Columbia Sportswear keeps you on the move with state-of-the-art fabric technology

Columbia Sportswear, a Portland-based retailer of active outdoor apparel, has opened a store Downtown, spiffing up the corner of Third Avenue and Pine Street and delivering stylish sportswear to active Seattleites. Bowing earlier this month, the new store joins three other Columbia Sportswear shops: downtown Portland, Portland International Airport and the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Columbia Sportswear was founded in 1938 as a hat company, by the grandparents of current president and CEO Tim Boyle. The company is known for its outdoor clothing and sportswear, offering apparel for cycling, snow sports, hunting, fishing and hiking for men, women and children. Columbia also makes footwear, and owns the winter boot brand Sorel.

The designers at Columbia are fabric technology innovators, using trademarked weather-resistant fabrics to keep outdoor enthusiasts protected from the elements. The Titanium collection, Columbia's premier line, features jackets, pants and shirts that are breathable, waterproof, and provide ultraviolet sun protection. Little kiosks are set up throughout the store to demonstrate the performance of the fabrics.

The LEED-certified store was built with many eco-friendly aspects, including ambient lighting that powers down when more sunlight streams through the windows and energy efficient lighting. There is reclaimed barn wood on the walls; floors lined with stone quarried less than 500 miles away; and sustainable materials like bamboo and cork throughout.

Together with the adjacent Mountain Hardwear store, also owned by Columbia, this is the company's largest branded retail space, measuring almost 20,000 square feet. Mountain Hardwear is geared toward the serious climber, and features climbing apparel, accessories and equipment, as well as Montrail trail-running and hiking footwear.

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