The Ultimate Winter Coat? Columbia's Carabineer Parka

I enjoy going on a quest to find the best and most useful winter coat in town. Last year, I went on a quest to find what I wanted: a down filled jacket I can use most of the time on its own while also providing a shell if I'm out in the snow or sleet or just outside for a long time.

I searched and searched last year-went to Columbia stores and anywhere that sold Columbia. I went to the North Face store on Grand Avenue and any number of Macy's stores all around the metro. I explored Land's End and any number of websites that sold winter jackets.

This year, I jumped onto Columbia.com from an email and started to dink around the website. Well, I found what I was looking for last year.

Only a year too late since I bought a down jacket last year.

It is the Carabineer Parka II. It's a down jacket with a shell over that. The down jacket is a 700 fill of down (the higher the better) and the shell is weatherproof, meaning it's breathable and waterproof.

Carabineer™ II Parka

$280.00

This super-lightweight yet warm down parka is a study in both technology and value. The Carabineer keeps the pounds down with a sleek 2.5-layer shell and a 700-fill goosedown insulated liner. Despite its ultralight weight, it's a master heat retainer thanks to Omni-Heat® thermal reflective technology.more

An attention-grabbing jacket in its own right, the liner also features Omni-Shield® advanced repellency to keep you dry from trail to slope to campfire. It’s armed with Omni-Tech® waterproof breathability, and every seam is sealed against the outer elements. Barely-there security pockets at chest and lower torso feature Invizzip™ technology for cleaner, more refined style. Underarm vents can be zipped open to disperse excess heat. Also, down makes this jacket extremely packable, just roll it up into a pint-sized package and slip it the side pocket of your backpack.

FEATURES:

• Fabric: Shell: 100% nylon 2.5L enthuse riptstop. Lining: 57% recycled polyester/43% polyester mesh. Liner: 100% Tactel® nylon ripstop. Lining: 100% polyester taffeta. Insulation: 90% goosedown/10% feather
• Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable and fully seam sealed
• Omni-Heat thermal reflective
• Omni-Shield advanced repellency liner
• Zip-in Interchange system
• Underarm venting
• 700 fill power down insulation
• Pocket zippers feature Invizzip
• Zip-closed hand and security pockets
• Interior goggle pocket
• Center back length: 29.5”
• Imported