ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearColumbia OutDry Ex Reign waterproof jacket review: an excellent choice for casual city useStyle meets rugged waterproofing technology in the Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket. Which will win out?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Mark Mayne)T3 VerdictThe Columbia OutDry ex Reign is a robust and unusual waterproof jacket that’s very much at home in the wet, and comes in a smart grey shade that’ll suit city use perfectly. It’s not as breathable as some, though, and not as technical as others.Reasons to buy+Robust build+Taped seams and very waterproof+Unusual silvery greyReasons to avoid-Not super-breathable-Hood struggles with strong windsWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearColumbia OutDry Ex Reign waterproof jacket review: an excellent choice for casual city useStyle meets rugged waterproofing technology in the Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket. Which will win out?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Mark Mayne)T3 VerdictThe Columbia OutDry ex Reign is a robust and unusual waterproof jacket that’s very much at home in the wet, and comes in a smart grey shade that’ll suit city use perfectly. It’s not as breathable as some, though, and not as technical as others.Reasons to buy+Robust build+Taped seams and very waterproof+Unusual silvery greyReasons to avoid-Not super-breathable-Hood struggles with strong windsWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Style meets rugged waterproofing technology in the Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket. Which will win out?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)T3 VerdictThe Columbia OutDry ex Reign is a robust and unusual waterproof jacket that’s very much at home in the wet, and comes in a smart grey shade that’ll suit city use perfectly. It’s not as breathable as some, though, and not as technical as others.Reasons to buy+Robust build+Taped seams and very waterproof+Unusual silvery greyReasons to avoid-Not super-breathable-Hood struggles with strong winds
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
T3 VerdictThe Columbia OutDry ex Reign is a robust and unusual waterproof jacket that’s very much at home in the wet, and comes in a smart grey shade that’ll suit city use perfectly. It’s not as breathable as some, though, and not as technical as others.Reasons to buy+Robust build+Taped seams and very waterproof+Unusual silvery greyReasons to avoid-Not super-breathable-Hood struggles with strong winds
T3 VerdictThe Columbia OutDry ex Reign is a robust and unusual waterproof jacket that’s very much at home in the wet, and comes in a smart grey shade that’ll suit city use perfectly. It’s not as breathable as some, though, and not as technical as others.
T3 Verdict
The Columbia OutDry ex Reign is a robust and unusual waterproof jacket that’s very much at home in the wet, and comes in a smart grey shade that’ll suit city use perfectly. It’s not as breathable as some, though, and not as technical as others.
Reasons to buy+Robust build+Taped seams and very waterproof+Unusual silvery greyReasons to avoid-Not super-breathable-Hood struggles with strong winds
Reasons to buy+Robust build+Taped seams and very waterproof+Unusual silvery grey
Robust build
Taped seams and very waterproof
Unusual silvery grey
Reasons to avoid-Not super-breathable-Hood struggles with strong winds
Not super-breathable
Hood struggles with strong winds
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Columbia OutDry Ex Reign Waterproof Jacket deals
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It’s immediately obvious that the Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket is in a different class from the moment you clap eyes on it. The silvery exterior material is a world away from standard Gore-Tex, which may be a very good, or a very bad thing. How does it compare to the rest of today’sbest waterproof jackets? Read on for our full Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket review.
Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket review: design and build
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
The Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket has two hand pockets, both backed with mesh to aid breathability, and there’s no internal stitching to limit the height, so stuffing a map inside is entirely possible - a big tick. Speaking of breathability, there are also two pit zips to help out on this front, certainly a bonus as the OutDry EXTREME fabric is pretty solid stuff.
Overall it’s a streamlined, slick look that won’t seem out of place in any situation, from city bar to weekend walking escapade.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket review: performance and comfort
One drawback of the comfortable fabric interior finish is that it grips fleece very firmly indeed, making the donning or doffing of the Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket quite a process if you’re needing an extra internal layer. Worn without a midlayer, the OutDry EXTREME fabric certainly feels robust - quite a benefit in cooler conditions - and much more rugged than mere Gore-Tex as a result the soundproofing is very good indeed. The internal finish adds quite a bit of warmth too, making the overall experience a snug one.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
That snug performance is inevitably obvious when taking on more energetic activities, and although the mesh panels over the pockets and the soft internal finish wick sweat away pretty well, it does get steamy relatively quickly. Carrying a rucksack this was particularly obvious, although any waterproof fabric struggles to breathe in similar conditions. Elsewhere, the hood is certainly roomy, and adjusts down relatively neatly, but the lack of stiffening, especially in the peak does leave it a little baggy. This isn’t too much of a challenge much of the time, thanks to the robustness of the OutDry EXTREME fabric, which holds shape quite well, but in windy conditions it can all get a bit floppy.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket review: verdict
The challenge of putting the membrane on the outside of the fabric is that it’s much more exposed to damage from relatively casual brushes against rocks, for example, as well as being the first thing to get abraded on high-wear locations, such as around the hips where the rucksack waist belt sits. Admittedly, there are compromises to be made with the membrane on the inside too, so arguably swings and roundabouts.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
The Columbia OutDry ex Reign waterproof jacket is certainly waterproof, make no mistake about that, and even a few casual scuffs on the outer membrane seemed to make little difference. However, under more energetic testing things got steamy pretty fast, bringing the pitzips into play regularly. Overall, it’s a fantastic jacket for low-intensity activities in really heavy downpours (but in relatively sheltered situations), and around town the eye-catching grey material and robust build work perfectly.
Columbia OutDry Ex Reign Waterproof Jacket: Price Comparison
20 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
20 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
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