****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I already have a much heavier weight Columbia Lhotse Mountain Interchange Parka which I purchased at a local retail in a medium that I like but I don't love due to the size. The liner serves it purpose well but the shell is just too big. When I read about the Ultrachange Parka I immediately fell in love. It is lightweight yet very functional.Having tested it in various conditions I can attest to its waterproof abilities, as well as its ability to keep you warm. I have worn the shell in rainy temps in the mid 40's with just a base layer on and I was quite warm and dry. The liner I have worn in temps in the low 30's with just a t-shirt and I was very warm. The shell is very thin and light and is amazingly waterproof without the bulk or lack of breathability. The sleeves are a tad long but that is to be expected as it is meant to be work over another coat. Unlike the Lhotse Parka, this parka does not zip together. The shell is simply worn over the liner. The shell uses a combination of Omni-Dry and Omni-Wick Evap to give you maximum breathability plus maximum protection from the wind and the elements, in addition to maximum evaporation to move moisture that you generate off your body into the fabric.The liner itself is an improvement over my Lhotse liner in that it features Omni-Shield. Omni-Shield is Columbia's advanced repellency technology. It is generates a very silky smooth coating on the jacket that is meant to resist all liquids below 170 degrees from being absorbed into the fabric. It also dries quicker than fabrics that are not treated as well. I have not tested the liner in any wet conditions yet but I am confident that it will perform well. The Omni-Heat technology the jacket uses works very well and I have no complaints. I do like how the jacket utilizes moisture wicking fabric in the under arm areas to allow air to flow in those areas.I gave this product a 5 star rating because of the technologies used in its construction make it a perfect parka for various weather conditions and temperatures. Whether it rain, cold, or even windy conditions it will protect your from the elements without weighing you down. The only thing I can think of that I would consider a dislike about this product would be the zipper pockets on the shell are difficult to open with one hand. What I mean by that is that if you are carrying something in one arm and need to access the pockets with the other it can be hand to unzip them fully. As time has passed and I have used them more, they do seem to become easier to open or close. I think this may just be attributed to the fact the jacket is still very new and they aren't broken in yet.I would recommend this product to anybody that wants a very useful parka for different conditions. A shell for wet conditions and a liner for cold conditions. It would help cut down on the number of jackets or coats one would need except only for formal occasions. It is a bit pricey, I purchased mine when it was 40% off but I would say see if it is cheaper than MSRP here or on Columbia's website before purchasing it. It very well may be worth full price but every bit of money one can save now a days helps.
