Last night, I attended the preview event for Columbia's Spring 2012 product line, held at the California Academy of Sciences here in San Francisco. Alongside current Columbia technologies including Omni-Dry, Omni-Heat and Insect Blocker, the new line will feature two brand new innovations- Omni-Freeze ICE and Omni-Wick EVAP.
For the past 10 seasons, Columbia has focused on trying to find new, innovative ways to keep you warm, dry, cool and protected. The latest two technology innovations work to keep you drier in your waterproof breathable jacket and cooler when you are out in the heat.
Omni-Wick EVAP is a new fabric technology with incredible sweat dissipating properties. The gravely surface of the fabric quickly spreads moisture over an extremely broad area, allowing for faster evaporation. Used as a hardshell liner, the wicking fabric helps the waterproof jacket become much more breathable and as a result, keeps you that much drier.
Omni-Freeze ICE uses your own sweat to help keep you cool. A certain chemical is injected into the fibers of the fabric, that when wet, physically drops the temperature of the garment. You feel an immediate cooling sensation on your skin.
Other products in the Spring 2012 line include sleeping bags with Omni-Heat Reflective, a range of backpacks with unique breathable straps (including women's specific), and 25 new footwear models from the minimalist trail runner to the waterproof hiking boot.
I now have the opportunity to test out much of the gear we saw last night while hiking the North Rim Trail of Yosemite over the next four days. So stay tuned for more in depth reviews on Columbia's Spring 2012 product line.
I for one would be really interested in hearing the results of your testing.
Living in Portland, with easy access to some of the best "real" outdoors and mountaineering gear, Columbia tends to be on the "not serious gear" list.
Their aquisition of MHW was a good step in that direction, but in order to get me ( and probabaly people like me ) they're really going to need to step up their offerings to change from the "occasional outdoorsperson".
These fabrics are a great step! If that cool shirt works, I'll def be buying at least one or two for this summer.
If they can change tha
Posted by: todd | June 15, 2011 at 07:35 AM
Thanks Todd! I am excited to actually try them out as well and will definitely let you know how it goes. Columbia actually admits they lost it there for awhile and over the past year or so, have really been pushing hard to bring new innovation and better performance (and better style) to their product line.
So stay tuned for some reviews!
Posted by: Amy Jurries | June 15, 2011 at 08:19 AM
I SO need the Omni-Freeze ICE here in Savannah. I can'd do anything outside between 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. during the summer without completely being drenched in sweat and seriously overheating. It would be nice to actually get a little relief through a shirt. Hope they are cute!
Posted by: Maijaliisa Burkert | June 15, 2011 at 08:35 AM
From what I tested out so far in the rainforest of the California Academy of Sciences, I think you will like the shirts. The fabric does feel cool against your skin as soon as you start to sweat and when the wind hits it, it feels even better! Will let you know how it goes with the shirts this weekend. Thanks Maija!
Posted by: Amy Jurries | June 15, 2011 at 08:56 AM