Our History

It all began in 1937 when Gert's parents fled 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. 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.