Girls’s Columbia Ice Maiden IIWinter Boot Assessment

Backside Line

Because of its light-weight building, quite a few adjustment options, and budget-friendly worth, the Columbia Ice Maiden II is a wonderful selection for winter boots on the go. We respect that this boot is the lightest choice among the many tall boots we examined. This may be attributed to its minimalist design, making it straightforward to stroll in. It additionally provides a variety of adjustment factors for consolation, together with half sizes, extensive toe field choices, detachable inserts, and adjustable laces.

Nonetheless, we had been considerably much less impressed with its water resistance and insulation. After 45 minutes, the within of the boots turned moist, and the temperature inside dipped under freezing throughout our side-by-side checks. Moreover, the traction isn’t nearly as good resulting from a smaller tread in comparison with most different winter boots in our lineup.

Whereas these elements cut back the Ice Maiden’s total winter efficiency, they nonetheless present sufficient usability for working errands round city or coping with a snowy commute. They’re trendy and inexpensive, which is a major benefit. Consumers ought to think about their supposed use and limitations earlier than buying these boots.

How We Examined

Because of the stylish design of those boots, our gear tester primarily wore them throughout their workplace job all through the winter. As a instructor, they spend most of their 9-hour workday on their toes. Our principal tester additionally used these boots for strolling canine and working errands round city.

Weight

One of many standout options of the Columbia Ice Maiden is its reasonable weight for a tall boot. We positioned this boot on a kitchen scale, and one boot weighed 16.2 ounces, or simply over one pound. This makes it the lightest calf-height boot we examined, rating fourth total.

Our expertise sporting these for walks and to the workplace was constant. In comparison with different boots we tried, these have a extra minimalistic and fewer structured really feel. After a protracted day, they don’t really feel heavy or tough to stroll in.

Water Resistance

Water resistance isn’t a powerful level for the Ice Maiden as a result of cloth it’s constructed from and the waterproofing. After we positioned this mannequin in a bath crammed with a number of inches of water, it was one of many few boots that received moist earlier than the two-hour mark.For the Ice Maiden boots, it took about 45 minutes for moisture to seep into the within of the boot. Although the boot is made from waterproof leather-based, it doesn’t really feel as thick or sturdy as a few of the different leather-based fashions we examined. The leather-based has a extra suede-like texture: comfortable and pliable.

Nonetheless, it’s disappointing that the boot didn’t keep dry for longer. Nonetheless, for the reason that boots are primarily designed to be used round city or within the workplace, the dearth of water resistance might not be crucial.

They resist water sufficiently to deal with strolling by way of puddles or snow all through the day, however not for extended immersion. For the common wearer, this may doubtless be sufficient to maintain their toes dry.

Heat

The Columbia Ice Maiden boots lack the insulation and design to make for a really heat boot. We positioned these boots, alongside others in our lineup, in a snow drift for side-by-side testing. Each 5 minutes, we used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature contained in the boots. After 25 minutes, we recorded a temperature of 31.8°F inside the boot. This recording is near the coldest temperature that we measured. Not a fantastic end result for this boot.

Realistically, this boot doesn’t provide as many options for heat as a few of the different boots we examined. As an example, the only of those boots is thinner than that of others in our lineup. The leather-based materials across the toes can also be much less insulating in comparison with the designs of another boots.

Lastly, the insole of this boot isn’t as thick or heat as many others we examined. We discovered the heat to be sufficient whereas sporting these boots round city on sub-freezing days. Our toes by no means received chilly, however we additionally don’t imagine they might stay comfy in sub-zero temperatures. It is very important think about when and the place these boots might be used to make sure they meet the customer’s requirements.

Consolation

Options reminiscent of half sizes, extensive toe field choices, and lace changes make the Ice Maiden a sensible choice for consolation. We tallied varied consolation and adjustment-related options to account for the totally different foot shapes folks have.

The Ice Maiden boots provide quite a few customization choices, which can assist guarantee consolation for a variety of people. Whereas sporting these throughout lengthy days on the workplace, we discovered that they’re typically comfy.

We solely skilled at some point when our tester’s toes felt fatigued by the top. This problem might doubtless be addressed by utilizing a high-quality orthotic insert.

Traction

Sadly, the small tread on the Columbia Ice Maiden boots doesn’t present as a lot traction as different boots in our lineup. After we examined these boots on our traction measurement gadget, they recorded the bottom diploma of measure. This implies they started to slide on even the slightest slope.

The measurement appears very correct for the reason that tread seems fairly small and slick on the backside of the boot. Traction depends on friction, and friction might be elevated with extra floor space. These boots shouldn’t have a lot floor space, which is why they don’t grip the bottom successfully.

This aligns with the supposed perform of those boots, as they don’t seem to be designed to be as rugged as lots of the different fashions in our lineup.

Ought to You Purchase the Columbia Ice Maiden II?

These boots are a improbable selection for sporting round city or when each vogue and performance are wanted. The fake fur, suede leather-based, and excessive laces complement a wide range of outfits. These boots provide sufficient performance to be worn outdoors in inclement climate.

Thus, they make a fantastic selection when getting into and outside. We most likely wouldn’t use them for lengthy hikes or lengthy hours working outdoor, however they’ll nonetheless deal with the fundamentals reminiscent of shoveling.

What Different Girls’s Winter Boots Ought to You Think about?

There are such a lot of totally different winter boots to select from, and now we have examined lots of them! Listed below are a couple of related choices to assist slim issues down.

Columbia Minx Shorty IV Assessment: Very related in heat, water resistance, and customization, the Minx Shorty is a good various to the Ice Maiden. We like that this boot is even lighter on the toes due to the shorter peak and minimalist design. They, too, are trendy and a fantastic option to put on round city. It is a nice various for individuals who simply need a barely totally different type boot with related efficiency. 

Bogs Arcata Snow Boots Assessment: The Arcata are a barely extra strong model of the Ice Maiden boots. They commerce a bit of favor for higher water resistance and heat. They’re additionally barely heavier however are even simpler to slide on, due to the handles on the tops of the boots. 

UGG Adirondack III Assessment: One other lace-up choice, the Adirondack boots weigh a bit extra however have higher water resistance and heat. We like this boot as a result of it comes with the choice to roll the highest down or pull it up straight, relying on the look that’s desired.