Columbia Men's Fairbanks Omni-Heat Hiking Shoe

Really good hiking shoes. The omni-heat style of insulation keeps my feet warm when it is cold but I am still able to wear them comfortably in warm weather. The traction/grip is good and because they are waterproof (up to the top of the laces) I have been able to walk through pretty deep puddles and in the rain without getting wet socks.

Hands down. They are warm waterproof and comfortable. I wear them all day basically every day in the winter. Had them four years and still in great shape. I wear them on ski trips or sledding or shoveling snow or to work. They look great with everything, not my priority but yes I get comments on the look. Mine are a half size smaller than I would normally buy but after some break in they fit perfectly. Just bought new pair just in case they go off the market before mine truly give up. Saw a comment “they’re not waterproof” - I disagree. Ok I don’t wear them fly fishing but these are maybe the only boots I’ve ever owned where if I lace them up good and my snow pants are snug over the tops my feet don’t get wet. At all. If you want 100% airtight waterproof buy knee high rubber wellies. If you want snow boots that keep your feet dry buy these.

In looking for a new pair of winter boots this year, my priority was flexibility and weight. I narrowed my search down to two boots, Sorrel Cheyenne Metro High Tops and these boots for Columbia. Both promised lightweight flexibility and rather than trying to distinguish a winner through research, I purchased them both for a test run. It's important to note that I live in Minneapolis and while this winter's (2020-21) been relatively mild so far, we've had multiple days where the wind chill's dipped into the negatives (-20 for a couple days) and we've had a nice mix of snow and ice. The Columbia boots exceeded my expectations. Not only were they far lighter than the Sorrel high tops, they were far my flexible - rare for a pair of winter boots. I don't want to exaggerate this quality - they still are boots afterall and like all boots I've worn they are far heavier and less flexible than shoes. Still, they are exceptional in this quality compared to other boots I've owned. This lightweight flexibility conspires with some mild insulation (200 loft) to really provide an exceptional winter boot. I've used this boot every day for the past 2 months and have averaged 3 miles of outdoor walking per day during that time. From day one my fet felt good in the boots on these walks. Some boots require a break-in period and result in blisters. Not these. My feet stay relatively warm (though on cold days - days below 10 degrees with snow on the ground my feet get cold in these) and comfortable throughout my walks. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with these boots but there are two potential knocks against them that I want to mention. One is the waterproofing. Like most boots that claim to be waterproof, the truth is murky. The soles certainly are waterproof and provide reliable waterproofing that extends about 1inch. After that, the waterproof runner soles meet the fabric of the boot. This seam splits quickly and the boots let water in at that 1 inch mark. Water also easily comes in around the tongue / lacing area of the boot. The other issue I've had with these boots is some discomfort with the placement of the tongue if I tie the boots up all the way. The tongue has a stiff inflexible piece of fabric that rubs against my ankle. I solved this problem by untying the top three lace keys opting instead to keep the boots tied around the bend of the ankle (kind of where a normal shoe would be tied at). This was the only solution that routinely worked for me and it worked well. THis might bot be acceptable to other buyers though not all buyers will necessarily experience this rubbing. With that said, the boot is a good buy and I recommend it for casual short - mid distance hikes in temps ranging from between 40F to 0 F. Anything colder than that and you're going to want more insulation or thicker socks.

I grew up in a hot and humid country! So there was never a need for a snow boot. So this review is to help people decide buying this boot who never owned a snow boot! Have lived now around lower northern portion of US for the last 9 years. Don’t ask me how I got by last 9 years but I guess age is finally catching up to me. I finally felt the need for a snow boot, as I was shoveling snow last year. So after buying this boot, I had to wait for a few weeks for the first snowfall to try it out. And here is my take. Fit: unlike your regular sneakers/shoes, this boot will fit tight, so if you want wiggle room SIZE UP!! I don’t like a loose fit hence I bought the exact size and it fits tight. I feel the tight fit helps with heat retention. Warmth: these boots will keep your feet warm. I was out shoveling snow at 8 deg F for about 1 hour consecutive days and my feet felt like they were inside a warm pot. I used regular socks, so I recon if you use winter socks it will make your feet even warmer. Keep that in mind. I walked over about 5/6 inches of snow and still the warmth didn’t decrease. Grip: grips like a 4x4 on snow. I have a 20 degree incline on my driveway and went up and down sideways at a brisk pace for 2 hours total, consecutive days. I am still in one piece!!! So I would say based on my assessment the grip is excellent. However, on the second day I did step on some ice and slipped, so I can draw the conclusion that it will slip on ice. Water Resistance: holds up against the light to moderate rainfall very well. Wore it for a few hours doing grocery during a rainy day few days back and it repelled water very well. I have no plans to wear it and jump into a puddle of water or a stream, so I can’t tell how it will hold up against that. Fashion: as a parent of two kids this is very fashionable and goes well with your jeans or joggers. So if you want a crisp look shoveling snow, this might be the he pair for you. I just paid $84 with taxes so I am very pleased with the value for money. I got the grey color pair. Tip: don’t tighten your laces too much, keeping them lighting tied will make your fit better Net: It fulfills all the needs for me, like shoveling snow, running errands, keeping feet warm and dry and as a bonus not a bad look either. So if you are looking for these in your first snow boot, buy these without hesitation. The reason for 4 star is, I have not used it long enough to make a comment on the durability. Will likely come back next year to make a comment on that. Hope this helps you to make a decision. Cheers!!

I couldn’t be happier with them. They’re warm, comfortable, and surprisingly lightweight for how sturdy they feel. The insulation keeps my feet cozy even on the coldest days, and the waterproofing has held up perfectly through snow and slush

I just received them and they are very comfortable and VERY warm out of the box. I wear a 10 and bought a 10 and they are true to size. They are snug with a thicker sock but not uncomfortable. I think if you have unusually wide feet they may be a bit too narrow but they are definitely worth trying. I will be putting them to the test this winter so I will update after I have some more time wearing them. I love the look of these boots and spent a lot of time researching before settling on these. The most important things for me were comfort, warmth, waterproof and I didn’t want a bulky boot. These could be worn anywhere. EDIT: I ended up returning the 10 after wearing them around the house. They were a bit too snug. I got the 10.5 (half size up) and they’re perfect. First time wearing them while hiking (3 or 4 miles) and fishing for a full day and they were comfortable and warm out of the box. Temps were in the 40s and I was wearing normal socks and stayed warm even while standing in water. They are definitely water proof. Not sure about the other reviews saying that the water proof “wears off.” Time will tell, but I can say with 100% certainty that they are waterproof out of the box. See pictures. My feet were bone dry after being submerged in a river and in mud.

The Fairbanks Omni-Heat boots have been quite a pleasant surprise in terms of comfort, warmth, and flexibility. Right out of the box, these boots felt exceptionally comfortable, almost as if they were already broken in, providing a level of movement like a pair of tennis shoes. I primarily wear these boots when I'm flying gliders, and they have proven to be an excellent choice for my needs. They excel at keeping my feet warm, even in chilly conditions, allowing me to focus on flying without discomfort. Their impressive flexibility ensures unrestricted movement and full rudder control in the cockpit. These boots offer reliable traction on the dirt airfield, particularly when I need to walk along the wing and maneuver the glider on the ground. Surprisingly, these boots are so comfortable that I find myself wearing them all day, even when I'm not up in the air or at the airfield. Whether I'm running errands or simply going about my daily activities, they continue to provide comfort and support throughout the day. In summary, the Fairbanks Omni-Heat boots are a practical and comfortable choice for flying gliders, offering warmth, flexibility, and reliable traction. I even wear them to work when the weather is poor or very cold. They would also make great hiking boots if I were to use them for that.

Quality boot and good for every day use. Good ankle support even with it's lightweight construction. I've worn these daily for several months now and they look just as good as the day I bought them. The size was true and fit well. I was hesitant to purchase these after other reviews stated that they had a strong odor to them, but luckily that was not the case for the boots that I received. The boots are marketed for a winter wear, but I daily them and once you get used to the warmth they can be worn daily with no problems.