You can’t wear a down jacket in the rain. That’s just common sense, right? Down jackets are made from goose feathers which lose their insulating properties when they get wet. Columbia however have thrown the rule book out the window with their new waterproof OutDry Extreme Gold down jacket.
Traditionally waterproofs are made with a breathable membrane inside the jacket laminated onto a textile. Then the outside of the textile is coated with a waterproofing chemical to keep water beading off. This works well when you first purchase a jacket, but then the outer chemical starts to wear away. Over time the jacket will start to absorb water instead of repelling it, making it no longer waterproof or breathable until you reproof it.
Columbia use their own OutDry Extreme technology which brings the waterproof, breathable membrane to the outside of the jacket and a sweat-wicking textile inside. The idea is totally different to any other waterproof jacket. It is designed to last and retain its breathability longer than any other waterproof fabric.
“Traditional down jackets lose their insulating properties when they get wet. Columbia however have thrown the rule book out the window with this clever product.”
