Review of Columbia Solitude Soft Shell
By Matt Smith

As soft shell jackets have improved and diversified over the last several years, they have become much more specialized, and correspondingly functional. Rather than being constructed with a single shell fabric, multiple fabrics are being combined to provided the needed protection from the elements, while altering the desired level of warmth and breatheability. The Columbia Solitude jacket offers moderate protection from the elements, while maintaining a high level of breatheability.

One of ours testers used the Solitude jacket extensively for urban commuting, and found that it blocked the wind moderately. An ultralight wind shall over the top of the Solitude yields a nearly 3 season coat. As with the liner of the Selkirk Parka a key new feature is the shadow liner on the cuffs. Our tester obeserved that this allows the sleeve to be roomy and comfortable, while keeping the wind from blowing up your sleeve while biking. The cuff liner also protects your wrist from the harsher seams on the shell fabric.

The Solitude features hybrid construction, with a hard faced polyester soft shell on the front, with a stretch fleece under the arms and across the back. The jacket features 4 way strech, enhancing comfort, and allowing a full range of motion, without riding up, or binding.

One great feature about the Solitude soft shell is the styling. It is casual enough that you don't get strange looks when you wear it in to Ruby River, but functional enough that you also don't get strange looks when you peel off your hard shell in the lodge on a Pow Pow day.

Summary: Perhaps the best thing about the Solitude is the price. A functional soft shell for under $100 is definitely worth looking at. Knowing it comes from Columbia is a bonus. The Solitude is well suited to aerobic activities where light to moderate protection is needed.

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!