Hikers are being invited to put their feet up after hitting the trails, thanks to Columbia Sportswear’s bizarre but brilliant Feet Freak salon takeover in East London.
After spending hours walking, climbing and exploring the great outdoors, your feet probably deserve a little more attention.
Now, Columbia Sportswear is offering hikers exactly that — with a temporary salon takeover dedicated entirely to giving hardworking feet some much-needed TLC.
The outdoor brand has launched Feet Freak, an East London salon takeover offering hikers free foot rubs and pedicures as part of its campaign celebrating the new Peakfreak footwear collection.
So, if you’ve ever finished a long hike feeling like your feet have done more work than the rest of your body, this could be the post-trail experience for you.
What Is Columbia’s Feet Freak Salon?
Feet Freak has been transformed into a dedicated pampering destination for hikers, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to swap muddy trails for a salon chair.
Visitors can enjoy complimentary foot rubs and outdoor-inspired pedicures, designed to give tired feet some well-earned attention after a day spent exploring.
The concept is part of Columbia’s launch activity for its latest Peakfreak collection, combining the brand’s focus on outdoor performance with a rather unexpected dose of post-hike pampering.
And let’s be honest, after a particularly long walk, sitting down while someone looks after your feet sounds pretty appealing.
From the Hiking Trail to the Salon Chair!
Feet Freak isn’t just about turning up for a pedicure.
The temporary salon will also act as the finishing point for a series of free guided hikes around London, meaning participants can head directly from their outdoor adventure into the salon for some post-hike relaxation.
It’s essentially the ultimate hiking itinerary: walk the trail, reach the finish line and then put your feet up.
The activation is designed to celebrate the people who rely on their feet to get them through every step of their outdoor adventures.
Meet the New Peakfreak Collection
The Feet Freak activation coincides with the launch of Columbia’s latest Peakfreak footwear collection, which includes three key models: the Peakfreak Titanium OutDry, Peakfreak III and Peakfreak Hera.
The Peakfreak Hera has been designed specifically for women, while the wider collection focuses on comfort and performance for outdoor adventures.
The footwear is designed to keep feet comfortable across long distances, making it a fitting focus for a campaign that puts hikers’ feet firmly in the spotlight.
You can explore the wider range through Columbia Sportswear’s official website.
Columbia Wants to Pay You £135 for Pictures of Your Feet
If the free foot rubs weren’t enough, Columbia has another unusual offer for hikers.
Feet Freak forms part of the brand’s F33T Fund campaign, which is offering hikers £135 — the price of a pair of Peakfreak III shoes — in exchange for pictures of their feet.
It’s certainly a more unusual way to fund your next pair of hiking shoes.
The campaign taps into the idea that hikers’ feet are the unsung heroes of every outdoor adventure, with Columbia encouraging people to get involved through its social channels.
Why Are Hikers Getting Their Feet Pampered?
According to Columbia Sportswear spokesperson Christelle Bretaudeau, the campaign is all about giving feet some recognition for the work they do on every hike.
“Our feet do all the hard work on a hike, and they rarely get the credit.”
Bretaudeau explained that the Peakfreak collection was created to keep feet comfortable mile after mile, while Feet Freak provides a way for the brand to celebrate hikers and their often-overlooked feet.
It’s an appropriately playful way for Columbia to highlight the importance of comfortable footwear while launching its latest hiking collection.
Would You Try Feet Freak?
For anyone who regularly spends their weekends exploring trails, mountains and countryside paths, Feet Freak offers a rather appealing end to a day outdoors.
Rather than immediately heading home with aching feet, hikers can finish their adventure by getting a complimentary foot rub or pedicure.
And with free guided hikes also feeding into the salon experience, Columbia is turning the launch of Peakfreak into an entire day out for London’s outdoor community.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or simply someone who appreciates the idea of having your feet pampered after a long walk, Columbia’s latest activation is certainly putting post-hike self-care on the map.
For more information about the Peakfreak collection and Columbia’s outdoor gear, visit Columbia Sportswear.
