Columbia Steens Mountain

The value workhorse — a soft, warm, comfortable mid-weight everyday fleece at a fraction of premium prices, in a huge colour and size range. Good rather than premium (may pill more, no reinforcement), but the standout value warm layer for the whole family.

The Columbia Steens Mountain is the value workhorse — a soft, warm, comfortable everyday fleece at a fraction of premium prices, and a perennial best-seller. It's a classic mid-weight full-zip fleece that delivers genuine warmth and cosy comfort, comes in a huge range of colours and sizes, has zippered pockets, and does the core job of a fleece — warmth as a layer or casual jacket — for very little money. The fabric and construction are good rather than premium (it may pill more over time than Patagonia's and lacks the Denali's reinforcement), but for an affordable, warm, comfortable everyday fleece the whole family can have, it's the standout value, proving you don't need to spend a lot for a perfectly good fleece. It won't last as long or look as refined as the premium picks, but the warmth-per-dollar is unbeatable.

▶ Video review

Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Fleece Jacket Review | Is It Worth Buying?