Columbia Sportwear Employee Store

It was very clean but not much availability in shoe sizes. It’s like first come, first serve. The staff is very friendly and awesome.

I mainly come here to shop for my 7 yr olds winter gears and women boots. I dont particular find the women apparels that fashionable, a little too boring and blah for my taste. But i find their shoes selections much more so and actually more in align my personal taste. Maybe they should have their shoe designers also design the apparels as well.

I LOVE this place. Recently, I’ve decided to be more adult and buy stuff that isn’t super cheap and falls apart in half a season. The Columbia Employee store helps me do just that without breaking the bank — well, breaking the bank in terms of I buy a ton of stuff when I come here, but the deep discounts make the burn just a little sweeter.
I’ve been here twice in the past 6 months, which seems just enough time to get a lot of things rotated through. Last time (December) there was a ton of winter jackets, and this time around, more rain gear. Never fear though, there was still plenty of heavy jackets if you needed it. Basically the gear ranges from winter to fall and everything in between. Most of the items are 50% with the rare exception.
Service is great & polite. And all the gear? The quality you’d expect from Columbia and their related brands. Anytime I can snag a pass (or hitch on the tailcoats of my friends) I’m coming here!

What can say that has not been said already. Great Gear including Mountain Hardwear, Sorel, Prana, Montrail and Pacific Trail. Columbia offers many businesses and organizations the opportunity to come to the Employee Store. If you can get a pass you must go to get some great gear. The new store is wonderful and the parking is much better then in the past. Best time to go is mid-​week during the afternoon. Weekends are crazy!

I would have spent sooo much more had I needed all the wonderful snow gear! Snow shoes, snow wear, thermals, omg, so much goodies!
Also, we came here after visiting the Nike Employee Store, so I was pretty spent, and already feeling guilty for spending so much there. Plan to come back for camping gear one day!

My heavens this is the greatest store! I was very very happy when a friend allowed me to tag along on his pass! I wanted to go in for Sorel stuff and boy did I find it! Aisles and aisles of THIS SEASON’s Sorel shoes and boots for half off! I just paid $ 209 for a pair of boots and found them there for $ 111! I wanted a coat of theirs that was $ 625 and I got it for $ 299.
A tip … if you want to come back … buy a $ 50 gift card and you get a free pass to return! If you can get in one time … you are good to go!

I really like the new location, and their product is fantastic. The store gets rather busy, but somehow the 50 ft checkout line dwindles away in a matter of minutes. Staff is decently helpful and the prices are hard to beat.
If you love Columbia or Mountain Hardware, this may be your paradise. Be ready to spend a few hundred dollars, but also know you are getting quality wear. If you get access to the store, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Entirely awesome shopping experience. Spent a lot but saved tons of money on stuff I would have bought anyway.
I was expecting a typical outlet experience — last season’s stuff, slightly irregular, nothing in my size. That is NOT what is happening here. This season, all sizes, lots of good stuff in colors you actually want, not just the colors they can’t sell. I love love love Prana but I hate paying full pop for it. They have a huge selection of Prana. Likewise with the rest. Got a great new Columbia rain coat with a zip out liner and detachable hood, and it has that spangly sciency interior that keeps the heat from your body better — anyway, it was more than half off of the ticket price of $ 260. Grabbed me some yoga pants at half price, some pull overs so soft I swear they are made of kitten, and a new pair of sweet purple gloves. The husband was particularly thrilled that there was so much for men. Usually men get a couple of racks in the corner — here they have well over half the store.
Lots of ski clothing, but I don’t ski so whatever. Many, many styles of coats, sweaters, workout clothing … OH! And shoes! Rows and rows of outdoor shoes, boots, kicks, mocs. And some kid stuff. Again, whatever.
Big thanks to Columbia for not being stingy with their passes into this awesome employee store.

Compared to Adidas and Nike, Columbia is the best employee store. Adidas employee store is a waste of time mostly because they do not carry the most current or newest styles; they stock up their regular stores and allow you to purchase last years models for 50% off. Nike does not allow a friend to enter with your pass. Not at Columbia, they carry plenty of inventory of the most current up-​to-​date styles on all their brands. I particularly enjoy bringing friends with me to enjoy the experience. We both usually end up purchasing a lot of product. I returned a few items due to my lack of knowledge differentiating between water-​resistant and waterproof. The employees must be treated well by the company because its all smiles and lots of product knowledge.
I enjoy shopping here so much I now invest in the company stock and I’m very happy with their market performance and dividend distributions.

Positives — products are great, prices are great, return policy is very generous
Negative — BIG negative — the employees, for the most part, are not friendly or professional. The ones that work in the changing areas have always been great, but the check-​in staff, check-​out staff, and those running around on the floor are terrible.
Would rate 5 stars if not for the lack of niceness by the employees.

Really friendly service, amazing goods at amazing prices.
But what’s the deal with Columbia and Mountain Hardwear websites showing inaccurate colors online for two years in a row? Last year the main colors were black, blue (Nectar) and red (Bright Rose) — except the red was actually pink, which is the same color being sold this year but with accurate advertising («Haute Pink»).
PS — There is no option to order Prana via the computers in the store, which is unfortunate when they are out of your size.

I’ve always had great service here. All the employees are very friendly and helpful. I love this store! Columbia, Sorel, Prana, and Mnt. Hard wear!!! Some really amazing deals not only on clothes but on gear too. If you get a pass and you’re outdoorsy it’s worth the trip. I dare you to spend less then $ 300!

Besides the deep discount on amazing products, the staff is great. Helpful, welcoming, kind and friendly? Can you imagine… they must be happy while at work? Columbia is amazing!

I love the store, but the customer service is horrible. I bought a four-​pack of crew socks for $ 24. One of the four had a factory defect — a big hole, which appeared during the first wear. I brought that pair to the store with my receipt and I requested the exchange of the defective sock. I have not heard «we are sorry that you got a defective product, we will be happy to exchange it for you». No, I have not heard that. I heard that I must go home, bring the remaining 3 pair of socks (2 pairs were in the laundry basket, one was on my feet) and then they will exchange it for the entire four-​pack. I told them that the remaining 3 pairs are fine, I just want to exchange the defective pair, they can keep the 3 unused pairs. No. Calling the manager on duty did not help. Again, I have not heard from him he is sorry that I got a defective Columbia product. I left the store with the defective socks. They refused to exchange them for new ones.

good selection, decent prices.
easier to get in here than the Nike employee store and a much better exchange policy.

What’s not to love about the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store? Most things are 40−45% off retail prices and they have many of the latest styles. It may not be the biggest brand in the region, but Columbia offers a great deal for those seeking outdoor, exercise, or camping apparel and gear.
Be sure to go spin the iPad «wheel» in the back right corner (near the men’s fitting room) for a chance at another 5% off or other treats like chocolate or a snack. I got chocolate, but my wife lucked into the additional 5% off deal … sweet & sweet.
The Columbia Employee Store is large with plenty of free parking, so, there really aren’t any negatives. All the employees working the store seemed friendly, too. I got no complaints … and I got a whole pile of new workout clothes, raincoats, and a backpack.
Basically, it’s like finding tax-​free outlet mall prices without the outlet mall quality or disappointment.

I’ve heard this place is awesome, but I was only moderately enthused when I received a pass to come shop here. Man, I had no idea what I almost passed up!
I was imagining it to be similar to a Columbia Outlet, but it was so, so much better.
1. Products: Huge selection & more diversity than you imagine. Not just outdoorsy, active people stuff — I walked out with a super cute maxi dress (but true to Columbia style, it’s made of wicking fabric!).
2. Wide range of sizes: in addition to standard sizes for men, women, and kids, I saw an extended size section for both men and women.
3. Some crazy amazing prices. My mom scored two waterproof jackets for $ 30 each — priced at $ 100 MSRP.
Mad props to the cashier who picked on my mom’s facial signals that said «I’ve got a gift for my husband under this coat and he’s standing right next to me, so please be discreet!». He had no clue, never saw a thing! I’ll be stoked the next time I get a pass to come here. Being a NW girl with a decent amount of Columbia coats and such in my closet, I thought I knew the brand, but it’s far more diverse than I thought. Even if you don’t think it’s your style, go check it out. You may be proved wrong!

What I will miss about Oregon, aside from lack of sales tax, are the amazing deals in the employee stores.
This place had plenty of rain and hiking gear. Great deals on all sorts of shoes and boots. I’d come here all the time for my outdoor needs if I had one of these back home instead of the Big 5 or Sports Basement chains.
Also, super friendly staff! Very helpful and cheerful. Great attitudes, it must be a fun place to work.

Great deals on Columbia Sportswear and associated brands. The selection is diverse and ever changing, I always see new things when I come here. Last time I went, I picked up some outdoor hats, a few shirts and Sorel boots. Yup they don’t just have jackets!
The folks here are friendly and always helpful. If they’re out of a size of an item you want, you can order from the kiosks for the same (discounted) price as if buying from the store.
Come early though, the parking lot gets very full.

When I visited Portland last week, my friend decided to plan a last minute clamming excursion. I was not prepared for it but luckily she had an invite to the store so I can get the proper gear.
I have to say, it’s so easy to drop money at the Columbia Sportwear Employee Store. I fell in love with these water resistant pants that you can zip off above the knees. Perfect for clamming! If I had the extra funds I would have got one in every color.
Even though I have lived in the PNW for most of my life, I never owned an outdoorsy rain jacket. Well I was in luck because I scored one for $ 30. Deals, I tell you.
Lots of great stuff at low prices. I hope I’ll get a chance to go again so I can stock up on those pants!
Pro Tip: Avoid going during weekends. I hear it gets pretty crazy. I came here on a Thursday morning and it was super chill.

Congrats to Columbia Sportswear Employee Store for getting my 300^th review. This store has a great selection, not only for Columbia but also Mountain Hardware, Sorel, Prana. They had sleeping bags, I think even tents. I went on Sunday and it was my first time at the new location. Much better, cleaner, nicer, good spacing, super friendly sales people.
We got a womens ski jacket at a good discount. Not cheap, but heavily discounted and a hydro flask mug. If we had more time, i am afraid we would have left broke.

If you get an invite I recommend a visit. I try and come whenever they invite employees were I work. The new space is even bigger nicer and more of things I like. They carry stuff from all their brands. I always end up buying stuff I didn’t know I needed when I come. The prices are great. They seem to carry shoes in men’s to size 14 which is good for me, In fact the store is large with a good selection in a nice, well lit space,
If you don’t know Columbia they are a locally based clothing company that sells world wide, Some of the brands thy make are Columbia Sportswear (of course) but also Mountain Hardware, Sorel and Prana. Their cloths are good quality and last a long time.
The good: the selection and the prices (look some things are regular prices but some are WAY less) also while they have a lot of the latest cloths you can also find current season cloths which can be nice when the mall has decided its January so time to put away the coats and bring out the beachwear.
The bad: the parking is to small and checkout lines tend to be long.
Tip: if they don’t have your size ask an employee and if they still don’t have it come back in a few days.
Also the inventory is always changing last spring I came here then a couple of weeks later with my dad and it was like a different place so much inventory had changed.
While you wait in line check out the companys history on the wall. Also if you are feeling generous you can get your friends a gift card here, if it is 50 bucks or more it comes with a free pass.

If you can score a pass to the Columbia Employee Store, do it! They carry the current season’s full lines for Columbia, Mountain Hardware, Sorel, Montrail, and now Prana. Their new building is more than twice the size of the old store, so there are more dressing rooms and it seems like more stuff! It’s light and bright and employees are roaming and available for help if you need it. Most products are 50% off retail prices. Sweet! Columbia’s products are well made and last a long time, and they have some great colors and designs. I have way more jackets than a person needs, but it’s hard to resist at 50% off.
If they don’t have the size/​color you need, you can buy online from the computers set up in the store, and still get the employee discount pricing. That’s super handy!
One note — the parking lot here stinks. It is nearly always crowded, and the spaces are striped very narrow, so don’t be bringing your big huge SUV, or you may have a problem.