This morning, I was invited to start my workday with a hike through the Don Valley in downtown Toronto. Canada Goose, famous for their Arctic expedition-quality parkas, has launched a new collection of lighter weight jackets, and what better way to learn about the technology than to throw one on and go for a stroll in the great outdoors?

New for this spring, Canada Goose is introducing their Multi-Zone Collection. Designed for warmth and comfort in less extreme conditions-‑like, say, a chilly spring day in Toronto--these jackets use ultra-light but still highly functional materials. Highlights include the “Lodge” (men’s) and “Camp” (women’s, pictured above, left) down hoodies, which feature quilted Hutterite white goose down filling and a triple layer of wind-blocking ripstop nylon for the outer shell, and the "Hybridge" line of softshell jackets (pictured above, right) tricked out with thermally-mapped quilted down panels in the areas where your body loses the most heat, and breathable panels where you’re most likely to sweat.

I was lucky enough to test out the Richmood Hoody (pictured above, and on me, at top), which is part of the limited edition collection of more fashion-minded, “urban”-styled jackets for this spring. The water-resistant quilted outershell has a slight sheen, and the iconic Canada Goose logo patch on the arm is done in all black, for a subtle toned-in look. The best part: Even though this jacket weighs practically nothing and has a slim fit and minimalist style that looks at home on city streets, it’s still packed with 800 fill power down that keep me comfortably warm for the duration of our hike.

An often-overlooked gem in the centre of the city, the hike took place at the Evergreen Brickworks. Situated on more than 40 acres of green space and surrounded by hiking and cycling trails (pictured at top in some photos I snapped during the hike), the site was once home to the quarry and kilns that produced the bricks from which much of the old city of Toronto was originally built back at the turn of the 20^th century. The recently refurbished, the old brick factory buildings now house a weekend farmer’s market, a skating rink in the winter, sustainable vegetable gardens in the summer, educational nature programs for school children, art exhibitions, and more.