One jacket can’t do it all.
I learned that the hard way. Too warm in the rain. Too cold in the wind. Sound familiar?
So I own two Columbia jackets, and this is my Columbia Watertight II vs Alpine Action breakdown:
- The Watertight II for rain
- The Alpine Action (with Omni-Heat) for cold
I’ve worn both for [how long you’ve owned them]. Here’s which one you need, and why.
The quick answer
- Wet but not cold? Get the Watertight II.
- Cold, snowy, or windy? Get the Alpine Action.
- Cold AND wet? Wear both. More on that below.
Best for | Rain on mild days | Cold days, snow, wind |
Warmth | Light, just a shell | Warm, has insulation |
Packs small? | Yes, into its own pocket | No, it’s bulky |
Good for travel | Yes | Not really |
My favorite part | Packable | Omni-Heat Fabric |
Columbia Watertight II: the rain jacket
This is the one I grab when it’s wet out.
What it’s good at:
- Keeping rain off you
- Packing small. It folds right into its own pocket.
- Travel. It takes up almost no room in a bag.
[Embed: “Columbia Rain Jacket vs The Storm” video]
What to know:
- It’s a shell, not a warm coat. On a cold day, you’ll want a layer under it.
Columbia Alpine Action: the cold-weather jacket
This is my cold-day jacket.
The silver dots:
Open it up and you’ll see shiny silver dots on the inside. That’s Columbia’s Omni-Heat lining.
The idea is simple. It reflects your own body heat back at you, so you stay warmer.
[Embed: your Omni-Heat / Alpine Action review video]
What it’s good at:
- Cold mornings
- Snow and wind
- Hiking
- Camping
What to know:
- It’s bulky. It won’t pack down like the Watertight.
- It can get too warm on mild days.
Pros and cons
Jacket | What I liked | What bugged me |
|---|---|---|
Watertight II | Keeps rain off, packs tiny, great for travel | Not warm by itself |
Alpine Action | Warm, blocks wind, good in snow | Bulky, too warm on mild days |
Which one should you get?
- Live where it rains a lot, but it’s mild? Watertight II.
- Live where it gets cold and snowy? Alpine Action.
- Get both kinds of weather? Get both, and wear them together.
[Button: Check Today’s Price on the Watertight II]
[Button: Check Today’s Price on the Alpine Action]
Want more detail? Read my full reviews:
- [Link: Watertight II review]
- [Link: Alpine Action review]
Got a question about sizing or fit? Leave a comment. I read them, and I’ll usually reply.
Heads up: the Amazon links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I get a small cut. It costs you nothing extra. I’ll be straight with you: that’s how this site keeps going. I only link to gear I own and wear.
