Columbia Men's Cathedral Peak Front-Zip Fleece Vest

The Columbia vest - as well as the Mountain Full Zip - are very nice and comfortable products - which most of the reviews agree with - However, I'm writing this review to talk about sizing - as few reviews actually deal with this very important aspect of any online purchase. So I wish more people would post their height and weight and what size worked well for them. With the vest and the Mountain Full Zip I actually ended up purchasing a medium in both styles - even though I normally wear a large in just about everything else. For the record, I'm six feet tall and weigh 182 pounds - and the mediums fit perfectly.

This is the updated version of the Cathedral Peak vest. My husband had the earlier version and liked it so he wanted a replacement. So I ordered two.The vest is virtually the same. However, the updated version has 2 interior pockets, which is very nice for those extra things. These interior pockets are nice and deep.The outside pockets are zip like the original. The outside pockets zip closed from bottom to top.The vests shipped fulfilled by Amazon. Both vests came packaged in sealed plastic bags.However, when we opened both bags to inspect, one vest had no Columbia tags zip tied to the zipper. This vest without tags was not new as it had pilling from being worn and washed. Comparing the two vests, it was apparent one was not new and somehow made its way out the door as new merchandise.We have purchased many Columbia branded products over the years. These purchases have always had the tags secured to a zipper or through a tag for tamer resistance with that skinny plastic zip tie you have to cut to remove the tags. Hence my 4 stars as I'm rating the product and Amazon's quality control.

I ordered a black one and a heather (gray) one. I normally wear a 3X but based on other reviews about them running a little large I ordered a 2X and it fit perfectly. Good quality and style. However, the black one is not black. It is more of a dark gray color so I am returning it since I also ordered a gray one. Due to the coloring being incorrect is why I rated lower but everything else was fine. It did ship really fast and I received the order in 2-3 days. It is also unfortunate, and unfair, that I am having to pay for the return shipping due to their inaccurate description. This is why I rated it even lower at 2 stars. Had the service been better, by them paying for return shipping due to their error, I would have rated higher.Update Jan. 2019. I ordered one of the navy ones and it also has color issues. It is not a navy color as pictured but more of a very grayish blue. Very close in color to the gray one that I already have. Very deceptive.

I liked it enough to order two because of good construction and a really good price as compared to North Face, Marmot, Patagonia etc. Buyers should be aware of sizing. I am 5'10" and 185# and usually wear a size large in jackets and sweaters. The size large I ordered was a bit loose if over just a shirt and the size medium fits great, but will be too snug with a sweater under it. I'll use both, depending on the layers I need. Altogether, a great value.

I bought the tusk and black vests for my husband for Christmas. They look really nice on him. The fleece is soft and lightweight. Great for wearing as a layer. The vest is long which he likes keeping his lower back covered, although it is a little loose fitting. He is 6'2" 215 lbs. and a size large works well.

I bought this vest as a "spare" to keep at the office. Here in Southern California, spring and autumn days can feel deceptively warm, only to cool down quickly to 60 F or below after dark. I have a habit of forgetting to bring any outerwear with me to the office, except in winter, and then wishing I had something light to wear for warmth if going straight from the office to a meeting or dinner or other social engagement. In this climate, a fleece vest passes for "outerwear" for all but the three coldest months. I have an older Element Red vest from Columbia, received as a gift many years ago, which has stood the test of time, so I thought I'd order Columbia again.Cost is reasonable for quality and priced perhaps 20-25% less than the famous outfitter from Freeport, Maine charges for its equivalent product. Fabric is soft and comfortable, not scratchy. Detailing is nice with two zip pockets, a collar that may be worn flat or straight up, and a hanger loop---a feature that my old Columbia vest lacks. Fit tends to be a half size larger than usual, so that my Large feels halfway between L and XL. If you want a trim fit, consider one size smaller than you usually order. On the other hand, if you want to layer it over a thermal top or sweater, buy your usual size and you'll appreciate the fuller than usual cut. Another plus is that it's offered in a dozen different colors, which again presents more choices than the competitor from Freeport.

This Columbia vest is a little snug, unlike most of my husband's Columbia shirts, which fit a little large and are more comfortable to wear. In addition, it is unclear whether Amazon sent the correct garment--it came in a plastic bag with a sticker stating that it was the Columbia Cathedral Peak II vest that I ordered, whereas the tag affixed to the vest stated that it was a Columbia Steen's Mountain vest of the same color (black) and size (XL). The process control for my order seemed deficient--a shame, because our other Columbia product orders have been filled exactly as advertised on the Amazon web site. Buyer beware.

Very good jacket.