Columbia Landroamer II Review

A great full-length style and remarkably impressive testing scores made this jacket an immediate stand out among the many options in our lineup. Simply put, it outperforms its price any day of the week.

Warmth

After weeks of wear, we can say with assurance that the Landroamer II is warm. Sure, at this price, it has its limitations. We don't think it will stand up against severely frigid temps in the negative double digits, but for general winter protection, this jacket is up to the task. We felt comfortable walking around town in the evenings, shoveling the walkway, and exploring new cities in the middle of winter.

At first, we thought the Omni-Heat lining might be more gimmick than reality, but after wearing the Landroamer II, we can honestly say it makes a difference. We have also had positive experience with this tech in Columbia's down jackets. Most of our data is anecdotal, but our tester is convinced that this shiny gold liner gives this jacket a bit of an edge. One tester wore their Columbia for nearly 8 hours per day for 5 straight days and swears by this unique warmth feature.

The aforementioned Omni-Heat liner covers the entire interior of the jacket.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Although not substantial, we do feel the Omni-heat liner makes a noticeable difference in temps around 20°F and warmer.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The longer length covers more of the torso and helps keep you warmer as well.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Trapping body heat equals more warmth. The LandroamerII offers several key features that increase its ability to pin down heat and keep it where it's supposed to be — against your skin. We absolutely loved the added benefits of this jacket's massive collar, which allowed us to bury our neck, chin, mouth and nose. We also appreciated its adjustable cuffs and sturdy snapping storm flap. Lastly, it has a massive drawstring hood that easily accommodates a beanie or helmet. It's removable and warm; however, the insulation is a little thin and it has two gaps on either side of the zipper that allow heat to escape.

If you want to go full turtle mode, the collar is tall enough to bury half your face into.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

There is a wide range of cuff adjustment with the velcro strap.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Velcro cuff adjustments allow you to fit the sleeves close to the wrist.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The drawstring around the hood allows you to cinch down the fabric to keep heat sealed in around your head.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

If the weather gets wet, the large brim on the hood will protect your face, although it doesn't cut the wind as well as a fluffy faux-fur ruff.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The hood is roomy enough for us to wear our favorite hat underneath on extra chilly days.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We loved all of the Landroamer's many heat-saving features, with the exception of the gaps in its zipper hood.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Weather Resistance

Things like sealed seams and a waterproof barrier are unseen features that play a key part in allowing us to stay warm and dry during more severe weather. We held back on our premier scores because we were a little unsure of its weather-resistant prowess over time. Durable water-resistant (DWR) coatings tend to wear off over time.

We exposed our Columbia Landroamer II to wind, rain, and snow, and were very impressed with its protective qualities. The manufacturer's Omni-Tech sealed seams keep water and wind at bay, and its dense polyester shell, which has a substantial thickness that resembles canvas. At home, we were pleased with this jacket's performance in our shower tests. The shell does tend to absorb a little bit of water, but it never made it to the Landroamer's interior.

Comfort

Even while wearing several base layers, the Columbia is easy to wear and move in. Its accommodating fabrics make it easy to bend over to tie a shoelace, squat into the back of a taxi, or man-handle a snow shovel. Overall, this jacket's fabrics and design fit the body well and are easy to wear for long periods of time.

Available in a wide variety of sizes, (S to 3XL), the Landroamer offers a comfort level for just about everyone. We wish it had a two-way zipper, but we appreciate that it has comfy wrists and an extended collar that is reasonably accommodating to the face and chin. Its tailoring under the armpits and shoulders offers enough space to feel free, but not to the point of being too bulky. And, we absolutely loved its numerous, well-placed pockets, especially the two zippered exterior ones at the waist. However, it doesn't offer any interior pockets, which is where we usually like to stash items like a phone or keys for extra security.

Versatility and Style

Our style notes include things like fantastic lines, great overall cut, and a slimming but rugged fit. We loved wearing the Landroamer, and actually received several compliments on its vibe. Of the many jackets we've tested, we can honestly say this was one of our faves. This jacket won't do the trick for an evening of fine dining, or if you're headed to a formal gathering, but for just about everything else, the Landroamer fits the bill.

This jacket is quite versatile. It looks great on city streets, but also feels right at home in a mountain town. Its long parka-length hem prevents it from being a bona fide contender for serious winter sports, but it certainly works for things like sledding and ice skating. If you like a more rugged look, this jacket is perfect for you as a go-to daily wearer.

It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but we loved how this jacket leaned more toward a rugged, urban vibe.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We felt it was still trim enough to wear around the city.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Construction Quality

The Columbia Landroamer II isn't perfect, but it's solid. It doesn't ooze quality like some of the more expensive options we tested, and earned a below-average score here, but you can't beat its value.

So-so zipper quality and average stitching are two of the potential drawbacks we found in the Landroamer II, and we think that over the long run, these may be two of its weak links. Otherwise, we found very little about this jacket's durability that we didn't love. Its polyester shell is tough, the synthetic insulation is sound, and its overall weather-resistance is impressive. Two small design features we loved were the Landroamer's exterior gear hook, and well-placed reflective safety strips.

A small gear loop allows you to hook a pair of mittens or a set of keys for easy access.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

A velcro tab allows you to make the hood more shallow and keep it out of your face.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We loved knowing that the reflective strips found on various parts of the jacket allowed drivers to see us at night.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Should You Buy the Columbia Landroamer II?

We think the Columbia Landroamer II is an excellent choice if you're in the market for a parka-length daily wearer that is warm, protective, and has rugged good looks. We don't recommend this jacket for super frigid conditions. It's warm, but not that warm. But, for daily winter wear, you can't beat this jacket's performance, and you won't beat its price.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

Other rugged-looking jackets we loved include the Marmot Fordham, Patagonia Downdrift, and The North Face McMurdo Down Parka. If you want a classier parka-length jacket, we think the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka is a great option. However, if you want the meanest, most rugged jacket on the market, the Canada Goose Expedition Parka won't disappoint — but it will cost you.