If you have ever followed me on Instagram or watch my YouTube videos over the past few years, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of Columbia sportswear. Every single adventure I go on, I seem to have some sort of Columbia sportswear with me, whether that is my trusty Columbia Montrail trail running trainers or my perfect in all situations, Columbia down jacket, whatever I’m doing there is always something!

Columbia Sportswear has four sorts of clothing, ones to keep your dry, to keep you warm, to keep you cool or to keep you protected. Ideal for whether you are hiking, running, skiing, or just out camping. Before I left for California Columbia sent me some new kit to try out, as I knew I was off to be active and today I’m going to go through how I got on. Thing is, you’ll notice I’m wearing other Columbia items, not in the current season, actually, they are from many many seasons ago, but they’re still the best for me to use. What I’m saying is, this kit from Columbia is an investment – and a bloody good one.

Hiking

First thing I tested the new Spring Summer Columbia Sportswear kit out on was hiking. I did a sunrise hike up to the Hollywood sign with Nick, which was in the dark initially before we got to the top. I used a bit of my older kit here in the form of my Columbia Montrail trainers (which I actually purchased 2 pairs of because I loved them so much). The clothing was great, although I did wish halfway up that I had worn a breathable hiking t-shirt instead of my Keep it Wild top, but it was appreciated when we stopped just because it was that bit warmer.

The Columbia Montrail Bajada leggings were incredible, they weren’t awkward or uncomfortable, quite the opposite. They were flexible, (four-way comfort stretch) they have a zip pocket, and you can tighten them. I found these to be the ideal companions over the uneven surface and actually protected my legs over any prickly plants or scraps from rocks. These Columbia leggings also have built-in UPF 50 sun protection and ultra-wicking fabric which essentially helps if you were to get sweaty as it evaporates quickly. Perfect for a workout!

  • Omni-Wick™
  • Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 sun protection
  • 4-way comfort stretch
  • Interior adjustable waistband
  • Zip-closed security pocket
  • Mid rise

Yoga

I decided to indulge in some desert yoga when we got to Joshua tree. Another sunrise session on my hands for a great sun salutation, and whilst Columbia Sportswear isn’t specifically designed for yoga it is designed with ‘urban adventures’ and I’ll take this as one of those moments. Just to highlight at this point, I travelled in that gorgeous Columbia hoodie and it was probably the perfect companion for my long haul flight. Back to my yoga though, again tested out my Columbia Montrail leggings and my Columbia hoodie during this exercise, but before I spent my time in the desert with my new Columbia Solana sandals.

I’m probably in big danger of sounding ridiculously old here, but good footwear is a high priority for me. Gone are my days of cheap shoes with no soles, they’ve done their damage, and I now need good shoes to make my feet happy once again. Sandals and flip flops are notorious for damaging feet so investing in a good pair is very important. I knew the trainers and boots from Columbia Sportswear were good, but I’d never tried their sandals until this trip. These sandals were super comfortable and with the adjustable Velcro strap you know it is all very secure. The sole of these sandals is quite sturdy, they have EVA midsoles which basically hug your feet! This means you can actually wear them to walk places other than roads. What I mean is, if for example you need to head across a beach or an uneven path, rest assured you’re supported. Hurray!

  • Full grain leather straps with a webbing detail and pigskin lining
  • Adjustable heel strap allows for the perfect fit
  • EVA comfort midsole with antimicrobial, odour-destroying technologies working nonstop to control odours, stains, and keeping this product fresh longer
  • Solid non-marking rubber outsole

Camping

We didn’t camp whilst we visited the Golden State, but we did when we got home in the Lake District. The Columbia CSC Bugasweat hoodie was a big hit once again. With me being super sun conscious it is good to know Columbia’s signature UPF 50 sun protection is built into the fabric to shield you from harmful UV rays. It’s very comfortable and stretches meaning for things like travel or moving around a lot, it’s designed with that in mind.

  • Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 sun protection
  • Comfort stretch
  • Drawcord adjustable hood
  • Kangaroo pocket, Drawcord adjustable hem
  • Center back length: 25 in.

Trail Running

The only new thing I used for trail running was my Columbia Montrail leggings, the rest of the kit is old seasons, but there are products very similar currently for sale. The Columbia leggings and their moisture-wicking quality really helped with this humid race! My Columbia Colorado trainers were ideal for the challenges of the tricky surfaces of running around the lakes, and my long-sleeved Omni-wick fabric top was still a great option for being warm for the start of the race but was cool during.