Columbia Sportswear - Bugaboot

In 1992 Canadian brand Sorel offered dealers the famous Cariboo Pak boot that took color inspiration from Columbia’s Bugbaoo Jacket franchise. We took notice and thought there may be a business opportunity in the footwear industry. We called on a local creative agency Sport Inc. to advise us on the potential of entering the Footwear Business. Tim met with both Rob Strausser and Peter Moore, legends in footwear. The design brief included three simple points:

• The boot must be functional for the outdoors.
• Encompass Columbia’s energy.
• Provide a good value for our customers. 
  

Sport Inc. agreed to take on the challenge.

Peter sketched the concept, and long-time footwear product developer Jim Gorman built it. Peter’s involvement did not end with the sketch, he agreed to see the boot through development. Rob Strausser even attended Columbia’s Fall 1993 Sales meeting to tell the boot’s story.

The Bugaboot was a great success selling over 40K units that first year, launching Columbia Sportswear into the Footwear business.