Columbia sportswear and outdoor gear

Columbia Sportswear is a global leader in outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment. Founded in 1938 as the Columbia Hat Company, the brand began as a small family-owned hat distributorship in Portland, Oregon. Over the decades, it evolved into a premier outdoor retail giant, recognized for its innovative technologies such as Omni-Heat and Omni-Tech.

Manufacturing for Columbia products occurs through an extensive network of independent contract manufacturers located in multiple countries, primarily within Asia, including Vietnam, China, and Bangladesh. This global supply chain allows the brand to scale production and distribute its gear to adventurers worldwide while maintaining strict quality standards.

The brand remains under the stewardship of the Boyle family, making Columbia Sportswear Company a publicly traded entity that still feels like a heritage American business. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the ultimate owner oversees a portfolio of brands that includes Mountain Hardwear, SOREL, and prAna, focusing on connectivity between the consumer and the outdoors.