ColumbiaMen's FAIRBANKS OMNI-HEAT Hiking Shoe

I was looking for a shoe/boot for regular life, walking around Denver in a particularly snowy winter. I wanted the following:1. Warmth- I have lousy circulation in my hands and feet because of medication. These boots are a lot warmer than a tennis shoe or my go-to Timberland Earthkeeper hiking boots. They are perfect for being outdoors in 10-40 degree (F) weather. They are overly warm and my feet get a bit sweaty when it gets warmer or if I am wearing them indoors for extended periods. But they do breathe so it's not too bad. Overall they hit the sweet spot.2. Support- My ankle ligaments are chewing gum at this point and will roll/sprain at the drop of a hat. These boots give a decent amount of support if you lace them tight. Not as much as I'd want for a hike but perfect for going around town or shoveling snow.3. Traction- the sole is light and doesn't have very thick tread, which means it will probably wear out quickly. However, the soft rubber is ideal for traction on snow and ice.4. Vaguely Fashionable- These don't look like big clunky snowboots. They look pretty good with jeans or khakis like a nice high top shoe or mid-hiker boot. I got the olive green ones and it is a nice neutral color that goes with anything.5. Comfort/fit- probably the most comfortable shoe I have ever owned. At first the area above the arch was tight- a common issue for me as I have high arches,- but after a bit of wear that wasn't a problem. The quilted padding means it should break in and accomodate different foot shapes. The size was spot on. I habe slightly wide feet and it was fine, again, the insulation means the shoes have give.So for my needs these boots are awesome. They can kind of do it all pretty well. I can walk around in the snow and then go to a restaurant or bar and look decently nice and be comfortable and warm but not overly.If any of your needs are more extreme, they might not be good for you. They aren't suitable for wearing with a suit, or for an Everest expedition. But no footwear is.

As I sit wearing these right now - I can't decide what I like more about this boot; the functionality and comfort or the look! Consistently whenever I wear these people are always complementing me on them.The look - A great sporty look that doesn't only look good when you are wearing completely decked out snow gear.. With khakis or sweats or all types of pants these are great. Especially if you can wear a pant (or even shorts yes..) that expose the top of the boot.Now the fit and feel - I wear a 10.5 US regularly and after reading up on these fitting true* I decided to go with my normal size (the 10.5). It was a great decision as these fit perfectly with normal nike or lifestyle socks. I will say that as a lot of people like to hike in snow or be in the cold accompanied by wool or thick socks, I would recommend buying a half size larger if that is your plan. I wore wool socks once and could feel my feet starting to cramp because it was too tight. They are EXTREMELY warm! If you are staying inside, be prepared to heat up a bit because they truly do keep all the heat in there. Out and about in a chilly climate though, it is nothing uncomfortable and for the most part, a big plus because they will keep your feet dry and warm in the snow/rain. *To note: I went hiking in extremely deep snow with these (& this is my fault for not wearing snow shoes) and after a couple hours, there was melted snow that started to soak into the top of my socks which we can all imagine - is a pretty tough day. With great arch support and grip as well, these really do go above and beyond my expectations/hopes!Would recommend: 5/5

I really like these boots. They are exactly what I was looking for. Easy to put on, comfortable, and reasonably warm. The omni-heat reflective fabric on the interior does what it's designed to do. It doesn't generate warmth, but it does help trap and reflect radiant heat back to your body. They aren't great at creating warmth though. Nothing really is. They have some insulation, but they aren't big and bulky, and designed to keep you warm while standing around in extreme cold. They'll keep you warm and dry if you're out for a winter walk or hike. They'll keep you warm while out shoveling snow or perhaps doing some form of cold-weather construction. They aren't a steel-toe, so they might not be best for that though. In any case, they are pretty good at trapping and retaining warmth while you're active. With proper wool socks in the winter they get even better. With a nice thick pair of wool socks they are probably good enough to stand around for a few hours watching men use their hands to throw and catch an egg while calling it FOOTball. I'm not sure those thick socks would be comfy on a cold weather hike.The material is nice and flexible and doesn't require any breaking in as is common to leather boots. I'm sure it makes them less durable in the long run, but I hope it is a few years before I find that point. Unless you have flat feet the footbed / insole is useless. Toss it out and buy something designed for the shape of your feet. Any shoe or boot will benefit from an insole which fits your feet properly. I have high arches, so the flat insole was utterly useless.I feel these run true to size. I usually wear a men's US 9.5. These weren't available in a 9.5 so I bought a 10 and they feel a half size large.

Love these boots so much I bought a second pair. Comfortable, warm and easy to put on and take off.