Visiting A Glacier In Canada

When heading to the Canadian Rockies earlier this year I knew I needed the appropriate clothing for hikes in the mountains and adventurous outdoor activities such as visiting a glacier, ziplining through the trees and white water rafting. Thankfully, working for Simply Hike meant I knew exactly where to get the right kit.

Being quite new to the hiking/outdoorsy world I wanted to take clothing that wasn't overly technical but would ensure I was warm, dry and able to take on anything during my Canadian road trip. Firstly I needed a lightweight, waterproof jacket that I could pack down if not needed, but carry with me easily should the weather turn to wind or rain. I opted for the The North Face Womens Quest Insulated Jacket. This jacket is waterproof, breathable and has elasticated cuffs to keep the warmth in. It also features a hood, Heatseeker™ insulation, zipped hand pockets and an adjustable drawcord hem. 

This jacket was tested to the limit with our trip to the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefield where temperatures dropped below freezing despite it being around 15 degrees celsius at the base. It was also very windy which meant the jacket really needed to stand up to the extreme weather. Luckily this jacket kept me warm and dry during our visit and was extremely comfortable to wear. The secure pockets held my essentials and were a welcome place to put my hands in when the bitter wind got a bit too much! Definitely a great piece of kit even in very cold temperatures.

On my feet I chose a trail running shoe rather than a full hiking boot as for recreational travel I thought they would be a great choice for packing due to them being super lightweight. The pair I opted for were the Salomon Speedcross 4 GTX®. Their stylish look and high performance were ideal for what I needed as I didn't know the type of terrain I would be using them on and I wanted something that would work well for my lifestyle. Safe to say they were perfect for the slippery ground underfoot on the glacier with their strong grip and the GORE-TEX® coating meant no running glacial water affected me. My feet remained dry and warm throughout and the comfortable fit was ideal for the uneven ground.

I further tested the shoes on mud trails through the woods during a hike and again they performed extremely well, making me feel secure as I walked and comfortable throughout. The innovative Quicklace™ technology was also a great feature as it meant there were no laces to come undone and it was super easy to quickly take the shoes on and off. Overall a great trail shoe whether you're using them for running, or just want a secure, stylish, comfortable trail shoe for recreational use.

Shop the latest Salomon trail shoes and The North Face jackets today.