![]() ![]() There is no doubt that Columbia had breathability as a top priority when they designed the Diamond shell. I found the Diamond shell to breathe well for its weight. This is a really important feature for the backcountry, as hikers are constantly exposed to trees, brush, and even rock. Since the OutDry Extreme membrane doesn't use chemicals, you can scrape it all day and it will still perform the exact same. If you scratch the surface of a shell treated with DWR, you can actually scrape some of it off and that spot will be vulnerable to getting wet. The rubbery Diamond shell does not absorb water, it only repels it, making it dry very quickly. Even the best Gore-Tex shells have vulnerable spots that can wet out if exposed long enough because they are made of fabric that can absorb water. There is no option for water to soak into the fabric, even if it is sitting for a while. Here, you can see the sleeve of a Gore-Tex shell soaking through, but the OutDry Extreme Diamond shell doesn't absorb the water. When the water touches it, it just rolls right off of it, like a force field. In their marketing material, Columbia accurately described the Outdry Extreme to be a “force field” to water. The OutDry Ex Diamond is as waterproof as any rain shell I’ve ever used. In addition to the wicking fabric, the core is lined with mesh to keep the jacket from sticking to you and keep you cooler. It added a very necessary softness to the jacket and felt comfortable against the skin. The interior of the Diamond shell is lined with a very breathable, wicking fabric that greatly increases the comfort level of the jacket. The waist hem features a toggle for adjustability and silicone grip to ensure the bottom of the jacket stays securely in place. Shoulder patches help protect from wear and tear when wearing a pack. The chin area of the hood is tall and provides adequate facial protection when necessary. I thought this was a nice touch of added comfort. The inside flap of the chin area has a ventilated microfiber patch for extra comfort and wicking. Here, you can see the simple adjustment system. During testing in high winds and rain, the hood did not stay in place and I had to use my hand to secure it. I was also disappointed that it wasn’t helmet compatible. Not only that, it wasn’t exactly easy to adjust either. It did not cinch down close enough nor did it stay in place enough for my liking. It uses a very simple pull cord with a stay for the facial area adjustment and a Velcro tab stay in the back. I am not the biggest fan of the hood. I feel that it didn't cinch down close enough to my head/face. Water-resistant two-way pit zippers for ventilation Some of the pocket is still accessible with a pack on, so that’s good enough for me. Some may wish that they are higher to make access easier when wearing a pack, but they sit at about the same place that most pockets on shells sit. I found all of the pockets to be sufficiently sized and placed. The Diamond shell has two mesh-lined hip pockets, one mesh-lined chest pocket. One other noteworthy design feature is that it has an extended rear section (my test sample measured 28") to cover one’s bottom. ![]() My women’s medium sample weighed 14 oz, which is pretty reasonable for the strength of the shell and all its features. It also has re-enforced shoulder patches to reduce additional wear and tear while wearing a pack, which is something I’ve never seen before. The Diamond shell has pretty much all of the features you would expect out of a waterproof-breathable shell, such as pit zippers for ventilation, pockets, adjustable hood, and adjustable drawcord hem at the waist. However, there are some other color options that aren't so bold. With its visibly taped seams, shoulder patches, flashy logos, shiny zipper pulls, and bright color, I would describe the Diamond shell to look “techy.” I would be hesitant to wear this out on the town because it is so loud. Not only is the OutDry Extreme membrane extremely waterproof, it also has miniscule pores in it to allow air to pass through it, making it very breathable for its weight. There are no chemicals (or DWR) to wear off the outer layer, therefore it never wets out and you never have to treat it. The result is a permanently waterproof outer shell that rain rolls right off of. Most membranes used in today’s industry would be too delicate to put on the outside of a jacket, but in order to make this jacket work, Columbia designed a very durable, abrasion-resistant membrane. As I mentioned earlier, the Diamond shell uses Columbia’s OutDry Extreme external membrane, which is basically an inside-out version of a typical waterproof-breathable shell. ![]()
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