Columbia Sportswear acquired Mountain Hardwear in 2003.
The acquisition was completed on March 31, 2003, and Mountain Hardwear became a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear. Columbia paid approximately $36 million, consisting of about $30 million in cash and the assumption of roughly $6 million in debt.
Mountain Hardwear had been founded in 1993 by outdoor-industry veterans. Based in Richmond, California, it specialized in high-performance apparel, equipment, and accessories for climbers, mountaineers, skiers, and other serious outdoor athletes.
The deal strengthened Columbia’s portfolio by adding a technical, premium outdoor brand alongside its broader Columbia label. It is separate from Columbia’s acquisition of Sorel, which took place in 2000, and prAna, acquired in 2014.