When the chill of the season sets in, choosing the right jacket isn’t just about staying warm, it’s a style statement, a practicality puzzle, and for many, a question of brand loyalty.
Two icons in the world of warm, durable jackets are Lands’ End and Columbia. But which one will serve you best when the frost bites?
Lands’ End brings its nautical heritage and a commitment to quality, while Columbia offers innovative technologies and a legacy of outdoor adventure.
In this comparison, we’ll explore these brands’ features to help you decide which jacket is your next ally against the cold.
Contents:
1. Lands’ End Jackets
History of the Brand
Lands’ End’s official website
Established in 1963, Lands’ End originated as a small mail-order company for yachting gear in Chicago. Its founder, Gary Comer, a skilled writer with a love for sailing and global exploration, established Lands’ End alongside four like-minded friends who shared his passion for sailing.
It took them several years to establish the brand as a competitive business in the market, and by 1977, the company had achieved million-dollar status.
Lands’ End was among the first brands to adopt e-commerce as part of its mail-order business and subsequently expanded its product offerings to include not only yachting supplies but also clothing. While there are now numerous Lands’ End retail stores, the brand primarily relies on its online retail presence.
Read also: 9 Brands like Lands’ End: Our Favorite Alternatives
Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Lands’ End, like many other brands, is actively pursuing more sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods. They are proud of their advancements in this area and consistently strive to utilize responsibly sourced materials.
Nylon is mainly used for Lands’ End’s weatherproof outerwear, while cotton and polyester also play significant roles, particularly in outerwear and certain bags. Their insulating jackets primarily utilize natural down, known for its superior insulation properties.
Lands’ End ensures that the down used is responsibly sourced, in accordance with RDS guidelines, which guarantees ethical treatment of the birds. The brand also uses synthetic alternatives to natural down insulation, such as PrimaLoft.
The brand’s manufacturing facilities adhere to international standards and maintain high internal benchmarks for providing quality working conditions and fair treatment for their employees. For those looking to find out more about Lands’ End sustainability efforts, you can take a look here.
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Read also: Lands’ End vs L.L. Bean Outdoor Gear: A Comparison
Where are Lands’ End jackets made?
Lands’ End manufactures its jackets and other apparel in the United States as well as in various other nations including China, Indonesia, and more.
Recommended Jackets
Lands’ End Men’s Expedition Waterproof Down Parka
Image: landsend.com
Check it out at LandsEnd.com
The Lands’ End Men’s Expedition Waterproof Down Parka represents a high-quality winter garment tailored for extreme winter conditions. Manufactured by a brand renowned for its expertise in addressing the challenges of harsh winters, especially considering its base in Wisconsin, this parka has a fully waterproof, seam-sealed exterior to prevent any water penetration.
It is insulated with a cozy lining filled with 600-fill-power down, ensuring significant warmth. With its extended length, the parka provides extra coverage and defense against the cold, effectively safeguarding the lower body from the elements.
Additionally, it includes multiple pockets, offering generous storage space for essentials and more. This parka is particularly recommended for those in cold climates, such as Wisconsin. The Expedition Parka stands as a dependable and great choice for those needing reliable warmth during the winter months.
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Lands’ End Women’s Squall Waterproof Insulated Parka
Image: landsend.com
Check it out at LandsEnd.com
The Women’s Squall Waterproof Insulated Parka from Lands’ End is a specially crafted outerwear piece commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Squall line. Over the past four decades, Lands’ End has continuously improved this parka based on customer input, resulting in numerous enhanced features in the latest version.
The parka now features updated zipper pulls for easier use and more accessible pockets for added convenience. Reflective elements have been incorporated to improve visibility, ensuring safer wear in low-light situations. This parka is designed for various severe weather conditions, built from waterproof nylon fabric that effectively repels wind, rain, and snow.
The parka is also insulated for warmth, and its extended length provides increased protection. With ample pocket space, it allows for the safe carriage and protection of personal items from the elements.
Read also: Lands’ End vs The North Face Jackets: Which is Better?
Prices
Lands’ End offers a wide range of prices for its products, including outerwear and activewear. The pricing for their jackets is quite extensive, starting at $70, and reaching $350 for some winter parkas.
Are Lands’ End jackets worth the price?
All things considered, these are high-quality designs crafted from durable materials. Depending on your specific needs, the cost of a Lands’ End jacket is worth it in most cases.
Read also: 10 Luxury Winter Jacket Brands that You’ll Love!
2. Columbia Jackets
History of the Brand
Columbia official website
Columbia is a popular and famous outdoor gear brand that provides a wide range of high-quality clothing suitable for various outdoor activities such as skiing, fishing, and hiking, but also for casual wear.
The company has a long and rich heritage, originally created as the Columbia Hat Company in 1938 by the family of Gert Boyle, who fled Germany and settled in Portland, USA.
The business transitioned through different family members and later changed its name to the Columbia Sportswear Company in 1960, specializing in outdoor apparel. Today, the Columbia company is under the leadership of Tim Boyle, Gert’s son.
Don’t miss: 10 Best Columbia Sportswear Alternatives
Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Columbia Sportswear employs its proprietary technologies to optimize the functionality of its outdoor gear and jackets.
For instance, the Omni-Tech technology enhances the waterproof and breathable properties of Columbia’s jackets, while the Omni-Heat Reflective technology facilitates efficient heat retention and simultaneous release of excess moisture and heat in some of their apparel.
Next, the use of recycled Polyester and RDS-certified down insulation, along with efforts to minimize the use of harmful DWR coatings, further show their commitment to sustainable materials.
Columbia Sportswear adheres to the perfectionist philosophy of Gert Boyle, ensuring the creation of top-quality apparel crafted with high standards. The brand offers a wide collection of reliable outdoor gear at accessible prices, for a great quality-to-price ratio.
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Read also: L.L. Bean vs Columbia: Which Brand is Better?
Where are Columbia jackets made?
Columbia continues to manufacture outdoor apparel in the United States and Europe, while their jackets are predominantly made in Asia, specifically in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. (source)
Recommended Jackets
Columbia Men’s Bulo Point II Down Jacket
Image: columbia.com
Check it out at Columbia.com
The men’s Bulo Point II Down Jacket from Columbia is a water-resistant and insulated outerwear garment suitable for cold climates. It utilizes 700-fill-power goose down for warmth without bulk and incorporates Columbia’s Omni-Heat Infinity thermal-reflective lining to preserve body heat.
The jacket features a detachable hood, chin guard, and adjustable cuffs and hem for a secure fit and added warmth. Also, it has an interior security pocket and zippered hand pockets for your items.
This lightweight jacket can be packed into its own stuff sack, making it great for travelers or those looking to minimize space. With a 28-inch center back length, it provides ample coverage while ensuring durability and high quality.
Read also: How To Wash a Columbia Jacket (Omni-Heat, Down, Fleece, Rain)
Columbia Women’s Opal Hill Mid Down Jacket
Image: columbia.com
Check it out at Columbia.com
The Women’s Opal Hill Mid Down Jacket by Columbia seamlessly blends fashion with cold-weather practicality. It integrates Omni-Heat Infinity thermal-reflective technology and RDS-certified down insulation to deliver exceptional warmth.
The jacket’s Omni-Tech fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable, combined with critical seam sealing, ensures dryness in damp conditions. Additional comfort features include a chin guard and comfort cuffs with thumb holes for warmth.
With a 2-way center front zipper and a 34-inch back length for ample coverage, this jacket meets Columbia’s high-quality standards, providing a warm and stylish choice for outdoor wear.
Don’t miss: Canada Goose vs Columbia Jackets: Which Brand is Better?
Prices
Columbia Sportswear jackets are quite budget-friendly. They’re usually priced in the range of $50 to $300. These prices set them apart from many other brands.
Are Columbia jackets worth the price?
For casual outdoor pursuits, we think that the brand’s jackets and coats are worth it, offering the protection you need. If you practice extreme outdoor activities, you may need to look for a more specialized brand. But, even in that case, you may find some good layering options at Columbia.
Must read: 8 Sustainable Outdoor Clothing Brands: Our Favorites
3. Which is Better? Lands’ End or Columbia?
Both are great! But which brand should you choose? Here’s what to keep in mind for your decision:
- Lands’ End is known for its classic, heritage-style jackets made with natural fibers like wool or cotton. They offer a range of coats and jackets from casual to dressy. Their quality and construction are generally very good.
- Columbia is best known for their technical outerwear designed for activities like hiking, skiing, etc. Their jackets focus on performance features like waterproofing, insulation, and breathability. They use technical fabric technologies like Omni-Tech. The quality is good for the price you pay.
- For casual and everyday wear, Lands’ End jackets may be a better choice for their natural fabrics and classic styling.
- For outdoor activities and performance features, Columbia is the better option for their sporty designs.
- Columbia often has more innovative designs and features for outdoor activities, while Lands’ End offers more timeless silhouettes and fabrics.
- Columbia jackets are more affordable on average. Both brands have frequent sales.
So, in the end, Lands’ End is better for fashion-focused shoppers wanting a well-made, versatile jacket for both casual wear and general outdoor activities. Columbia is a better choice for those needing technical performance and outdoor-activity-specific features.
Read next: 10 Oldest Outdoor Clothing and Gear Brands that We Love