Columbia Berkner Rise Parka

I moved from the deep south to Indiana awhile back and found myself in need of some more climate-appropriate winter clothing. The Berkner Rise arka is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. 

First off, the 3-in-1 design makes it really versatile.  Both the shell and the liner look really really sharp when worn alone.  Opt for the liner in moderate temperatures or the shell when dealing with higher winds or nastier weather.  Put the two together when the temps really drop.

There are ample pockets: the shell has 2 outer hand pockets and 1 chest pocket, 1 internal chest pocket & a non-zipped mesh storage pocket; the liner has two outer hand pockets & an inside chest pocket. The shell sleeves have velcro straps for keeping cold and wind out, and there is a drawstring at the waist too. 

The removable hood is really well designed, cinching down tight around the face without restricting vision thanks to a wired brim that keeps its shape - and there's a velcro strap on the back of the hood to adjust how high the brim sits above your face.  I hate it when a hood sits too low and I have to keep tilting my head back to see!  Be advised there is no place to stow the hood - it's either on or it's off.  There are also zippered vents under the arms to help keep you cool when you work up a sweat.

The materials are very sturdy and durable, and they repel water big time - it just beads up and rolls off. 

The fit is really the only area that might be a problem.  The sleeves run pretty long (which is great for me since I have long arms, but might be an issue for others), and when you wear the shell and liner together the parka fits pretty snug under the arms and around the shoulders - not enough to be an issue for me but could be for some.  The overall fit is a bit on the trim side, so if you like a loose fit you might want to size up.

This is a really nice jacket.  The quality and construction is top notch and it's functional and attractive.  Highly recommended.