[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

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Intertextile Apparel opens next week with strengthened focus on performance, sustainability, and innovation

Opening 25 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2026 prepares to welcome thousands of global industry players for three days of sourcing, networking, and trend forecasting. Spanning 240,000 sqm, this edition will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, providing a comprehensive platform for fairgoers to explore new products, market directions, and business opportunities across the entire apparel textile value chain – with high-potential segments noticeably magnified.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Asia's fashion extravaganza CENTRESTAGE returns in September

Asia’s premier annual fashion event CENTRESTAGE--organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 2 to 5 September. One of the flagship programmes of the third "Hong Kong Fashion Fest", CENTRESTAGE will bring together some 270 brands from 24 countries and regions and will feature more than 40 spectacular events, including over 30 fashion shows.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

#Textile chemistry

Fashion for Good launches DW(O)R-X to navigate the emerging landscape of PFAS-free finishes

Fashion for Good announced the launch of Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative initiative designed to benchmark PFAS alternative durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) chemistries. Responding to growing market demand for alternatives to PFAS‑based finishes, the project aims to generate reliable, comparable data that can support informed sourcing decisions and the assessment of emerging chemistries.

Latest News

#Yarn & Fiber

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

#Carpets

DOMOTEX Southeast Asia 2026 - Building the Gateway to ASEAN's fast-growing flooring market

From 11–13 November 2026, the inaugural DOMOTEX Southeast Asia will take place at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Bangkok, Thailand. Jointly organized by GLOBUS Events Limited and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., with Worldex G.E.C. Co., Ltd. as the local partner, the exhibition marks the expansion of the internationally recognized DOMOTEX brand into Southeast Asia. As the newest addition to the global DOMOTEX portfolio, the exhibition has been developed specifically to serve the rapidly evolving ASEAN market, creating a dedicated business event for the flooring and interior finishing industry.

#Sustainability

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

#Research & Development

MELANGE starts with a co-creative design workshop at Aalto University to shape the visual identity of this new project transforming colouration in textiles

Over the next three years, MELANGE will lower the environmental impact of interior textile production by moving colour design to the beginning of the manufacturing process. This Horizon Europe project officially started on 1 August 2026, and will be publicly launched on 27 August 2026.

TOP