Collection: Columbia

The Columbia Brand Story

Summing Up Columbia

Founded in 1938 as a small hat company in Portland, Oregon, Columbia has evolved into a global titan of outdoor apparel. Managed for decades by the legendary Gert Boyle—the "Tough Mother" of the industry—the brand is defined by its "Tested Tough" philosophy and a relentless drive for accessible innovation. While many heritage brands lean on aesthetics alone, Columbia is a technical powerhouse, pioneered through milestones like the Interchange System and the thermal-reflective Omni-Heat™ technology. For the Urban Industry community, Columbia represents the perfect intersection of Gorpcore utility and everyday reliability. Whether it is a patterned Helvetia fleece or a rugged waterproof shell, the gear is engineered to handle the unpredictable Pacific Northwest climate, making it equally suited for the British outdoors. Its recent ventures, including providing insulation for lunar landers, prove that its functional reach truly knows no bounds.

At Urban Industry, we see Columbia as the quintessential "Soft Outdoor" brand. It bridges the gap between high-altitude technicality and street-level style. We recently explored this shift in our editorial piece, Columbia Goes Soft?, which highlights how the brand transitioned from the mountains to the city.

How Does Columbia Stack Up

• Omni-Heat™ Infinity: Recognisable by its gold metallic dots, this technology reflects natural body heat for instant warmth. The pattern is spaced to maintain high moisture vapour transfer, ensuring you do not overheat during high-output activities.

• Omni-Tech™ Membrane: A multi-layered weather protection system that utilises a breathable, waterproof barrier. It effectively blocks wind and rain while allowing perspiration to escape, keeping the internal microclimate dry.

• Performance Fishing Gear (PFG): Originally built for the rigours of angling, these pieces often feature high denier Ripstop nylon and ventilated back capes for maximum airflow and durability in humid conditions.

• OutDry™ Extreme: A revolutionary construction that places the waterproof membrane on the exterior of the garment. By eliminating the traditional face fabric, it prevents the jacket from "wetting out" and maintains breathability in persistent downpours.

The Urban Industry Take on Columbia

At Urban Industry, we categorise Columbia as the quintessential "Soft Outdoor" brand. It bridges the gap between high-altitude technicality and street-level style. For the UK climate, we highly recommend the Columbia Jackets range, specifically the Ampli-Dry or Pike Lake models, which provide the requisite water resistance and insulation for damp British winters. Regarding sizing, Columbia typically adopts a "Regular Fit" that allows for ample layering. If you prefer a contemporary, technical fit for the city, we suggest you size down. However, for those utilising the gear for its intended purpose—hiking and active pursuits—sticking to your true size ensures maximum range of motion. Pair a bold, patterned fleece with clean trousers for a balanced Heritage look that works from the trail to the pub.

Our Columbia FAQ

Is Columbia gear fully waterproof?

Items featuring Omni-Tech™ or OutDry™ Extreme are fully waterproof and seam-sealed. While many fleeces and softshells feature a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating to shed light rain, they are designed for breathability rather than total immersion.

How do I wash my Columbia Omni-Heat™ jacket?

To maintain the reflective lining, machine wash on a cold, gentle cycle with a technical detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and bleach. Tumble dry on a low heat setting to help reactivate any outer water-repellent treatments.

What is the Columbia PFG range?

The Performance Fishing Gear line is a collection designed specifically for water-based activities. It prioritises UV protection (Omni-Shade™), quick-drying fabrics, and functional pocketing, which has made it a staple in modern utilitarian streetwear.

Why buy Columbia from Urban Industry?

Since 2002, Urban Industry has been at the forefront of the UK's streetwear and outdoor scene. Based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, we pride ourselves on a highly curated selection that reflects our deep-rooted passion for quality. We were one of the first UK stores to recognise Columbia’s potential in the lifestyle market, even assisting their representatives in selecting colourways for the UK's evolving "Gorpcore" landscape. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our consistently high customer reviews across Trustpilot, Google, and Judge.me. When you shop with us, you benefit from decades of expertise, premium service, and Fast Shipping to over 100 countries globally.

Check out our Columbia Sale page for great deals on discounted products at unbeatable prices.

If you have any questions about stock (present or future), hit us up on live chat or send us an email – we’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can.