Is the Drop Ridge II warm enough for winter?

With both layers zipped together it handles typical cold, wet winter days. The liner is uninsulated in the technical sense, so for below-freezing stretches plan on a sweater underneath.

Can I wear the shell and liner separately?

Yes. The interchange system lets you wear the waterproof shell alone in rain, the Omni-Heat liner alone in dry cold, or both together.

Is it actually waterproof?

The shell uses Omni-Tech waterproof/breathable fabric with a hood and center-front placket. Seams and zippers are the usual weak points, so re-treat the fabric if water stops beading.

It has a regular fit and a 30-inch back length, so it covers the hips without being boxy. Size up if you plan to layer thick sweaters under the liner.

The jacket ships as a set: the outer shell and the removable Omni-Heat liner. Both are included; the liner zips out.

Columbia outerwear typically drops in end-of-season sales in late winter and around major holiday sales. Check the price history on this page before buying.