After my Columbia Men's Peakfreak™ Venture Mid LT retired last year, I spent months searching for a replacement. Originally, I was eyeing a pair from Salomon but the scarcity of their supply in Dubai made me choose something else. So in the end, I ended up with another pair from Columbia. My not-so-new pair is the Columbia Women's Peakfreak II Mid Outdry. A year of usage, how do you think it performed? Let's find out.
Brand: Columbia
Officially named as Columbia Sportswear Company, Columbia is an American outdoor brand founded in Portland, Oregon. Its main products are outerwear, sportswear, and footwear. Over the years, the product line has expanded to bags, outerwear accessories, camping equipment, and ski apparel.
Columbia in the UAE is pretty much established with its stores in malls and through Sun and Sands Sports as outlet distributors. Not all of the latest models are available though and most of the items in outlets are old models. Nonetheless, it's a fairly accessible and affordable brand.
To know more about the full range of Columbia's products, you may check the OFFICIAL COLUMBIA WEBSITE.
Model: Columbia Women's Peakfreak II Mid Outdry
A pair of boots designed for women, Columbia Peakfreak II Mid Outdry boasts its Techlite, OutDry, and Adapt Trax technologies. These technologies make the shoes lightweight, waterproof-breathable but with high traction in wet and dry conditions.
According to Columbia (and I quote), the product details are as follows:
- Seamless mesh delivers exceptional fit and support
- OutDry™ waterproof, breathable construction
- TechLite+™ midsole provides elevated cushioning, stability, and energy return with extra-light responsive foam, for long-lasting comfort on any terrain
- Adapt Trax™ outsole provides exceptional wet-or-dry traction using a unique compound and hike-specific tread pattern to keep you stable on any terrain
- Navic Fit™ System delivers comfort and stability with a unique lace-webbing system that keeps your heel in place for a more secure fit while running or hiking
- 3D print provides lightweight stability
The pair is available directly from Columbia stores or Sun & Sand Sports. I bought mine last year (May 2023) at a retail price of AED479.00.
Columbia Women’s Peakfreak™ II Mid Outdry Review:
I learned my lesson this time and I finally bought the correct shoe size. The first thing I noticed upon using the pair is that I had fewer incidents so far compared to my Columbia Peakfreak Venture Mid LT. The exact count is one so far, which happened while going down from Komsomolets Peak. The trail was a combination of small rocks and powdery sand on a loose trail. Plus, I was dead tired and sleepy by that time.
Fortunately, in UAE's terrain, no trip or slip happened which surprised me. Not only this is connected to being the right size, but I can tell that the grip and traction are way better compared to my old pair.
Of course, I also tested it in the famous Stairway to Heaven as well as in Big Chimgan in Uzbekistan and its rope sections. I'm impressed, to say the least.
When it comes to waterproofing, I have mixed feelings about it. During last year's Snow Run, my feet sunk in the snow downhill and the shoes got wet easily so my feet felt cold even while running. In Mount Elgon (on 3rd day) and Komsomolets Peak, the shoes easily got wet as my feet brushed the grasses and their moisture on the ground. The good thing though that the shoes dried quickly afterward.
Final Verdict:
Overall, I am satisfied with the shoes' sturdiness, grip, and traction which is now my non-negotiable. It was also lightweight compared to its bulky appearance and super comfortable with its cushioning. I think it did well in the different terrains that I've been to in the past year.
However, considering that I am pretty active outdoors, I’m not sure how well it will hold up in its second and third years. Will it even make it to the third year? I have doubts about its durability and whether its performance will last for a long time. But I want to be proven wrong. So let's see how it goes.
What about you? What shoes are you using for your hikes? Would you recommend them? Let me know in the comments below! 👇🏽
