Very lightweight and comfortable.

I've had mine for about 6 months, wore them in the snow at that start of the year and they became my go to work boot after my xtra tuffs spring a leak. I do excavation/dirt work, I've stomped cold patched, kicked dirt off on excavator tracks, in and out of ditches with them and just haven't been nice to them at all in general. Pleased to say they're still holding up great for now!

In Minnesota everyone says you need big, sturdy, fur-lined snow boots. After 10 years of use, the rubber split across the tops of my Sorel Caribous, and as I thought about replacing them I asked myself some questions. Do boots really have to be this heavy and bulky? Is this really what I want to wear walking my dog in winter? Why can't I drive my car in these? When shoveling after a heavy snowfall, does it really make any difference if my boots come up to mid-calf or just high-ankle? The answers: no; no; because they're too big; and no, you'll get snow on your knees regardless.
After searching around I ordered these Columbias and I couldn't be happier. They are so comfortable, especially around the heels and ankles. They arrived right before I was going to the movies, and they felt so good I actually wore them to the theater (yes, I drove there). When I got home I walked the dog in 14F; some of my fellow citizens hadn't shoveled their sidewalks; my feet were warmer than the old Sorels, stayed dry, and I didn't walk like Frankenstein.
One word of advice: order a size or maybe size-and-a-half up. In sneakers or dress shoes I wear a 10 and have a semi wide foot. In these I ordered an 11W and I don't think I could have gone any smaller.

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.

The Columbia Men's Fairbanks Omni-Heat shoes are my new go-to footwear for both style and functionality. Not only do they look sleek in the Shark/Cave Water color, but the Omni-Heat technology keeps my feet warm even in the chilliest weather. I appreciate the comfortable fit and support these shoes provide, making them ideal for long walks or everyday wear.