Stay Dry on Active Adventures With Columbia’s Latest Gear
With temperatures in Vancouver finally hitting over 20 C, I was eager for a warm summery adventure. I headed to Quarry Rock in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove, a section of the Baden Powell Trail, to put some of Columbia Sportswear’s latest gear to the test. I was excited to see how their newest technologies would hold up in keeping me dry, cool and comfortable during a hot day outdoors.
The 3.8-kilometre round-trip trail offered a bit of everything, all set within a dense forest of Douglas Fir and Hemlock trees. I alternated between steady hiking and jogging to work up a real sweat, which would typically leave me overheated—but this time, I wasn’t rushing to do that, thanks to Columbia’s gear.
I was wearing the Cirque River™ Pro Short Sleeve Crew Shirt, which features Omni-Shade™ UPF 40, Columbia’s built-in sun protection that uses tightly woven fabric and specially engineered fibres to block harmful UV rays.
Sun-protective clothing is superior in general in providing protection when compared to sunscreens. Columbia Sportswear, in partnership with Oregon Health Sciences University, published a study in the journal Cancers which speaks about this in-depth. It also covers the sustainable benefits—and that as concerns continue to rise about the damage topical sunscreens have on wildlife and coral reefs, there is an inherent need to normalize alternative methods of sun protection.
Then there’s the Omni-Freeze™ Zero Ice technology. The fabric is embedded with tiny rings that activate an instant cooling effect when exposed to sweat, regulating my temperature as I climbed up the trail.
Finally, Omni-Wick™ technology pulled moisture away from my skin and dispersed it across the fabric’s surface so it could evaporate quickly, keeping me dry even as the temperature climbed.
Once I reached the exposed rocky summit, I was glad I was still layered up in Columbia’s Summit Valley™ Long Sleeve Half Zip Shirt, which features Omni-Shade™ Sun Deflector technology. Embedded with light-reflective dots on the outside, the shirt helps deflect UV rays and heat away from the body, like an extra layer of sunscreen built right into the fabric.
Beyond sun protection, it’s designed with thoughtful details that let you adjust on the go.
While soaking in the views, I squeezed in a few lunges to loosen my legs before the descent and noticed just how flexible my Weekend Rays Water Shorts felt. Treated with Omni-Shield™ Advanced Repellency, Columbia’s water- and stain-resistant finish causes water, mud and spills to bead up and roll right off. Even after the ascent, the fabric stayed dry. As a bonus, six pockets, including zippered and hook-and-loop closures, kept all my small essentials in place as I moved.
Heading back down to the trailhead, I appreciated that I was still dry from head to toe. My feet stayed comfortable thanks to the Konos™ TRS OutDry™ Shoe. Built for trail performance, these shoes deliver a solid combo of adaptive cushioning, added stability and grippy traction, which helps navigate the mix of dirt, roots and rocks along the trail. What really stood out, though, was the OutDry™ technology, which seals out moisture without trapping heat, providing all-around comfort.
Even though the sun was out during my hike, anyone familiar with the Pacific Northwest knows how unpredictable the weather can be. A dry morning can quickly turn into a drizzly afternoon, and leftover puddles on the trail are pretty much a given, even in summer. Having footwear ready for wet conditions is just smart planning.
Get the Gear
Weekend Rays™ Water Shorts
($74.99 CAD)
Designed for warm, humid days, these shorts are made with quick-drying, stain-releasing Omni-Shield™ fabric that resists moisture to keep you dry and comfortable. Built-in drainage holes speed up drying while six pockets, including hand, zippered and hook-and-loop closures, offer plenty of secure storage for your essentials.
Shop women’s
Summit Valley™ Long Sleeve Half Zip Shirt
($ 109.99 CAD)
This lightweight long-sleeve is built for sunny, active days with quick-drying, cooling, odour-neutralizing fabric and sun-deflecting technology to help block UV rays. Thumbholes keep sleeves in place and extend coverage over your hands for extra sun protection while moisture-wicking tech helps you stay dry and comfortable on the move.
Cirque River™ Pro Short Sleeve Crew Shirt
($64.99 CAD)
Built for high-output adventures, this performance crew shirt features UPF 40 sun protection and sweat-activated cooling technology with blue rings that absorb moisture and boost evaporation.
Konos™ TRS OutDry™ Shoe
($170.00 CAD)
This lightweight, waterproof trail shoe delivers adaptive cushioning, enhanced stability and reliable traction on both wet and dry terrain, built for comfort and performance across changing conditions.
This article is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear
From a local hat company to a global leader in the outdoor industry, Columbia Sportswear has been busy helping adventurers take on whatever Mother Nature throws your way for more than 85 years.
