Product Review - Columbia Omni-Heat Thermal Gear

[Mike Carey]

Columbia make a product called Omni Heat which has a thermal reflective layer that traps and retains body heat. I have now purchased the balaclava (a head piece) and the thermal uppers.
Here's the reviews I wrote on the COlumbia web site:

Winter steelhead fishing in the Pacific Northwest can get pretty cold, and if you're cold you can't concentrate waiting for that rare chance to hook into a fish. I decided to give the Columbia Balaclava a try after returning from a cold outing where my neck was definitely chilled. This product has the Omni-heat thermal reflective layer and I have to say my face, head, and neck were toasty warm the entire day of fishing. I really like the extended neck/shoulder coverage - the only open skin I had was the face cutout. So the product performed as I had hoped. Negatives - the elastic was a bit tight around my face and made it hard to talk. It only comes in one size fits all. I just pulled it down when I needed to talk. I suspect as it stretches this will be less an issue. A must bring for my cold winter fishing trips! Comes in two colors.
I would recommend this product.

THe Men's Extreme Fleece Long Sleeve 1/2 zip is flat out a great product. It has the Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining as above. It has a great 1/2 zip which allows you to open it up as the day warms up so you don't over-heat. It also has some thumb holes in the sleeves. I personally did not find these useful for a couple reasons. #1 because it was raining out the material gets wet. #2 It just felt weird. I know the idea is to further hold in the heat, but I'm good with a pair of gloves for this function. Comes in four colors and six sizes. The fleece itself is very comfortable and highly recommended.

Disclaimer - I received a discounted price on these products (doesn't take away from the products, I really do use them every steelheading trip I go on now.)

[dicinu]

I agree with your write up Mike I have a Jacket I wear for normal everyday use I have not had the heart to take it out fishing yet it is one of my Nicer Jacket's I have. It is real warm I did notice I did not Sweat in it to much either.

[3footvis]

+1 got the omni jacket and it works great, but don't want to ruin it fishing.

I'm always interested in trying new thermals though, nice review.