Columbia  Watertight II Rain Jacket - Men's

I purchased this rain jacket for backpacking to replace a heavier jacket I had been using. The hood is large enough to wear a hat and still cover my face. The zipper is covered by a storm flap with multiple velcro strips to keep it closed. The sleeves are a little tight at the armpit and bicep area so putting on the jacket over a medium weight fleece, for fall backpacking, is tight. Once I pulled the fleece sleeves down, into the jacket sleeves, the jacket fits well, and the pockets have waterproof zippers. The jacket does not have pit zips, but is more durable than the North Face rain jackets, which cost more. For the price, fit, and durability, I am quite satisfied.

I use this shell for casual walking/hiking in often wet weather. Waterproof and breathable aspect lives up to its name. However, as someone who has long used Columbia outerwear, I find this jacket poorly designed and cheaply made. My medium fits too tightly to layer well underneath. The hood toggle chord is hard to adjust; when cinched tight, the ends slap you in the face, and when not, the length between the hood and the toggle create an arching loop that bothers your chin, gets in your lower field of vision and generally looks ridiculous. The fact that there is no inside pocket is another major detraction (if I had realized before I bought it, I would never have purchased a jacket without one). The edges along both sides of the zipper are already frayed after just a few weeks of wear.