Marmot and Columbia have been making quality outdoor apparel and equipment for decades.
Marmot is known for its premium, high-performance designs made for more extreme activities like mountaineering and climbing.
Columbia offers a wider range of products at more affordable prices for the casual outdoor enthusiast.
If you’re trying to decide between the two for your next purchase, there are some differences to consider.
In this comparison, we’ll explore these brands’ quality, performance, price, and sustainability.
So, whether you need a waterproof jacket for everyday use or a technical shell for your next climb, read on to learn where you should get it from.
Contents:
1. Marmot Outdoor Gear
History of the Brand
Marmot official website
Marmot, an American brand established in the 1970s (1974), focuses on technical apparel and outdoor gear for activities such as hiking and climbing. Founded by Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntly, students at the University of California Santa Cruz, the Marmot Mountain Club originated from their Alaska school project.
With the assistance of Tom Boyce, they converted an old building into the Marmot Mountain Works retail store, and from then the brand gained global recognition.
Since those initial years, Marmot has been dedicated to providing premium products for outdoor enthusiasts, including jackets, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, and other gear, designed for men, women, and children who enjoy outdoor adventures.
The brand’s items undergo field testing by alpine guides and elite athletes, contributing to ongoing innovation.
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Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Marmot utilizes high-quality materials in its apparel and gear, including Nylon and Polyester, which are commonly used in outdoor brands.
One notable technology they incorporate is Gore-Tex, known for its ability to repel water while allowing body-generated vapor to escape, ensuring breathability. This makes it suitable for extreme activities and guarantees fabric resistance to water.
In terms of insulation, Marmot employs high-capacity insulating materials like natural down and PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, which effectively separate cold air from hot air.
The brand not only prioritizes clothing comfort but also addresses real outdoor challenges by continuously developing new materials and technologies, such as Marmot MemBrain and NanoPro.
Additionally, Marmot focuses on sustainability by striving for minimal environmental impact in their production and manufacturing processes, as well as by utilizing eco-friendly materials like EvoDry for rainwear and Featherless, an alternative to down insulation. You can read more about Marmot’s sustainability efforts on their website.
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Read also: The North Face vs Marmot: Which Brand Should I Choose?
Where is Marmot outdoor gear made?
Marmot’s outdoor apparel and equipment are mainly produced in Asian countries like China and Vietnam.
Recommended Products
Marmot Men’s Guides Down Hoody
Image: marmot.com
Check it out at Marmot.com
The Marmot Men’s Guides Down Hoody offers versatile winter warmth, suitable for both everyday wear and outdoor activities. Crafted with a 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell and a combination of 700 fill power 80% recycled down and 20% Kapok Flower down, it delivers sustainable comfort and cold weather protection.
Its high packability makes it an excellent addition to any layering system. Notable features include zippered chest and hand pockets, an adjustable drawcord hood and hem, and elastic cuffs to retain warmth.
Whether you’re skiing, trekking, or simply taking a winter stroll, this hoody ensures warmth and comfort while maintaining breathability.
Don’t miss: Mammut vs Marmot: Which is Better?
Marmot Women’s GORE-TEX Orion Jacket
Image: marmot.com
Check it out at Marmot.com
The Marmot Women’s GORE-TEX Orion Jacket is a robust and high-performance ski jacket designed for enthusiasts of powder skiing and ski resorts. Crafted from upcycled 3-layer GORE-TEX® material, it delivers waterproof, windproof, and breathable defense, ensuring dryness even in severe conditions.
The jacket includes a RECCO® Avalanche Rescue Reflector for enhanced mountain safety, a helmet-compatible adjustable hood for complete coverage, and a fixed powder skirt to prevent snow ingress. For active skiers, the PitZips provide adaptable ventilation for regulating body temperature, while water-repellent pocket zippers safeguard your essentials.
The fit can be personalized with adjustable VELCRO® cuffs, and articulated elbows guarantee unrestricted movement without sleeve slippage. This jacket is engineered to offer comfort and protection, no matter the outside conditions.
Prices
Marmot’s pricing aligns with the quality that the brand provides, focusing on performance and above-average materials. Their jackets range from $100 to $650, while equipment such as sleeping bags and tents varies based on the specific product type.
So, overall, Marmot is positioned as a mid-to-high-priced brand in the outdoor industry.
Are Marmot products worth the price?
Definitely yes! The quality of each of their pieces of gear is commendable, a sentiment also shared by numerous online reviewers. The materials are durable and can last for years.
Read also: 8 Best Sustainable Outdoor Clothing Brands: Our Top Picks
2. Columbia Outdoor Gear
History of the Brand
Columbia official website
Columbia, an outdoor gear company, offers a wide range of clothing suitable for various outdoor activities such as skiing, fishing, and hiking. Established in 1938 in Portland, USA, by the family of Gert Boyle, who had escaped Germany, the business transitioned from her father to her husband and eventually to Gert herself.
Originally named the Columbia Hat Company in 1938, it was later rebranded as Columbia Sportswear Company in 1960 when it started selling outdoor apparel. Presently, the company is led by Tim Boyle, Gert’s son.
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Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Columbia Sportswear employs its proprietary technologies to maximize the functionality of its outdoor gear.
For instance, the Omni-Tech technology provides waterproofness and breathability to Columbia’s jackets, while the Omni-Heat Reflective technology enables their apparel to efficiently retain warmth and release excess moisture and heat.
Additionally, the use of recycled Polyester and RDS-certified down insulation, along with efforts to minimize harmful DWR coatings, are noteworthy.
The company’s commitment to high standards and the perfectionist philosophy of Gert Boyle ensures the creation of top-quality apparel. Columbia offers a diverse range of reliable outdoor gear at affordable prices, representing a commendable quality-to-price ratio.
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Read also: Eddie Bauer vs Columbia: Which Brand is Better?
Where is Columbia outdoor gear made?
Columbia continues to manufacture outdoor equipment in the United States and Europe, but the majority of its products, including its affiliated brands such as prAna, Sorel, and Mountain Hardwear, are predominantly made in Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, and India. (source)
Recommended Products
Columbia Men’s Whirlibird IV Interchange Jacket
Image: columbia.com
Check it out at Columbia.com
The Whirlibird IV Interchange jacket, designed by Columbia, is a versatile outerwear option suitable for various mountain activities such as skiing and snowboarding. The jacket boasts a waterproof-breathable shell and a thermal-reflective insulated liner that can be worn separately or together, offering optimal warmth.
It comes with a range of mountain-ready features, including a ski pass, chest, goggles, security, and hand pockets, as well as underarm vents, an adjustable hood, powder skirt, cuffs, and hem, ensuring both comfort and readiness for mountain adventures.
Made from Omni-Tech™ waterproof/breathable material with critical seam-sealing, the jacket effectively repels water. It also incorporates Omni-Heat™ thermal reflective technology to retain body heat and Thermarator™ insulated liner for added warmth without bulk.
Read also: How To Wash a Columbia Jacket (Omni-Heat, Down, Fleece, Rain)
Columbia Atlas Explorer 26L Backpack
Image: columbia.com
Check it out at Columbia.com
The Atlas Explorer represents a versatile and spacious backpack suitable for a range of activities. With a 26-liter capacity, it includes two primary storage sections, a front pocket organizer, dedicated compartments for both a laptop and a tablet, adjustable sternum and shoulder straps, and dual water bottle pockets.
It features Twin Slot webbing for flexibility, a cushioned and fleece-lined laptop sleeve accommodating laptops up to 15 inches, an individual tablet sleeve, and front pocket organization. It’s designed with reflective zipper pulls, two water bottle pockets, and a padded bottom panel.
Don’t miss: The North Face vs Columbia (Outdoor Gear Comparison)
Prices
Compared to Marmot, Columbia Sportswear items are priced more affordably. Typically, Columbia’s jackets are priced from $50 to $300, their backpacks are under $100, and the hiking shoes begin at about $100.
Are Columbia products worth the price?
For casual outdoor pursuits, we believe the brand’s gear is worth it. Take their outerwear, for instance, it offers the essential warmth and protection you need while out in nature.
If you are an expert or at a higher level, you might need to look for a more specialized brand. But, even then, you can find one or two items from Columbia’s extensive product range.
Must read: 10 Oldest Outdoor Clothing and Gear Brands
3. Which is Better? Marmot or Columbia?
Now let’s decide which is the better option for you! Here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Marmot is generally seen in the outdoor community as a more premium, performance-oriented outdoor brand compared to Columbia. Marmot focuses more on technical gear for mountaineering and climbing.
- Columbia has a wider range of products from basic to technical. They are known for their affordable, entry-level outerwear but also make higher-end gear.
- Marmot in general uses higher-end materials and industry standards like Gore-Tex in more of their products whereas Columbia uses a mix of proprietary technologies (Omni-Tech, Omni-Heat) and more standard materials.
- Marmot’s designs tend to be more articulated and optimized for active outdoor pursuits. Columbia has some technical gear but a lot of their products are more casual and lifestyle-based.
- Marmot is usually pricier than comparable Columbia gear. You’re paying more for Marmot’s engineering and materials.
- Both have sustainability programs in place.
So, in the end, for performance-focused technical outdoor gear, for serious mountaineering, ice climbing, etc., Marmot is usually the way to go, if you can pay more.
For more casual outdoor use, Columbia is our recommendation. Columbia is very popular for its affordability and breadth of selection.
Read next: 12 Best American Jackets and Outdoor Clothing Brands
