My only caveat is that if you’re heading towards a warm destination, this shell may be a little overkill due to its heavy build. So, all in all, I wholeheartedly recommend the Columbia Outdry Hooded Shell to anyone that needs a robust rain jacket for outdoor adventuring – or even just around town. But on the flip side, this extra warmth is fantastic for adventuring in colder climates and higher altitudes. This bulk also tends to run a little warm when you’re working hard. My only critiques for this item focus on its heavy build, making it a little bulky for intense backpacking. I’m particularly fond of the Outdry’s robust build that stood up admirably to a heavy guiding season in the Pacific Northwest followed by months of travel through the Andes and Patagonia. It’s durable enough for heavy use and effective against any weather, making it an excellent addition to any adventure wardrobe. The Columbia Outdry Hooded Shell is a solid rain jacket for almost any adventure. When combined with mid-range breathability, the extra weight and thickness allow excess heat to build up quickly and make the jacket feel sticky, hot, and clammy on the inside. However, I deducted a point from this Jacket’s comfort rating as the weight and thickness can detract from comfort during very hot days or strenuous activity. The heavier weight combined with mid-range (but not fantastic) breathability allowed this shell to retain my body heat more easily and keep me nice and warm without needing to wear a thick mélange of layers underneath.
My guiding trips up to colder elevations or during the cooler shoulder seasons saw me gladly wearing my Outdry Jacket often. Second, the thick build and additional bulk work together to make this rain jacket very comfortable for colder temperatures. I found this material to be a vast improvement over the plastic-like feel of most rain shells, especially in warmer weather when wearing the jacket over just a t-shirt. First, the inside of the Outdry Jacket features a surprisingly soft and moisture-wicking material. The reason behind this comfort is twofold. I often hiked or puttered around camp for hours wearing this shell and never felt that it restricted my movement or became uncomfortable. Specifically, I believe the Outdry Jacket’s heavier weight works wonders for overall durability and comfort, which we’ll discuss next.Īs far as rain jackets go, the Outdry Jacket is easily one of the most comfortable I’ve ever owned. But it was a hard decision because this jacket’s weight DOES have a couple of significant benefits. My gear gradually changed every trip as I worked to bring my overall pack weight down, and it became harder and harder to justify the Outdry Jacket’s weight. This turned out to be the case for me as I slowly refined and fine-tuned my pack throughout a guiding season.
Therefore, based on the numbers alone, the Outdry Jacket is a tough sell as it adds weight to your bag that could easily be trimmed down with a lighter shell. Weighing in at over 1 lb., this jacket has some heft to it, which spells trouble for ultralight backpacking, but also has a couple of silver linings.įor any backpacker, and especially a guide whose bags are loaded with plenty of communal gear, the overall weight of our packs is paramount. But that heavy use and hiking generates a lot of heat, so let’s look at breathability next.įirst and foremost, the Columbia Outdry Rain Jacket is bulky compared to many hiking rain shells. The seam-sealing tape never peeled (despite being on the outside of the jacket), and the waterproofing membrane never appeared to degrade over time with heavy use. For this reason, I deducted one point from the Outdry’s rating in this category.Īpart from this inconvenience centered around the front zipper, I was delighted with the Columbia Outdry Jacket’s overall waterproofing. Heavier downpours, however, pushed this jacket to the limit as I found the front zipper to be a weak link that allowed a minor – yet irritating – amount of water to soak through. I wore this jacket for many hours in wet conditions and was always kept comfortably dry. I found this Outdry Shell easily repels mist and light rain showers with ease.
The seam-sealing tape is also on the jacket’s exterior and works in tandem with the Outdry membrane to provide an effective barrier against wet weather. This method features a sleek, waterproof fabric on the outside of the jacket, giving it a slightly glossy appearance. From chilly morning mists to torrential downpours, this jacket saw it all.Ĭolumbia utilized their unique Outdry membrane technology for this product. I encountered my fair share of inclement weather while guiding in the Pacific Northwest.
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