Columbia Men's Fairbanks Omni-Heat Review

Columbia's cold-weather waterproof boots exceeded my expectations in every aspect. I highly recommend them for their exceptional comfort and reliable waterproofing. The wide fit option ensured a perfect, snug feel that made every step a pleasure. These boots not only kept my feet warm in chilly conditions but also provided a comfortable walking experience. The quality of materials and craftsmanship is evident, instilling confidence in their durability. Columbia has truly mastered the art of creating functional and stylish cold-weather footwear. If you're in search of reliable, warm and waterproof boot, look no further – Columbia has nailed it.

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.

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.

These boots are super comfortable, fit well, and keep your feet warm. So warm that my feet got sweaty and started forming blisters on my heels because they don't nt ventilate very well. Are great for casual wear and walking, but not strenuous hikes. Very waterproof!

I have a pair of the Fairbanks low hiking shoes in 10.5 and they fit with plenty of room. I'm a 10.5 in adidas as well as most other shoes and don't have a wide foot. I would say on the narrow side of average actually. That being said, these boots are uncomfortably tight. The length is shorter than my Fairbanks lows, but they still fit. I think you would be safe ordering a size up or your normal size in wide to get a good fit.I'm sending mine back for a 10.5 wide because i don't like extra length in the front.I wore the boots around in my house and they seem great. There comfortable everywhere except the sides in the front. They look great too.

I love these boots. Truly, they’re so comfortable I don’t like taking them off. I’m a fan of the brand to begin with, but products like this keep me coming back. They’re very lightweight and still quite warm. I wouldn’t choose them for a long day of snow chores, but to salt the driveway or run outside for a bit with the kids, they’re perfect. I think they’re mostly suited for those snowy, slushy days when you want comfortable shoes and also snow boots; when you don’t want to look and sound like the Bumble Snowmonster tromping around in big heavy boots. These are low profile enough they fit fine under jeans, and my daughter says she has “snow boots but daddy has shoes”.The traction is great, and the stride is exactly like you’d expect from a sturdy sneaker or casual hiker.