Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket Review: The Honest Verdict After Weeks of Testing

There’s a specific kind of chill that sinks into your bones on a late autumn morning. It’s the kind that greets you on the way to the train station, nips at you during a weekend walk through the woods, and makes you think twice about sitting outside at your favourite cafe. For years, my solution was bulky layers—a fleece under a heavy coat, a combination that kept me warm but often left me feeling like a Michelin Man, restricting movement and causing me to overheat the second I stepped indoors. The search for a single, versatile jacket that could deliver serious warmth without the cumbersome weight felt like a never-ending quest. I needed a reliable companion for everything from a damp city commute to a brisk hike in the hills, something that could be thrown on, packed down, and trusted to perform. This is the exact problem that a quality down jacket aims to solve, and it’s why we were so eager to put the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket through its paces.

Before You Buy: What Really Matters in a Down Jacket

A down jacket is more than just an item of clothing; it’s a key solution for staying comfortable in the cold. Its primary benefit lies in the incredible insulating properties of down feathers, which trap air to create a thermal barrier against the cold. This results in an unparalleled warmth-to-weight ratio, making these jackets lightweight, compressible, and perfect for travel or activities where space is at a premium. They are the go-to choice for hikers, campers, urban explorers, and anyone who wants to stay toasty without being weighed down by heavy, restrictive outerwear. They provide essential core warmth that can be used as a standalone piece in cool, dry conditions or as a powerful mid-layer under a waterproof shell when the weather turns truly foul.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing cool to cold temperatures who values packability and low weight. This includes daily commuters, weekend hikers, international travellers, and anyone living in a climate with brisk autumns and mild winters. However, a traditional down jacket might not be suitable for those who frequently find themselves in prolonged, heavy downpours. While many are water-repellent, they are not typically waterproof, and down insulation loses much of its warming power when it becomes saturated. For those in consistently wet environments, a synthetic insulated jacket or a dedicated waterproof shell might be a better primary choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fit & Sizing: This is arguably the most critical and variable factor. An “active fit” like the one on the Lake 22 II is designed to be closer to the body to maximise thermal efficiency and allow for layering, but brand sizing can be inconsistent. Always check user feedback, as many American brands tend to run larger than their European counterparts. A jacket that is too large will have dead air space that your body has to work harder to heat, while one that is too tight will compress the down, reducing its insulating ability.
• Insulation & Warmth (Fill Power): Fill power is a measure of the loft or “fluffiness” of the down, indicating its ability to trap air. A higher number means more air is trapped per ounce of down, providing better insulation for its weight. A 650-fill power, like in this jacket, is a fantastic sweet spot, offering excellent warmth for everyday use and most outdoor activities without the premium price tag of 800+ fill power jackets. Also, look for RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certification, which ensures the down comes from animals that have been treated humanely.
• Materials & Durability: The outer shell is your first line of defence. Most lightweight down jackets use a polyester or nylon shell, which offers a good balance of durability and low weight. Pay attention to terms like “water-repellent” or DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating. This will shed light rain and snow but will not withstand a deluge. The construction, such as the “Heat-Seal” bonded baffles on the Columbia jacket, is also key, as this stitch-free method helps to reduce down migration and eliminate cold spots that can occur at seam lines.
• Features & Usability: Look beyond the core specs. Does it have a good hood? A “scuba hood” offers snug coverage. Are the pockets zippered to secure your belongings? Is the hem adjustable with a drawcord to seal out drafts? Small details like a chin guard to prevent zipper chafing and elasticated cuffs can make a significant difference in overall comfort and performance during long-term wear.

While the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Featherlight Promise in a Sleek Package

Pulling the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket from its packaging, the first thing we noticed was its remarkable lack of weight. It feels almost insubstantial in the hands, a quality that immediately brings its packability to the forefront of your mind. This is a jacket that could disappear into a daypack without a second thought. The 100% polyester shell has a modern, slightly matte finish, which we found more appealing than the overly shiny look of some competitors. It feels smooth and pleasant to the touch. The “Heat-Seal” construction is immediately obvious; instead of traditional stitching, the baffles that hold the down in place are thermally bonded. This gives the jacket a clean, contemporary aesthetic and, in theory, should drastically reduce the feather leakage that plagues so many down products. The zippers feel standard, and the inclusion of a soft chin guard is a thoughtful touch. The overall impression is one of a well-considered, modern piece of outerwear that prioritizes a minimalist design and a high warmth-to-weight ratio. You can explore the available colours and design specifics here.

In the Field: How the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket Really Performs

A jacket can look great on a hanger, but its true value is only revealed through real-world use. We wore the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket for several weeks, subjecting it to the whims of British weather—from frosty morning commutes and windy coastal walks to drizzly afternoons in the city. Our goal was to push past the spec sheet and understand how its core features translate into tangible comfort and performance.

Insulation and Real-World Warmth: The 650-Fill Power Test

The heart of any down jacket is its insulation, and the 650-fill power down in the Lake 22 II does not disappoint. On a crisp 5°C morning with a light wind, wearing the jacket over just a long-sleeved t-shirt, we remained perfectly comfortable. The warmth it provides is immediate and enveloping, a stark contrast to synthetic jackets that can take a few minutes to trap body heat. This is where the Heat-Seal construction truly shines. Traditional stitched baffles create thousands of tiny holes for wind to penetrate and heat to escape. By bonding the baffles, Columbia has created a more effective barrier against the elements. We noticed a distinct lack of drafts and cold spots, even when facing a headwind. This performance was echoed by one user who took the jacket to Norway in 4-8°C weather and found that with just a thin fleece underneath, it was almost too warm when hiking uphill—a testament to its impressive heat retention. The RDS certification is another crucial element, providing peace of mind that the high-performance down was sourced ethically. For its weight class, the jacket provides a level of warmth that punches well above its price point, making it a reliable choice for three-season use. Check the latest price and see its full feature set.

Fit, Comfort, and Mobility: An Active Design Under Scrutiny

This is where our review of the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket requires a significant caveat: the sizing is, to put it mildly, generous. We’ve seen this echoed across a multitude of user reviews from different countries, with customers consistently reporting that the jacket fits one, or even two, sizes larger than their usual size. As one Spanish user noted, their usual XL “fits like a poncho.” We can confirm this finding. I typically wear a size Large, but the Large in this model was cavernous, with excessive room in the torso and sleeves that were far too long. Sizing down to a Medium resulted in a near-perfect “Active Fit.” Once correctly sized, the jacket is exceptionally comfortable. The fit is trim but not restrictive, allowing for a full range of motion whether you’re reaching for a hold on a scrambling route or just carrying shopping bags. It layers beautifully under a shell without bunching up. The scuba-style hood is snug and moves with your head, providing excellent peripheral vision, and the elastic binding at the hood, cuffs, and hem does an adequate job of sealing out drafts. One user mentioned the collar rubbing their chin initially, but we found the chin guard prevented this, and the jacket settled into a comfortable shape after a day or two of wear.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Where Expectations Meet Reality

Columbia labels the jacket’s shell as “water-repellent,” and it’s important to manage expectations around this term. During our testing, the polyester fabric effectively shed light drizzle and mist; water beaded up and rolled right off. However, when faced with a more persistent, steady rain for over ten minutes, the fabric began to wet out, and moisture started to seep through. This confirms the experience of a user who found it “soaked right through” in wet conditions. The Lake 22 II is a jacket for cold and dry days, or for use as a mid-layer under a proper waterproof shell—it is not a raincoat. Durability is another area with mixed reports. While our test unit held up well, we cannot ignore the consistent user feedback regarding quality control. Several users reported issues with the main zipper failing or becoming un-hemmed over time. Others have experienced the heat-transferred logos peeling off after just a few wears or washes, and the most common complaint among critics is feather leakage. While some minor shedding is expected from any new down product, reports of continuous feather loss from the shoulders and back are concerning and suggest a potential inconsistency in manufacturing. While the Heat-Seal design should theoretically minimize this, it seems it’s not a complete solution. This is a crucial factor to consider when evaluating the jacket’s long-term value. Despite these concerns, its warmth makes it a compelling option.

What Other Users Are Saying

Sifting through dozens of user experiences reveals a clear and consistent picture of the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket. The positive feedback almost universally praises its core function: warmth and comfort. One happy customer stated, “Sabia que Columbia no decepciona… es ligera es confortable y abriga mucho” (“I knew Columbia wouldn’t disappoint… it’s light, comfortable, and very warm”). Another German user described it as “Sehr bequem und warm” (“Very comfortable and warm”), confirming its excellent thermal performance.

However, the criticisms are just as consistent. The most prominent issue, by far, is the “odd ball sizing,” with a Polish reviewer noting their XXL was too wide and had sleeves that were too long for their 186cm frame. The second major point of contention is quality control. We saw numerous complaints about durability, summarized perfectly by one user who stated, “the zipper gave me problems from the start and then started to come unhemmed. Not the quality Columbia use to be.” This sentiment is echoed by reports of feathers consistently escaping the shell (“Leider treten immer wieder Federn aus dem Obermaterial aus”) and logos peeling off after a single wash. These real-world accounts paint a portrait of a jacket with a fantastic design concept and excellent insulation that is sometimes let down by execution and sizing.

How Does the Lake 22 II Compare? Top Alternatives Explored

The Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket operates in a crowded market. While it offers great value in down insulation, several synthetic alternatives provide compelling reasons to look elsewhere, especially if you prioritize wet-weather performance or are on a tighter budget.

1. Trespass Blustery Padded Hooded Jacket

The Trespass Blustery jacket is a strong contender for those seeking warmth on a budget. Its primary difference is the use of synthetic ColdHeat insulation instead of natural down. While this makes it slightly heavier and less compressible than the Columbia jacket, its major advantage is performance when wet; synthetic fill retains much of its insulating properties even when damp. This makes the Trespass a more reliable choice for the UK’s notoriously damp and unpredictable climate. It offers a more relaxed fit and is often available at a lower price point, making it a practical choice for casual daily wear, walking the dog, or for someone who doesn’t want to worry about the delicate nature of down.

2. Berghaus Vaskye Insulated Puffer Jacket

Coming from a highly respected outdoor brand, the Berghaus Vaskye represents a direct competitor with a focus on technical synthetic insulation. It utilizes Hydroloft® Polyball insulation, which is designed to mimic the structure of down, offering an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio while maintaining its loft and warmth when wet. The build quality from Berghaus is typically robust, potentially offering better long-term durability than some users have experienced with the Columbia jacket. Someone who spends a lot of time hiking in mixed conditions and needs a jacket that can handle sweat from the inside and drizzle from the outside might prefer the Vaskye for its all-weather versatility and trusted brand heritage.

3. Wantdo Men’s Hooded Lightweight Puffer Coat

The Wantdo Puffer Coat is another budget-friendly synthetic option that appeals to the urban and casual user. It focuses on delivering style and warmth for everyday scenarios rather than high-octane mountain adventures. Filled with a thick cotton/polyester blend, it provides substantial warmth but will be the heaviest and bulkiest of the alternatives. Its strength lies in its value proposition and wide range of available colours. For a student or city commuter who needs a warm, stylish winter coat for getting around town and isn’t concerned with technical specs like packability or ultra-light weight, the Wantdo jacket is an excellent and highly accessible alternative to the more performance-oriented Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket.

The Final Word: Is the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket a Smart Buy?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket is one of qualified recommendation. At its core, this is a fantastic insulator. The 650-fill power RDS down provides a superb level of warmth in a package so light you’ll barely notice it’s there. The Heat-Seal construction is a modern, effective feature that genuinely enhances its performance against the wind. It’s a comfortable, mobile jacket that looks sharp in both urban and outdoor settings.

However, it comes with two significant asterisks: sizing and quality control. The jacket runs undeniably large, and prospective buyers absolutely must consider ordering at least one size down from their normal fit. Furthermore, the recurring reports of zipper failures, peeling logos, and feather leakage are hard to ignore and suggest a degree of inconsistency in manufacturing. If you can navigate the sizing and receive a well-made unit, you will have a jacket that offers phenomenal value and performance for its price. It is best suited for the active individual looking for a highly packable insulating layer for cool, predominantly dry conditions. If that sounds like you, and you’re prepared for the sizing quirks, the Columbia Lake 22 II Hooded Down Jacket is a worthy investment that you can check out right here.