Males’s Alaska Fairbanks Winter Boot Evaluate


A closeup of the tread of shoes worn while walking.

Backside Line

The Columbia Fairbanks is way from probably the most technical boot on our listing of the greatest winter boots for males, however we beloved them for chilly days round city and the occasional stroll on our neighborhood trails. Taking these boots out within the chilly of Alaska, they instantly felt at dwelling within the ice and snow. It’s no shock contemplating they’re named after one of many coldest cities within the state. 

We shortly discovered the Fairbanks is just not the boot to tackle lengthy hikes or in deep snow. Though the extraordinarily versatile sole is comfy to stroll in, it lacks the construction and assist wanted for lengthy hikes and snowy adventures. The Cordura higher doesn’t block moisture to the extent wanted for lengthy walks in moist situations. The shaft of the boot can be one of many lowest we examined, so it allows giant quantities of snow.

When utilizing the Fairbanks, it’s best suited for in-town adventures the place excessive climate resistance and sturdiness aren’t wanted. Equally at dwelling in a espresso store as they’re on a neighborhood path, the Fairbanks is a flexible boot for informal use.

Fast Specs

Columbia Fairbanks

Finest town-to-trail winter boots


Worth:

$125


Temperature Score:

-25°F


Insulation:

200 g. Artificial insulation, Omni-heat™ reflective lining


Weight (Pair):

2 lb. 3.4 oz.


Sizing:

Suits a bit tight, we advocate ordering up ½ measurement

Execs

  • Heat
  • Light-weight
  • Versatile
  • Not cumbersome
  • Breathable
  • Snug
  • Fashionable

Cons

  • Want gaiters to maintain deep snow out
  • Minimal traction

A man walks on ice with a city in the background.
the Columbia Fairbanks is greatest suited to dry snow and shorter excursions. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Consolation

Carrying the Columbia Fairbanks felt like slipping on a well-recognized pair of trainers. The comfortable and pliable sole requires no breaking in and feels comfy proper out of the field. The pliability of the higher meant that the boot may very well be tightened securely with ease. Many different winter boots’ rigid higher means tightening down the laces generally is a chore.

We did discover that the consolation of those boots decreased over time because the soles turned extra packed out. This led to the boot feeling extra sloppy. The form of the boot is extensively interesting to most, however these with wider ft might match higher because the boot packs out with use.

A man tightens the laces around his snow boots.
The Columbia Fairbanks tightens comfortably and securely across the ankle. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Heat

General, the Columbia Fairbanks boot stored us fairly heat – so long as it stayed dry. We particularly selected to put on these boots within the single digits above and under zero and had been happy with how nicely they stored our ft heat. With 200g of artificial insulation, together with Columbia’s Omni-Warmth, this was loads of insulation for many temperatures encountered.

Nonetheless, as soon as moist, this boot shortly misplaced its insulative properties. The artificial insulation used doesn’t present the heat when moist of different manufacturers, and we simply felt the chilly beginning in our toes. For chilly and moist situations, these will not be the primary boots of alternative. However for the dry chilly of a sub-zero day, we beloved utilizing these boots when out and round city.

A closeup of the back of winter shoes.
With 200g artificial insulation, the Columbia Fairbanks retains your ft heat in single digit temperatures. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Traction

The Columbia Fairbanks comes armed with an array of flat-faced rectangular lugs. These lugs work greatest on planar surfaces like ice-covered sidewalks and packed snow. We didn’t run into any points utilizing these for errands and on surfaces commonest in winter cities. They caught to packed snow like velcro, and ice-covered sidewalks had been no downside.

Nonetheless, the traction of this boot suffers when in deep snow. The lugs lack the depth wanted for traction in free snow, and their barely rounded profile means they don’t chew in addition to these with sharp lugs. We slipped and slid on hills in these and received’t be reaching for them when needing to traverse deep snow or steep terrain.

A man steps up on a snowy step showing the boot's tread.
The versatile sole of the Columbia Fairbanks presents consolation proper out of the field with no break-in time. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Climate Resistance

Throughout our testing in moist and heavy snow, we discovered that the Columbia Fairbanks boots had been shortly overwhelmed and have become moist simply. The Cordura higher is just not climate immune to the diploma that we had hoped. After a day of strolling via slush and puddles, our ft had been moist, and the fabric was saturated. With none type of boot heater to dry them out, these boots stayed moist lengthy after use.

With a shaft top of 4.5 inches, these aren’t the boots to take out in something greater than ankle-deep snow. Even with the boots tightened down, there may be nonetheless a big hole behind the boot that simply fills with snow. The snow packed in across the ankles and needed to be periodically dug out. Though we received’t be utilizing these boots on backcountry adventures, they’re nonetheless sufficient for many informal makes use of.

A closeup of a winter boot showing where snow has entered the boot.
A 4.5-inch shaft retains the Columbia Fairbanks gentle and comfy, however is just not preferrred for deep snow. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Sturdiness

The sturdiness of those boots leaves some room for enchancment, too. After a number of makes use of, we discovered the higher beginning to separate from the only real, revealing the glue used to carry the 2 parts collectively. Although the sewn seams of the boot remained intact, the boot had misplaced some integrity general. The versatile sole, whereas initially comfy, shortly misplaced any supportive qualities. This boot might not maintain as much as heavy utilization 12 months after 12 months, however for an affordable value, it gives sufficient sturdiness for informal use round city.

A man walks through snow covered birch trees.
When snow is gentle and temperatures are low, the Columbia Fairbanks gives heat and sturdiness. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the Columbia Fairbanks Winter Boot?

With its attainable value level, the Columbia Fairbanks are excellent for these seeking to make their greenback stretch. With a excessive diploma of heat and glorious traction on agency surfaces, these boots are most at dwelling within the metropolis, working errands, and doing gentle yard work within the winter. Their versatile sole and comfy lining make them straightforward to put on for hours at a time. Although the Fairbanks are nice for round city, these aren’t those for lengthy hikes, deep snow, or severe winter adventures. Their higher lacks sufficient climate resistance to be efficient, and the opening of the boot gapes open, letting in a considerable amount of snow. For those who’re searching for a boot solely for in-town use, then it’s laborious to go incorrect with the Columbia Fairbanks.

A man stands on an ice shelf along the ocean.
The Columbia Fairbanks is ideal for navigating snowy metropolis streets with its fashionable design and dependable heat. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

What Different Males’s Winter Boots Ought to You Take into account?

For extra cold-weather footwear suggestions for males, please see CleverHiker’s full information to the perfect mountaineering boots.

Kamik Atwater Evaluate – If you’re after an off-the-cuff boot, however the Fairbanks left you wanting extra climate resistance, the Atwater checks each these packing containers. Heat, weather-resistant, and comfy, it’s proper at dwelling on chilly metropolis streets.

Blundstone Thermal Evaluate – The Blundstone’s model is iconic, and the Thermal model gives climate resistance and heat for winter actions. With extra efficiency in moist situations than the Fairbanks, the Thermals are the proper boot for moist and chilly winters.

The Sorel Caribou Evaluate – With its immediately recognizable model, the Sorel Caribou packs some severe heat for the coldest days whereas nonetheless being refined sufficient for days round city.

A man walks down a snow covered trail.
Constructed for winter’s chill, the Columbia Fairbanks presents heat and traction on packed snow and ice. – Photograph Credit score: Miles Knotek (CleverHiker.com)

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