The Columbia Benton Springs Full-Zip is perfect for casual everyday use. It's among our favorite fleece jacket designs, especially considering its budget-friendly price. The material is comfy, and we love the relaxed fit and loose elastic cuffs. This is a great jacket for those who don't necessarily need a technical jacket for high-output performance but just want a warm layer that won't break the bank.
The Benton Springs thick, warm, and cozy next to the skin — great for curling up next to the fire or wearing around town. The 250gsm MTR polyester fleece fabric combines with a higher neckline and large zippered hand pockets to provide solid standalone warmth for everyday wear. The Benton Springs quickly became one of the go-tos for our testing team when temperatures were cold at the house and around the campsite.
While not a windproof nor a hooded design, the higher collar helps protect the neck, and the larger hand pockets are helpful when you forget your gloves on blustery days. Our testing team appreciated this design for lounging around in cool weather, both indoors and out. While not the warmest fleece jacket that we tested, it definitely outperforms its modest price tag, and we were comfortable wearing it by itself in high 40s/low 50 degree temps.
The Benton Springs was definitely designed with next-to-skin comfort in mind. The thick and plush midweight construction feels just like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket without limiting your range of motion. The fit runs slightly large through the chest and torso, and the sleeve hit our lead tester right at the wrist. The elastic cuffs are functional without feeling restrictive, and we can easily stretch out in this jacket without any issue or tightness, making it a great cold-weather layer for lounging or mellow yoga sessions.
The jacket features two large zippered pockets that are lined with a micro fleece to keep your hands comfortable and warm when you forget your gloves, but we wish the neckline had a softer interface, as the top of the zipper can irritate the chin after lots of wear. That said, the relaxed fit at the wrists and waist increase comfort.
The thick and bulky filament fleece fabric of the Benton Springs isn't exactly the best choice for those seeking breathable performance. It doesn't breathe very well due to its tightly woven construction. During our spring testing period, we couldn't wait to open the main zipper and the zippered hand pockets to vent body heat during our objective uphill tests, especially since the pockets are lined with a thinner micro fleece fabric that helped increase airflow in the design.
The Benton Springs doesn't have pit vents or any air-permeable fabric to increase breathability. You can certainly wear it while hiking or backpacking, we just don't recommend it for activities that will have you working up a sweat, as the lack of breathability will contain your sweat and cool you down. But this isn't really meant to be a layer for heavy exercise; the thick and basic fleece construction is better suited for standalone warmth for casual use in cooler temperatures like mellow dog walks, running errands, or cozying up next to the backyard fire.
Just as the thick and bulky construction doesn't allow the Benton Springs to breathe very well, it can also be difficult to layer under outer shells and puffy jackets due to its higher-volume design. That said, the relaxed fit makes it super easy to layer tanks, t-shirts, and base layers underneath without any bunching in the elbows.
Our testers found it easy to layer the Benton Springs beneath puffy jackets and outer shells that featured a slippery synthetic interior, but any interior liners without a frictionless interface made the fleece bunch at the elbows and require adjustment through the chest and torso. While the torso sits just right, the sleeves run a little shorter and lack thumb holes, so we had to grab the cuff in order to tuck the design into another jacket. Overall, we prefer to wear the Benton Springs on its own as a standalone layer for casual everyday use.
Considering the density of the Benton Springs' fleece, it is actually relatively light in weight. Weighing in at only 13.5 ounces for a women's size small, we wouldn't mind packing this jacket into the mountains for extra warmth and comfort during a weekend backpacking trip; however, its bulkier size will definitely require more space inside your pack.
Due to its larger size and heavier weight, our testers love wearing the Benton Springs as a standalone layer during the change of season. We think it's great for running errands around town, wearing at the start and end of a yoga class, or snuggling up by the fire on cooler nights.
The Benton Springs is the perfect layer for anyone seeking a warm and cozy standalone layer for everyday use. We love the plush fleece material, almost as much as its highly affordable price tag. If you're after a cozy layer that features an inclusive size range and is available in a variety of fun color options, we highly recommend the Benton Springs. It's our favorite fleece jacket under $100.
If you're looking for something a little more technical, our testers love the REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch, especially since it's lightweight and easy to layer. The REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece is another affordable option that features an oversized and boxy fit that's ideal for lounging around on rest days during the colder months of the year. If you're after high quality, warmth, and comfort, we highly recommend the Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody. Although more expensive, its super durable and built to perform.
| Awards |  Warmest Fleece Jacket Under $100 |
|---|---|
| Price | $65 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | A super affordable fleece offering everyday comfort for cooler temperatures |
| Pros | Super affordable, great for casual wear, great fit, two zippered pockets, extremely soft and cozy, warm and thick fabric, great mobility, inclusive sizing |
| Cons | Bulky, difficult to layer beneath a jacket, lacks breathability, no hood or chest pocket, limited quality |
| Rating Categories | Columbia Benton Spri... |
| Warmth (25%) | |
| Comfort (25%) | |
| Breathability (20%) | |
| Layering Ability (15%) | |
| Weight (15%) | |
| Specifications | Columbia Benton Spri... |
| Type | Midweight |
| Main Material | 100% polyester MTR filament |
| Number of Pockets | 2 hand |
| Features | Adjustable hem, interior draw cord, zippered hand pockets |
| Measured Weight (Size Tested) | 13.2 oz (Size S) |
| Hood Option | Yes |
| Cuff Construction | Thick elastic cuff |
