In What Ways Does Columbia's Latest Backpack, the "Pepper Rock Advance," Live Up to Its Name?

When you browse the backpack selections at outdoor stores lately, you’ll notice a clear trend: more and more models are being designed for both daily commuting and outdoor activities. These backpacks feature organizational pockets convenient for business essentials, while subtly incorporating specs that support comfort when outdoors. Products that can easily adapt to any environment are becoming increasingly common.
 
Among these, Columbia’s latest spring/summer 2025 model, the "Pepper Rock Advance", stands out the more you examine it at the shop—its design makes both storage and movement a breeze. To dig deeper into its features, we visited Columbia Sportswear Japan, Inc. and spoke in detail with Tadashi Nakao from the Product Division.

As a comprehensive outdoor and sportswear manufacturer, Columbia is a brand with a solid reputation for producing apparel and gear suited for activities such as mountaineering, trekking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, and fishing.
 
“Among these, the 'Pepper Rock' is an especially versatile series. It stands out for its pocket design ideal for use around town, yet it also has features suitable for mountaineering and trekking. It’s become a popular item that truly offers the best of both worlds. This newest upgrade, the 'Pepper Rock Advance', pushes those strengths even further.”