When pursuing your adventures in the great outdoors, the tunes piping through your earbuds can prove to be as motivating as the iconic vistas you’re tracking down. Whether it’s the melodic anthems of Angels and Airwaves, or the gritty tuneage of Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction, music and gear often work hand in hand to motivate us through, and protect us from the elements.
Durable, strong and able to rock in virtually any climate, the Compounder™ Shell is a prime example of Columbia Sportswear’s appetite for adventure. A go-to shell that offers rockstar performance and surefire protection against the elements.
Welcome to the Jungle…
Nature can be cruel. Whether it’s sleet and snow pelting your skin like icy thumbtacks; thunderstorms that turn your afternoon trail run into an episode of Survivorman; or bone-chilling winds that wreak havoc on a chill night at the ballpark, sometimes you need a shell as versatile as Slash’s guitar riffs.
On Performance….
Columbia’s Compounder™ Shell allows you to go light in the mountains and on the trail without sacrificing much-needed storm protection from nature’s worst. Utilizing Columbia’s ultrabreathable, Omni-Dry® technology, the Compounder™ is both airy light and fully weather-resistant.
Waterproof zippers and sealed seams lock out moisture so you can fearlessly walk through that water fall. Two-way side-zips let you cool your core during alpine climbs, snowshoe excursions, or when you’re out chasing the Night Train (that’s a G N’ R reference people… try and keep up here).
The Compounder also takes advantage of Columbia’s Omni-Wick EVAP® technology that provides for a less clammy feel against skin, courtesy of quick-wicking action that pulls moisture away from your skin faster than you can scream “ONE MORE SONG!”.
Specially designed three-point-adjustable hood allows you to customize the fit for better visibility and use over a helmet, so you can shred on in safety.
The Compounder™ also features a drop tail hem providing additional body coverage in foul weather. Not only does it offer stellar protection in a November Rain, it offers a better fit under packs. So the next time you’re trailblazing while whistling Patience, you won’t have to stop mid-trek, frustrated with a jacket that keeps scrambling up your back.
Notes from the Field…
In regards to the color scheme, we get that Chartreuse might not sit well with everyone (also available in Aristocrat for men). However, since the shell is built and designed for bold adventures, it’s only fitting that the color schemes matches that attitude.
Yet, the color scheme is more than just eye-catching, it’s functional. Even when trekking through the backwoods with a group, it’s all too easy to get separated. The Compounder’s bold color scheme makes it that much easier to keep visual track of your trekking partner(s) helping to keep you safer on your outdoor excursions.
As noted, the Compounder Shell features Columbia’s Omni-Wick EVAP®. The technology works via a unique compound that disperses moisture on the interior of the fabric quickly across a broad surface for accelerated evaporation. It is a tremendous feature that works hard to keep you dry even when your heart rate is red-lining on that uphill snowshoe climb.
However, as with any technology, the Omni-Wick EVAP does have its limits. If the weather turns warm, or even muggy, and your heart rate is still cranking on overdrive, the dispersion rate does not always keep up, and so you can (and should) expect some moisture build up on the interior of the shell.
Room for Improvement…
The Compounder™ was designed as an exterior layer, and so you can expect the sizing to run slightly large to accommodate additional layers in cooler climates. Our crew however, had conflicting views about the sizing of the shell.
Our medium-sized field tester felt that the shell was excessively large, and found himself virtually swimming in the medium sized Compounder™. The arms were six inches too long and body had too much volume. On the flipside, our 6’4” gear guru found the size tall a near perfect fit, more in line with other companies size Large tall. Needless to say, when possible we advise trying on the jacket in person before making the purchase to ensure that you find the right fit for your needs and anticipated activities.
The Compounder™ shell does come with a $300 price tag. And while it may serve as a sticker shock for some, the price point is in line with other technical shells. After spending time in field with the product, we think you’ll agree that the Columbia specific features outperform similar materials available in similar products. That being said, at that price point we would simply prefer a slightly more predictable fit.
Bottom Line …
Whether your adventure of choice is an alpine climb, summer hike or simply kickin’ it with the crew reminiscing about Yesterday’s, make sure to keep the Compounder™ Shell within reach. Welded, light and constructed tough enough to roll with the brutality and beauty of any alpine excursion, the Compounder™ will make you a rock god of the backcountry.
MSRP: $300
MANUFACTURER: Columbia Sportswear
AVAILABILITY: www.Columbia.com
COLORS AVAILABLE: Chartreuse & Aristocrat in Men’s; Chartreuse & Mirage in Women’s