Columbia Last Tracks Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Affordable, weather resistant, good set of features
Cons: Not stylish, no ventilation, boxy fit
Manufacturer: Columbia
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Columbia Last Tracks | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Price | $130.99 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $550.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $999.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $799.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $437.50 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Affordable, weather resistant, good set of features | Excellent performance in every category, durable | Impeccable quality, clean lines, very warm, excellent weather protection | Very warm, great weather resistance, high quality construction | Completely weather resistant, good ventilation, freeride style |
Cons | Not stylish, no ventilation, boxy fit | More snug fit than other options | Super expensive, too warm for some applications | Boxy fit, unremarkable style, expensive | Expensive, too heavy and warm for most backcountry use |
Bottom Line | It has almost everything you need and nothing you don't | We can't picture a better all-around jacket for skiing | This top-shelf manufacturer pulls no punches and creates a spectacular jacket in the process | A warm and durable jacket with a high price tag | With weather resistance, style, and ventilation, this is the total package for a ski shell |
Rating Categories | Columbia Last Tracks | Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft | Arc'teryx Macai | Patagonia Primo Puff | Arc'teryx Sabre AR Jacket |
Warmth (20%) | |||||
Weather Resistance (20%) | |||||
Comfort And Fit (20%) | |||||
Ventilation (15%) | |||||
Style (15%) | |||||
Features (10%) | |||||
Specs | Columbia Last Tracks | Helly Hansen Alpha... | Arc'teryx Macai | Patagonia Primo Puff | Arc'teryx Sabre AR... |
Main Fabric | 100% nylon | 2-layer stretch polyester | N40p-X Gore-Tex | 2-layer, 4-oz 75-denier 100% recycled polyester | N80p-X Gore-Tex |
Insulation | Omni-heat thermal reflective | LifaLoft synthetic | Coreloft 100, Coreloft Compact, and 750 fill goose down | PlumaFill synthetic | Thin flannel backer |
Pockets | zippered hand, chest, and ski pass | 2 handwarmer, 2 chest, 1 internal chest, 1 internal mesh, 1 sleeve | 2 handwarmer, 1 sleeve, 1 chest, 1 internal mesh, 1 internal chest | 2 hand, 1 chest, 2 interior | 2 hand, 1 sleeve, 1 internal |
Weight (pounds) | 2.14 lbs | 2.56 lbs | 2.64 lbs | 2.54 lbs | 1.66 lbs |
Waterproofing | Multi-layered waterproof construction | Helly Tech Professional | 3L Gore-Tex Pro Shell | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex |
Hood Option? | Yes | Adjustable and removable | Adjustabe and Removable | Adjustable | Adjustable |
Pit-Zips? | None | Mesh-backed | Mesh-backed | Open | Open |
Cuff construction | Velcro adjustable | Interior stretchy wrist gaiters and external velcro cuffs | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro |
Powder skirt? | Yes | Yes | Yes, removable | Yes, removable | Yes |
RECCO? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This jacket performs adequately in the important metrics of warmth and weather resistance but lags behind the high-end competition when it comes to fit and useful features.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
The Columbia Last Tracks provides a decent amount of warmth via synthetic insulation and heat-reflective metallic liner fabric. The insulation isn't very thick or heavy, and as a result, the jacket isn't warm enough for days when the temps dip much below freezing without a warm mid-layer worn underneath it. Still, for beginner skiers, or for skiers who only get on the slopes a handful of days a year, the warmth is adequate and can be supplemented by proper layering.
Weather Resistance
The Last Tracks jacket uses Columbia's proprietary Omni-Tech waterproof and breathable membrane, which works decently well in our experience of using this tech for several years. It isn't as waterproof or as breathable as Gore-Tex, but it generally gets the job done as expected for the price. After a few uses, liquid water started to soak into the external shell fabric, but it never made it through the jacket. The hood fits over a size Large helmet, but we wish the hood extended a bit further around the helmet to provide complete coverage. The jacket is critically seam-sealed, and the chest pocket zipper is waterproof, but we wish more zippers and seams were fully waterproof. The sleeve cuffs have a velcro closure to seal the jacket at the wrists.
Comfort and Fit
The Last Tracks has a boxy and loose fit that doesn't feel like it was well-tailored. The materials are all relatively plasticky, including the metallic interior lining. It doesn't feel as uncomfortable as a stiff shell-only jacket, but our testers preferred to wear thick mid-layers underneath to buffer the interior liner fabric. The sleeves are about the right length, and the hood fits helmets decently, but it could fit better. Overall, there are many more well-tailored jackets out there, but we can't complain too much for the price.
Ventilation
Ventilation is not a strong suit here. This jacket has no vents, and the insulation is fixed, meaning that the only way air can move through the jacket is through the hem, hood, and neck opening, or by opening the front zipper. We have come to expect the best jackets on the market to have armpit vents to ditch heat on warm days or during high-output aerobic activities, like mogul skiing and inbounds hiking. On the upside, the hood is removable, which allows some heat to escape from the neck area. Still, don't expect much ventilation capabilities from this jacket.
Style
The Last Tracks features a middle-of-the-road and straightforward style that doesn't take any chances. It is reminiscent of an urban winter jacket, and lacks an athletic look due to its boxy cut. While it doesn't offend the senses, its lack of athletic design implies that the user is on the introductory side of the spectrum. Hardcore skiers will probably want a better fitting jacket and prefer a jacket with a more ski-specific style. It comes in a wide variety of subdued colors, in stark contrast to the neons and bright colors used in more high-end ski apparel. If you want to blend into a crowd, this jacket will help.
Features
The Last Tracks includes a large amount of ski-specific features that make life easier on the hill. In addition to two handwarmer pockets, there is also an external chest pocket with a waterproof zipper and a ski pass pocket on the left sleeve. The fixed powder skirt keeps out snow on deep days, and the removable hood can be cinched down tight on both sides of the face and in the back with a velcro flap. The right handwarmer pocket has an internal key clip so you won't lose your car keys while accessing the pocket.
Value
This jacket has all of the performance attributes that a basic ski jacket needs. It keeps the user relatively warm and dry and has plenty of pockets for storage. While it lacks the refinement of more high-end jackets, like ventilation systems and a stylized and contoured fit, it gets the basic job done at a very affordable price. For skiers who hit the slopes for a week or less every ski season, or for those who want just one jacket for both skiing and other winter use, this jacket is a great value. Just be prepared to layer up underneath when temperatures get frigid.
Conclusion
Overall, we are impressed by how much performance this jacket brings to the table, given its price. It performs where it needs to regarding protection from weather and cold temperatures, but if the weather gets really bad and you still want to ski, you might be stuck wishing your jacket was warmer. Otherwise, this is a great choice for occasional skiers who are more concerned with their budget than with their jacket's performance. It also doubles as a general-use winter jacket in milder winter climates.
— Jeff Dobronyi