Let's face it, when the summer months are upon us, we can be a little on edge with our outfit choices.
There are plenty of brands which you can rely on for a quick, easy throw over, but are they worth it with all the relevant features for a rainy, sunny, stormy or windy day? Probably not.
Outdoor clothing brand, Columbia has given me the chance to review one of their latest creations, the Women’s OutDry Extreme™ Mesh Waterproof Hooded Shell Jacket. Admittedly, it is a pricier buy than your average high street jacket but, for me, it is 100% worth it.
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The black jacket also comes in red, and is so lightweight I have worn it around my waist on a hike, on a summer morning stroll with my son, in the rain, and for nipping into the shops. One thing that becomes very clear when wearing it is it's versatility.
For me, I am very active, so even throughout the winter months I will absolutely be wearing this jacket for any outdoor activities me, my family and friends get up to. The jacket has just enough room for a thin jumper underneath w hich will do the trick to keeping warm when needed, or to easily take off when too hot.
The waterproof shell jacket is packable into its own pocket so you can take it everywhere with you. It's waterproof, breathable, fully seam sealed, has external seam tape, a bonded hood brim, a draw-cord adjustable hood, a peripheral hood adjustment, an abrasion resistant chin guard, an adjustable contoured sleeve cuff and a draw-cord adjustable hem, to name just a few features.
Even in extreme conditions thanks to its advanced waterproof technology, the breathable material allows excess heat and moisture to escape for added comfort. I got quite hot and sweaty when wearing it on a hike but as described it is super breathable so I didn't feel uncomfortable, and it made life a little easier than feeling stuffy and not being able to exercise to your full potential.
The waterproof jacket is great for all weather conditions, and I feel I've proven this with a trip to the shops in strong winds and rain, it kept me 100% dry. For £225, yes it's expensive but there is no doubt this new technology is not worth every penny.
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