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Walking, Hiking & Trail Running

Columbia OutDry Extreme Eco Jacket | Review

Is Columbia's OutDry Extreme Eco the most environmentally-friendly waterproof ever?

You are pacing along a beautiful mountain trail lined with thick evergreen trees. There’s a cool mist hanging over the mountain tops and it looks like it’s going to rain, but you don’t mind. You are just glad to be outdoors, breathing in the fresh alpine air.

Like many of us who enjoy spending time outdoors, you don’t want to think that your waterproof jacket could be harming the environment. Most conventional waterproof jackets are covered with a durable water-repellent coating called PFC (or perfluorocarbons) to keep the rain out. Studies by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have found that PFCs break down very slowly in outdoor environments, affecting both wildlife and humans.

“With OutDry Extreme Columbia have quite literally turned conventional waterproof breathable technology inside out.”

Columbia however have developed a revolutionary new fabric called OutDry Extreme Eco. It is the industry’s first high-performance waterproof breathable membrane that does not use PFCs. So how does it work? Traditional waterproof breathable shells have a thin waterproof membrane covered with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating on the outside. It’s then lined with a fabric that sits next to the skin. This creates a triple-layered sandwich if you like. The downside is when the DWR coating wears away the waterproof membrane won’t perform its job anymore.

Columbia have quite literally turned this waterproof breathable technology inside out. They have taken the waterproof membrane, made it abrasion resistant and put it on the outside of the jacket. So it’s durable and waterproof with no chance of “wetting out” like others do when their DWR coating rubs off. Clever huh?

Columbia have developed a revolutionary new fabric called OutDry Extreme Eco. Photo: Chris Johnson.
Each OutDry Extreme Eco jacket is made from 21 recycled plastic bottles. Photo: Chris Johnson.
The OutDry Extreme Eco jacket has an adjustable storm hood. Photo: Chris Johnson.
This Columbia Outdry jacket will keep you dry, and your conscience clear. Photo: Chris Johnson.

Even if it is chucking down with rain or you are sweating up a mountain trail in humid weather, your skin will stay dry. You can rest safe in the knowledge that you aren’t damaging the planet at the same time.

Each OutDry Extreme Eco jacket is made from 21 recycled plastic bottles, plus every label, toggle, zipper pull and thread is made from recycled content as well. Columbia have kept this jacket dye-free, saving over 13 gallons of water compared to a standard dyed jacket.

It’s not just eco-friendly. Columbia have thought of everything when it comes to creating a simple but functional waterproof jacket. The OutDry Extreme Eco jacket has an adjustable storm hood and hem plus zippered pocket for keeping your phone/Clif bar dry in a downpour.

So next time you are looking for a waterproof jacket for the trail this summer, take a look at the Columbia OutDry Extreme Eco jacket. You can brag to all your mates about how eco-friendly it is – and also stay dry in this unpredictable British summer weather.

Columbia OutDry Extreme Eco Jacket

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