Here are my top picks for brands similar to Columbia.
Columbia is an interesting brand in the world of outdoor clothing. It’s not as hyped up as brands like Arc’teryx, but it’s been a great option for outdoorsmen for decades.
All in all, Columbia has remained a solid choice thanks to its well-designed (and usually reasonably priced) apparel. While it doesn’t have the most technical clothing, Columbia has something for everyone, from office workers to occasional skiers.
It can be hard to find other brands like Columbia that strike the same balance of quality, affordability, and sensibility. In our opinion, these X companies are the closest to Columbia you’ll get. If you’re looking for any kind of Columbia-style apparel, you’ll find something to like here.
10 Brands Like Columbia Sportswear
Here are my picks in alphabetical order:
Arc’teryx
It might seem odd to recommend Arc’teryx on a list of brands similar to Columbia. However, the Canadian outdoor company is a compelling choice if you’re looking to majorly upgrade your gear.
Like Columbia, Arc’teryx specializes in technical outerwear. However, Arc’teryx’s clothing is much more technical, which is ideal for more intense winter activities like climbing and skiing.
Arc’teryx also tends to have design-forward clothing, so its pieces are stylish and functional. Columbia, on the other hand, doesn’t put as much of an emphasis on aesthetics. The result is that some Arc’teryx items are flashier compared to Columbia, but they’re not objectively flashy, either.
Arc’teryx is a good Columbia alternative if you want something that can take on harsher conditions. You should be prepared to spend significantly more, but in most cases, the extra cost is worth it.
Canada Goose
Canada Goose is another technical apparel brand that can be thought of as similar to Columbia. Like Arc’teryx, Canada Goose is much more technical than Columbia, but it’s also alike on many fronts.
In terms of design, Canada Goose takes a fairly similar approach to Columbia. Both brands have understated designs that aren’t too loud or overtly technical.
However, Columbia’s wares are a bit more on the vanilla side. Canada Goose’s items have a bit of a fashionable slant, but they’re still extremely minimal and functional.
Like Columbia, Canada Goose aims to balance performance with style. Its garments are full of practical features that any outdoor enthusiast will appreciate.
Of course, it’s worth noting that Canada Goose is much more expensive than Columbia. It’s a strong choice if you want a huge upgrade from Columbia. While Columbia’s items are durable enough, Canada Goose is definitely several steps up in terms of technicality and performance.
Eddie Bauer
Overall, Eddie Bauer is one of the outdoor brands that’s most similar to Columbia Sportswear. The two brands share many commonalities, from focusing heavily on fleece to offering mid-level technical jackets.
Eddie Bauer offers plenty of puffer vests, down jackets, base layers, and other item types you’ll see in Columbia’s catalog. Its designs are also very similar to Columbia’s, and the two brands clearly share the same outdoor aesthetic.
While Eddie Bauer markets itself as more of a lifestyle brand than Columbia, the two aren’t that different. For example, Columbia has plenty of clothing you can wear daily, even if you’re not hitting the trails or slopes.
The brands also use similar technologies to develop their clothing. For instance, Columbia has its Omni-Tech™ waterproofing tech, while Eddie Bauer has its moisture-shedding StormRepel® DWR finish.
Furthermore, each brand’s garments and technologies offer differing types and levels of protection. If you’re into this specific style and approach to design, you might just want to shop both brands.
Helly Hansen
Sportswear and workwear brand Helly Hansen is another brand that’s a lot like Columbia. The Norwegian outdoor brand possesses its own distinct characteristics, but it also has a good amount of overlap with Columbia.
One of the biggest differences is that Helly Hansen’s clothing tends to be more obviously technical and less casual. In other words, you won’t find much day-to-day wear in Helly Hansen’s lineup.
However, when comparing similar clothing types from the two brands, the similarities become apparent. Both brands share a minimal take on outdoor apparel design that often involves solid colors or color blocking.
In terms of price, Helly Hansen falls somewhere in between Columbia and brands like Arc’teryx. This greatly depends on the specific item, though. All in all, Helly Hansen is a good Columbia alternative to consider if you want even more streamlined outdoor clothing.
Jack Wolfskin
German outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin isn’t as well known as Columbia, but the two brands share several characteristics.
In short, if you like Columbia’s clothes, you’ll probably like what Jack Wolfskin has to offer. In the same vein as Columbia, Jack Wolfskin takes a lower-key approach to design, balancing technical and casual details.
You’ll also find plenty of the same garments, though Jack Wolfskin is slightly more focused on clothing for outdoor activities. Jack Wolfskin’s lineup varies widely in price, and in particular, its high-tech parkas are more expensive.
However, many of its jackets, pants, and other items are in the same price bracket as Columbia’s offerings.
Something to keep in mind is that while both companies advocate sustainability, they don’t follow through on all fronts. Although Columbia does have some sustainability initiatives in place, it doesn’t use very many sustainable materials.
The same goes for Jack Wolfskin — many of its products use virgin plastics. It’s something to consider if you want to stick to sustainable fabrics.
L.L.Bean
L.L.Bean is another example of an outdoor brand that’s similar to Columbia but overall more versatile. Columbia tends to focus on performance-oriented gear, whereas L.L.Bean casts a wider net as a lifestyle brand.
In short, L.L.Bean is a great choice if you wish Columbia made slightly less technical clothing. L.L.Bean’s distinct style is outdoorsy but also versatile, so you could easily build your entire wardrobe from its catalog alone.
However, L.L.Bean also carries lots of technical options. From insulated jackets to joggers, L.L.Bean has its fair share of Columbia-esque apparel. It’s priced similarly, too, so there’s a lot of value for money here.
It’s also worth noting that Columbia Sportswear and L.L.Bean items tend to work very well together. This makes it easy to put together a versatile and affordable outdoorsy wardrobe.
Montbell
Montbell is another outdoor clothing brand you’ve probably never heard of. Even though it’s flown under the radar in the US, Montbell is worth a look for anyone who likes Columbia.
Montbell is a Japanese brand that focuses on mountaineering gear. Like Columbia, Montbell offers a wide range of insulated jackets, base layers, soft shell jackets, fleece pants, and more.
Montbell’s clothing is also very similar in appearance to Columbia’s offerings. It’s decidedly outdoorsy but fairly sleek and not too technical. Montbell’s gear is designed to be used, so it’s better for the mountainside than the coffee shop.
Montbell’s wide price range means that some items are priced similarly to Columbia pieces while others are much more expensive. That said, each brand’s garments have their own varying performance levels.
Patagonia
Of course, no list of brands like Columbia would be complete without Patagonia. This outdoor giant is often compared to other brands not because it’s derivative but because it’s the standard.
It’s hard to directly compare Patagonia to Columbia because the two are fundamentally different brands. Though they both focus on outdoor gear, they have their own unique identities.
That said, where Patagonia and Columbia overlap most is in regard to their outerwear designs. Many of Patagonia’s jackets, coats, and fleece items bear similarities to equivalent items from Columbia.
Depending on your priorities, Patagonia might also have a few advantages over Columbia. For one, Patagonia is famously sustainable, but Columbia struggles in this area. Additionally, Patagonia has more options for everyday clothing.
Although Patagonia is trendier than Columbia, there’s a good reason for that — and it’s not a bad thing. Ultimately, both brands offer slightly different flavors of outdoor clothing with different pros and cons.
The North Face
Of course, The North Face is another heavy hitter in the world of outdoor clothing. The brand often gets compared to Columbia for its similarities in design, use cases, and price point.
Both brands have clothing lines dedicated to snow activities, trail running, and hiking. However, both brands also vary here a bit. Columbia offers clothing specifically for hunting, fishing, and golfing. On the other hand, The North Face offers climbing, camping, and expedition clothing.
There are many overlaps in design, but The North Face has a trademark look thanks to its garments’ silhouettes. The items are puffier but still slick, and they’re also more tech-forward. Columbia’s clothing varies in this respect, so it’s hard to make direct comparisons.
In most regards, The North Face clothing is a bit better made than Columbia clothing. Of course, this depends on the exact item. This also means that The North Face is somewhat more expensive than Columbia.
Salomon
It’s interesting to compare Salomon directly to Columbia. This French brand is mostly known for its shoes, but it also offers some outdoor clothing.
Salomon’s shoes are known for high levels of performance and technicality, and those characteristics also apply to the brand’s clothing. Salomon’s garments are generally heavier and more hard-wearing than Columbia’s clothing.
In terms of design, there’s not too much similarity between Salomon and Columbia. Salomon’s items are clearly technical, while Columbia’s items are more relaxed.
Overall, Salomon is a good choice if you’re looking for more rugged gear that can hold up to intense activity. However, Columbia is probably the better option if you’re after more affordable gear or just don’t need incredibly technical clothing.
Brands Like Columbia FAQ
Here are a few quick answers to frequently asked questions about Columbia Sportswear.
What’s Special About Columbia?
Columbia’s most special trait is arguably its reliability and consistency. It’s been providing affordable and fairly high-value outdoor clothing for decades. It’s best known for its jackets.
Is Columbia Considered a Luxury Brand?
No, Columbia is not a luxury brand. Columbia’s clothing ranges from entry-level to mid-tier.
Is Columbia as Good as the North Face?
This varies depending on the specific item. Generally, however, most clothing from The North Face will be better than clothing from Columbia.
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