Ever since I picked up my first Columbia jacket at an outlet in Atlantic City decades ago, it’s been my most trustworthy outerwear of every kind, and this new addition to its spring line might be the most dependable yet. The brand’s Omni-Tech Pro technology has been upgraded with premium waterproof material (not to get technical, but it can withstand 30,000 mm of rain), and somehow avoids that crinkly feeling of wearing a trash bag. Plus its athletic fit makes it easy to move in, with maximum breathability, down to zippered underarm vents. But its savviness is in its little details: the wire-brimmed visor to keep its hood from flapping around, a simple push-and-release cord system to adjust the hood’s fit, and a drop-tail hem for additional coverage. At just 15.1 ounces, this lightweight jacket is made to endure the elements.
