Outdoor Canada’s 2026 Father’s Day gift guide: Great outdoor gear, tackle, apparel, accessories, gadgets and more

MEN’S WHISTLER PEAK SHELL JACKET
I’ve been wearing Columbia’s OutDry jackets since the technology launched in 2015, and with the Whistler Peak Shell the tech continues to get better and better. What sets OutDry Extreme apart is its inside-out construction—the waterproof membrane sits on the outside of the jacket where rain actually hits, while the interior is soft wicking fabric that stays comfortable against your skin even during hard effort. No clammy liner, no moisture trapped between layers.

The bonded, fully adjustable hood is sized for peripheral vision, which is useful when you’re trying to find your way in a downpour. Seam-sealed throughout, with PU-coated zippers, adjustable cuffs and a drawcord hem, there’s nowhere for water to sneak in. Abrasion-resistant overlays on the shoulders and hips handle pack straps without complaint, underarm vents dump heat when the trail steepens, and a droptail hem adds coverage where you need it most. Eleven years into testing OutDry jackets in all kinds of lousy weather from the Northwest Territories to Costa Rica, this is the one I’ll reach for.

—Scott Gardner