Here at OutdoorUAE we get asked many times what would be the best equipment to go hiking in. There is actually no uniform answer to that question, since it depends very much on the area where you hike and even on your personal preferences. There are a few guidelines you can follow and Columbia is actually offering the full range of equipment you might need to start from scratch.
In the UAE, we mainly have to consider factors like sun and heat rather than cold temperatures and rain, so sun protection is important. Apart from sun screen, it is always recommended to wear a hat or a cap.
The Columbia Omni-Shade Titanium Ball Cap is exactly this and is comfortable and shades your face from the sun and keeps the fresh air flowing through.
For the trousers, I generally wear heavy cotton trousers for hiking but especially now when temperatures rise, lightweight functional clothing is a much better option to stay cool and in style. The Titanium short is crafted from 4-way comfort stretch fabric with built-in Omni-Shield™ advanced repellency and Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 sun protection.
For the top, the Men’s Titan Ice shirt takes my vote with its ultra light and cool layer that is meant to go the distance. This innovative men’s polo tee from the Columbia Titanium collection cuts weight and keeps you comfortable with Omni-Freeze Zero mesh inserts, which uses airflow to amplify the shirt’s innovative cooling affects. A zip-open collar lets you adjust your ventilation on the fly, bonded seams deliver chafe-free comfort and wicking technology pulls sweat away from your skin to keep you comfortable.
Most importantly for any hike, long walk or trail run – in Kalba or in Ras al Khaimah’s wadis and mountains, is the right choice of your footwear. Usually I would always recommend wearing a shoe for hiking which has ankle support, but since we are facing very high temperatures in the UAE, I recommend trail running shoes since their soles are made for rough terrain but they are lightweight and usually have better ventilation than heavy hiking boots. The Ventrailia Razor trail shoe is perfect for the UAE. It is a fully waterproof, lightweight and flexible shoe with welded textile and mesh uppers for maximum breathability, cooling and comfort. The Techlite lightweight midsole offers superior cushioning and high-energy return.
Also more care should be taken while choosing your backpack. First of all you should decide on the size if you need a small day pack or maybe something bigger for long multi-day trips. 30-40L is a good size you can use for almost everything, even for short weekend breaks. A rain cover is always a good extra that you might neglect while you’re here in the UAE but if you travel, you can use it abroad or like me, I use it as protection if I check in my backpack as luggage so that the straps are not getting stuck or torn off on the airport’s baggage belts.
The rugged Trail Elite daypack fulfills these requirements and has an aluminium frame, Techlite straps, is hydration bottle compatible and has a whole set of features designed to make the most out of any hike. The mesh on the back ensures air ventilation which is great in the UAE. You also have enough straps and pockets to attach hiking poles, GPS or pack extra water bottles.
There is a big choice at Columbia and other stores for your hiking needs here and abroad. But if you are not sure and need a starting point, the aforementioned equipment is a very good choice of high quality products suitable for the conditions here and will only cost you approximately 1,700 AED. The light weight and great ventilation of all the products is one of the main features to choose all or any of the recommendations. Keep in mind that buying a good set of gear is an investment for many
years and worth every dirham spent.
Get these quality equipment at any Columbia store in Dubai (Ibn Battuta Mall, The Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Outlet Mall and Mall of the Emirates) and Abu Dhabi (Al Wahda Mall) for the following prices.
Titan Peak Short: 259 AED
Men’s Titan Ice™: 249 AED
Titanium™ Ball Cap: 89 AED
Ventrailia ™ Razor Outdry®: 399 AED
Trail Elite™ 35L: 719 AED
Words by: Daniel Birkhofer
