****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I purchased this and three other jackets in preparation for a trip I was going on where I knew there'd be some light to moderate rain. Since the weather was otherwise expected to be warm, I didn't want to pack a heavy rain jacket, so I was in search of a light, packable, water resistant shell...preferably under $50. Of the four jackets I'd purchased, I wound up keeping this one...and after having used it on my trip, I'm glad to say that I'm very happy with my choice.Please note that this is a shell and doesn't have an inner lining for warmth. If you're just looking for something to just keep the rain off, this is a great option! It packs down easily into its own pocket, and kept me dry while standing in moderate rain for 3hrs...it didn't seep through the fabric AT ALL. The hood provided adequate coverage for my head and easily tucks away into the collar when it isn't needed, and has an elastic bungee cord for adjustment. The zipper pockets were great for stashing my cell phone and camera and kept those dry as well.I purchased this jacket in the Groovy Pink color, which is a very bright, bold pink...great for when you'd like a pop of color when the weather outside is gloomy and gray. I'm typically a size small to medium (I'm 5'4" and 125 lb), and purchased this in a medium so I could layer under during cold weather for year-round wear...it's pretty roomy if you only have on a single layer, but will fit well over additional layers and I personally prefer the more relaxed fit. The cut of the jacket keeps it from looking *too* bulky.For those interested, I'd also purchased (and returned) the following jackets:1) Sierra Designs Microlight 2 - would've been my 2nd choice after the Columbia Switchback, due to its fit, packability (comes with its own pouch) and roomy hood. However, after testing a drop of water on the fabric, the water gradually seeped through after sitting for a few minutes. Probably only good for light rain and I wanted something more water resistant.2) Columbia Auroras Wake II - the fabric of this one is similar to the Sierra Designs Microlight 2, so not as water resistant as I would've liked. It's also more of a rain jacket with an inner lining for some additional warmth, and if it had the ability to pack into itself, I couldn't figure it out! Sizing seemed to run smaller than the Switchback (probably due to the lining), but still fit me okay.3) Charles River Pack-n-Go Windbreaker - this is actually a men's jacket, but I figured I'd give it a try...I kinda figured it wouldn't be my best bet, but I thought it might surprise me (nope). The overall size of the XS that I'd ordered was okay, but it was a looser, bulkier overall fit that I didn't like.I was able to get this jacket for about 50% of the original price, and since it worked out well for my particular need, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I'm considering keeping it in my car in anticipation of unexpected weather, and am even considering buying another one to keep in my purse!I bought this for an Ireland/Scotland cruise trip in June 2018. Original price was $30+ but with Amazon points came down to $26. While I am glad I had it for this trip, I don't think it is not quite worth even the $26 though. My husband purchased the $40 Columbia Men's Glennaker Lake Packable Rain Jacket, and it seemed to have no problems beyond the same non-breathability. It has all the same features as mine, and even has an inner pocket! To be fair, he actually hardly wore it so maybe it needs to be tested more. As for myself, the main physical activity that happened while wearing this jacket was walking.Major cons, discovered while on the trip:-Not breathable at all. Gets slick inside and steams up my watch even in cool and mildly humid weather.-Elastic strip that allows you to tighten the hem of the jacket ripped easily on my left side from just a gentle accidental tug, so I looped and tied the end around itself and clamped it to get it to not dangle. As a result, this jacket was not exactly wind resistant, allowing wind to fly right inside from underneath! I'll try to attach a picture to show.-Zipper doesn’t unzip on the left pocket because it is somehow missing (or always had missed or something popped?) a piece to stop for the zipper. It got caught and bent the teeth. Again, I'll try to attach a picture. I ended up trapping my phone in it on accident, twice! After husband and I both wrangled and pulled at the zipper, I used a pen (the only pointy thing I had) to jam it around the small opening at the top of the zipper and twist it around. It came free astonishingly easily the first time. However, during the second time, my pen tip snapped off and things got inky. Husband ended up ripping the zipper off which allowed me to tease apart the zipped section manually, but of course then I couldn't zip it back.Best features:-Water resistance: water beads up on the outside when water gets on it, but luckily the weather was so good that I never had to test it with actual rain. I only found this out from a splashing sink faucet....-Packability: extremely easy to pack but now with the left zipper broken off, I can’t zip the pack shut.-Light construction: VERY thin, helps it pack!I would recommend this if you don’t have high expectations beyond light construction and packability. Expected a bit better from Columbia as I have two fleeces by them that I’ve owned for years. Both of those have been reliable all the time and great for cool and cold weather.I ordered the size large based on the size chart provided. I'm 5'7" and currently weigh about 140, with a 40" bust, 30" waist, 39" hip. I have slightly broad shoulders and long arms, which can be a problem, but not with this jacket! The proportions and fit are great for me. It has princess seams, so it is not boxy at all. It's roomy but not huge, and I can comfortably wear a Lands End size medium(10-12) fleece jacket underneath it if I need to. I purposely bought this for spring/summer/fall, so I'm glad it is lightweight and not bulky or lined. I'll be taking it with me to the beach and other outdoor activities and throwing it over shorts and tank top when it gets windy or rainy. I'm in New England, which has been very rainy all spring, so this is exactly what I needed. Sometimes a longer, lined parka is just too much.The only problem is I think I was sent a jacket that was marked to be sold as a second, not first quality, because there were some pieces of tape inside, correlating to some loose stitching that are visible on the outside, and under one arm, where the seams don't meet up evenly. Also, inside on the shoulder/neck seam, there is loose thread, and the edge of the material has a slight tear. For this reason, I will be exchanging it for another, of the same size and color, and hope I get a first quality version. I will update my review when i receive my replacement. See pictures for details. Also, I love the color(purple), which I was afraid might be too much of a pastel, but it is a vibrant, flattering color.Obviamente por el precio, no es Columbia original, es de un material plástico muy semejante al material de un paraguas, no tiene forro la chaqueta es muy delgada, no creo que resista mucho la lluvia, la use con una blusa sin mangas y mis brazos empezaron a sudar y el plástico quedó adherido a la piel! Si checo las opiniones de un artículo en el celular, solo aparecen las opiniones positivas, y si lo checo en la computadora, aparecen todas las opiniones, y recomendaciones, buenas, malas y regulares, esta vez si me equivoqué!It is just enough for light rain.There is no inner layer and it gets wet inside in rain.Product quality is good.Es una chamarra impermeable muy cómoda, de buena calidad tal como la esperaba.Great fit, cool high collar where the hood goes. Definitely good for cool or rainy days. Love it!Me gusta la tela que es tipo impermeable.
