What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:"I love this fleece for cold, sunny hikes because it gets noticeably warmer when the light hits it. The hood is structured enough to stay put without feeling tight, and the thumbholes help keep everything in place when I’m layering. It’s a great midlayer for active winter days."We head out into sharp morning cold, knowing the Arctic Peak Hooded Full-Zip Jacket from Columbia will help us settle comfortably into the day’s first miles. The soft fleece feels inviting as soon as we zip it up, and the solar-boosted warmth from the Omni-Heat Arctic system starts working the moment sunlight breaks over the ridgeline. As we move through frosty shade and bright patches of sun, the jacket keeps us warm without feeling heavy. When the effort starts to build, Omni-Wick manages interior moisture to keep us from overheating, allowing the fleece to breathe even during steep climbs. The structured hood adds protection when a gust of wind rolls over the trail, while zippered hand pockets secure small essentials. Thumbholes keep the sleeves anchored as we layer or adjust gloves. Whether we’re pushing uphill or cruising through open meadows, this fleece gives us balanced warmth for changing winter light.