Columbia Watertight II (men’s) review: the best-value first rain jacket
Cold you can layer against; wet is what actually turns a hard day dangerous, because a soaked hiker loses heat fast. A rain shell is the one layer that keeps the weather out — and the Columbia Watertight II is where most people should start: a genuinely waterproof, packable jacket for the price of a nice dinner.
The verdict
The best-value first rain jacket. The Watertight II does the one job a shell must do — keeps rain and wind out — with fully seam-sealed Omni-Tech fabric, an adjustable hood, and a cut that layers over a fleece. It stuffs into its own pocket and rides in any daypack for the price of a cheap dinner. It is not the most breathable shell (no pit zips, so you will warm up on hard climbs), and it is a shell, not insulation. But for a dependable, waterproof, packable jacket that just works, nothing at this price beats it. Buy it as your first rain layer and hike on.
What it does
The Columbia Watertight II is a lightweight waterproof-breathable rain shell built around Columbia’s Omni-Tech membrane with fully taped (seam-sealed) seams — the detail that separates a real rain jacket from a “water-resistant” one, since untaped stitch holes leak. It has an adjustable, attached hood, elastic cuffs, a drawcord hem, and zippered hand pockets, and it packs down into one of its own pockets so it disappears into a daypack as your just-in-case layer. It is a shell, meaning no insulation: it blocks wind and rain and traps the warmth of whatever you wear under it, so you pair it with a base layer and a fleece or puffy when it is cold. At around 70 dollars it is one of the least expensive jackets that is genuinely waterproof rather than merely showerproof, which is why it shows up on so many first-timer and everyday-carry lists.
What verified buyers say
With hundreds of verified-purchase ratings, owners — commuters, hikers, students, and outdoor workers — repeat the same points:
- Actually waterproof. The standout praise: it keeps rain out where cheaper “rain” jackets soak through — people who work outside for hours vouch for it.
- Light and packable. Buyers love that it stuffs into its own pocket and lives permanently in a pack or car for sudden weather.
- Great value, true to size. Repeatedly called an excellent jacket for the money, with a traditional cut that fits a layer underneath.
- A do-everything shell. Owners use it hiking, commuting, birdwatching, and at work — a versatile wind-and-rain layer, not just a trail piece.
Worth knowing
Two honest limits. First, breathability: like most budget shells the Watertight II has no pit zips, so on a hard, warm climb you will sweat and can end up damp from the inside — open the front, slow down, or step up to a vented shell if you push hard uphill in the rain often. Second, it is a shell only: it has no warmth of its own, so dress it over a base layer and insulation in the cold (see our guide to staying warm on a cold night). Like every waterproof-breathable jacket, its water-repellent finish (DWR) wears off with use and needs occasional reproofing to keep beading. None of that dents the core value — a real waterproof shell that packs small and costs little.
Who it is for
The Watertight II is for the new hiker, commuter, or everyday adventurer who wants a dependable, packable rain jacket without spending much — the sensible first shell, and a great one to keep in the car or daypack forever. If you hike hard and want better venting and breathability, step up to the Marmot PreCip Eco; if you want a bombproof Gore-Tex shell with full side-zip venting for serious backcountry days, see the Outdoor Research Foray 3L. And to always have something waterproof in the pack for almost no weight or money, keep a Frogg Toggs suit as backup.
Specs at a glance
Type: 2-layer waterproof-breathable shell · Waterproofing: Omni-Tech, seam-sealed · Venting: none (no pit zips) · Packs into its own pocket · Adjustable hood, zip pockets · Best for: budget / first rain jacket, EDC
The Verdict
The Columbia Watertight II is the rain jacket to buy first: genuinely waterproof, packable, and cheap, it keeps the weather out on the trail and around town. Accept that it does not vent like a premium shell and it is superb value. Hike hard and want more breathability? Step up to the Marmot PreCip Eco. Want a vented Gore-Tex shell for serious conditions? See the Outdoor Research Foray 3L. Just need an ultralight emergency layer? Keep a Frogg Toggs suit in the pack.
Wilderness Experts is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend.
