Tested: Columbia Montrail Running Gear
For spring, Columbia has partnered with premier footwear brand Montrail to present a head-to-toe assortment of performance apparel for the avid trail runner. The line features everything from breathable waterproof training jackets, to technical running tees with proprietary cooling technology, to rugged and surefooted shoes. Here’s what we found when we put three key pieces from the collection through their paces.
Titan Ultra Short Sleeve Shirt
This is the lightest shirt I’ve ever worn. The feathery weight, along with the sweat-activated Omni-Freeze Zero material, kept me cool in hot temperatures, while the Omni-Wick technology dispersed sweat for faster evaporation and comfort. Other noteworthy features include an antimicrobial treatment that keeps the shirt from getting funky and, my favorite, a drop-tail hem that prevents it from riding up when you bend down to tie your shoes. Best of all, you can fold the shirt down to fit in your fuel belt. 94% nylon, 6% elastane. $55.
Titan Ultra Short
These shorts have a wide elastic waistband and interior stretch brief that made them easy to get in and out of. They’re backed by Omni-Shield repellency and Omni-Wick technology, so they ran cool and dry. My favorite feature: the zippered security pocket, which held my keys, ID and iPod Nano. Two mesh hand pockets are great for carrying gels. The only “con” — I wish they had an adjustable drawstring; I like my bottoms tightly secured at the waist. 100% polyester. $60
Titan Ultra Half Zip
Like the other apparel that’s part of the Columbia Montrail collection, this long-sleeve shirt is backed by Omni-Shield and Omni-Wick, which I found efficient and effective. This is a must-have piece with attention to detail like a reflective logo, thumbhole sleeves and drop-tail hem. The shirt weighs 3.6 ounces and feels light as air. A great piece to travel with, it packs down to fit in a pocket for outings when you may encounter questionable weather. 100% polyester. $70
Get more information or purchase at columbia.com/montrail.html.
Author: Shalini Kovach is a regular contributor to Terrain magazine and is the founder of Terrain Trail Runners
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