REASONS TO BUY
Budget-friendly fleece
Comfy all day long
Relatively warm
Drawstring hem
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulkier construction
Doesn’t shed heat as well
Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Review
A comfy and inexpensive fleece that’s equally at home in urban or outdoorsy settings
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 1, 2026
RELATED: The Best Fleece Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip is an aesthetic layer that offers all the basic essentials of a midweight fleece without denting the wallet. Columbia focused on making this piece a blend of fashion and function, with a clean design and a warm polyester MTR filament construction. While many fleece jackets lack adjustability, the Steens 2.0 is among the few we've tested with a drawstring hem, so it's cozier on cold days on the trail or on dog walks. If you're looking for a breathable fleece for exercise or something low-profile to wear under your winter jacket, this likely isn't the one, but it's a great standalone layer for warmth and coziness on cool days (and it's often found on sale).
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Affordable Fleece for Everyday Wear | Best Value for Tight Budgets | |||
| Price | $65 List Check Backcountry (on sale!) | $79 List Check Price at REI | $70 List Check Price at REI | $29 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $30 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A comfy and inexpensive fleece that’s equally at home in urban or outdoorsy settings | This comfy fleece is both light on the scale and light on the wallet | A fleece jacket that’s affordable and comfy to wear for casual adventures | If price is your main concern, this fleece offers impressive comfort and mobility | A functional, fashionable fleece at an unbelievably friendly price point. This layer will work for most shoppers on a budget |
| Rating Categories | Columbia Steens Moun... | Patagonia Micro D Pu... | REI Co-op Trailmade | Amazon Essentials Fu... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Columbia Steens Moun... | Patagonia Micro D Pu... | REI Co-op Trailmade | Amazon Essentials Fu... | Wrangler Authentics... |
| Type | Midweight | Midweight | Midweight | Midweight | Midweight |
| Main Material | 100% polyester | 100% recycled polyester | Body: 100% nylon Accents: LYCRA spandex |
100% polyester | 100% polyester |
| Number of Pockets | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Features | Adjustable drawcord hem | 100% recycled materials | Spandex binding along hem, cuff, and collar; double-layer collar | None | Quarter-length zipper, double fleece layering on back |
| Measured Weight | 16.2 oz (Size M) | 7.5 oz (Size S) | 13.0 oz (Size M) | 15.7 oz (Size M) | 12.5 oz (Size S) |
| Hood Option | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This is a great layer for budget-conscious shoppers who aren't planning to get too adventurous with their fleece. The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip offers a nice urban aesthetic that makes going from the trail to dinner a breeze.
This relatively mobile fleece is great for everyday casual wear. Credit: Zach Lovell
Likes
We're big fans of the overall comfort of the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip. This affordable fleece has a relaxed fit without being too baggy. The fabric is also soft against the skin, and we enjoyed wearing this layer for long days at the office as well as outdoor strolls.
There is also has a great drawstring at the hem, allowing us to form a tighter seal during higher winds or stormier days. While this layer was a bit bulkier, we were still able to fit insulating and weather-protecting layers over the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip.
The Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 was layerable, as long as your over layers aren't too slim-cut. Credit: Zach Lovell
While this is a fairly simple, no-frills jacket, we also appreciated the two hand pockets, which had dependable zippers.
These standard hand pockets were easy to use, and the zippers were trustworthy. Credit: Zach Lovell
Dislikes
This isn't the most breathable jacket on the market, with the thicker polyester fabric making it less comfy for long uphill adventures. We did find it to breathe better on cold days, but the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip is happier in more casual applications.
This fleece is also a bit bulkier than some of the competition, so if you're hunting for a lower profile fleece, it might not be the best choice. Fortunately, the Steens still offers a great range of motion and isn't too heavy if you're going camping.
At 16.2 ounces, this is a midweight fleece that's possible to carry with you on an overnight trip or plane ride. Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip?
This is a fleece that boasts a great blend of value, aesthetics, and casual-use performance. If you're needing a fleece for backcountry skiing or climbing, we might suggest a more precise-fitting model with better breathability, but the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip will save you money and looks great for social gatherings and casual everyday wear.
What Other Water Shoes Should You Consider?
If you're curious about other trail-to-town fleeces, the REI Co-op Trailmade is similarly priced to the Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip but offers a bit better all-around performance. If you're realizing breathability is more important, consider the top-shelf Rab Ascendor Light Hoody.
—Zach Lovell
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