They keep you dry like your go-to rain jacket but are lined with down insulation or cozy fleece to trap heat. A good winter coat has water-resistant material for the outer layer, or shell ...

So, with all this in mind, I have been testing the Columbia Wyldwood Hiking Shell in the kind of environment it was made for, to see how it compares to the best waterproof jackets on the market.

The job of a ski jacket is simple: To keep you warm, dry, and comfortable even after hours on the mountain. That requires a high-quality synthetic construction with a wind- and waterproof shell ...