Columbia Sportswear is no stranger to adventure, but in recent years, the Portland, Oregon-based company has become more focused on the overlanding market with a complete line of apparel for those adventurers on the move, dubbed the Ready to Roam collection.
Within this reasonably priced collection are Landroamer products, such as the Rad Padded Vest and Landroamer Woven Long Sleeve Shirt we got our hands on for this review. Columbia developed this collection to be tough and versatile, with stain and rain repellency, while keeping an emphasis on comfort, especially while driving.
With each of these products, we wore them on overlanding trips, in vehicles, on the trail, and in a variety of weather over the past several months to get a feel for how they really perform in the backcountry.
Rad Padded Vest
Let’s get this out of the way… we love this vest. Available in three colors (black, canteen, or the delta you see here), it is sized so that if you wear a large shirt, you would choose the vest in large as well, as it takes into account any layers you are wearing underneath.
The Rad Padded Vest is a tough, quilted design that uses a 97-percent Cotton and a 3-percent Elastane shell. The lining is 100-percent Polyester and the insulation is 150g Microtemp XF II that is 85-percent Recycled Polyester and 15-percent Polyester.
The Rad Padded Vest will keep your core warm, while leaving your arms free. It’s perfect for layering in weather that has wide temperature swings and for driving on technical terrain when you don’t want to be overheated or your arms to be constricted by a jacket.
It has tons of useful pockets, including secure outer pockets and drop-in pockets for your hands. We found this vest to be exceedingly comfortable to wear and we appreciate the external D-ring for attaching additional gear to your exterior.
Landroamer Woven Long Sleeve Shirt
Don’t be confused by the name, this shirt is an ultra-soft and warm button-up flannel. It’s not too thick or too stiff, and incorporates just a bit of stretch in the fabric, allowing you to move around easily in it. The dual chest pockets are oversized and functional, while snaps, instead of buttons, make taking the shirt on and off a breeze. Available in Skyler or Flint Gray colorways, the shirt is made from a cotton blend.
After a few outings, the Landroamer Woven Long Sleeve Shirt quickly became one of our favorite trail shirts for cooler weather. When paired with a t-shirt and the Rad Padded Vest, we had a comfortable layering system that allowed us to move freely.
Overall, we are really impressed with the quality of the pieces and the all-day comfort, especially when driving and constantly getting in and out of the vehicle to spot or guide other rigs. The Columbia apparel kept us comfortable and was never overly restrictive to our movements.
In addition to the shirt and vest covered here, Columbia’s Ready to Roam line also includes other outerwear, shorts, pants, and even footwear. If you are an adventurer on the go, this casual and rugged clothing line is worth a look.
Columbia Sportswear
www.columbia.com
Access More Great Stories!
For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder
No comments yet