Columbia Sportswear’s Hike Society is back for 2026, having just launched its new season with Dirtbags: a pop-up laundrette-turned-hiking-hub in East London where well-used outdoor kit gets a second wind before spring.
Set inside an iconic laundrette in Barbican, the pop-up last weekend offered the chance to upgrade kit ahead of the new season. More than just a wash-and-go, it’s about reconnecting with the gear that gets you outside – and the people who do the same.
Now in its fifth year, Columbia Hike Society has built a reputation as one of the UK’s largest free hiking communities, getting thousands onto the trails and chipping away at the perception that the outdoors is the preserve of the über-prepared or well-heeled. This year’s programme includes 30 guided hikes nationwide, from urban green corridors to proper backcountry.
Rooted in the community that straddles real life and online, the Hike Society is anchored by hike leaders such as Sam (Peaks & Pubs), Tom (aka Tez 101), Lira (Outside with Lira), and female collective Sunday Culture
Find out more about the Columbia Hike Society here
