Before departing on our backpacking travels all around the world, Justin and I spent a considerable amount of time researching gear.  Our goal was to maximize on the quality of what we packed in our backpacks.  Each of our backpacks only have so much room, so each item matters.  While still in the States we both bought one pair of pants to bring.  I purchased a brown pair of TITANIUM women’s pants by Columbia.  The brown pants have been amazingly durable, lightweight and they dry quickly.  With our current backpacking lifestyle these are the some of the most important elements I need in the pants.

During our time in New Zealand, both due to the cooler temperatures and because of the rain, Justin and I each bought an additional pair of pants.  It has been great to have a second option, and a dry pair of pants after a rainy hike.

Because I had such a good experience with my brown pants, I ended up purchasing a black pair of TITANIUM women’s pants by Columbia.  They were amazing!  Everything I expected out of Columbia, and during the first few days of wearing them I decided I liked them more than my brown pants!

Sadly, after not only a week of wearing my brand new pants I began to notice the material was not doing well.  The fabric was beginning to look “pilly” and have small pieces of lint clustered up and down the legs, especially around my hips.  Returning the pants was not an option, as they were now considered in “un-wearable” condition.  But I had not done anything abrasive to them.  And hadn’t taken part in any aggressive or strenuous activities that would cause such damage.  I was simply wearing my pants while walking and doing everyday household tasks (ie. the dishes, taking the trash out, etc).  Why have my pants become destroyed?  The fabric that makes up the body of the pants is 94% nylon and 6% elastane.  I am unfamiliar with elastane, but perhaps this has led to my problems?  I read the care tag carefully, and I have done nothing that would inflict damage to the material.  Maybe the rainy Fiordland weather is to blame.  It’s truly a mystery.

In addition, I think I found the black pants I own on the Columbia website. The only difference is the elastane percentage is listed as 7% in the product description online, while my tag reads 6% elastane.  Despite this minor difference I still think they are the same pants.

At this point, I still have a high respect and value for Columbia as a company and brand.  Heck!  Justin and I have been wearing Columbia jackets for years.  Since we were young children trying to stay warm on the playground, on a snowy Michigan day.  Columbia is a trusted brand, and I am not going to let one pair of pants ruin my experience and confidence with their products.  Instead I am going to send an email explaining my situation.  And hopefully, I will get a new pair of Columbia pants that are just as durable as the brown pair I have.  I would like to have a pair of pants that can continue on the journey around the world with us.  A pair of pants that might last a year or two as we backpack to various countries in a variety of weather conditions.

In the mean time, I will keep you posted on Columbia’s response.  But I have no doubt that Columbia values their customer (the product user) more than any other aspect.  Continue to trust that you can purchase quality Columbia products and know you are their number one priority.

Tags | New Zealand, travel gear