TECHNOLOGY
What is Columbia Sportswear’s Outgrown?
Kid’s grow. Why shouldn’t their apparel keep up?
BY NANCY BOUCHARD
Columbia Sportswear’s Outgrown technology is designed with growing kids in mind. It keeps them warmer, drier, and better protected in an ever-changing outdoor environment. Getting quality outdoor jackets and pants is an investment in your child’s future. It is a sure-fire way of fostering a lifelong passion for outdoor activities. Columbia’s Outgrown apparel actually gets longer in the sleeves and pant legs to accommodate 1.5 inches of growth, giving children an extra season of wear. It’s that cool!
Spending time outdoors benefits children. Whether they’re being pushed in a stroller or toted in a child carrier on a hike, babies thrive when surrounded by the wonders of nature. As they grow and start walking, new adventures abound, from short hikes to camping, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding. Outdoor activities help children build strong bodies, healthy relationships, and a greater sense of self-confidence. That’s why Columbia invented The Outgrown Extend System, a smart yet simple technology that gives parents the option of extending the length of their kids' outdoor wear by 1.5 inches.
Many parents wonder, “How do I get my kids to go outside?” With the allure of social media for older kids and the constant presence of television and electronic games for younger ones, nurturing a love for outdoor fun can be challenging. Preparing kids for specific outdoor activities includes mentorship, training, and a supportive community. Equally important is having the right apparel and footwear. Properly fitting apparel and footwear are crucial, especially in colder conditions. “As a former ski racer, and long-time ski race coach, I see too many kids without proper winter apparel,” says Coach Alice, head coach for Oregon’s Cooper Spur Race Team. “I have kids who show up for training with inadequate winter gear or wearing clothes that don’t fit. Rather than staying outside and enjoying skiing, they head into the lodge and spend time on their phones instead. And some never come back to the sport.”
Spending time outdoors benefits children. Whether they’re being pushed in a stroller or toted in a child carrier on a hike, babies thrive when surrounded by the wonders of nature. As they grow and start walking, new adventures abound, from short hikes to camping, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding. Outdoor activities help children build strong bodies, healthy relationships, and a greater sense of self-confidence. That’s why Columbia invented The Outgrown Extend System, a smart yet simple technology that gives parents the option of extending the length of their kids' outdoor wear by 1.5 inches.
Many parents wonder, “How do I get my kids to go outside?” With the allure of social media for older kids and the constant presence of television and electronic games for younger ones, nurturing a love for outdoor fun can be challenging. Preparing kids for specific outdoor activities includes mentorship, training, and a supportive community. Equally important is having the right apparel and footwear. Properly fitting apparel and footwear are crucial, especially in colder conditions. “As a former ski racer, and long-time ski race coach, I see too many kids without proper winter apparel,” says Coach Alice, head coach for Oregon’s Cooper Spur Race Team. “I have kids who show up for training with inadequate winter gear or wearing clothes that don’t fit. Rather than staying outside and enjoying skiing, they head into the lodge and spend time on their phones instead. And some never come back to the sport.”
Jackets and pants, especially those used for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, need to fit well to provide effective insulation. An ill-fitting winter jacket may not trap body heat efficiently, leading to an unhappy child. A jacket that is too big creates excess air space that is harder to heat, while sleeves and cuffs that are too short leave wrists and ankles exposed to the cold. Properly fitting gear minimizes heat loss and keeps cold air out. Columbia’s Outgrown technology addresses this by allowing you to adjust the length of sleeves and pant cuffs with a simple, removable piece of string, accommodating your child's growth. You just turn the sleeve or pant leg inside out, clip the string and voila, the garment extends to “grow” with your child.
Adjustable jackets and pants are cost-efficient because they extend the garment's lifespan, saving you money. Since many kids grow an inch or two within a single season, Outgrown technology can extend the wear time of a jacket, ski bib or insulated pant for an additional season. It also eliminates the hassle of replacing outgrown clothing so frequently. Better-fitting clothes enhance your child’s comfort level and our Outgrown solution helps to reduce waste. We encourage handing down outdoor apparel to others, from friends and family to donations to schools, clubs and other people in need. Adjustable garments mean fewer clothes are discarded and replaced, benefiting both your family and the environment. “Outgrown provides longevity to a garment, so the consumer needs less as the child grows,” explains Alexa Francisco, Senior Buyer for Youth at Columbia.
Adjustable jackets and pants are cost-efficient because they extend the garment's lifespan, saving you money. Since many kids grow an inch or two within a single season, Outgrown technology can extend the wear time of a jacket, ski bib or insulated pant for an additional season. It also eliminates the hassle of replacing outgrown clothing so frequently. Better-fitting clothes enhance your child’s comfort level and our Outgrown solution helps to reduce waste. We encourage handing down outdoor apparel to others, from friends and family to donations to schools, clubs and other people in need. Adjustable garments mean fewer clothes are discarded and replaced, benefiting both your family and the environment. “Outgrown provides longevity to a garment, so the consumer needs less as the child grows,” explains Alexa Francisco, Senior Buyer for Youth at Columbia.
Francisco adds that Columbia’s kids’ apparel mirrors the high-tech features of the brand’s adult gear. “Our Columbia Kids consumer values adult ‘take down’ styles or family styles, so we strive to offer mini-me versions as much as possible,” she says. “Outgrown is a key feature in many of our ski jackets, pants, and insulated/puffer jackets.”
Columbia’s Outgrown system provides an additional 1.5 inches in sleeves and pant cuffs, allowing for extended use of winter gear for children from infants to youth size 18.
Check out this video to see Outgrown in action.
Columbia’s Outgrown system provides an additional 1.5 inches in sleeves and pant cuffs, allowing for extended use of winter gear for children from infants to youth size 18.
Check out this video to see Outgrown in action.
For your next outdoor adventure with an infant, toddler, or growing child, explore the Outgrown Extend System. Shop pants, snow bibs, and jackets for kids of all ages.
