I live within two miles of a Columbia Factory Outlet store, so I go in and look around several times a year. My experience with Columbia falls in line with what Paddy Crow said: it's a crap shoot.

I own a couple of Columbia clothing items (hat, shirt) that serve me well and I am very happy I bought. Some others were so-so. A few went to the thrift store as useless pieces of junk. Their boots have never tempted me.