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The Vixen™: Columbia’s Women Specific Do-Everything Pack

posted by gumptiongear January 9, 2012 0 comments

In an industry dominated by the male perspective, it’s always refreshing when a company takes time to craft a product designed specifically for the mountainista. As part of their new line of adventure packs, Columbia has released the women’s specific Vixen. Like its male specific counter parts, the Treadlite and Endura, the Vixen is designed specifically to provide freedom to roam fast and light without compromising on comfort or features.

So when the company offered our Gumption Gals the opportunity to test the Vixen backpack we jumped at the chance. Continue Reading

Gear Reviews Go Outdoors

Columbia’s Reach The Peak™ Hybrid Down Jacket: Innovation in Warmth

posted by Gumption Scott December 15, 2011 0 comments

“Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.” — George Kneller

New for 2011, the Reach The Peak™ Hybrid Down Jacket from Columbia is a prime example of the company’s new attitude. Released as part of their fall collection, this isn’t your grand-pa’s puff-ball down jacket of a bygone era. Nixing tradition, Columbia has utilized innovations in design techniques and material technology to reduce the bulk while still providing the warmth you need when your favorite mountain freezes over. Continue Reading

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Give the Gift of Gumption

posted by gumptiongear December 13, 2011 0 comments

Procrastinators beware: post offices and other carriers have domestic shipping deadlines that are fast approaching. All carriers advise not to wait any longer to send Christmas goodies, greeting cards and gifts across the country. That being said, we understand that you might still be struggling to find that perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. As such, here’s a few suggestions that stem from some of our favorite gear of the past year. Continue Reading

Gear Reviews Go Outdoors Go Pack

Columbia’s Treadlite & Endura Backpacks: Attitude and Innovation

posted by gumptiongear December 10, 2011 0 comments

As Columbia will readily admit, there was a time not that long ago when the company had settled into a comfortable niche of merely cramming apparel and gear into big department stores. Thankfully for outdoor enthusiasts that is no longer the case as Columbia is once again on a creative quest re-examining what they once did with fresh eyes. The result is a wave of product and technology launches resulting in gear that will satisfy the unbridled hunger for adventure that rests within each of us.

Gear Reviews Go Outdoors

Columbia Baselayers: The Merger of Technology and Performance

posted by gumptiongear November 7, 2011 0 comments

Layering your clothing is a tried-and-true way to ensure comfort (and warmth) during those days where the mercury drops and your breath hangs in the air around you mid-sentence. The beauty of this simple concept is that it allows you to make quick adjustments based on your activity level and changes in the weather.

Thanks to Columbia, it’s time to ditch those cotton undies and the souvenir T-shirt from that U2 concert and upgrade to the Baselayers bolstered with Omni-Heat technology for warm, dry, layer-able comfort during your active cool weather pursuits.

On the Merger of Technology and Performance…
John Wooden once said, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”

By paying detailed attention to the oft-ignored liner of our cold weather garments Columbia is inciting a revolution in outdoor performance apparel through their patented Omni-Heat technology. This thermal reflective technology manages body heat through a system of tiny silver dots. These tiny dots are the little details that work together to make big things happen. Continue Reading

Gear Reviews Go Outdoors

Columbia’s Peak Ascent™ Beanie: Warmth Redesigned

posted by gumptiongear November 4, 2011 0 comments

Thanks to the crafty crew at Columbia, the traditional beanie just hit the next step of the evolutionary ladder.

Columbia has taken the classic design of your favorite cozy winter lid and lined it with their Omni-Heat® thermal reflective lining. Similar to an emergency blanket, Omni-Heat’s tiny silver dots bounce body heat back at you while at the same time allowing excess heat to escape through the permeable/breathable regions between the dots thereby keeping your noggin’ from overheating.

Gear Reviews Go Pack

First Look: Columbia’s Spring 2012 Backpack Line-Up

posted by gumptiongear October 20, 2011 0 comments

Edward C. Steadman once said, “One must spend time in gathering knowledge to give it out richly.”

If experience brings wisdom, then Columbia Sportswear’s 70+ years of experience in the outdoor industry means they should know a thing or ten about making great outdoor gear. As such, when Columbia offered the Gumption Gear team an opportunity to review their Spring 2012 line-up of versatile new backpacks the answer was an easy – YES!

Columbia’s new series of backpacks – the Treadlite 22, the Women’s Vixen 22 – designed specifically for women – and the Endura 50 is an ample demonstration of the Company’s new direction: Attitude and Innovation.

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