7 Best Columbia Hiking Boots in 2023

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
7 Best Columbia Hiking Boots in 2023

You can’t hear the brand name Columbia and not get a lightbulb moment that gives you the desire to hike. And that desire—whether you need something versatile, or you fancy a pair that looks dapper both on and off the trail—will be satiated with our top picks.

For us to come up with the best hiking boots from this brand, we’ve put over 20 Columbia trail boots to the test. Featured below are kicks that we highly recommend.

How we test hiking boots

Producing unbiased and object-based reviews is core to RunRepeat’s existence. To hit that mark every single time, we live by the following tenets:

  • We purchase Columbia hiking boots using our own funds. This way, we can be our own voice, not being influenced by external factors.
  • We spend weeks testing every Columbia pair, putting each one through a rigorous process that involves a variety of terrain and weather conditions.
  • To make our reviews as inclusive as can be, we reflect in our scores hundreds of reviews from critics and users alike.

These result in what we call the CoreScore — a RunRepeat-exclusive grading system that determines our Columbia-centric crème de la crème.

Best Columbia hiking boots overall

Columbia Trailstorm Mid Waterproof
Columbia Trailstorm Mid Waterproof

CoreScore

80
Good!
4.2 / 5 from 6,529 users
80 / 100 from 2 experts

Pros

  • Plush right away
  • No break-in period
  • Impermeable
  • Keeps the feet dry
  • Impressively light
  • Grippy boot
  • Attractive design
  • Reliable collar
  • Ankle support

Cons

  • Lacks heel support
  • Not enough breathability

Verdict

Indeed, from Trailstorm Mid Waterproof's trail-to-town versatility down to its rain-or-shine readiness, this shoe is bound to cause a big blip on your radar. A couple of workable flaws aside such as its unflattering footbed and breathability, the Trailstorm Mid Waterproof boosts your hiking potential wherever the path may take you.
Columbia Trailstorm Mid Waterproof full review

Best winter Columbia hiking boots

Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot
Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot

CoreScore

88
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 38,427 users
90 / 100 from 1 expert

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Amazingly comfortable
  • Offers plenty of protection
  • Zero break-in period
  • Stylish design
  • Quality construction
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • The strong chemical smell didn’t go away
  • Too narrow
  • Lack of waterproofing

Verdict

The Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot is well-touted for its quality comfort, protective features, durability, flexibility, and toasty insulation. What has delighted customers, even more, is its amazing price tag. This boot, however, falls a little short on waterproofing.
Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot full review

Best Columbia hiking boots for urban hiking

Columbia Firecamp Boot
Columbia Firecamp Boot

CoreScore

82
Good!
4.5 / 5 from 6,781 users
N/A

Pros

  • Light
  • Mighty warm
  • Waterproof
  • Stylish
  • Comfy
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Narrow forefoot

Verdict

Excellent for the snowy outdoors, the Firecamp Boot allows hikers not just to survive the cold but also to enjoy it. Case in point: this winter hiker from Columbia has the power to keep your feet toasty down to -25°F/-32­°C. It's a highly recommendable hiker for frigid pursuits, especially for peeps who want kicks that are snug everywhere.
Columbia Firecamp Boot full review

Best lightweight Columbia hiking boots

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof

CoreScore

89
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 307,391 users
88 / 100 from 8 experts

Pros

  • Comfortable all-day wear
  • Short break-in time
  • Lightweight
  • Grips well
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not durable
  • Ineffective waterproofing
  • Insufficient ankle support

Verdict

The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof was able to impress day hikers with its comfortable feel and minimal break-in period. Its affordability, grippy outsole and lightweight design were also generally well-received. However, the boot’s low-quality sole build and ineffective waterproofing were issues that turned off the other purchasers. That being said, the Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof still delivers in terms of performance.
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof full review

Best Columbia waterproof hiking boots

Columbia Fairbanks Rover
Columbia Fairbanks Rover

CoreScore

84
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 2,124 users
N/A

Pros

  • Day-one comfort
  • Superb insulation
  • Great for cold conditions
  • Waterproof
  • Keeps moisture out
  • Solid construction
  • Barely-there lightness
  • Value for money
  • Appealing design

Cons

  • Narrow fit
  • Low tongue gusset

Verdict

Where the trail grows cold, and you need something reliably cozy, the snappy Fairbanks Rover will be there for you. Yes, dry and toasty feet are yours in this highly insulated Columbia boot, allowing for safe, extended hikes in the snowy outdoors. Although there were some minor complaints, yet again we know you wish to be fearless during winter, so don a pair and let loose!
Columbia Fairbanks Rover full review

Best Columbia day hiking boots

Columbia Bugaboot III
Columbia Bugaboot III

CoreScore

84
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 27,529 users
79 / 100 from 3 experts

Pros

  • Jaw-dropping comfort
  • Short break-in period
  • Remarkable insulation
  • Watertight
  • Not clunky
  • Ace longevity
  • Highly affordable

Cons

  • Tight opening
  • Restrictive forefoot

Verdict

Once you get to experience winter in the Bugaboot III, chances are, you won't settle for anything less moving forward. Indeed, from its cozy confines to its enduring winter-specific performance, this piece from Columbia has "incredible" written all over its proverbial face. A couple of its workable misfires aside, the Bugaboot III will ensure your safety and enjoyment in the winter season.
Columbia Bugaboot III full review

Best value

Columbia Fairbanks Mid
Columbia Fairbanks Mid

CoreScore

79
Good!
4.4 / 5 from 2,062 users
N/A

Pros

  • Astonishingly comfortable
  • Warm on cold days
  • Claw-like traction
  • Waterproof
  • True to size
  • Remarkably light
  • Supportive midfoot
  • Head-turning design

Cons

  • More green than gray
  • Frail toe stitching

Verdict

Once you get past the misleading online images of one of its colorways, the Fairbanks Mid from Columbia is something you'd be compelled to make your go-to on fall-to-early-winter excursions. It's a mid-top hiker that goes in the opposite direction design-wise by looking snazzy like that. And don't mistake its lightness for poor performance, for the featured boot can cling to most surfaces, be they wet, dry, or icy,
Columbia Fairbanks Mid full review

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Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and run all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races as well as 6 marathons. On average, he runs 30-50 miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. His research is regularly cited in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, etc. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyzes every detail of the shoes that you might buy.