Waterproof jackets
Product 2027
Woman, Man
This new release from Columbia was tested with the matching pants, the Columbia Citadel Mountain. This outfit is undoubtedly unique, both in its look and in the choice of material—which is reminiscent of the incredible Columbia Nanolite shell jacket : at the time, we explicitly pointed out that it was the only truly waterproof jacket on the market. In fact, we still use a full set for mountain outings in the rain or during wet photoshoots.
The Columbia Citadel Mountain Shell set incorporates that same ultra-waterproof, oilskin-like fabric using Outdry Extreme technology. Put simply, this is the outfit you’d pick to ski in the worst weather—during a snowstorm or wet March blizzards. Water simply doesn’t get through or soak into the fabric. To our knowledge, no other brand offers this technical solution, which is extremely practical for extreme conditions. The tradeoff? Breathability takes a backseat.You’ll need to make full use of the mesh-lined underarm vents whenever possible. That raises a question, though: are these actual vents or mesh-lined pockets? Probably a bit of both. The one design flaw? While the jacket itself is super waterproof, the vent zips are not watertight; they are, however, covered by a wide flap…
The bib pants follow suit—ultra-waterproof and made from the exact same material. The bonded panel construction gives them a distinctive look that manages to be technical, futuristic, and aggressive all at once. The knee articulation is exceptionally well shaped. The velcro-adjustable suspenders are practical, and the overall fit of the Columbia Citadel Mountain Shell bib pants is excellent. The upper part of the pants is made of a soft, breathable, and very comfortable fabric. Waisting fit is further enhanced by an adjustable velcro belt, eliminating bulky belt buckles that could cause discomfort. Two zipped pockets are integrated into the upper bib section. Another clever feature is the fly zip, which operates from bottom to top rather than the other way around, making the puller much easier to grab. This zipper is fully waterproof.
The Columbia Citadel Mountain Shell pants could benefit from stronger protection against ski edge scuffs. The leg cuffs are non-adjustable, so be mindful if you wear particularly wide ski boots. Like the jacket, the Columbia Citadel Mountain Shell pants feature two large thigh vents, though these are not mesh-lined. The bib offers outstanding lower-back protection.
Turning back to the Columbia Citadel Mountain Shell jacket: its hood offers superb protection against wind and moisture,with plenty of volume to easily fit over a ski helmet. Excess cinch cord around the neck is neatly managed so the loose ends don’t slap against your face. The elastic pull-tabs on either side of the neck utilize snap buttons, which are quite convenient, though their long-term durability remains to be seen. We would have preferred slightly stronger velcro cuffs to better resist ice and snow, which inevitably build up around the wrists.
The cut of the Columbia Citadel Mountain Shell jacket is roomy, allowing you to layer up without restricting movement.The fabric itself is stretchy and moves naturally with you. The pants, on the other hand, feature a thoughtfully closer-to-the-body fit.
A quick heads-up: if you slide down a slope after a fall, you’ll slide very fast in this outfit—the fabric is extremely smooth!
Columbia has utilized an ultra-waterproof material designed for deep powder days, wet snow, or even rain. It’s a set with an original look and technology—a clearly assumed design choice. At a time when most ski gear starts to look the same,Columbia earns major points by standing out from the crowd.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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