[pageLogInLogOut]

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Columbia sportswear launches omni-heat black dot, an industry-first warming technology

Today Columbia Sportswear (Nasdaq: COLM), a leading innovator across apparel and footwear, is launching its new Omni-Heat Black Dot technology, the outdoor industry’s first external thermal shield built to protect from the cold. This new textile acts as a heat magnet, featuring thousands of multilayered black dots that capture solar heat and trap warmth to keep people warmer in cold weather.

Combined with Columbia’s Omni-Heat 3D thermal-reflective lining, the new collection of men’s and women’s Omni-Heat Black Dot jackets is Columbia’s most advanced solution for fighting the cold this winter. These cutting-edge jackets are available at https://www.columbia.com/tech-reflective/ and select retail locations. 

Known as a Heat Magnet, Latest Innovation Expands Columbia’s Technology Portfolio

The patent-pending Omni-Heat Black Dot technology features thousands of black dots on the exterior designed to help people warm smarter. Each multilayered dot is made of aluminum and covered with a black coating to enhance heat absorption from scattered or direct sunlight. Extensive laboratory and field testing shows that the jacket heats up quickly and holds that heat longer than jackets without this new technology. 

© 2020 Columbia Sportswear
© 2020 Columbia Sportswear


Columbia’s Omni-Heat Black Dot material represents a culmination of warming innovations that began with the introduction of Omni-Heat Reflective lining, a revolutionary approach to lightweight insulation that is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. The reflective qualities of Omni-Heat aluminum dots bounce back the body’s radiant heat, similar to a breathable space blanket. In 2018, Columbia introduced its enhanced Omni-Heat 3D technology, which features small pods of vertically oriented fuzzy fibers on top of the reflective material to add more heat retention properties. Today’s launch of the Omni-Heat Black Dot technology is yet another technical leap forward and incorporates a new approach to fighting the cold.

“To maximize a shell fabric’s heat retention, we looked closely at low-emissivity windows that rely on a thin layer of metal on the glass,” said Haskell Beckham, PhD, Columbia’s Sr. Director of Apparel Innovation. “We’d never seen insulation placed on the outer layer of a jacket before, and we’ve been extremely impressed with the heat absorption and retention performance throughout our testing in the laboratory and in frigid climates around the world.”


In its inaugural season, Columbia is offering three cutting edge Omni-Heat Black Dot jacket styles, for a total of six models across men’s and women’s collections. Combined with Columbia’s award-winning Omni-Heat 3D lining and high performance insulation, these Omni-Heat Black Dot jackets represent Columbia’s most advanced system for cold weather:

Dawn Watch Black Dot Jacket – The Dawn Watch Black Dot Jacket has a trio of Columbia technologies designed for ultimate warmth, including an Omni-Heat Black Dot outer layer, advanced thermal-reflective Omni-Heat 3D lining, and Omni-Heat Stretch Insulation. It’s built for mother nature’s coldest days and retails for $350.

Barrett Spur Black Dot Parka – Columbia’s most luxe Black Dot style offers 700 fill-power responsibly sourced down and a plush faux fur trim. The Barrett Spur features a full suite of Columbia technologies including an Omni-Heat Black Dot, advanced thermal-reflective Omni-Heat 3D lining, and Omni-Heat Stretch Insulation. It’s a premium parka designed for maximum warmth and protection and retails for $600.

Three Forks Black Dot Jacket – The Three Forks Black Dot Jacket features a combination of cold-defeating technologies, including a heat-capturing Omni-Heat Black Dot exterior, advanced thermal-reflective Omni-Heat 3D lining, and the enhanced warmth and flexible comfort of Omni-Heat Stretch Insulation. Available later this fall, it will retail for $280.

For more information on Omni-Heat Black Dot technology, visit http://Columbia.com and join the conversation by following @columbia1938 on Twitter and Instagram, and @ColumbiaSportswear on Facebook.

© 2020 Columbia Sportswear
© 2020 Columbia Sportswear



More News from TEXDATA International

#ITM 2026

ITM 2026: The new geography of textile production

New production hubs are emerging across North Africa and Central Asia, while Türkiye is accelerating its transformation toward higher-value, technology-driven and more sustainable textile manufacturing.

#Research & Development

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

#Knitting & Hosiery

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

#Associations

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

More News on Textiles & Apparel / Garment

#Europe

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens with focus on AI, circularity and new sourcing regions

More than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world are gathering at Paris-Le Bourget as Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens its doors from August 31 to September 2. With around 500 textile manufacturers and a similar number of apparel and accessories suppliers, the trade fair reflects the ongoing transformation of global sourcing and the growing diversification of supply regions.

#Man-Made Fibers

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Hong Kong strengthens position as Asia's leading sustainable fashion hub

Hong Kong's position as one of Asia's most prominent sustainable fashion hubs has been further strengthened, with the HKTDC ESG Index 2026 released by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for the fashion industry rising to 65.5 in 2026, up 2.3 percentage points from 2025. The increase reflects growing industry confidence in Hong Kong as a premier platform for sustainable fashion development and ESG-related business opportunities.

Latest News

#Research & Development

From smart jackets to laser technology: Mona Neubaur explores Textile Factory 7.0

As part of her summer tour, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mona Neubaur, visited Textilfabrik 7.0 in Mönchengladbach to experience the project’s innovations first-hand. Under the motto “smart and clean”, the visit focused on innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives for textile production - from smart jackets to the decolourisation of textiles using fungal cultures.

#CINTE Techtextil China 2026

Cinte Techtextil China 2026 has opened today, bringing global innovations and resources to Shanghai

As Asia’s premier platform catering to the evolving needs in technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China has opened today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, gathering over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. Across Halls W3 to W5, this edition will create chances for fast-growing sectors and emerging trends – such as Mobiltech, Medtech & Protech, Indutech and more. The curated zones, pavilions, and fringe programme are designed to better connect exhibitors with targeted buyers from across China, Asia-Pacific, and further afield. Meanwhile, the Association Village will gather international industry associations to foster even more global collaboration.

#Raw Materials

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative partners with Avalo in AI plant breeding for climate-resilient cotton

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has partnered with agriculture solutions company Avalo, whose platform accelerates the speed at which plants with key resiliency traits may be developed.

TOP