Columbia Sportswear Company Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)

Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Shares authorized	10,400,000
Shares available for future grants	2,187,824
Tax benefit for the deduction from stock-based award transactions	$ 4,793,000	$ 3,410,000	$ 4,702,000
Stock-based compensation expense	8,878,000	7,833,000	7,870,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	3,479,000	3,180,000	3,550,000
Unrecognized costs related to share based compensation	5,637,000
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized costs related to stock options, years	2 years 2 months 23 days
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	7,491,000	5,517,000	4,906,000
Cash received on exercises of stock options	19,537,000	14,600,000	10,991,000
Stock Options [Member] \| After2000 And Before2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	4 years
Expiration period, years	10 years
Stock Options [Member] \| During2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	1 year
Expiration period, years	10 years
Stock Options [Member] \| After2008 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	4 years
Expiration period, years	10 years
Service Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| After2008 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	4 years
Service Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Prior To2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	3 years
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Prior To2010 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Additional requisite service period, years	1 year
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Prior To2010 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	2 years 6 months
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| After2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	2 years
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Prior To2010 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	3 years
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| After2009 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years	3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	5,399,000	4,653,000	4,320,000
Unrecognized costs related to share based compensation	10,640,000
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized costs related to stock options, years	2 years 3 months 4 days
Company withheld shares	41,683	30,299	48,059
Company withheld shares, tax obligations	2,291,000	1,486,000	2,974,000
Grant date fair value of vested units	$ 5,362,000	$ 3,874,000	$ 5,586,000
Simplified Method [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Vesting period of options granted, years		5 years