Kensington to host new shop plus brand wins two awards for 2010 product innovation. 
 
US brand Columbia is launching its first own brand store in London later this month and the brand is looking good for next year with two design innovation awards bagged by its spring 2010 range.

The new store is set to unveiled on Kensington High Street on 24 September, 2009. It covers a substantial 292 square metres of shop space and will stock both Columbia outdoor clothing, equipment and footwear and Sorel footwear catering both for Londoners and the 27 million tourists who visit the capital each year.

Meanwhile the brand landed not one but two awards for product innovation at this year's OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The winners - 63 of them - were selected by the International Forum Design, which organizes the awards and included the Ravenous trail shoe - above - in the apparel/helmets/shoes category, and the Mobex trail pack in the backpacks/travel luggage category.

The award recognized Columbia's Ravenous trail shoe, which was created as a lightweight trail running shoe offering real “run-ability”  with correctly placed support, stability, flex, traction and fit.  The Ravenous' 3D Techlite rear-foot capture system is extremely lightweight, comfortable, doesn't absorb sweat or water and snugs the heel for trail running performance, while the Techlite midsole provides a blend of support and cushioning for off road running. It says here.

Meanwhile the Mobex tail pack line also medalled. It's aimed at adventure racers and similar lightweight enthusiasts and uses an unusual construction and diverse materials to create a pack which the brand says is versatile enough to be used for trail running, hiking, mountain bikiing and even paddling.

More information about Columbia at www.columbia.com