I had a handful of opportunities to wear the Columbia Labyrinth Loop Omni-Heat Infinity Insulated Hooded Jacket since November, but it didn't take long for me to realize that this isn't a typical layering piece for breezy 70-degree days - this is very much built to handle the cold, windy days of winter, and temperatures ...

The key ingredient is actually the metal metals have unique properties they reflect radiant heat. And humans emit radiant heat in the form of invisible infrared radiation.

It builds on the original Omni-Heat™ concept inspired by NASA that uses tiny silver dots to reflect heat. The difference with the new gold liner is that it mixes large dots in with small ones, allowing them to cover a greater surface area with the reflective foil, therefore keeping you warmer.

3X Rewards On. Our Best & Warmest Gear Gold Inside. The Gold Standard. In Warmth. With tiny gold dots that reflect and retain body heat, Omni-Heat™ Infinity. keeps you warmer, longer without sacrificing breathability.

2. ​Women's Joy Peak Hooded Jacket. Constructed with a plush fleece hood lining and water-resistant fabric, this thermal-reflective coat is one of the warmest winter jackets for women. In addition to the toasty Omni-Heat™ Infinity liner, it boasts cozy Thermarator™ insulation that will help you stay warm this winter.

Columbia's Omni-Heat™ Infinity Thermal Reflective plays a key role in keeping their winter outerwear, breathable, and most importantly, warm. This technology is best for enhanced warmth in cold conditions.

Columbia's Omni-Heat™ Infinity Thermal Reflective plays a key role in keeping their winter outerwear, breathable, and most importantly, warm. This technology is best for enhanced warmth in cold conditions.

2. ​Women's Joy Peak Hooded Jacket. Constructed with a plush fleece hood lining and water-resistant fabric, this thermal-reflective coat is one of the warmest winter jackets for women. In addition to the toasty Omni-Heat™ Infinity liner, it boasts cozy Thermarator™ insulation that will help you stay warm this winter.

Wool Lining Predominantly taken from sheep, wool provides an excellent balance between warmth, water resistance, and overall comfort that other natural fibers can have difficulty matching. Wool remains a popular option for staying warm and dry during particularly snowy winters.

Columbia's items tend to be a little less expensive than The North Face's products. If you're on a budget, Columbia can provide you a wide range of durable, cutting-edge gear. While you might initially spend more money buying The North Face gear, the brand also offers a lifetime warranty.

A great standalone layer for late autumn and early winter, the Powder Lite jacket also works well as a toasty midlayer for cold mid-winter walks or ski trips. In addition to the synthetic fill, there's an Omni-Heat lining, which means that in terms of pure warmth terms this layer outperforms most of its rivals.

This high-tech winter jacket is made with soft, ultra-warm insulation and a tough nylon shell, offering a killer combination of durability and comfort.