Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Y
Inventories [Member]  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Outstanding inventory purchase obligations 287,002,000us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount
/ us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis
= us-gaap_InventoriesMember
Minimum [Member]  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Operating leases, base lease term 5colm_OperatingLeasesBaseLeaseTerm
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Maximum [Member]  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Operating leases, base lease term 10colm_OperatingLeasesBaseLeaseTerm
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember