The sleek Columbia Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket is my go-to layer when I want to hike in style

If you're serious about getting outdoors, but don't want to sacrifice style just to make sure you're protected from the weather, I can't recommend the Columbia Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket enough. It's easily one of the best women's down jackets around for those who want to turn heads.

As an outdoors writer, I've been testing down jackets in all manner of environments for the past five years. When I took it hiking in the Swiss Alps, I was blown away by how well it performed. Unlike some of the best walking shoes, it looks like it prioritises fashion over function, but it's more than capable of keeping the chilly weather at bay.

It's become one of my favourite cold-weather jackets due to its warmth, flattering design and how easy it is to care for. After wearing it for the past year and a half, here's my final verdict...

Columbia Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket review

Specifications

• Size range: XS - XXL
• Fit: Slim
• Materials: Nylon shell and lining with 700 fill power goose down insulation
• Hood: Yes
• Pockets: Two hand pockets and one chest pocket, all zipped

What's it like to wear the Columbia Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket?

Columbia is usually known for outdoor gear that's a little less technical and increasingly fashion-forward, but this jacket goes against that grain a little because while it's certainly stylish, it's actually quite high-performing.

This superlight jacket uses a process called biomimicry to cleverly imitate the way a polar bear's fur keeps it warm. It attracts the sun’s rays via black dots on the lining, then holds that heat close to your body using goose down.

I tested this jacket in my usual size, and while Columbia gear does often run a little large on me, this is actually quite form-fitting. While this means it looks nicer than a bulkier down jacket, it is perhaps a little too tight around the hips for anyone with more of an hourglass shape. Even those who want to layer this jacket over a fleece might have trouble zipping it up. A little stretch could go a long way here. That aside, I do like that it runs longer for added warmth, and I personally like the fit and soft feel of the shell.

It's one of the lightest down jackets I've ever tested, which means it also packs down pretty small. It's actually designed to pack into its own pocket, which means it's easy to stuff into your backpack or carry on, and you can even use it as a travel pillow. The jacket is traditionally made for colder weather, but this feature means it would also be a winner during colder nights in warmer seasons.

Another detail that deserves a mention is that the Omni-Shield repellency, which makes this jacket water-resistant, also makes it stain-resistant, so it's refreshingly easy to care for. It doesn't match up to some of the best rain jackets, but it's ideal for light showers.

How does the Columbia Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket hold up on the trail?

The Arctic Crest Down jacket is good-looking, but the snug fit still leaves plenty of room to move without restriction. It also has all the technical trimmings I want from a jacket I'm going to wear on the mountain, including a hood that stays put (even though it's not adjustable).

I first tested this jacket during an autumn hiking trip in the Swiss Alps, and even though we enjoyed warm days, I was really thankful to have it for the cold evenings and sunrise yoga practices on the patio. I'm not sure if the technology works any better than any other down jacket with a black lining, but I do know it works to provide instant heat.

I also wore it for a night hike on that trip to do some stargazing, and found that it's also quite breathable if you want to keep it on while you're climbing.

One of my favourite features is that it's treated to be water-repellent, which is excellent news because it means that it can hold off a light shower (though not a heavy rain). The fact that it's also stain-repellent is maybe even more useful as I received a white version to test. So far, I haven't had to wash it, which is very unlike me with white clothing, so I guess it works. However, for those not wanting to take the risk, this jacket comes in black, too.

The w&h verdict on the Columbia Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket

If you're in the market for an ultralight but warm down jacket that's stylish to boot, this is the one for you. It's got all the technical details like a warm hood, adjustable hem and elasticated cuffs that make sure you're really protected against the weather.

That said, the snug fit around the hips may not work for everyone, so if you're happy with a blue colourway, my first recommendation is always the Rab Microlight Alpine Women's Down Jacket, as it has many of the same benefits without this issue.