For the final couple of months, I’ve been testing a number of Columbia mountaineering gear together with a shocking pair of mountaineering boots. Learn on to search out out why nothing obtained lower than a 4-star score…
I’m an enormous fan of Columbia, specifically for the sizing of their girls’s out of doors gear. As a giant lady packing an entire lotta junk in her trunk and at present sporting a UK 16-18, discovering out of doors gear that matches generally is a actual problem.
I’ve been sporting Columbia for at the very least 25 years now, beginning once I bought a technical snowboarding jacket from them. While it’s not a model I see large numbers of oldsters within the UK sporting, they’re enormous within the US and Canada, and their gear is great.
Right here’s what I attempted out;
Peakfrek Hera Mid OutDry Mountain climbing Boots
These boots present the consolation of trainers and are no doubt, the lightest mountaineering boots I’ve ever worn.
In contrast, I’ve an outdated pair of Soloman mountaineering boots which are so heavy and inflexible, that simply placing them on zaps me of vitality. These are the other, placing a spring in your step.
They supply nice help and are perfect for while you need to really feel gentle in your toes, however nonetheless need the reassurance of with the ability to tackle more durable summer time hill path terrain.
The one purpose these boots don’t get the complete 5* score is that the white and really gentle pink color, regardless of trying actually stunning, isn’t massively sensible for severe mountaineering in moist (muddy) circumstances.
There are nevertheless different colourways out there which can make a extra sensible alternative.
Total Ranking 
(4.5 / 5)
Columbia Ladies’s Peakfreak™ Hera Mid OutDry™ Mountain climbing Boot £75 – £125
Solar Trek Hoodie
A stunning light-weight hoodie that’s excellent for the crossover season of later summer time and early spring, it’s additionally obtained UPF 50 solar safety constructed into it – excellent for breezy coastal walks or any time the solar is out, however there’s a chill within the air.
I discovered it was a high I’d usually attain for while tenting, on the finish of the day to put on beside the campfire and on cloudy however heat days, it was splendid too offering a bit of bit of heat and canopy, with out making me overheat or really feel
It is a hoodie that packs down actually small, making it splendid for weekends away, tenting journeys and holidays. The one factor that might make this high higher can be the inclusion of pockets, a giant kangaroo pouch throughout the entrance can be splendid.
Worn to date solely in the course of the summer time on cooler cloudy days, I’ve discovered this surprisingly heat, so I’d suggest this for autumn put on, or worn as a mid-layer in colder climate.
I like the lower on the backside which is low sufficient to take a seat beneath my tummy and to cowl the highest of my bum, which implies once I’m bending down, the hoodie isn’t so brief that it exposes pores and skin.
It’s fairly lengthy within the arms, which I like, and I like the way in which the hood drapes. The one factor I’d say is that at a measurement L, it fitted tremendous, however I usually favor a looser match, so in hindsight, the XL would have fitted my present measurement 16-18 physique extra to my liking.
Total Ranking 
(4 / 5)
Columbia Ladies’s Solar Trek™ Hoodie £31.50 – £45
Leslie Falls Trousers
Regardless of being on the higher finish of straight sizing, a 16 or XL isn’t at all times designed to accommodate a giant tummy or bum, or within the case of tops, massive boobs. Final yr I wanted some new mountaineering pants and like a relaxed match and shorter size that gathers on the backside to take a seat above my mountaineering boots.
I selected the Columbia Firwood mountaineering pants and favored them a lot, I instantly bought a second pair, so I had excessive hopes for the Leslie Falls trousers.
I like the pull-on model of those trousers, there’s no zips to faff with and a large elasticated waist that gives jogging-pants like consolation, together with deep pocks.
One of many options I most like about these trousers is the flexibility to cinch within the backside of the legs during which provides to the relaxed joggers really feel of them. They’re comparatively skinny, so I’ve discovered them splendid for summer time hikes, although they’re roomy sufficient for me so as to add a pair leggings or thermals beneath for winter hikes.
Though they aren’t waterproof, having worn them on walks when the climate has turned and begun to rain, they dry extraordinarily rapidly so I discover them tremendous sensible – notably as I hate sporting thicker trousers within the warmth of summer time. As somebody who usually runs heat when they’re strolling and has the added ‘bonus’ of sizzling flushes to take care of, thinner mountaineering trousers are a desire whatever the season.
I’m all for consolation as of late and am so over sporting garments which are slim-fitting, restrictive or impractical and I discover the Ladies’s Leslie Falls™ Trousers to be extraordinarily versatile and cozy, offering unrestricted motion and most consolation.
Total Ranking 
(5 / 5)
Ladies’s Leslie Falls™ Trousers £42 – £70
The place to subsequent?
From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures right here on the weblog and in numerous publications she’s written for, Shell has a specific curiosity in selling wellbeing and the numerous advantages of nature remedy.
