Review of Columbia Selkirk Parka
By Matt Smith

There has been a recent resurgence into the market of 3 in 1 parkas. Nearly all of the major manufacturers are marketing improvements to their lines we have seen over the last several years. Columbia is no different, boasting some nice new additions to their Titanium line. The Selkirk Parka is a full featured, all around winter sports jacket.

The Selkirk parka has all of the standard features including pit zips, one handed drawcords, a napolean pocket, and storm flap front closure. The shell is constructed with Columbia's proprietary Omni-Tech Lazer Rip XP waterproof breathable fabric, with 4-way stretch panels across the shoulders and elbows for comfort and ease of movement. The large interior pockets on the shell are excellent for storing gloves, goggles, or snacks. Because the liner isn't zip-in, they remain fully accessible. Of all the jackets tested this winter, the Selkirk's 2-way pit zips were the easiest to use, and could be easily opened or closed with one gloved hand.

The insulative liner for the Selkirk is practically a stand alone piece. It is very wind resistant, and can withstand a light rain for a short period of time. One of my favorite features is the shadow liner on the cuffs. This allows the sleeve to be roomy and comfortable, while providing a barrier for wind and rain trying to sneak up your sleeve. The cuff liner also protects your wrist from the harsher seams on the shell fabric.

The shell and the liner together make the Selkirk and exceptional jacket, and I enjoyed testing it. There are a few things I noticed that I would change though. The cuff closures on the sleeves are thin, and can be difficult to operate with a gloved hand. The sleeves on the shell also seem a little bulky from the elbow down, so that when the cuff is compressed and closed, there is quite a bit of extra fabric. I also thought it would also be nice if the hood were lined with a tricot or micro fleece for comfort and warmth.

Summary: The Selkirk Parka is a great all around jacket. I found myself wearing the liner often as it is both stylish and functional. A great garment for around the lodge after a day on the slopes.

A special thanks to the folks at Alta Ski area who set us up to test the Selkirk Parka on site. You can learn more about Alta Ski Area and our other industry partners on our Partners Page.

For more information contact:
Columbia Sportswear Company
www.columbia.com
14375 NW Science Park Drive
Portland, OR 97229
800-547-8066

Matt Smith is the canyoneering specialist at GearReview.com, and spends his winters making snow angels waiting for the snow to melt out of slot canyons, or venturing into them in a thick wetsuit!