ADVENTURES WITH COLUMBIA’S FALL COLLECTION (AT ZAPPOS)

This post was written in collaboration with Zappos & Columbia. As always, all opinions and expressed thoughts are my own.

When people think of California, they don’t always think of cold weather. I live in a Northern California city called Chico located near the foothills of the Sierra Mountains. While Chico itself may not typically drop below 32°F, it can snow a mere 20 minutes up the road. I’m also a 2-ish hour drive from places like Mount Shasta, Lassen National Park, and North Lake Tahoe where it can snow heavily and often start as early as October.

I recently traveled to the beautiful alpine town of Mount Shasta with my fiancé. We are always adventuring around California and exploring new locations every chance we get. I love visiting Shasta after a fresh snowstorm as it reminds me of my childhood back in New England.  Though, traveling during cold weather requires careful planning and diligence. Preparation can often be a key factor in the quality of the trip outcome (so I’ve learned through my own trial and error over the years). As Ben Franklin said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When traveling during cold weather, I always make sure to pack warm layers — and bring a high-performance coat and durable boots.

Specifically, I love Columbia’s fall collection because it’s chock-full of high-performance styles. I’ve been a fan of the brand for more than a decade now. I have a fond memory of my mom purchasing my first Columbia coat a little over 15 years ago before my first afterschool snowboarding class. Besides the vivid memory of falling more times than I could count, I distinctly remember having a high tolerance to the cold weather. After a few runs, I looked around and could see my classmates retreating to the lodge area while I was perfectly comfortable because of my warm Columbia coat.

Fast forward 15 years later and Columbia is still my go-to for outdoor gear. I love their commitment to creating functional, high-performance, and dependable styles. If you’re an adventure lover like myself, I can’t recommend them enough — they make the outdoors so accessible to everyone! Before my Shasta trip, I was sure to pack my Columbia Autumn Rise Trench Jacket & Nikiski Boots. The Autumn Rise Trench Jacket has an Omni-Tech shell with a two-layer water-proof design. The taped seams keep the elements out while adding strength to the areas that receive the most stress. I also think it’s important to note that it’s a breathable design that allows passage of moisture vapor from perspiration. A dependable jacket like this one is crucial for a colder adventure. Think of the outer jacket layer as being the necessary armor to brave the cold & other unfavorable elements.

The Nikiski Boots are also durable and versatile – with 200g of insulation that provides fantastic warmth against the cold. They can take on temperature rated at 25°F/-32°C. The Waterproof membrane of the boots provides breathability and keeps out cold/wet elements. I also love that they’re wildly comfortable —  I wore them for 11 straight hours without any issues! Both the Autumn Rise Trench Coat and Nikiski Boots kept me warm and comfortable during my long, Shasta adventure. With the nonstop rainy & cold weather we’ve been having in Chico recently, the Autumn Rise Trench Jacket has assuredly turned into my every-day jacket as well. Whether you’re seeking a distant journey or an every-day adventure, Columbia has something for you. You can purchase Columbia products on Zappos. Zappos is renowned for their fast, free shipping and a 365-day return policy. It’s perfect for anyone who has a busy, hectic lifestyle like myself.

So… Where will you take Columbia on your next adventure?