"What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:""The Columbia Essential Hike Grid Fleece 1/2-Zip Jacket has earned a permanent spot in my daypack as the layer I pull out at every summit stop and cool morning start. The grid back fleece is noticeably soft without feeling heavy, and the Omni-Wick construction keeps things from getting clammy when I push the pace on a climb with it on.""Every pack has a layer that earns its place trip after trip without ever drawing much attention to itself. For a lot of hikers, the Columbia Essential Hike Grid Fleece 1/2-Zip Jacket is that layer. Soft, lightweight, and versatile enough to work as a standalone piece on cool mornings or a midlayer under a shell when the weather turns serious, this half-zip covers the kind of everyday trail scenarios that keep showing up no matter the season. The 100% recycled polyester grid back fleece delivers warmth and softness without the bulk, while Omni-Wick construction pulls moisture away from the skin and drives it to the surface to evaporate so things stay comfortable even when the pace picks up. Binding on the cuffs and collar gives the jacket a clean finished look that works off the trail as easily as on it, and a zippered chest pocket keeps the small essentials close and secure. The active fit moves efficiently with the body without excess fabric getting in the way on technical terrain, and the recycled construction keeps the environmental footprint of the whole package lighter."