Customer Reviews Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat

This is a very stylish boot with complete functionality! It's light, made of quality materials, and nearly performs all that is advertised by Columbia...I would strongly recommend to Columbia to remove the claim that this boot is "waterproof", because it's far from that. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this boot but being advertised as waterproof is a complete farce. Let me explain that I'm not even walking directly through streams, rivers, deep pools of standing water, etc. I was hiking yesterday in rural New England and stepping through some fairly wet snow, leaves, mud, and debris. Being that winter has refused to release its grip on our region this year, there were pools of water all along the trail; however, I stepped through a few of them where my boots were barely in the water (not even over the top portion of the toe) and the water started seeping through the boot. I felt the insole and my socks getting wet. Although it was spitting snow at times, thankfully it wasn't too cold and the hike was only a few miles round trip through some rugged terrain so I wasn't concerned about frostbite or anything major happening to my feet. It was a bit annoying at the most. More annoying was the voice in the back of my head saying that these boots were waterproof. It's even etched into the heel of the boot itself. Aside from this minor incident, I've hiked through snow with them, worn them snowshoeing multiple times with no problems and my feet stayed warm and dry. After my boots dried out, I added some boot protectant/waterproofing solution to them, so I'll see how that works out. In addition, the claim that they're rated at -20F might also be a stretch. I was hiking in -2F in December and my toes were completely numb. I would recommend a slightly thicker pair of socks for extreme cold conditions. All in all, it's a solid boot for the price.

Really wanted to love these. They're very comfortable but they're very much not waterproof. Either that or they don't breathe t all which can be just as bad. I work outside all day in all kinds of weather and these boots have left my feet wet every time.

These are NOT waterproof as they claim, when really tested on a glacier hike and when most needed to be waterproof they failed miserably. Feet were literally soaked in sub freezing temps and driving winds. I would burn them if they weren’t soaking wet. Choose another more reliable option.

I have never been so impressed with a boot right out of the box. These things are amazingly comfortable. I instantly felt the Omni Heat tech. I run warmer than most as is and I could feel my feet radiating with these. They have the comfort of a sneaker with the durability and protection of a traditional boot. Chicago winters can be unforgiving and I can’t wait to see how these hold up.

These fit me like a glove and are extremely comfortable. They feel to me a lot more like wearing high top sneakers than winter boots. The weather has turned cold here and my feet have never felt better. I would highly recommend these, especially for the reasonable price.

These boots are very comfortable, lightweight and have kept my feet warm and dry at the beginning of a Buffalo, NY winter. They've been great so far, and I'd have no problem buying another pair in a few years.

I bought these men’s boots in a 7.5 (9 women’s) even though I’m a woman because I needed waterproof and lightweight shoes to walk dogs in the rain. I have slightly wide feet and most women’s regular shoes don’t work for me. I have high arches so I put in a Dr Scholls arch support and they’re pretty comfortable. If I don’t lace them up just right there are some pressure points around the ankles that are a little uncomfortable. They don’t let the rain in but they could be more breathable since my feet are slightly damp after wearing for a few hours. I know it’s not from leakage because I tested them in the shower before wearing outside. They’re warmer than I really needed for our temperate climate but better than getting soaked wearing sneakers.

In a word, OUTSTANDING! Really great shoe all around. Runs a half size large so buy accordingly, but a very good, comfortable and sporty looking insulated / waterproof winter shoe.

My husband loves this boots: stylish, light, and warm. Unfortunately, he has wide feet and feel a little narrow on the toe part. I wish there is wide option with this boots.

I really looked for a solution to cold feet in winter months . These insulated boots caught my eye and had good reviews. I'm happy to have them as they've proved to be a great choice . Zappos is my favorite online shoe source with many great options and pricing that is amazing!

These fit perfect to my shoe size. I love the feel,warmth and sole!

I bought the boots as a light weight pair to wear around my cabin and woods in northern Minnesota. I’m a freeze baby and my feet get cold easily. The boots have been awesome between 10-30 degrees. I bought a size and 1/2 larger (11.5 , bought 13) so I could fit in thick wool socks. 12.5 would be a better fit , but didn’t come in 1/2 sizes at the time of purchase. Even a little big I love these boots!

I wear an 11.5 us and bought a 13 so thick wool socks would fit. Very good fit for me! I read reviews that the boots were cold and not water proof. I wore them in 10 degree weather for several hours and my feet stayed warm. I walked in slush on. Frozen lake and the boots stayed dry. Obviously if the water level goes over the top of the boot, you get the picture. I use them for snow shoeing and they worked awesome. The boot being light weight and flexible made them perfect for me. It is the closest boot to feeling like a tennis shoe I have ever worn.

I have had these boots for over a year and absolutely love them. I read that they run a size larger so I ordered a 12 instead of 13 and they fit perfectly. I'm on my second winter with them and wear them daily for Bend, OR winters. Snow shoveling, hikes, dog walks, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, playing with my kids in the snow, etc, and my feet have never gotten cold. I also like that they are lightweight (like wearing hightop shoes). Only issue I've had is that one of the laces are starting fray, but that's to be expected since I wear them daily. Probably the best shoe/boot I've owned.

True to reviews, the boots run a half size larger. I ordered a half size smaller and had a perfect fit. Took the boost with me to Iceland and they worked great. The first night out hunting for Northern Lights, my feet did start to get a little cold, but that’s after hour or so standing near the water in freezing temps. The rest of my trip, I had no issues. I walked about 15 kilometers during the trip threw the elements and the boots were comfortable the entire time. Only issue is from time to time, they would start to squeak, because of a little feet sweating. Note, I had on thicker than average socks too, but they weren’t needed. If you’re looking for a nice warm boot that can be used for light hiking or walking, these are winners.

Right off the bat these boots felt really comfortable, like wearing a sneaker. I wore them to work one day before trying them out on the trails, just to see how they felt over all. Despite the fact they were VERY warm,which is not a complaint,they were fine walking in doors all day. When I was finally ready to hit the outdoors I went to a local waterfall trail I have never been on before. It's close to home,and only 2.5 mi long, so if I did have issues w/ the boots I wasn't far from home. Well,let me just say not only did I not run into any issues ...these boots were exactly what I was hoping! The terrain was some rough trails,lots of uneven rock and above ground roots,and also lots of mud,water and wet rocks to cross. The boots were AWESOME! They were in the water well over the sole and toe protector multiple times,and in mud just as high. Everything just ran right off. Even the mud,though very watery,didn't leave a mark. And over the 2 plus hrs I was hiking,they were extremely comfortable. And on top of all that,they look great as well (I got the gray/orange colors). Overall I am very and am thinking of ordering another pair in a diff color.

Super light compared to other water proof boots in the market. I like that they’re not too bulky and they fit right

I ordered these for my son and he loves them. They are true to size and very warm.

This shoe felt relatively tight for its size. For example, I wore regular socks with it and it still felt tight and my back heel was rubbing against the back of the shoe too much even though I normally wear a 10.5 in these were a 10.5 too. Also, I never tested them in water and snow, but the reviews saying that they are not actually very waterproof or that the seams come unglued quite quickly ultimately made me feel like between the fit of these things and the likelihood that they’re not actually durably waterproof—they’re not for me.

The boots look great and are very stylish. I wore these for about 5 miles of moderate hiking this fall. Kept feet plenty warm (lowest temps only in 40F though). So-so in the support category. Foot bed feels fine, but challenging to get to a reasonable tightness around ankle. They have a soft and compliant sole. I feel each and every rock/branch that I step on. I feel these boots will be used for 'around town' style in the cold-slush-snow. I am not going to hike in these again. Also, they have a very 'chemical' smell to them that has not gone away after the first couple of hikes.

Well, these puppies are going back. The look absolutely beautiful, they feel light and very comfortable, inside the house that is, once i wore them outside I started finding all kinds of sand and little rocks inside, which happens to be very uncomfortable. Not only are they not waterproof, they are really not even dustproof. Everything ends up inside, as if the sole has holes in it.