Packing for Adventurous Summer Travel with Columbia

Packing for a big trip can be daunting. All sorts of questions run through your head. Like: What will the weather be like? What should I bring in case it rains? Will anyone care if I wear the same shirt twice? How many pairs of shoes can I stuff in this bag?

But, after traveling to all sorts of destinations all around the world in the past decade, I've gotten into a bit of a groove when it comes to packing. I have my travel favorites – items that I always pack, no matter where I'm going – along with whole drawers filled with items that are best for specific types of trips.

Going to the Arctic in winter? I've got clothes for that. Headed to the Deep South in the middle of summer? Yup, I'm prepared for that, too!

And, over the years, a lot of my “travel-friendly” gear has come from one company: Columbia. I've worn their hiking pants in New Zealand, capris in Egypt, rain coat in Ireland, and boots in Norway.

So when Columbia approached me about working together to highlight some of their gear that can keep you cool and protected in the summer and help you “Stay Out There” longer, I jumped at the chance.

As I started going through all the Columbia items I own, I realized a couple of things. First, that Columbia's gear holds up pretty darn well – I've had some of these items for YEARS. And secondly, that you can put together a ton of different outfits with just a handful of clothing items.

Packing for adventurous summer travel with Columbia

So with a mission in mind, I began mixing and matching and came up with seven different outfits using about a dozen pieces from Columbia. Here's how you can tackle all sorts of summer adventures with Columbia:

For a day on the trails

I live close to several parks with bike trails in northeast Ohio, and my husband Elliot and I love to hit the trails in the summer. We like to hop on bikes when we travel, too, as getting around by bike is often one of the best ways to explore a new city.

What I'm wearing: A Columbia Crestview™ Tank with a breathable back; a pair of Women's Sandy River™ Shorts that I've had for a couple years; and the new Women's Dorado™ CVO PFG shoes in a fun teal color. These shoes are meant more for water sports, but I've found that they work just fine for biking, too!

For a day on the water

Speaking of water sports… whether it's a day hanging out on a boat, or soaking up some sun lakeside, Columbia's got you covered. Along with being light and breathable, a lot of their clothing is made with built-in sun protection, too – just look for the “OMNI-SHADE™” tag when you're shopping.

What I'm wearing: My Women's Crestview™ Tank again, along with a Women's Anytime Casual™ Skort, which I've been wearing for about three summers now. I love this skort because it's soft and flexible, but also appropriate for more active activities than a regular skirt would be. I'm wearing the Dorado™ shoes again, too, because they're perfect for the water – you don't have to worry about getting them wet, as they dry super fast!

For a weekend hike

I'm not a huge hiker, but I do like getting out into the woods when the weather is nice. I'm lucky to live close to all the trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, and am also often inspired to tackle short hikes when I travel simply because I'm a sucker for great views.

But let me get real with you here: I turn into an absolute sweat monster when I hike during the summer, so lightweight, breathable clothing is an absolute must for me.

What I'm wearing: I'm wearing an older Columbia shirt here, but it's comparable to the current Women’s Outerspaced™ II Tee or the Wander More™ Short Sleeve Tee. This is paired with my Women's Anytime Outdoor™ Capris, which offer sun protection, and are also water and stain repellent (bonus!). These capris are light and flexible, making them perfect for any summer activity, or any warm-weather destination.

Not pictured: Some Women’s Newton Ridge™ Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boots and Hiking Light Merino Crew socks. Add these, and you'll be all set to hit any trail.

For a summer night

Summer nights are some of the best nights here in Ohio. They're warm (but usually not too warm), the sunsets last forever, and, come July, they're usually filled with fireflies. I haven't quite found anywhere else in the world where the summer nights compare to the ones in Ohio – but I'm still looking!

What I'm wearing: A Women's Flash Forward™ Windbreaker Jacket, which is perfect for cool summer nights; my Women's Anytime Outdoor™ Capris; and a pair of Women's Santiam™ Flip Sandals, which are both cute AND supportive.

For a rainy day

Even though I wish every travel day could be sunny, the reality is that weather is weather and it can do just about anything. Which is why I own plenty of rain gear, especially considering that some of my favorite places to travel are often wet and chilly!

What I'm wearing: In Ireland, I relied on my Women's Arcadia™ II Rain Jacket (which has become my “signature look,” it feels like!), along with a pair of Women's Rainey™ Tall Rainboots. These boots are GREAT – they're waterproof, cute, and actually offer a bit of arch support.

What I'm wearing: For a more intense outdoor adventure (like that time I went hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park in the fog and rain), I'd go with my lighter Women's EvaPOURation™ Jacket and Women’s Storm Surge™ Rain Pant in order to keep extra dry.

For a night out on the town

Yes, you can totally dress up your Columbia clothing, too! Even though they make active and outdoorsy clothing, it's not actually that difficult to dress it up for a night out. This is good news, since it means you don't need to pack a fancy outfit that you might only wear once.

What I'm wearing: I found that if I pair my Anytime Casual™ Skort with a plain top, it's pretty easy to dress it up with some jewelry! I'm wearing a shirt similar to the current Women’s Outerspaced™ II Tee or the Wander More™ Short Sleeve Tee. Add a pair of sandals (I've got on the Santiam™ Flip Sandals again), and you're ready to go out to dinner!

Shop the Summer Sale!

Columbia is currently running it's Summer Sale. Between now and August 14, you can save 50% off select gear (some of which was featured in this post!). Check out their summer sale page to learn more.

And don't forget to sign up for Columbia's Loyalty Program, which lets you earn points on every purchase and also nets you free shipping all the time, no strings attached.

There you have it: Pretty much a full summer wardrobe in roughly a dozen items!

Do you have a go-to brand when you’re packing for travel?

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