About Us

CELEBRATING MORE THAN 85 YEARS OF
KEEPING YOU OUTDOORS
We've been creating innovative outdoor gand technologies since 1938. It's a good stat.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Outlet Sportswear is a global outdoor brand that crafts active lifestyle gear fortified with industry-leading technologies and tested in our own backyard. Our apparel, footwear, and accessories reflect our Pacific Northwest heritage and indomitable spirit.
Gert Boyle, Columbia Founder
GERT BOYLE
1924 - 2019
It all began in 1937 when Gert's parents fled Nazi Germany and settled in Portland where they purchased a small hat manufacturer, naming it the Columbia Hat Company. Signifying a fresh start for the family, the business eventually passed from Gert’s father to her husband Neal and then to Gert herself in 1970 when she went from housewife to executive overnight after Neal's sudden passing.

Our founder Gert Boyle’s "Tough Mother" persona lives on in the Columbia brand. Her legendary perfectionism ("It's perfect. Now make it better.") and the high standards to which she held herself and others still guide us today.

At Columbia, we're as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available around the world, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest where the lush forests, snow-covered mountains, rugged coastline, and wide-open spaces serve as our playground. This is where we hike, fish, hunt, camp, climb, shred, paddle, golf, run, and just enjoy the fresh air with friends.

We hope to see you out there. Way, way out there.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Omni-Heat 3D
2018
The next dimension of warmth is
introduced with Omni-Heat™ 3D, our latest
thermal-reflective technology with advanced
heat retention and soft next-to-skin feel.
2018 Olympics
2018
Proud outfitter and sponsor of the world's
toughest freestyle ski teams (including the
U.S., Canada, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine) at the
Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
OutDry Extreme Eco
2017
Columbia launches a revolutionary line
of high-quality, eco-conscious gear built
for maximum outdoor performance and
minimal environmental impact.
OutDry Extreme
2016
OutDry™ Extreme flips rainwear inside out
for the ultimate in waterproof breathability.
It’s our first-ever raingear with a waterproof
layer on the outside and a soft, wicking
layer inside.
Tested Tough
2015
Columbia revisits the '90s "Tested Tough"
campaign as its new, global brand platform.
2014 Russian Freestyle Ski Team
2014
Proud sponsors of the U.S., Canadian and
Russian Freestyle Ski Teams at Sochi.
TurboDown
2014
TurboDown™ technology fuses Omni-Heat™
synthetic insulation with natural down.
Omni-Freeze Zero
2013
Omni-Freeze™ ZERO wins National Geographic
Adventure's Gear of the year award.
Omni-Heat Reflective
2010
Omni-Heat™ Reflective is introduced,
little silver dots that reflect body heat.
Gert Boyle's autobiography
2005
Founder Gert Boyle publishes her
autobiography, One Tough Mother.
Performance Fishing Gear
1996
Performance Fishing Gear, or
PFG for short, is introduced.
Tim Boyle with the Bugaboo Jacket
1986
The first Bugaboo™ parka is born,
revolutionizing the way alpine skiers dress.
Columbia Hat Company
1938
Columbia Hat Company founded
in Portland, Oregon.