PORTLAND, Ore. — This may be the most ‘Portland’ thing that Columbia Sportswear has done yet. The PNW clothing company is paying tribute to Portland International Airport’s iconic carpet.
The company is marking 35 years of its Helvetia fleece with some limited-edition pieces – including a nod to the retro teal geometric design that has stopped many travelers in their tracks.
Early access begins October 14 for Columbia Greater Rewards members – and then will be available online and in stores the following day.
“The Helvetia™ fleece is a Pacific Northwest icon. So is the PDX carpet. Now they’re together in the first drop of our limited-edition fleece series,” the company wrote on its website.
The half snap fleece is listed as $100 on Columbia’s website.
History of the PDX carpet
SRG Partnership designed the carpet in 1987 and installed it throughout Portland International Airport (PDX) in the early 1990s.
The design represents the intersection of the north and south runways seen by air traffic controllers from the airport’s tower at night.
“The carpet’s fame organically grew in the early days of Instagram, where taking a shoe selfie became a ritual whenever you flew through PDX,” the airport said.
In 2013, the carpet was worn down, and the Port of Portland announced a new design to replace it.
“Public mourning for the old carpet became a trend online,” the airport said. When the Port of Portland and ZGF Architects designed the new main terminal, everyone agreed it was the perfect moment to bring it back. The renovations were completed in 2024 and it is now scattered about the airport.
Searching for the patches of carpet has become so popular, that the airport has a designated map. Click here to view it.