Stay dry in the great outdoors with Columbia’s Wyldwood waterproof jacket

Patrick Bardelli

29.5.2024

Translation: Katherine Martin

Columbia promises its Wyldwood waterproof jacket stays dry inside and out. True to its word, the jacket keeps the rain out when you’re hiking.

I wish the last few weeks had been different. That we’d had a little more sun and a little less rain. Although I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been washed away whilst out and about, it feels like dozens. But hey.

I agree with that saying about there being no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Sadly, rain jackets often fall into this very category, quickly allowing moisture from outside to penetrate through the surface. With its entirely waterproof Wyldwood jacket, however, Columbia has proven that things don’t have to be that way.

The manufacturer gave me the jacket in the colour «canteen» to test. Bear in mind, however, that we currently only sell the jacket in black.

OutDry: the patented lamination process

The core of the rain jacket is its OutDry membrane. Columbia has owned OutDry, the Italian company named for its lamination process, since 2010. OutDry describes itself as creating waterproof and breathable textile surfaces. Its lamination process is used on jackets, shoes, sleeping bags and gloves. Last year, I was able to see the benefits of the technology for myself, and I’ve been keeping my feet dry with the Peakfreak II Mid OutDry hiking boots ever since.

So how does the process work? The manufacturer explains that within around half a minute, a lamination device creates an impermeable membrane. This is then fused to the inside of the outer material using heat and high pressure.

According to Columbia, the advantage of this is that all seams and cavities are sealed in a single step. This way, the outer layer of sport- and hiking shoes, for instance, can’t become waterlogged. There’s a disadvantage to other manufacturing methods, namely that water can accumulate between the outer and inner layers of material. This makes the product wet and heavy.

The Wyldwood, on the other hand, genuinely does keep me consistently dry in the rain. Not only that, but it’s quick to dry off once the downpour’s over.

Other product features

• Use it for: hiking, casual wear, travel
• Primary material: 100% recycled polyester
• Material treatment: fully seam-sealed
• Material properties: windproof, waterproof, breathable
• Zip: includes chin guard, full-length front zip
• Hood: adjustable
• Pockets: two front pockets with zip
• Weight: 350 grammes
• Fit: regular
• Cut: straight
• Length: thigh length
• Extras: velcro fasteners on the sleeves, jacket can be folded away into its own pocket, water-repellent zips, adjustable hem, extended back, reflective details

In a nutshell

The Columbia Wyldwood stays dry in rainy weather

This rain jacket really «only» deserves 4.5 points. I’d like to deduct half a point for its less-than-perfect breathability. Then again, I’ve never come across a jacket that doesn’t have the same issue. And besides, I can’t award half points. So, seeing as the Columbia Wyldwood is a complete hit with me, I’ve decided to round my score up to the maximum.

Pro

• waterproof
• windproof
• breathable during light exertion
• lightweight
• decent size when packed away

Contra

• poor breathability during strenuous hikes

Jackets

Columbia Outdry Extreme Wyldwood Shell

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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