temperatures.” They said they like to “wear it on cold mornings,” but found they could continue to wear it even “when the day warms up.”
With a variety of two-tone and solid colors available in Columbia's Steens Mountain Vest, it might be worth getting two options, especially while they're as low as $26. But sizes are starting to disappear, so if you've been searching for the perfect anytime layer, consider picking one of these up before sizes are gone for the season.