I’m going to hold your hands when I say this: you don’t need different apparel and accessories for every form of exercise you do or want to try. While not every piece of kit works for every activity, some well-designed garments translate surprisingly well across sports.
This winter, I put that theory to the test. When temperatures dropped so low that I could see my breath before I’d even left the house, and my usual running base layers and jackets weren’t cutting it, I reached for one of my Columbia hiking fleeces on a whim and headed out for a run.
It turns out the Columbia Arctic Crest Hybrid Technical Fleece Jacket is far more versatile than I expected. I’ve now logged around 50 miles in it, and it’s kept me warm without overheating, felt great to run in and even earned a few compliments along the way.
Why it works so well
The fit of this jacket works really well for running. It’s slim without feeling tight or restrictive, which I much prefer to the baggier windbreaker-style jackets that I'm seeing a lot more of right now. For winter running, I want a layer that offers warmth and stays close to the body, rather than ballooning in the wind, especially when I’m picking up the pace.
The Columbia Arctic Crest jacket is also slightly longer in the body, so it sits neatly over shorts or leggings. I’ve found that overlap helps stop cold air from creeping in at the hem. The sleeves are nicely fitted too and come with thumb holes, giving your hands a bit of extra protection from the cold. I almost always use them during my warm-up, and on easier runs, I’ll often keep them on the whole time.
The only small drawback is when I’m doing faster, more structured sessions and need to keep an eye on my watch, I have to pull the sleeve back on that side. It’s a minor thing, but I’ve previously owned an outdoor jacket with thumb holes and a small slit designed to sit over one of the best running watches, which worked brilliantly. Columbia, if you’re reading this, I’d love to see that feature added to some of your long-sleeved layers.
The warmth in this jacket comes from Columbia’s Omni-Heat Arctic technology. It uses a lining with tiny metallic dots that bounce your body’s infrared heat back toward you instead of letting it escape through the fabric. Essentially, it traps and redirects the warmth your body naturally gives off.
The only minor thing I’ve noticed is that it can hold a bit of odor from sweat or dampness. This is probably the one tell-tale sign that it’s not technically a running-specialized jacket, but a quick wash before your next outing takes care of it easily.
Let’s talk pockets. Anyone who runs knows how important they are, especially if you don’t wear a belt or vest. The Arctic Crest Hybrid Technical Fleece Jacket has two zippered hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket. I mostly use them for gels, a bank card, my keys and a tissue (does anyone else’s nose feel like a tap when running in the cold?). I love that they are zippered because it gives peace of mind that nothing will fall out.
I don’t store my phone in these pockets because they are too large, and I don’t like feeling it bounce around while I run. Instead, I make sure to wear a good pair of bottoms with pockets designed to keep a phone secure, like my favorite Lululemon running shorts.
Do you have any pieces in your wardrobe that you’ve discovered work for more than one activity? Sometimes the best gear is the one you already own and just haven’t given a chance yet.
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