Columbia Sportswear Gear is Tested Tough

When it comes to outdoor clothing and outerwear, Columbia Sportswear is a tried-and-tested brand among mountaineers and adventurers. While there may be more affordable options in the market today for jackets, shoes and accessories, Columbia is a brand that people who want quality gear will be willing to spend on.

Columbia Sportswear is one of the best options for travelers who really intend to use the same pair of shoes and jackets for their outdoor adventures for a long time. I recently used their windbreaker during a winter trip to Hokkaido in Japan with subzero temperatures and found it very lightweight and versatile, extremely handy for providing extra warmth from the wind and snow.

Hiking to Mt. Pulag in the rain. New Year 2013 (using Columbia’s Bugaboo Interchange jacket & Columbia shoes)

I’ve been using Columbia gear for a while now, even before I started blogging. I didn’t have to change my first pair of Columbia shoes for about five years after using it extensively for hiking, biking and everyday sporty wear. I’ve also gone on a lot of memorable adventures with the Columbia Bugaboo Interchange jacket that I bought on sale a decade ago and which is still alive today.

Motorcycling from Sagada to Bontoc in 2012 using the inner fleece of Columbia Bugaboo interchange jacket

This Interchange jacket has an inner fleece lining and a removable waterproof shell, which has come in handy in colder destinations in the country, particularly in the Cordilleras like Baguio, Bontoc and Sagada. This was my trusty companion during a rainy hike to Mt. Pulag and Maligcong. In the metro, I’ve used the outer shell as a raincoat, for some motorcycle rides to the Sierra Madre mountains, where weather can be very unpredictable.

Columbia Sportswear is really “Tested Tough” as they’ve been producing and innovating products since 1938. To mark their 80th Anniversary, they recently relaunched their flagship store in the Philippines to continue to inspire people to head outdoors.

Photo in Maligcong by Martin San Diego for Northbound Magazine

80 Years of Tested Tough

Columbia is reintroducing the 80th anniversary version of the Bugaboo jacket that incorporates their proprietary technology – Omni-Heat thermal reflective liner and Omni-Tech waterproof/breathable, critically seam-sealed weather protection feature, making it even warmer and drier than the 80s edition.

Their superior technology is guaranteed to keep you warmer and outside longer. The technical outer shell is waterproof and breathable. Users can easily adjust the hood, hem and cuffs to fit better. The new zip-in fleece liner also features thermal reflectivity, which reflects body heat for warmth while maintaining a high level of breathability.

Each piece works as an outer layer on its own during moderate conditions. You can wear the items separately if it gets too warm, or combine them when you need full protection in the harshest of weather conditions.

Epic Retail Environment

Part of Columbia Sportswear’s 80th anniversary celebration is redesigning the interiors of their flagship stores. They call it an “Epic-retail environment”.

The new Cascade Retail Environment store concept incorporates evergreen photography, prop libraries, and highly customized fixtures to the store as evidenced by the elaborate fitting rooms and the dramatic and well-thought out amphitheatre. Every detail has been meticulously planned and implemented for one purpose – to deliver a superior brand environment dedicated to enhance the retail experience of customers.

Be sure to check out the flagship store at MOA, especially if you’re planning to get into more hiking and outdoor adventures to cold destinations next year. Aside from their winter jackets and shoes, Columbia also has a range of everyday gear like convertible pants (which you can convert from pants to shorts with zippers), sweatproof shirts and Omni-wick active wear suitable for the country’s tropical weather.