Hiking in Columbia gear – lightweight apparel for hot days
17.8.2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
The sun is shining. It’s hot! But I’m still heading out to hike – in my Columbia gear. The Peakfreak II Mid Outdry Hiking Boot and Silver Ridge Utility Pant are made for these very conditions.
As the song by Swiss actor and singer Vico Torriani goes, in Switzerland, the sun shines in summer and snow falls in winter. Back when it was released in the 70s, the world was still fine in terms of climate. Fifty years have since passed. Switzerland is still just as beautiful – and even in the current heat wave, I’m drawn to the outdoors. So, I pack a lot of drinking water in my backpack, grab my dog and head out for a little hike.
On my feet are the Peakfreak II Mid Outdry from Columbia. Tipping the scale at roughly 430 grammes per shoe, they’re featherweights among hiking boots. By comparison, the Breithorn mountain boots from Meindl, which I wear on technically demanding terrain, weigh about double.
Columbia Peakfreak II Mid Outdry Hiking Boot
Needless to say, the Peakfreak II Mid Outdry aren’t suitable for high alpine terrain. These ankle-high boots are more suitable for hiking in easy terrain, where they perform really well. The soft Peakfreaks are comfortable to wear, and their breathable construction keeps your feet dry from sweat even when hiking in hot weather. And they’re weatherproof, meaning you can also wear them in the rain or snow. I can vouch for the shoes’ performance in rainy weather – I got caught in a drizzle several times in spring.
Source: Daniela Rohr
The lowdown
The Peakfreak II Mid Outdry from Columbia are lightweight, comfortable hiking boots for comparatively easy terrain. The breathable construction makes them a good choice for high temperatures. And even in the rain, the Peakfreak keep your feet dry. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet been able to test whether they also work in snow and sub-zero temperatures.
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Pant
The Silver Ridge Utility Pant from Columbia is also made for hot, sunny days. It offers UPF 50 sun protection. UPF stands for «ultraviolet protection factor», with the number indicating how much UV radiation is blocked by the material. According to Columbia, the Silver Ridge pants block 98 per cent of UV rays.
The cargo-style and regular-fit trousers have plenty of pockets for all kinds of items such as a GPS, phone or granola bars. The relaxed fit, partially elastic waistband and removable belt make the Utility Pant comfortable to wear.
Source: Daniela Rohr
The lowdown
The UPF sun protection and sweat-wicking technology of the Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Pant are designed to keep you cool and dry when temperatures rise. And they do. Of course, even these hiking pants reach their limits in the current conditions. Good to know: they’re also available in a convertible variant, allowing you to transform the pants into shorts in a few simple steps. Unfortunately, I own the non-convertible model. This aside, the hiking pants deliver what they promise.
Source: Daniela Rohr
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
Outdoor
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