Columbia announced today its plan to acquire the company OutDry Technologies hence getting access to some of the company’s patents portfolio of innovative outdoor materials.
OutDry is an Italian company producing waterproof and breathable outdoor equipments like footwear and gloves and Columbia’s range of products would benefits greatly of Outdry expertise to delivery even better gear.
Columbia’s vice president of global footwear Mark Nenow says:
“OutDry finally delivers the waterproof breathable innovation that outdoor consumers have been asking for. This is ground breaking waterproof breathable footwear innovation for [..] any consumer that wants waterproof footwear without having to sacrifice performance, fit, light weight and comfort.”
The combination of OutDry and Columbia’s own technologies should deliver extreme waterproofing while keeping footwear and gloves breathable.
OutDry started to get noticed back in 2008 when they won the Volvo Sports Design competition award.
We should be able to see the first products from this new acquisition during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show in Salt Lake City this August
Additional information and videos illustrating OutDry’s innovative processes can be found here.