Key Takeaways
- Steens Mountain at 78% off: The Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain Fleece Vest in black XX-Large is sitting at the bestseller rank #1 spot for a reason.
- Benton Springs under fifteen bucks: The women’s Benton Springs in black hit 83% off, the deepest cut I’ve tracked on this style in 90 days.
- Carhartt scrub vest stays useful past spring: The Force Cross-Flex Lightweight Scrub Vest is a niche pick that healthcare workers actually use year round.
- North Face Junction is the priciest pick: The Junction Insulated Vest isn’t the steepest discount in the basket but it’s the only water resistant insulated option here.
Early May is the strangest stretch of the year for fleece. The mornings still need a layer, the afternoons don’t, and by the time you’ve decided what to wear you’re already late. This is exactly when fleece vests earn their keep, and it’s also when retailers quietly mark them down because the shoulder season is when nobody thinks to shop for them. Prices verified May 5, 2026.
Going through this week’s Berry Basket, I noticed Columbia is doing something unusual. The Steens Mountain men’s vest and the Benton Springs women’s vest are both running discounts I’d normally only see on a Black Friday tracker. Same week. Multiple sizes and colors. The black XX-Large Steens Mountain hit the lowest sticker I’ve personally tracked on that SKU, and the women’s Benton Springs in black is in similar territory. If you missed last month’s Columbia fleece jacket roundup, the vest sale looks like the same markdown cycle stretching into May.
Heavy on Columbia this week, with a Wrangler quilted hood vest, a North Face Junction, a Carhartt scrub vest for the nurses and dental hygienists in my inbox, and a weighted vest for the people who keep asking me about walking workouts. Mother’s Day is the obvious gift angle on the women’s Benton Springs picks.
What are the best Columbia men’s fleece vest deals right now?
The Columbia Steens Mountain is the men’s fleece vest to beat right now, with two colorways under twenty bucks and bestseller rank #1 holding steady. It’s the 250g MTR fleece body with two zippered hand pockets, and it’s been Columbia’s mid-tier vest for years.
Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece Vest Black
This is the one I’d grab for myself if I needed an XX-Large in black. The Steens Mountain has the slightly heavier fleece weight that makes it useful as a layer under a shell in winter and a standalone piece in shoulder season. Two zip hand pockets, drawcord hem, and the classic Columbia fit that runs true to size on most guys. At this price it’s barely more than a fast food lunch.
- 250g MTR fleece body
- Two zippered hand pockets
- Bestseller rank #1 in category
Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece Vest Rich Wine
Same Steens Mountain build, but in Rich Wine and Small. I keep recommending this colorway to readers who already have a black or navy vest in rotation and want something that doesn’t read corporate. The wine reads more burgundy in person than the product photo suggests, and it pairs surprisingly well with denim or olive chinos. Stock is 75% claimed on this listing per the deal feed.
- Same Steens Mountain construction in Rich Wine
- Drawcord hem
- 75% claimed per deal feed
Which Columbia women’s Benton Springs vests are on sale?
Four Benton Springs colorways are discounted this week, and the women’s version is the direct counterpart to the men’s Steens Mountain in terms of fit and fabric weight. Black has the deepest cut at 83% off, while the larger sizes in newer colorways sit closer to 30%.
Columbia Womens Benton Springs Vest Black
The black Benton Springs in Small is the standout women’s pick this week. It’s a foundational piece for anyone who walks the dog at 7 a.m. or works in an office that runs the AC too cold. Soft MTR fleece, two zip hand pockets, and the kind of cut that layers cleanly under a rain shell. Mother’s Day gift territory if you know her size.
- Soft MTR fleece
- Two zip hand pockets
- Layers cleanly under a rain shell
Columbia Womens Benton Springs Vest Alpenglow
Alpenglow is a soft pinkish coral that photographs as more saturated than it actually is. If you’ve been wanting a fleece vest in something that isn’t black or navy, this is the one. Same Benton Springs construction, same fit, just a color that doesn’t disappear into the rest of your closet. The deal listing notes 80% claimed.
- Alpenglow pinkish coral colorway
- Same Benton Springs cut
- 80% claimed listing
Columbia Womens Benton Springs Vest Shale Purple
Shale Purple is the muted, dusty version of purple that reads almost gray in low light. I like it more than the brighter Alpenglow for office wear. The discount here isn’t quite as deep as the black, but it’s still a solid markdown on a current colorway, and bestseller rank #16 means plenty of people agree.
- Muted dusty purple
- Bestseller rank #16
- Soft MTR fleece
Columbia Womens Benton Springs Vest Snowdrift
Snowdrift is the off-white, almost cream colorway, and X-Large is one of the harder Columbia sizes to find in stock at a real discount. If you wear an XL or have been hunting for a lighter neutral that isn’t quite ivory, this is worth grabbing while it’s still claimable. The 62% claimed figure suggests it won’t last the week.
- Off-white Snowdrift colorway
- X-Large size
- 62% claimed
What other vest brands belong on this list?
Two non-Columbia vests earned a spot this week. Wrangler’s quilted hooded vest is the casual workwear pick, and the North Face Junction is the technical insulated option for anyone whose May weather still includes wet mornings.
Wrangler Mens Quilted Lined Vest with Hood
Wrangler’s quilted lined vest with a hood is a different category from fleece. It’s a sherpa-lined quilted shell with a fixed hood, more wind resistant, and it sits at bestseller rank #30 in its segment. Asphalt is a charcoal gray that hides dirt well, which matters if you’re using this for yard work or weekend errands. The deal feed shows 54% claimed and it was added two days ago.
- Sherpa lined quilted shell
- Fixed hood
- Bestseller rank #30
North Face Womens Junction Insulated Vest
The North Face Junction in Slate Moss is the technical pick of the bunch. Heatseeker insulation, water resistant face fabric, stretch binding at the openings, and zip hand pockets that actually hold a phone without sagging. It’s the priciest pick on the list and the discount isn’t the deepest, but it’s the only insulated water resistant option here. If you commute by bike or hike in shoulder season this is the one.
- Heatseeker insulation
- Water resistant face fabric
- Stretch binding and zip pockets
Are scrub vests and weighted vests worth it?
Two specialty vests rounded out the basket. The Carhartt Force scrub vest is for healthcare workers who need a real warmth layer over scrubs, and the ZELUS weighted vest is for the walking workout crowd that’s been growing all year.
Carhartt Force Cross-Flex Scrub Vest Navy
Carhartt Force Cross-Flex is the brand’s lightweight stretch line, and the navy scrub vest is built for nurses, vet techs, and dental hygienists who need a third layer that won’t catch on equipment. It’s quiet, it stretches, and it’s the only Carhartt scrub vest I’ve seen marked down this deeply in months. Bestseller rank is high because the category is small, not because the product is bad.
- Lightweight stretch fabric
- Built for healthcare workers
- Quiet on equipment
ZELUS Weighted Vest 12 lb
The ZELUS weighted vest is the marketplace pick of the basket and the only non-trusted-brand vest I included. The 12 lb option is a sensible starting weight for walking workouts or bodyweight strength work, and the reflective stripe is genuinely useful if you walk at dusk. It’s not as polished as a 5.11 or a Hyperwear, but at this price it’s a reasonable entry point if you’ve been curious about rucking.
- 12 lb starter weight
- Reflective stripe for visibility
- Suited to walking workouts and rucking
Frequently asked questions
Is the Columbia Steens Mountain vest warm enough for winter?
On its own, no. The 250g MTR fleece is rated for shoulder season weather, roughly 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit if you’re moving. For real winter wear, layer it under a shell or insulated jacket. It’s a layering piece, not a standalone winter coat.
How does Columbia Benton Springs sizing run?
Benton Springs runs true to size for most wearers, with a relaxed cut that allows a long sleeve underneath. If you plan to layer a thick sweater under it, size up one. If you want a slimmer fit over a tee, stick with your normal size.
Are these vests good Mother’s Day gifts?
The women’s Benton Springs colorways are gift appropriate if you know the recipient’s size. Black and Snowdrift are safe neutral choices, and Alpenglow or Shale Purple work if she likes color. The North Face Junction is the upgrade option if your budget allows.
What’s the difference between Steens Mountain and Benton Springs?
Steens Mountain is Columbia’s men’s mid-weight fleece line and Benton Springs is the women’s counterpart. Construction is similar, with two zip hand pockets and a drawcord hem. Steens Mountain uses a slightly heavier fleece weight in some colorways, but for most buyers the choice comes down to fit and color availability.
How long do Columbia fleece vests typically last?
With normal wear and machine washing on cold, expect five to seven years before pilling becomes noticeable. The MTR fleece pills less than cheaper polyester fleeces but it isn’t immune. Wash inside out and skip the dryer to extend the life.
This week’s vest discounts ran from 30% to 83%, with the deepest cuts concentrated on Columbia’s core fleece lines. The Steens Mountain in black XX-Large at 78% off and the Benton Springs in black Small at 83% off are the two real outliers. Everything else lands between 30 and 60% off, which is closer to a typical spring clearance pattern. None of these are inflated original prices, the Columbia MSRP on Steens Mountain and Benton Springs has been steady at $60 for several seasons.
Honest take, this is a strong week for vests if you wear Columbia and a fine week if you don’t. The Steens Mountain at the price it’s running is the deal I’d grab without thinking, and the Benton Springs in black is the gift I’d quietly buy two of. The North Face Junction is the only non-Columbia pick I’d genuinely recommend at full enthusiasm. The ZELUS weighted vest is a reasonable starter but not a forever piece, and the Wrangler quilted hood vest is fine, just not exciting.
Looking ahead, fleece markdowns this deep in early May usually mean Columbia is clearing out fall 2025 colorways before summer collections take over the catalog. If you’ve been waiting on a specific size or color, the next two weeks are probably the window. After Mother’s Day, expect inventory to thin out fast on the popular sizes, and by June the Benton Springs sale prices typically reset closer to MSRP. If you want one, this is the moment.
