Columbia Arcadia II - Women's Review
Our Verdict
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This Product
Columbia Arcadia II - Women's | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Rain Jacket for Women | Best Budget Water Resistance | Best on a Tight Budget | ||
Price | $49.73 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $111.83 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $179.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $89.73 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $100 List $69.89 at REI |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A good causal layer to keep you dry when you have to run errands in the rain, but lacks breathability for more active outdoor adventures | With its well-rounded balance of performance and comfort, this all-around top performer is built to withstand whatever mother nature has up her sleeve | A quality rain jacket offering exceptional water resistance and performance that will hold up to the wildest weather | A reliable rain jacket that offers great value for good performance at a reasonable price | An easy-to-use rain jacket that combines functionality and value at a reasonable price point |
Rating Categories | Columbia Arcadia II... | Outdoor Research As... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Marmot PreCip Eco -... | REI Rainier - Women's |
Water Resistance (30%) | |||||
Breathability (25%) | |||||
Comfort and Mobility (20%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Specs | Columbia Arcadia II... | Outdoor Research As... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Marmot PreCip Eco -... | REI Rainier - Women's |
Measured Weight | 11.2 oz | 10.5 oz | 12.2 oz | 9.2 oz | 11.4 oz |
Waterproof Fabric Material | 2-layer Omni-Tech (proprietary material) | 2-layer Gore-Tex Paclite | 3-layer 50D H2No Performance Standard ECONYL (propriatary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer PFC-free NanoPro (proprietary material) | 2.5-layer HydroWall (proprietary material) with non-PFC DWR finish |
Pockets | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 2 interior drop-in |
Pit Zips | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stows into Pocket | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Helmet Compatible Hood | No | No | No | No | No |
Additional Features | Adjustable hood, chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable cinching hood, YKK Aquaguard zippers, internal front storm flap, elastic drawcord hem, adjustable Velcro cuffs, TorsoFlo 2-way side vents, key clip | Dual adjustable and stowable hood, microfleece-lined neck, external and internal zipper storm flaps, chin zipper guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem, carabiner clip-in loop | Adjustable stowable hood, DriClime-lined chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, brushed collar lining |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Colombia Arcadia II is a simple, minimalist rain jacket offering the essentials to keep the wearer dry in the elements. The 2-layer Omni-Tech plain weave nylon fabric offers acceptable rain protection from the elements, and the hood offers decent coverage to keep the face dry. The mesh lining and membrane did little to vent excess internal heat and moisture, and we missed pit zips to quickly dump heat.
Performance Comparison
Water Resistance
The hood of the Arcadia offers decent coverage, with a visor that overhangs the face to keep water off and a drawcord that cinches down snugly around the head. The water resistance of the nylon fabric is acceptable for short amounts of time in light to moderate rain, though this is not the rain jacket we would choose for extended periods of time in a torrential downpour.
Breathability
The Arcadia falls short when it comes to breathability. The 2-layer Omni-Tech fabric's membrane and nylon mesh lining do little to wick internal sweat, leaving testers feeling damp and uncomfortable while hiking. This garment is lacking pit zips, and we found we rapidly got hot and sweaty on our set route test, where we hiked a mile uphill with the zippers closed. To dump any heat and get a breeze, the wearer has to unzip the front, leaving underlayers exposed to precipitation.
Comfort and Mobility
The fit manages to be flattering while still offering a full range of motion for easy movement. The longer length offers great coverage even when reaching arms overhead or bending over. Without a chin guard, the exposed zipper at the chin was scratchy and uncomfortable. The jacket stuffs into one pocket, and for some mystifying reason this pocket is not as deep as the other one, so when both hands are in the pockets it feels bizarre to have one go deeper than the other. The last little detail that negatively affected comfort was the hood drawcord. Colombia used tiny clever lock-out beads to clock the drawcord in place, but these are on the inside of the collar and are hard to access to adjust.
Weight
The Arcadia weighs in at 11.2 ounces, on the mid-high end of the jackets in our review. Not a dealbreaker if weight is not a huge concern, but not the best option out there for those counting ounces and keeping pack weight down.
The jacket stuffs into one hand pocket, and when packed, it is a convenient rectangle with a fairly small footprint. That said, it is a tight fit and takes a bit of effort to get stuffed into its stow pocket. Not a quick turnaround time to stash this garment.
Durability
The fabric held up decently over months of testing, and most components continued to work well even after repetitive use. The center zipper tended to get stuck on the fabric of the inner zipper flap, especially when zipping in a hurry, which was irritating. Additionally, the stitching uses long stitches and does not seem as precise as that on some other models.
Should You Buy the Colombia Arcadia II?
Because it lacks breathability and ventilation options, the Colombia Arcadia II is best suited for those looking for protection from the elements while engaged in mellow activities such as hanging around the campsite, running errands, or commuting. However, we appreciate this jacket's flattering fit and find that it's a good option to stay dry in light to moderate rain.
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
The Marmot PreCip Eco offers better water resistance, breathability, and comfort at a comparable price, and it's our top recommendation for a high-performing budget rain jacket. For those looking for an emergency layer that packs down small and goes anywhere, the Outdoor Research Helium is a good option for coverage in a pinch.