A review of the polos and shorts in the Columbia Sportswear Fall 2018 Golf Collection
Last summer, I was introduced to Columbia Sportswear’s Golf Collection and quickly became a convert. A company better known for its waterproof jackets and camping gear was designing stylish and quality-made clothes suited for 18 holes in addition to mountain hikes. The golf division is built on Columbia Sportswear’s 60-year history of crafting gear strong enough to withstand any condition. The designs for the Fall 2018 season are created to keep golfers on the course through any weather condition, from hot summer days to cold winter rounds.
Columbia’s Fall Collection continues the steady styles and prints seen in previous seasons. It is more of an evolution with small design tweaks and technology adjustments than a major overhaul. (If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.) The range of polos, pants, and layering pieces are perfect for golfers looking for well-priced and stylish gear for the course or the office on casual Fridays.
Columbia’s Technology
Two important technologies built into all polos and quarter-zips are Omni-Shade™ and Omni-Wick™, both of which I appreciate during rounds in the Texas sun. Omni-Shade offers UPF30 sun protection by blocking harmful UVA and UVB rays. Omni-Wick, not surprisingly, aids in the wicking and drying of sweat. Although all golf apparel brands are touting their fabric technologies, I like how Columbia is drawing attention to these two important features by including them in the names of its products.
Columbia’s Golf Polos
My two favorite pieces in this season’s collection, the Omni-Wick One Swing and Omni-Wick Gamer polos, incorporate the aforementioned technologies and capture the essence of Columbia Sportswear. The One Swing might look like a basic pinstriped polo, however, Columbia has packed in exciting little details. Equipped with a “no sew” placket and laser-cut buttonholes, both features reduce the weight of the shirt and allow for greater flexibility throughout the golf swing.
The Gamer is a striped polo available in five heathered colors, ranging from a classic white and grey to a racy red. Each colorway has a contrasting two button placket with a sturdy collar giving the polos a modern look. I have been sporting the white and heather grey polo for the past couple of weeks.
The fit of both polos is another impressive feature. Columbia’s polos fit true to size and are cut slightly slimmer through the chest and back with the sleeves falling just above the elbow. A very nice aspect of Columbia Sportswear’s Golf Collection is the affordability of their pieces. For example, these polos are priced between $50-$60 and the quarter-zips are equally affordable.
Columbia’s Golf Shorts
No golf apparel collection would be complete without a rock-solid pair of shorts. Depending on geography, autumn for some means investing in some stylish pants. For others, September and October mean not sweating through your shirt until the fourth green. If you fall into the latter category, then the Omni-Wick Marker Shorts are for you. The shorts are offered in five solid colors with a 10” inseam and an elastic waistband to allow for comfort and flexibility during the golf swing.
As with Columbia’s polos, the Marker Shorts are fabricated from the Omni-Shade and Omni-Wick material to keep you dry and protected for the last few months of warm weather golf. I know many of you will don shorts year round, so put the Marker Shorts on your birthday or Christmas list. But, order one size larger to ensure proper fit.
Conclusion
Columbia makes quality, high-performance golf gear. With the foundation of a leading outdoor company, these clothes hold up to the elements—from hot and steamy days to the cooler conditions that require an extra layer to start your round.
My one critique of the brand is its lack of exposure and distribution channels. Enhancing its website to more accurately showcase products would go a long way towards increasing sales and the brand’s reach. Product selection on the website does not always match the current season’s collection. Nonetheless, I recommend Columbia Sportswear’s golf apparel to any golfer looking for high tech polos, quarter-zips, and shorts in traditional styles without being forced to break the bank on a single outfit.
