Columbia Women's Ava Alpine™ II Insulated Ski Jacket

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I definitely recommend this jacket for winter weather but it would not be the best for anything below freezing. It keeps me warm and has great features. Love the thumb holes! The jacket is very comfortable and in my opinion worth the money. I’d say size up to layer underneath.

I bought it because is waterproof is excellent and warm. I love it

Love the coat, but the toggles for the adjustable waist seem to be broken. They won’t grip the elastic so there’s no adjustment. The adjustable waist was the big reason I chose this style, but the return process makes it too difficult to bother so I’ll keep it anyway.

The new jacket displays the usual high Columbia quality that prompted my purchase, plus the fact I have been wearing a Columbia ski jacket (see photo) bought in The Netherlands, I think, about 15 years ago. (I also wore it in Antarctica about 12 years ago!!) Today I got the new jacket - 1 day early (!) - and went for my walk, here in Ontario. It's minus 4C ('feels like minus 10' due to wind). The old jacket has none of the new one's design features, but the old one is warmer. My upper back and shoulders were cold in the new one. Very very disappointed.

I purchased this Ava Alpine jacket to replace a Columbia jacket I have had for over 10 years. I tested it on a hike on in 35 degree weather. The Omni Tech kept my torso warm, but my arms were cold. I am concerned that in colder weather I will be really uncomfortable. This is so disappointing. I love the jacket, and based on my previous experience, am assuming that it will last. But I hate being cold and spend a great deal of time outdoors in cold weather. This jacket needs better arm insulation. It doesn’t seem to make sense. Sadly, will probably have to return.

I’m probably going to return it die to Velcro on the sleeves and inside. Velcro on anything screams CHEAP. Velcro is not necessary if you have snaps and elastic instead. Velcro is also a major issue with my curly hair it also destroys my nice sweaters. I did not notice prior to purchasing that there is Velcro on the sleeves and three up the center. Why have two snaps one on the top one on the bottom and cheap Velcro up the middle. For me this is so very disappointing because I love the coat. I swear by Omni heat technology. Please completely do away with Velcro. It’s never necessary on clothing.