REASONS TO BUY
Very accessible price
Relaxed fit
Great adjustability
REASONS TO AVOID
Less breathable than some
Heavy
2-layer fabric less water resistant
Columbia Watertight II Review
If you’re shopping on a tight budget, this you will get reasonable performance relative to its price
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ March 5, 2025
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
The Columbia Watertight II is among the least expensive rain jackets we've tested, with decent scores in several metrics when considering its low price. We logged weeks in this affordably functional shell during our exhaustive testing process, from rainy hikes to stormy hangs around town, and were surprised with the overall performance of the Watertight. Its relaxed fit was comfy for our testing team, and was easy to fit additional layers underneath when it got chilly. For storms on the more moderate side, we managed to stay dry. While we wouldn't recommend this to shoppers demanding top-end breathability or water protection, the price is pretty hard to beat. Have a look at our review of rain jackets for men for more insight into how the Watertight compares to other offerings on the market today.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Our review team put the Columbia Watertight II through the wringer, pushing it on lengthy alpine climbs, rainy backpacking trips, and stormy resort ski days. We took detailed notes every step of the way to distill our findings in a digestible, yet exhaustive, review. This jacket worked well for short excursions outdoors in moderate storms.
The Watertight II is an excellent layer as a windbreaker and as a casual-use rain jacket.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Water Resistance
The Watertight II exceeded our expectations as it costs much less than most rain jackets on the market and in our lineup. The two-layer nylon construction kept us dry in storms of shorter duration or when faced with a mere drizzle, even if the best scores we saw in the lineup came from garments that offered 2.5- or 3-layer builds.
The jacket creates a fairly decent seal, with an adjustable hem and hood that allows you to “batten down the hatches” in a storm. We found the most leakage occurred along the sternum, with water coming in slightly through the zipper and occasionally sneaking through the face opening. This might be all the weather protection some shoppers need, and a great buy. But if you're logging days outdoors in particularly wet climates, we might suggest another option with upgraded storm protection.
We found the Watertight II to work well in storms of shorter duration and intensity, with the 2L fabric not offering as much protection as other models.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Breathability
Breathability wasn't the strongest aspect of this jacket. With a mesh interior, the Watertight II felt slightly clammy during prolonged outdoor adventures. The outer shell trapped our heat and made us feel humid inside, particularly when it was actively raining.
It also lacks pit zips, offering fewer ventilation options for improving airflow. As with any water-resistant jacket, breathability improved when our output decreased or temperatures dropped.
The mesh inner made for an overall humid feel when wearing the Watertight on longer hikes.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort and Mobility
The Watertight II's performance here didn't “Wow” us, but it offered decent results similar to others selling at much higher price points. While the 2-layer mesh/shell construction didn't bode well in other metrics, the mesh offered great next-to-skin comfort and we loved the relaxed fit. In cooler seasons or on windy hikes, we could easily add a layer underneath for warmth.
We also appreciated the freedom of movement in the Watertight II, with minimal restrictions in upper body positions. The aforementioned breathability concerns also did make this garment a bit less comfortable during higher output days, affecting the overall score of the Watertight in this metric. One reviewer shared, “This layer was comfy against my skin, but I found it humid whenever I wore it for extended cardio sessions”.
We were impressed with the mobility of this layer, though it wasn't as comfortable to wear for longer outdoors missions due to the humid interior feel once we got warm.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight
At 12.7 ounces, this shell leaned towards the heavier side of the jackets we tested.
Yet, what one person considers heavy rather than another purely depends on the individual, the assessment, and their intended uses. For a budget model such as the Watertight II, a few ounces is unlikely to be a deal-breaker, especially if this shell will be utilized for more casual adventures.
While it isn't the lightest jacket, atleast the Watertight has friendly packed size dimensions.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Construction Quality
The Watertight II utilizes an in-house fabric called Omni-Shield and is a 2-layer, 100% Nylon design with a mesh liner. We found this construction to be fairly durable, and by not using a name-brand fabric such as Gore-Tex, Columbia can keep the price down for the final product.
A common setback we found across all jackets during testing was a reduction in water resistance once the face fabric got dirty. The Watertight was no different. Keeping your rain jacket clean is important if you want the best performance results. The mesh liner also snagged several times throughout testing, whether on an underlayer's zipper or while in a backpack, so care is needed to preserve the Watertight's life.
The Watertight II isn't the most durable jacket we've ever owned, but for casual-use it's likely to hold up.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Should You Buy the Columbia Watertight II?
The Watertight II is an unbelievably low-priced option for a casual-use rain jacket. However, we recommend another model if you're demanding more weather protection.
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
If you're willing to spend more on a rain jacket, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a top-performer that won't cost an entire paycheck. If you need a just-in-case layer, consider the Columbia Glennaker Lake II, which is cheaper than the Watertight II but only suited to brief storms or wind events.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Columbia Watertight II versus top competing products:
—Zach Lovell
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