The nostalgia is strong with this one. Star Wars fans may love to complain about Disney’s direction of the sci-fi franchise, but a new gear collection from Columbia proves that this fandom still gets the coolest stuff.
Columbia has been putting out limited-edition Star Wars capsules for several years. It would be easy for the brand to just slap some Rebel Alliance logos on a jacket and call it a day. Instead, Columbia’s designers have tried to channel their own force powers and make something creative each year. They’ve put out ski gear inspired by Rogue Squadron jumpsuits, Darth Vader puffy jackets, and even fishing gear using Star Wars comics.
But this December’s lineup might be Columbia’s best yet. At the very least, it taps into an essential aspect of the Star Wars fandom: faithfulness to the original trilogy.
Columbia’s new lineup, the Endor collection, is inspired by 1983’s Return of the Jedi (or Episode 6, as any true fan knows). It includes many items reflecting the costumes used by Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and the rest of the film crew as they ventured into California’s redwood forests to create the now-iconic “planet” of Endor.
Moreover, much of the gear actually sounds like it could protect you from the elements.
The collection debuts online at 6:30 a.m. PST on Thursday, Dec. 11, for members of the Columbia Greater Reward (a free-to-join loyalty program). Half an hour after that, it’s open sesame for everyone else.
These collections tend to sell out quickly, so make your shopping plans ahead of time if you want to ensure you snag some of this limited-edition gear. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
Ewok Fleece Collection
There’s a lot of cool stuff here, but for my money, nothing beats the Ewok fleece jackets and buntings (which are basically onesies for kiddos). These immediately caught my eye. I can’t help but imagine my 4-year-old niece or 1-month-old goddaughter wearing them (mostly for the benefit of their relatives, since I think my niece hasn’t yet graduated from her current obsessions with Bluey and Peppa Pig).
This three-piece lineup includes the Ewok Fleece Jacket ($80), available in youth and toddler sizes, as well as the Ewok Fleece Bunting ($70) in infant sizes.
I will say that I think Columbia made a mistake by not offering an Ewok onesie for adults as well. I’d wager that plenty of grown-up fans would leap at the chance to buy a full-body Ewok fleece. Oh well. I guess there’s always next year.
Sneaky Endor Camo
Let’s be honest: Harrison Ford can make anything look cool. But there’s no doubt that the camouflage gear that Han Solo and Princess Leia used to infiltrate Endor has become as iconic as nearly everything else from the original Star Wars films.
The highlight of this year’s collection (for adults) has to be the General Han Solo Trench. This versatile, 3-in-1 coat is a shell-and-vest combo that can be worn either separately or together. A vest lining aims to keep you toasty, sporting a gold thermal-reflective pattern on the inside.
The camo looks pretty darn close to Ford’s original costume, and also includes a Rebel Alliance patch and messages in Aurebesh (that’s the fictional alphabet used in the films, in case you forgot). This one costs a pretty penny at $600, but you’ll probably be the envy of any cold-weather cosplay gathering.
Right behind that is the Endor Issue Poncho ($400), which resembles the camo pattern used by Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia. It’s made with waterproof, breathable fabric, featuring pleating along the hood and back, as well as similar accents to the trench coat. There are also side snaps, bungee-adjustable arms, and a belt to fine-tune the fit.
Columbia Star Wars Endor Collection: Plenty More Options
Honestly, that’s just a small sample of what’s on offer with the Columbia Star Wars Endor Collection. Other highlights include:
- Endor Issue Cargo Vest ($150): Inspired by Rebel tactical gear at the Battle of Endor, this vest has Omni-Heat Infinity lining that retains body heat and breathability using a custom gold Rebel-inspired thermal-reflective pattern for extra warmth, according to Columbia.
- Endor Issue Pant ($130): Columbia calls these the “first-ever special-edition Star Wars-inspired pants.” Built for comfort and rugged utility, they have a costume-inspired camo print and a patch inspired by the Rebel Alliance insignia. Other features include an integrated belt, stretch fabric, zippered and snap-closed pockets, and belt and hammer loops.
- Endor Issue Boot ($220): Built for rugged adventures, this boot has Omni-MAX advanced cushioning, a TechLite midsole, and an Omni-Grip Outsole. Easter eggs include costume-inspired camo on the shoe, shoelaces, and insoles, a Rebel Alliance-inspired insignia patch on the tongue, Aurebesh messages, and a custom shoebox. It comes in men’s sizing and includes two sets of laces in camo and brown.
Peruse the rest of the collection, and you’ll also find hats, water bottles, blankets, and more. If you don’t mind emptying your wallet, you could have several ready-made cosplay outfits from this collection. Given the higher quality of many of these items, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear a lot of “take my money” when it debuts online next week.
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