Columbia Heavenly Hoody - Women's Review

The Heavenly Hooded Jacket is a thick, heavyweight insulated jacket with a slim fit, a regular hood, and an exterior fabric comprised of Columbia's Storm-Lite DP II polyester. It has a chest pocket and two zip handwarmer pockets. It has a non-adjustable hemline and doesn't pack into any of its pockets, but we appreciate that it has wrist covers with thumbholes.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Heavenly is by far one of the warmest jackets we've had the pleasure of testing. Its warmth comes in the form of its ample amounts of insulation, a thick build, and a reflective Omni-Heat liner that keeps heat in when temperatures plummet. The hood is lined with faux fur, making it extra warm to wear. It has just a standard hem without any adjustment, though during our testing, this actually didn't detract from its warmth.

The 100% polyester fabric and enclosed insulation are quite thick, which doesn't allow wind or water to penetrate through its layers. While skiing in this jacket at the resort, we felt content and warm, with it holding heat all day long. The reflective liner works to retain the heat inside the jacket, adding to your overall warmth. Elongated stretch-knit cuffs with thumbholes add a level of wrist protection and warmth that's unmatched by any other jacket we tested.

Comfort

The Heavenly Hoody lives up to its name and is ultra cozy and comfortable. It is the only jacket we tested that sports a hood completely lined in soft, furry, voluptuous goodness that adds a level of decadence and plushness. It's roomy enough to accommodate a low-profile ski helmet. Within the hood, the faux fur lining extends all the way to the front to cradle your chin, allowing you to nuzzle into this jacket when the temperatures get super cold outside.

The Omni-Heat interior lining isn't “cozy” per se, nor is it a material that we'd want on our skin all the time. That said, it is quite frictionless, which makes wearing bulky layers underneath it quite easy, if you size it right. We also love the extended elasticized cuffs, complete with thumbholes for amazing protection and unparalleled comfort. The two hand-warmer pockets are lined with a soft material that feels warm and cozy on the hands. They are large enough to fit gloved hands and can store many different things. The internal zippered pocket at the breast is not lined with any soft materials but is lined with Columbia's Omni-Heat technology. It can easily fit a phone or other stashable items that you might need quick access to.

Weather Resistance

The build of the Heavenly Hoody includes thick polyester insulation with a highly protective Storm-Lite DP II 100% polyester shell. It offers excellent protection from both wind and water. While it's not a technical performance jacket (it's too heavy and doesn't breathe well), it offers really good protection in stormy conditions. We wore it while skiing at the resort, performing chores around town, and visiting with friends during the winter months.

We tested this jacket while strolling through town in both Canada and Colorado on particularly blustery days. When wearing just a thin base layer underneath, we felt warm even when the cold winds were gusting right into our faces. During our water testing, the shell of the Heavenly did a fantastic job keeping light precipitation beaded up on the fabric. In heavier downpours, the baffles became saturated, but water never made it through to the interior layers.

Portability

This jacket is not meant to pack down but is built to stay on your body. The size Small we tested weighs 22.4 ounces, over twice the weight of many jackets in our lineup. The thicker design of the Heavenly Hoody with its added insulation, fur-lined hood, and Omni-Heat lining doesn't lend itself to compressibility. And it probably goes without saying that it doesn't pack into its own pocket like so many more technical jackets.

While it might be heavier than the rest, we're comparing this coat to a robust lineup of (mostly) highly technical jackets that are designed to shave ounces and fit into small spaces. This jacket just isn't built with those goals in mind. But for a determined individual, the Heavenly Hoody can be compressed and stuffed into a backpack if you're set on bringing along this super warm coat.

Breathability

When it comes to insulated jackets, there are always trade-offs to great warmth and weather protection. In the Heavenly Hoody, that trade-off results in low breathability. In comparison to the rest of the jackets out there, it is one of the least breathable and our last choice to wear for any activity we'd typically sweat during.

While the Omni-Heat lining does an excellent job keeping heat inside the Heavenly, it's not good at allowing excess heat to escape. This is not the jacket you want for cross-country skiing or hiking uphill. It suffices for the odd walk-about in the woods or while performing some menial errands around town. It doesn't breathe well, nor does it have any great features to aid in ventilation.

Should You Buy the Columbia Heavenly?

The Heavenly Hoody presents impressive value for its warm, protective performance. It's the most comfortable, warmest jacket we tested, but it's not intended for super technical use, as it lacks in both breathability and packability. The ladies that'll find this jacket of the most value are those seeking a very warm winter coat that provides coverage and protection on the slopes but still looks stylish enough for apres drinks in the lodge afterward.

What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?

If you crave warmth and protection that's easier to pack away and more breathable for extended three-season use, the Patagonia DAS Light is a better option — though it costs a lot more. If you need a super budget model, the Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant jacket will do in a pinch, but it's less warm and less comfortable than the Columbia. If superior warmth and comfort are what you're after, the Heavenly Hoody is an excellent — and affordable — choice.