If there appears to be something familiar about the Columbia Shreddin' jacket it may be because it's styled after the 2014 Olympic uniforms that Columbia designed for the mogul ski teams. As such it's a bit of a love it/hate it style and is likely to have a direct effect on whether you go for the jacket in the first place. On a practical level the white of the jacket soon shows the dirt...mums please note.
The Shreddin' comes loaded with features, including a four-way stretch fabric which is waterproof, breathable and fully seam sealed as well as being lined with Columbia's well-established Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective material.
You also get insulation in the form of 80g of Omni-Heat Thermal Insulation, so it's a good jacket for colder conditions. This adds to the bulk and weight, of course, but the fit is very loose - well, we say this based on the fact that our reviewer is 'large' but received a 'medium' for testing and was still able to layer up beneath it reasonably comfortably.
Other features include helmet compatible hood, which is okay when worn over a helmet but too floppy otherwise, powder skirt, wrist gaiters, pit zips and stacks of pockets - one large rear pocket, two handwarmers, a chest pocket, a lift pass pocket above left cuff and two internal pockets, all of which are zipped.
In conclusion the Columbia Shreddin' is a very snug and comfortable ski jacket which will appeal if you like to stand out on the slopes and/or love loads of features (especially pockets), but it won't be one for the minimalists or shrinking violets.
