Columbia has presented its latest effort to gain ground in the field of technical footwear and apparel. Its new technology is called Omni-Heat, which it calls advanced temperature management. Columbia’s innovation is split into three parts: Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective helps to regulate the body temperature by reflecting and retaining the warmth of the body while dissipating moisture and excess heat. Heat retention is promised to be increased by 20 percent on average. A metallic dot lining provides heat retention and a high level of breathability while its metallic nature reduces static build-up. Omni-Heat Thermal Insulated is made from 50 percent eco-friendly recycled content, and promises the highest heat retention per gram of insulation in the industry. Omni-Heat Thermal Electric is an electrically powered thermal technology – as of now for footwear only – that supplies the foot with additional warmth at the push of a button. Omni-Heat, which was presented to Columbia’s sales force in San Francisco and to the trade press in New York last week, is the latest effort of the brand to be back in the field of innovations. Company executives frankly admitted that Columbia took a break of a decade or so from sincere product innovation, and promises to be better than ever in this sector to win back a position of a market leader in research and development in the years to come. (Read more in the upcoming issue of The Outdoor Industry Compass.)