We have found a serious decline in Columbia products over the years. Broken zippers, shrinkage, grossly overpriced polyester filled coats that are not warm, fading, etc. Hubby and I have been wearing since we were teens, so that's a lot of products over the years.
We stopped buying much from them, except for a few fleece jackets or hats/mitts/gloves. But here are 2 experiences from the last month:
1. Boots - hubby found a cute pair of little boy's boots for our youngest son, and picked them up in Nov.
Hasn't even been 2 months of wearing, and they are done! Bottoms totally worn out, and snow/sand inside ruining his socks, and wet feet. I didn't want to buy the boots in the first place, as I their quality is not good, but hubby picked them up at Famous Footwear in Nov. as toddler-preschool sizes are hard to find (size 12).
At this point, I need to purchase another pair of boots today, as we could have snow up until end of March. It has been a very mild winter with hardly any show, but some days are bitter cold. More money out of the budget!
2. Snowpants - hard to find little guy sizes, so pretty much the only place we could find better quality (we were hoping) snowpants were Columbia. Paid over $60.00 for them. At first they seemed great with reinforced stitching on bottom of legs and can open up so that they fit longer. Within a few weeks though, we noticed issues: seams coming apart, little holes and tears. They look nice, but again, quality wise, they are not. I was able to patch up 1 hole, and sew 1 seam, but not sure if they will last for next year or not? Will just buy 2 cheaper pairs for next year, as they are the same quality as these, but much less in cost.
I just want to warn people of being careful with Columbia products in general. The boots are like erasers on the bottom, and are horrible quality. You would think for $40.00 they would be better, but they are not, and the pants although they look good, have fabric issues.
Boots have warranty, but we would have to go back to states, pay to ship to Columbia and await a decision. No thanks. Also didn't bother with the pants, as we figured they would say it was my son's fault, and so I patched them myself.
I am known as a mini consumer advocate around here, so I will email them, and let them know of the issue, but in the meantime, I have to buy a new pair of boots, and continue patching work on these snowpants!
Just wanted to share my experience, so others don't go through it, Tiger
We stopped buying much from them, except for a few fleece jackets or hats/mitts/gloves. But here are 2 experiences from the last month:
1. Boots - hubby found a cute pair of little boy's boots for our youngest son, and picked them up in Nov.
Hasn't even been 2 months of wearing, and they are done! Bottoms totally worn out, and snow/sand inside ruining his socks, and wet feet. I didn't want to buy the boots in the first place, as I their quality is not good, but hubby picked them up at Famous Footwear in Nov. as toddler-preschool sizes are hard to find (size 12).
At this point, I need to purchase another pair of boots today, as we could have snow up until end of March. It has been a very mild winter with hardly any show, but some days are bitter cold. More money out of the budget!
2. Snowpants - hard to find little guy sizes, so pretty much the only place we could find better quality (we were hoping) snowpants were Columbia. Paid over $60.00 for them. At first they seemed great with reinforced stitching on bottom of legs and can open up so that they fit longer. Within a few weeks though, we noticed issues: seams coming apart, little holes and tears. They look nice, but again, quality wise, they are not. I was able to patch up 1 hole, and sew 1 seam, but not sure if they will last for next year or not? Will just buy 2 cheaper pairs for next year, as they are the same quality as these, but much less in cost.
I just want to warn people of being careful with Columbia products in general. The boots are like erasers on the bottom, and are horrible quality. You would think for $40.00 they would be better, but they are not, and the pants although they look good, have fabric issues.
Boots have warranty, but we would have to go back to states, pay to ship to Columbia and await a decision. No thanks. Also didn't bother with the pants, as we figured they would say it was my son's fault, and so I patched them myself.
I am known as a mini consumer advocate around here, so I will email them, and let them know of the issue, but in the meantime, I have to buy a new pair of boots, and continue patching work on these snowpants!
Just wanted to share my experience, so others don't go through it, Tiger
Sorry you are having all the problems. We live on the Gulf Coast so no snow here. DH wears their shorts and cargo type pants almost exclusively. He just ordered 5 pair on-line and was very pleased at the price. I have washed them a couple of times and had no problems. He is still wearing them from 4 years ago and the wear on them I would have expected. He prefers the pants to jeans.
