Entering the Cotswold Outdoor Outlet store sent excitement through my veins. I didn’t need anything but everything was so cheap!
“What’s that over there glistening under the shop lights?”

I pick up a pair of Columbia Sports Women’s Midnight Stretch Baselayer Tights and play with the reflective, silver lining.
“These are unusual,” I think. “I wonder if they work?”

What’s this silver lining about?
It’s Columbia’s patented Omni-Heat™ Thermal Reflective lining, made up of thousands of tiny shiny silver dots, which reflects the bodies heat back into the skin to keep warm.
They look like a disco ball so I call these leggings my Disco Pants : )

I’ll admit it, I was sceptical when I first read the label. I thought it might be a gimmick but I’d give them a try. 

Conclusion
These tights have been on every single adventure with me.  I hadn’t considered if the Omni-Heat lining actually worked because I’d never worn anything else.
I wear them under my hiking trousers along with a thermal top, Windstopper and waterproof jacket and never get cold.  I thought it was the combination of the layers that was the winner.

Then one day, I wore a pair of normal leggings under my hiking trousers.  My ‘disco pants‘ were in the wash and the weather was a little warmer so thought I’d be alright.
There was a little rain in the air and once my trousers got damp, my legs were cold. It was now clear that the ‘disco pants‘ did actually work!

A few adventures later, I did the experiment again.  I left the disco pants at home, wore a normal base layer under my hiking trousers and the same thing happened, I got cold.

THE DISCO PANTS WORK!

The metallic silver dot pattern was reflecting my bodies heat back into my skin. Magic!
This material can also be found in tops, jackets, gloves, hats, shoes and much more in the range.
I have a pair of Columbia Titanium gloves and they are warm too.

Hands down, it works and as my kit wears out, I will be replacing it with the Columbia Omni-Heat range as it makes an enormous difference.

Not only do they keep me warm, but they are also performing well too, thanks to:

• The material pulls moisture away from the body so perspiration can evaporate quickly.
• Ergonomic seams prevent rubbing and chafing – I’ve worn these tights for 48+ hours in one go and they have felt great.
• The fabric is a comfortable stretch material so can be worn during challenging and physical events.
• The fabric has an antibacterial treatment to protect from bacteria growth – always a winner for big adventure when you’re wearing them for days at a time.

A product that allows you to utilise your own body heat – genius!

Here’s a little video about how the Omni-Heat fabric works.