Founded in 1938 amidst the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Columbia Sportswear began its journey as a modest hat distributor known as the Columbia Hat Company. The business was established by Paul Lamfrom, who fled Nazi Germany with his family to find a new life in Portland, Oregon. He and his wife named their new venture after the nearby Columbia River, and over the following decades, the company grew from a small family operation into a global outdoor brand.

Columbia’s transformation began in 1960 when it shifted focus to sportswear manufacturing and became Columbia Sportswear Company. After Neal Boyle’s untimely death in 1970, his wife Gert Boyle took over, bringing a strong-willed, resilient leadership style that would define the company’s ethos for years to come. Known as “One Tough Mother,” Gert Boyle’s adventurous spirit helped steer Columbia through its most challenging periods and onto a path of global recognition.

Her son Tim Boyle took the reins in 1988, guiding the company to new heights and pioneering some of its most successful technologies. Columbia became known for its innovative outdoor gear, including breathable waterproof jackets, thermal insulation, and versatile outerwear systems that spoke directly to their adventurous customer base.

Columbia’s relentless innovation is evident in its proprietary technologies, from Omni-Heat thermal insulation to Omni-Freeze cooling fabrics. In recent years, they’ve expanded globally, acquiring brands like Mountain Hardwear and Prana while introducing eco-friendly gear.

The company’s Omni-Heat technology even found a place on the Odysseus lunar lander, marking a bold leap from outdoor adventure to space exploration.

Despite rapid growth and international acclaim, Columbia remains rooted in its Pacific Northwest heritage, a testament to the legacy built by the Lamfrom and Boyle families. Their flagship store in Portland reflects this spirit, offering products that enable adventurers worldwide to conquer any environment.

With over 80 years of experience crafting innovative gear for outdoor enthusiasts, Columbia continues to evolve and push the boundaries of what’s possible, always staying true to its adventurous, family-owned roots.

Hilarious Columbia Advert with CEO Pushing a child into a storm to test the product

How to tell if Columbia is vintage from the logo

1990 to 2011 Columbia logo

• In 1990, the Columbia Sportswear logo underwent a significant transformation.
• The logo featured a bold emblem of four pairs of parallel rectangles beside the brand’s name in an elegant serif typeface.
• The tagline “Sportswear Company” was included beneath the brand name, giving the logo a distinctive and unified look.
• This design remained consistent through 2011, reflecting Columbia’s unwavering commitment to quality, adventure, and style.
• The logo’s textile-like emblem was a nod to the company’s heritage in the clothing industry.

2011 to now Columbia logo

• The 2011 redesign streamlined the Columbia logo, emphasizing the word “Columbia” more prominently.
• The iconic emblem remained, but was slightly reduced in size to complement the enlarged wordmark.
• This modernized version reflected a confident and contemporary brand.

How to tell if Columbia is vintage from the tags

When identifying vintage Columbia Sportswear, manufacturing locations and materials play a crucial role. Older Columbia garments often have tags indicating that they were “Made in U.S.A.” or “Made in Canada,” especially in the 1980s and early 1990s. As the company expanded and global manufacturing became more prevalent, production shifted to countries like Taiwan, China, and Vietnam. Thus, finding items with U.S. or Canadian manufacturing labels usually signifies that the piece is vintage.

Beyond location, materials and construction techniques can also hint at a garment’s age. Earlier Columbia products frequently used fabrics like cotton and wool blends, while more modern items incorporate proprietary technologies like Omni-Heat reflective insulation or Omni-Freeze cooling fabrics. Earlier tags, often made from simple cloth or featuring machine-typed labels, also distinguish older items. These details, typically found on neck or wash tags, provide valuable insights for those looking to confirm the authenticity and era of vintage Columbia gear.

Need help figuring out your vintage tags? Submit a picture on our vintage tag identification page, and we’ll help you identify them!

1960s vintage Columbia tags

• The tags often featured “Columbia Hat Company” or “Columbia Sportswear Company”, indicating the brand’s transition into sportswear.
• Tags from this era were typically simple, sometimes with handwritten or machine-typed sizing.

1970s vintage Columbia tags

• The tags started to include bolder logos, often with the “Columbia Sportswear Company” name.
• Some tags included specific collection names like “Thunderbird”.

1980s vintage Columbia tags

• The tags featured a cleaner design with Columbia’s emblem and Portland, Oregon location.
• Tags often had details like “Made in U.S.A.” or “Made in Canada”.

1990s vintage Columbia tags

• The tags showcased the bold 1990s logo, often with a region of manufacture like “Made in Taiwan”.
• More specific sizing like “M/M” was used on the tags.

2000s vintage Columbia tags

• Tags from the 2000s featured both letter sizing and numeric sizing.
• The tags included the full brand name “Columbia Sportswear Company” and location of manufacture.

2010s vintage Columbia tags

• The tags from the 2010s continued the bold design and were streamlined to reflect the updated logo style.
• Some tags had additional brand slogans like “Tested Tough”.

Understanding the evolution of Columbia’s logos and tags is crucial for identifying vintage pieces. Whether you’re looking for unique items from the 1960s or bold pieces from the 1990s, knowing the subtle differences can help you identify authentic vintage Columbia Sportswear.