Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot review

One of the lightest winter boots we have ever tested, the Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot is a solid option if you:

• want a super comfy winter boot that feels more like a sneaker
• need an extra warm insulated boot (200g insulation)
• look for a versatile boot that can go from streets to trails

If temperatures don't drop below 40°F (5°C) in your area, the Fairbanks Omni-Heat is going to be an overkill. We recommend its lightened version, the Fairbanks Mid, for warmer conditions.

On the other hand, if you need a maximized level of protection, try Columbia's burlier high-top Bugaboot III (also 200g of insulation).

Granted, this boot is not among the most cushioned ones. Measuring its heel stack with a caliper, we got only 30.8 mm.

This is notably lighter than the average hiking boot and feels minimalist compared to another popular winter boot from Columbia, the Bugaboot III (46.9 mm).

In terms of impact protection, we found the Fairbanks to be sufficiently cushioned. But some people may prefer a taller platform for winter months to keep their feet higher off the cold ground.

This boot also proved to be low-profile under the toes. With a 19.2 mm forefoot stack, it placed the foot a few millimeters closer to the ground than other boots.

This is what makes the Fairbanks feel so different from a typical boot. You have to cut off the platform to get a lighter and more flexible pair.

Looking at the difference in stack heights, we get a drop of 11.6 mm. This is a typical drop for a hiking boot.

Having a raised heel helps to relieve the pressure from the Achilles and calves, especially if you are carrying a backpack.

Walking in the Columbia Fairbanks feels pleasurable for one more reason - its cushioning is softer than usual! Seems like the boot's Techlite Comfort System lives up to its name.

Our experience was backed up by the durometer measurements too. With a reading of 18.9 HA, the boot's foam is 33% plusher than the average!

But most foams get significantly firmer in low temperatures. Does this Columbia boot also turn into a brick in winter?

As it turns out, it doesn't!

Having kept the Fairbanks in the freezer for 20 minutes, we repeated the durometer measurement. The foam did get 22.5% firmer but it was still softer than most boots at room temperature!

The boot's cushioning wouldn't be complete without a well-padded insole.

In the Fairbanks, we found it to be 6.0 mm thick, which is perfect for a winter boot.

Medium-width feet are going to feel right at home in the Fairbanks Omni-Heat.

Based on our caliper measurements, its toebox comes in at 102.7 mm in its widest part which is a standard width for hiking boots.

The boot's toebox doesn't get too tapered toward the toes either. Our caliper shows 77.6 mm at the big toe mark, which is a normal width for this area.

Let's get this straight: the Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat is NOT the boot you want for backpacking or hiking on technical terrain.

Thus, we just cannot expect it to be as stable and supportive as the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX for example.

But if we treat it like a casual boot for light and urban hiking, it is certainly stable enough for that. The primary reason behind it is the boot's low platform.

The Fairbanks Omni-Heat is all about natural foot movement. It feels very different from a traditional stiff hiker.

First of all, it's got no shank or any other stabilizing features inside the midsole. Twisting the boot in our manual test made us think that we could do yoga in it.

Torsional rigidity is nearly absent here and gets a low score of 2 out of 5.

As our squeeze-and-push test revealed, the boot has absolutely no structure in the collar either! We gave it the lowest rating of 1 out of 5 for stiffness.

While some people like such freedom of movement, many are used to having solid ankle support in their boots. For that reason, we cannot recommend the Fairbanks to folks with severe overpronation.

The base of the Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat is not particularly wide or narrow. In the widest part of the forefoot, we measured its sole at 114.3 mm, just the same as the average.

As for the widest part of the heel, it turns out to be a little narrower than average at 84.6. But if you keep this boot to hard-packed and well-maintained trails, it won't be an issue at all.

The Fairbanks Omni-Heat is by far the most flexible winter boot we've tested. It is even bendier than some running shoes!

To show exactly how pliable this boot is, we measured the force it takes to bend it to a 90-degree angle. Needing as little as 16.6N, this Columbia boot is a whopping 140% more flexible than average!

Amazingly enough, even after being exposed to low temperatures, the Fairbanks remains exceptionally flexible.

Having spent 20 minutes in the freezer and getting 33.7% stiffer, the Columbia Fairbanks is still 150% bendier than the average hiking boot.

If you despise winter for having to wear heavy coats and boots, the Fairbanks is here to take care of the latter!

This Columbia boot blew our minds with its unmatched lightness. In a men's US size 9, the Fairbanks Omni-Heat weighs only 15.5 oz (439g)!

It is more than 3 oz lighter than winter boots on average (18.8 oz/532g)! On foot, it actually feels like a high-top sneaker.

It is pretty self-explanatory that an insulated winter boot is not a breathable one. But we still put the Fairbanks Omni-Heat boot through our smoke-pumping test to prove it.

With not even a hint of smoke passing through the boot's upper, we can confirm that this Columbia boot is sealed. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we gave it the minimum score of 1.

According to Columbia, the Fairbanks features a sturdy Cordura fabric for the upper.

Having a look at it through our microscope, we can see how incredibly tightly woven this textile is. It definitely adds airtightness to the boot.

The interiors of this Fairbanks boot are lined with the Omni-Tech, the brand's proprietary waterproof membrane that is attached through seam-sealed construction.

Even though it's not the world-famous Gore-Tex membrane, we found it to be highly effective in downpours and snow.

As an amazing partner for the winter, this boot is packed with 200 grams of insulation under the Omni-Heat reflective lining. The idea behind it is that the tiny silver dots with aluminum will reflect the heat generated by the body and keep it inside the boot.

On freezing days (below 30°F/0°C), we were ecstatic to have this Columbia boot on as it created a really warm environment for our feet.

Columbia claims that the Fairbanks' upper is made of Cordura. This sturdy fabric is known to be used in military wear thanks to its resistance to abrasion, scuffs, and tears. But is it just as durable on this Columbia boot?

Unfortunately, our durability test proved otherwise.

Using a Dremel, we drilled the boot's toebox at a 5K RPM speed for 12 seconds. The result was quite discouraging as the textile tore much easier compared to other hiking boots.

For that reason, we had to rate it with a lower-than-average score of 3.

For reference, the Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX's textile upper did much better in the same test, earning a higher score of 4.

On the other hand, the boot's interior lining showed much better wear resistance in the Dremel test.

After 4 seconds of drilling, the damage was minor enough to rate this boot's heel padding durability as 4 out of 5.

Knowing that the Omni-Heat lining doesn't scuff so easily is reassuring for a winter boot.

Even though the Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat is not meant as a dedicated hiking boot, its outsole game is on par with some serious boots!

First of all, it's made of a pretty hard rubber compound. Based on our durometer, it comes in at 87.5 HC which is the same as the average of hiking footwear.

Secondly, this rubber is not afraid of our Dremel. Drilling it for a good 22 seconds at a relentless speed of 10K RPM, the tool only caused a minor dent.

We used a tread gauge to measure the dent and got only 1.0 mm. This is how dpep the Dremel typically goes in hiking boots.

Great job, Columbia!

Finally, we had to know how much rubber there is on the Fairbanks.

Our caliper showed that the outsole without lugs is 3.0 mm thick. This is also the same as the average of hiking boots and is considered a solid amount of protection.

Measuring the lug depth on the Fairbanks Omni-Heat, we got 3.0 mm. This is not the kind of treading you need for technical trails and slippery slopes.

We recommend sticking to less challenging and more even terrains when wearing this Columbia boot. It can handle moderate amounts of slush, ice, and snow but only on level ground.

Be careful when it gets dark! The Fairbanks Omni-Heat has no reflective elements on it.

Despite packing 200g of insulation, the boot's tongue doesn't get too puffy. Measuring its thickness with a caliper, we got 9.2 mm - only slightly thinner than average.

As expected from a waterproof and insulated boot, both sides of its tongue are fully attached (or gusseted). This is essential for keeping the interior warm and free from snow and debris.

Having a pull tab is really necessary in the Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat. Because of the boot's collapsing collar, it can be tricky to get it on fast.

But the problem is that the heel tab is made of suede and is a little slippery between the fingers. We would appreciate a finger loop here instead.

If you happen to need a custom pair of inserts, the boot's stock insole is easy to remove.