Columbia Glennaker Rain Jacket — Boys’ Review

The Columbia Glennaker is not a serious waterproof jacket and doesn’t pretend to be. It uses waterproof fabric without a membrane or seam sealing — light rain only. We tested it on a two-hour field romp in the Colorado foothills in an early spring drizzle, and Cypress, 4, stayed dry but cold, because this is a single clean layer with nothing behind it. What it is: the lightest jacket in this guide, the easiest to grab and go, and at $50 the jacket you keep in the car without agonizing about it. Know what it is and it will never disappoint you.

3.7/5.0

Best car-stash kids' rain jacket

Columbia Glennaker Rain Jacket — Boys’

The lightest jacket we tested. Keep one in the car, one by the door, and don't forget about it.

Shop at Amazon$20 Shop at Columbia$50

Sizes: XXS–XL (fits approx. ages 4–14) | Waterproof: Waterproof fabric — no membrane, no seam sealing | Windproof: Not confirmed | Weight: Not listed (lightest jacket we tested) | Fabric: 100% Hydroplus nylon, Omni-Shield water and stain repellency

Is the Columbia Glennaker waterproof?

Here’s the honest answer: it’s waterproof fabric, not a waterproof jacket in the technical sense. The Hydroplus nylon fabric resists water, but there’s no membrane and no seam sealing. In light to moderate rain it performs well. In a sustained downpour, eventually you’ll have a wet kid.

Where we tested the Columbia Glennaker

We were out in the Colorado foothills for about two hours in early spring — one of those field romps where you just need to get outside even though it’s cold and drizzling. Cypress wore the light grey Glennaker.

He stayed dry during the walk. He was also cold, because the Glennaker is a single clean layer with nothing behind it — no mesh, no lining. In light rain and mild temps that’s fine. In cold rain, you need something underneath. We noticed pretty quickly that the jacket wasn’t doing anything for warmth.

Columbia Glennaker features — what actually stood out

It’s simple. Clean zipper, classic silhouette, good color options, light enough that you don’t feel it in a bag. Packs down easily — just roll it up. At $50 it’s easy to buy without agonizing.

The downward-facing pockets are angled to keep rain from pooling inside — which makes sense even if it makes sliding a hand in slightly awkward. Open pockets with mesh interior. Good for hands, not for treasures.

Here’s where it earns its place: it’s the jacket you keep in the car. At $50 it’s easy to replace if it gets lost at school and genuinely good enough for the situations where you actually reach for it.

What doesn’t work on the Columbia Glennaker

Cold rain. Serious rain. Anything where you’d plan to use a rain jacket in advance. No lining, no insulation, no seam sealing. The sleeves ran long on Cypress in an XXS — more than most jackets at this size.

How to care for the Columbia Glennaker

Machine wash cold. The Omni-Shield coating benefits from low heat drying to reactivate water repellency. No bleach or fabric softeners.

Does the Columbia Glennaker pack down?

Yes — lightest jacket we tested, rolls into a very compact bundle. Perfect for a car door pocket or the bottom of a bag.

Columbia Glennaker sizing guide

We tested XXS on Cypress at age 4 — sleeves ran noticeably long, more so than other XXS jackets. True to size in body length. For a car-stash jacket the extra length isn’t a problem.

Who is the Columbia Glennaker best for?

Every family needs a car jacket. This is that jacket. Keep it in the trunk or by the door. At $50 you can buy multiples — one in the car, one at school, one at grandma’s. That math works.

Pro tip: The downward-facing pockets are a rain-shedding design choice, not a flaw. Just know what you’re getting.

How the Columbia Glennaker compares to other kids’ rain jackets