The Good: Great functionality in both the woods and the concrete jungle.

 I hate sport coats.  For those of you that don’t know what a sport coat is, be grateful.  In my professional career, I wear them but I’m always looking for an alternative without having to wear a sweater-vest or a turtle-neck, both of which, I detest.  But, being the practical type (typical cheap-ass banker) I don’t like the idea of buying a bunch of different jackets for my various pursuits.  Can’t I find a jacket that I can wear over a dress shirt and tie that I can also wear while climbing Mt. Shasta’s 14,000 foot peak?  I asked, and Columbia answered with their Tectonic Soft-Shell. For those people (unlike TT editor Billy Brown) that have to go to an office every day, dress up and look presentable, it combines the performance needed for rugged weather without sacrificing class.Columbia’s Tectonic Soft-Shell jacket combines a sleek polyester waterproof exterior with their patented Omni-Heat technology inside which reflects heat back to your core.  This combination keeps you dry and warm when the weather wants you to feel otherwise.  Columbia doesn’t compromise style and cross functionality like many companies do with their gear; in other words, gear doesn’t have to make you look like a 1990’s K-2 skier or like a modern day John Muir (I envy Muir’s accomplishments, if not his style).

Look at that Omni-Heat interior. It’s like a disco ball in there.

I’ve worn this jacket through the late winter and spring both in professional settings as well as on trail runs and cold weather hikes.  The Omni-Heat is pretty amazing, really; it keeps your core warm but the somewhat breathable polyester material of the jacket allows for just enough ventilation to prevent overheating.  On a recent trip up Mt. Shasta, we got turned around by some nasty weather, but my body felt nice and warm for the majority of the hike.  I didn’t feel remotely chilly until we reached higher elevation and really low temps.  I wouldn’t recommend the jacket for sub 32F but that’s really not what the jacket was designed for.

Complimenting the Omni-Heat is the stretch-panels behind and under the arms; this material is 11% elastic and 89% polyester which adds breathability and gives wearers a wider range of motion.  This combination is key to using the jacket in different settings that require bending, twisting, etc.  It also allows for a clean cut and fit that wont untuck your dress-shirt as you get in and out of the Benzo (or Ford, in my case) when arriving at the office - a huge win in my book!So, if you have the spirit of John Muir but are relegated to office work, this jacket is a rare find that works wherever you are.  The jacket masterfully hints at your adventurous life-style without compromising your sense of professionalism. Note: Columbia does recognize some people’s desire to stand out and offers the jacket in the following colors, beyond black: peatmoss; compass blue; grey; aristocrat (light blue); and red velvet.