I put Columbia's new Omni-Heat Black Dot technology to the test: Here's how it really holds up to Canadian winters

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As a poor excuse for a Canadian who can’t stand being outdoors during the cold winter months, my choices in outerwear are completely dependent on how warm they can keep me. I’ve gone through many versions over the years, and while my current favourite has been an Aritzia goose down parka, I’m always open to trying something new.

When the opportunity to put Columbia’s newest winter technology to the test showed up in my inbox, I was immediately intrigued. Billed as the brand’s most advanced solution for fighting the cold, I was excited to see how the Omni-Heat Black Dot collection really holds up.

What is it?

For the launch of the new line, Columbia’s new Omni-Heat Black Dot styles build upon the brand’s previous heat technology - the Omni-Heat reflective lining which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. This new collection includes three cutting edge jacket styles, for a total of six models across men’s and women’s collections.

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Found on the outside of the jackets, the multilayered dots are made of aluminum and are covered with a black coating to enhance heat absorption from scattered or direct sunlight. Extensive laboratory and field testing shows that the jacket heats up quickly and holds that heat longer than jackets without this new technology.

“To maximize a shell fabric’s heat retention, we looked closely at low-emissivity windows that rely on a thin layer of metal on the glass,” said Haskell Beckham, PhD, Columbia’s Sr. Director of Apparel Innovation.

“We’d never seen insulation placed on the outer layer of a jacket before, and we’ve been extremely impressed with the heat absorption and retention performance throughout our testing in the laboratory and in frigid climates around the world.”

First impressions

When the Women's Dawn Watch Black Dot Jacket arrived at my door last month, it was honestly the first time that I was excited for cold weather to arrive. At first glance, I was impressed by the jacket’s futuristic look, which comes thanks to the visible Black Dot technology on its exterior. My partner was also impressed by the jacket’s look, saying he thought it looked like something an astronaut would wear in space (in a good way).

Women's Dawn Watch Black Dot Jacket

SHOP IT: Columbia, $400

Since November was unusually warm in Toronto, I waited until the temperature dropped before putting this jacket to the test, and have now been wearing it out and about for the past few weeks. So does it really do everything that it claims to? Yes and no.

Does it really work?

Since I’m still working from home, my time spent outdoors is fairly limited and although I’ve been wearing this jacket to run the occasional errand, I can’t say that I’ve spent a whole day outdoors to test the full extent of its heat retention. That said, I was impressed by the Dawn Watch Jacket’s ability to keep me extremely warm and dry in inclement weather.

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On a recent trip to the doctor, I was caught in a torrential downpour and still managed to avoid getting wet thanks to this jacket. On walks around the neighbourhood, I also found that the jacket did a great job of keeping the wind out, making this an ideal choice for wet, chilly days.

Personally, I found that I still needed to layer up underneath this jacket to stay warm, but I was so impressed by its ability to keep the wind and rain out that it’s earned a permanent place in my wardrobe. I can definitely see it being a helpful piece when I eventually end up commuting to the office again, especially on days when I forget an umbrella.

The verdict

At $400, the Women's Dawn Watch Black Dot Jacket is at the upper end of what I would normally spend on outerwear, but I can say that it’s definitely worth the price, especially if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors in the colder months.

It’s ultra-lightweight (a definite plus over my bulky parka) and does a great job of keeping me feeling warm and dry. As for the Black Dot technology, I’ll need to spend some more time outdoors in the chilly winter sun to take in their full effect, potentially making this jacket the push I needed to get outdoors this season.

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