columbia omni-heat:does it work?

[slparker]

Just did a search on the forum and couldn't find anything. Anyone tried columbia omni-heat? Doe it breathe? is it warm? is it lighter than something that breathes and is warm etc?

[wayno]

i dont have one, but yes it breathes, all they have done is add aluminium dots onto the inside of the fabric to reflect heat better, reviews are positive on the whole. but its not going to be as warm as a down jacket, its a low bulk insulation garment. the aluminium dots are supposed to give a bit of a boost columbia claim its worth an extra 20%.

[Mark F]

Just looking at the specifications it appears to be the application of dots of reflective film to the fabric. They claim is breathes but the dots must make it less breathable than regular fabric. They also claim that despite the EN 13537 testing they claim the bag is even warmer (but absolutely no real information) which is a little difficult to accept unless it really is a sweat box (VBL). My expectations is that it may be a fraction warmer at the low end of the temperature range because of a VBL type effect but it will be a real sweat box in warmer conditions compared to similar bags using normal fabrics. What you gain in warmth you will give up in versatility - I would be very wary. For the same or less money ($400 quoted on the Columbia web site) you can have a Western Mountaineer bag of similar or better performance at the same or less weight.

[wayno]

we dont know what article he is referring to exactly, its used in a range of their products, its in a lot of their jackets...

[frenchy_84]

Ive got the omni heat ski gloves, not really comparable to jackets etc, but I really like them. No idea wether its the omni heat lining or just the regular fill in the gloves but they are nice and warm, I'm always the last to get cold hands out of my group of mates

[Mark F]

Columbia has gone Omni everything and anything - there are 12 Omni-something technologies - marketing gone mad or just a one track mind at work. My favourite is Omni Blood'n Guts! Omni Heat appears in jackets, shirts, pants, base layers, boots and headwear plus sleeping bags.

The garments appear to be aimed at snow, skiing, cold weather apparel in general but not for active pursuits like bushwalking. What do you want - warm/waterproof/windproof/breathable/all of the forementioned. While I am happy to be proved wrong, I expect you will get something that doesn't do anything well in terms of warmth/moisture control.

I don't believe Columbia has suddenly found some miracle fabric process that will provide greater warmth and an not decrease moisture control. Based on the range offered it doesn't appear to be targeting the bushwalker/climber/cross country skier - not their market, never really has been.

[wayno]

columbia have put more money into research in recent years and have been putting out better designed gear aimed at skiers and bushwalkers... put out the new "omni" ranges..
they have rain shells that have been well reviewed. spoke to a mountain designs shop manager and he reckoned they had improved, he didnt think much of them until recently. he used their stuff. thought their footwear was good.

[slparker]

Thanks, I was thinking mainly of jackets but the bag application sounds more interesting, if it breathes.
Most reviews I saw on jackets were aimed at d/h skiers-hence my question!

[wayno]

i saw some of the omni heat 360 fleece jackets on sale for $98 at the local mountain designs outlet shop.... so i tried it on...
nice jacket, snug fit, has some stretch, about a 200 weight fleece. so i bought one. seemed warm enough, but not exactly cold at the moment, i was swayed a much by the cut and relative compactness of it so we'll see how it goes... i'll use it mainly for work, so when the temp drops a bit more in the mornings i'll see how it performs... weighs just over 400gm.

[slparker]

interesting to see what you think, Wayno. keep us posted!

[wayno]

i will if this endless hot weather will finally end.....

[wayno]

if i was based at my other office now, i'd be able to give some feedback, the aircon turns it into a fridge on a hot day..... but i won't be there for a couple of months, but between now and then the office i'im in now has no aircon at night and non existant insulation, so sooner or later i'll get the desired effect when a decent southerly blows in

[2ndstringqb]

I've got a lightweight softshell with omni heat lining and yes, it is quite warm for such a lightweight. I've found myself not needing anything else on single-digit days and even it getting a bit too hot when active (walking,running or skiing). It seems to have a multiplier effect when you really get going as your body heat gets reflected back.

I haven't found it breathes better than anything else and usually need to unzip it to vent when it gets too hot after a while. This could be just the model I have though as it doesn't have pit-zips etc. I have found it very useful as an extra layer to carry for when it turns really cold at night.

About the only thing I don't like about it is the disco mirror-ball look when you take it off!!

[wayno]

wear it inside out.... it looks totally funky...
softshells arent that hard to overload with sweat, i've done it with a vest on a day with 50k winds....

[Wolfix]

Yes. I can feel it working to warm my back which is usually cold even in insulation fabrics. It is ideal for people with circulatory problems. Not great for high intensity activity as it doesn't breathe so well. Perfect for a night in camp.