• Overall Rating

  : 4-5 out of 5

This is a shirt for multi-day hikes and it’s my favourite because to its functional design – mainly the stud closures and roomy pockets – though there are other features I like. It’s not the lightest and I wouldn’t carry it in the pack for camp wear but for wearing all day, every day it’s excellent.

The shirt is made from PFAS-free nylon that is slightly thicker and has a tighter weave than the other shirts, making it slightly more wind-resistant. This doesn’t affect the breathability, which is much the same as the other shirts. Like others, it can get sweaty when working hard, but it does dry quickly. The fabric is designed to keep you dry and cool by pulling moisture to the surface where it can evaporate, a process Columbia calls Omni-Wick. It does this quite well, but no better than shirts without such claims. The shirt also has a permethrin treatment called Insect Shield to ward off biting insects. Midges can’t bite through the fabric, but it might help deter mosquitoes.

The front and cuffs close with studs, making them easy to open and close. The sleeves also have stud fastened straps to hold them in place when rolled up. The sleeves also have mesh vents at the elbows to help with breathability. There’s a mesh vent on the upper back too but this is mostly covered by a rucksack, so it’s only really effective when you’re not wearing one. The two chest pockets are roomy and easily hold a smartphone. One is vertical and has a zip closure, which is good for valuables. It’s also mesh lined and can be left open for ventilation. There’s also a small mesh inner pocket on the hem that would hold something like a bank card.

This is an excellent and comfortable hiking shirt and one I wore a fair bit in last summer’s hot weather.

How Chris tested

Chris is 5’8” and wears a size large. He tested these shirts in warm weather from spring into early autumn on high and low level walks in the Scottish Highlands. The shirts were weighed on his own scales.

This review was first published in the April 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors.