Time For A Reboot - Reintroducing Bugaboot™ 1 Limited Edition

Legendary designer Peter Moore and feisty Columbia Founder Gert Boyle were both visionaries and perfectionists. Expecting nothing but the best from themselves and their teams, Peter lived by the words, “Don’t f*** it up” while Gert famously challenged, “It’s perfect, now make it better.”  

These two iconic and combustible personalities converged in 1993, with the help of Tim Boyle, Gert’s son and Columbia CEO, to create a radically different new shoe that would launch Columbia into the footwear market. Initially engineered to complement the break-out Bugaboo™ 3-in-1 jackets, this hybrid boot blended the weather-defying power of a duckboot with the performance of an athletic shoe. A gamechanger in its time, thanks to a visionary designer and the pioneering mindset of the Boyles. Today, we’re proud to reintroduce the Bugaboot™ 1 Limited Edition.

“More than 30 years ago, my mother and I knew it was time to expand Columbia’s footprint – literally – and enter the footwear space,” said Columbia CEO Tim Boyle. “Delivering a functional outdoor boot that reflected Columbia’s rugged, innovative spirit was critical. Peter was our first and only call. He and Gert shared an obsession with problem-solving through design, making him a natural partner to help launch this new chapter. Today, we honor Peter’s immeasurable legacy and celebrate Columbia’s own history in performance footwear alongside Peter’s sons, Hagen and Devin, who were instrumental in bringing this new project to life.”

Legendary designer Peter Moore’s creative genius and dynamic personality fueled some of the footwear industry’s greatest hits and helped shape sneaker culture today. Long and instrumental tenures at both Nike and adidas included designs of the Air Jordan 1 shoe (a global cultural icon), Jumpman logo, and the adidas mountain logo, to name a few. A multi-disciplinary artist, Moore’s work spanned product creation, brand identity systems, and activism through revolutionary, bold design. Peter’s mantra of “form follows function” meant that his simple yet elegant designs were built around intended purpose and client needs. Projects were problems to be solved, and he often discovered solutions to problems hiding within the problem itself. These unique insights reflected Peter’s larger mission in life: To promote peace and justice through his art. He was a catalyst for change and champion of breakthrough designs, including the development of the original Bugaboot, a product he remained deeply involved with leading up to its launch.

“This project means a lot to our family,” said Hagen Moore, son of Peter Moore and Co-Founder of Boom Pow Bang Creative Agency. “My dad poured his heart into everything he worked on, and the Bugaboot was no exception. To see Columbia bring it back with so much care and respect for our father’s original design while pushing it forward with today’s tech is something we know he would’ve been incredibly proud of.”

The 2025 Bugaboot honors the original ‘90s legacy design while incorporating Columbia’s latest premium footwear technology such as Omni-Grip™ outsoles for all-terrain stability and traction, and TechLite™ lightweight cushioning for high energy return and step-in comfort.

Only 1,993 pairs will be released globally, each with an individual number embroidered on the tongue to provide enthusiasts with a one-of-a-kind product. Shoes come in custom packaging featuring collectible box, a keychain, and unique tissue paper.