In late September, New Zealand is just emerging from frosty winter months. Like with most shoulder season travel, that means unpredictable weather: snow, wind and rain — lots of rain. I didn't want anything to slow my adventures down, so when I visit, I put my faith in Columbia's new OutDry Extreme line to keep me comfortable.
I own several pieces from Columbia's winter collections, and have been consistently impressed by their quality, durability and longevity — they're built not just for the adventure traveller, but also the frigophobic city-dweller.
My New Zealand road trip itinerary is varied — hikes, spelunking, kayaking, ziplining, exploring Hobbiton and urban trekking. The forecast promises rain (though, luckily, not enough to cancel any activities), and temperatures ranging from 8–15 C. Not the easiest to weather to dress for — a big, bulky jacket would quickly have me warm in the morning, but dripping with sweat by the afternoon. Water-resistant outerwear might help keep some moisture away, but with extended stints in hostels and no real way to dry things out, I could be dealing with an unpleasantly damp jacket every day.
Columbia Men's Whistler Peak Shell Jacket
Columbia Men's Whistler Peak Shell Jacket: The pros
This waterproof jacket, wielding Columbia's OutDry Extreme technology, wasn't just made to survive the rain — it thrives in it. With a fully seam-sealed membrane, this lightweight outerwear scoffs in the face of a downpour.
It quickly becomes the unsung hero of my trip. From deflecting spray while I kayak under waterfalls to keeping me cool, then dry during shifting weather on a hike near geothermal mud ponds, this jacket lets me blissfully ignore the weather and fully enjoy my New Zealand adventures.
On a treacherously rocky hike to the stunning Lake Marian, I unzip the underarm vents to stay cool. As the heat of the day really sets in (and the uphill stretch of the trail proves to be never-ending), I remove the jacket entirely and am able to neatly fold it into my backpack. It's such a versatile piece of clothing technology, I can't stop raving about it — plus, like the rest of Columbia's line, the Canoe colour is stylish enough to complement my everyday fall or spring wardrobe once I return to Toronto.
Columbia Men's Whistler Peak Shell Jacket: The cons
Because of how lightweight this jacket is, you've still got to layer up to stay warm, but that's already a smart decision when you're travelling during the shoulder seasons.
Columbia Men's Konos Trillium ATR Shoe
Columbia Men's Konos Trillium ATR Shoe: The pros
As light as a feather, yet with some seriously heavy-duty treads, these kicks are built for trail running and perform exceptionally well on any terrain New Zealand throws at me. The mesh upper means my feet stay cool, even when I'm exerting myself on the hills of Hobbiton. Back home, Toronto is a city of fast walkers — these Konos Trillium ATR shoes give me a boost of speed on the sidewalks, too.
Columbia Men's Konos Trillium ATR Shoe: The cons
I find these shoes are optimized for speed and grip, and so they don't quite provide the same level of protection as traditional hiking boots (and they aren't waterproof, either). That ultimately makes them an even more versatile footwear, though — they work equally as well on a hiking trail as they do perusing the city, establishing them as an excellent shoe to bring travelling.
Columbia's Men's ROC™ Tech Cargo Pants
What good is it to have a waterproof jacket if your pants aren't rain-resistant, too? I love how slim and stylish Columbia's ROC cargo pants are, and they did a fantastic job protecting me from showers and chilly gusts. The best part about these pants is how little you think about them as you're wearing them — where other hiking bottoms might start to be abrasive after hours of walking, I find them to be smooth and comfortable even after a full day's wear.
Columbia Men's DriVenture Half Zip Shirt
Half zips are all the rage right now, and this one helps guard against the sun's rays and wicks body moisture quickly to keep cool. I appreciate the slim fit and breathability, while it still protects my arms as I navigate through the New Zealand brush.
