Males’s Alaska Fairbanks Winter Boot Overview

Backside Line

The Columbia Fairbanks is way from essentially the most technical boot on our checklist of the greatest winter boots for males, however we cherished 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 isn’t the boot to tackle lengthy hikes or in deep snow. Though the extraordinarily versatile sole is snug 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 circumstances. The shaft of the boot can be one of many lowest we examined, so it permits giant quantities of snow.

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

Consolation

Carrying the Columbia Fairbanks felt like slipping on a well-known pair of trainers. The comfortable and pliable sole requires no breaking in and feels snug proper out of the field. The flexibleness 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 is usually a chore.

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

Heat

Total, 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 beneath 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.

Nevertheless, 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 circumstances, these will not be the primary boots of selection. However for the dry chilly of a sub-zero day, we cherished utilizing these boots when out and round city.

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.

Nevertheless, 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 chunk in addition to these with sharp lugs. We slipped and slid on hills in these and gained’t be reaching for them when needing to traverse deep snow or steep terrain.

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 isn’t climate proof against 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 sort of boot heater to dry them out, these boots stayed moist lengthy after use.

With a shaft peak of 4.5 inches, these will not be the boots to take out in something greater than ankle-deep snow. Even with the boots tightened down, there’s 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. Although we gained’t be utilizing these boots on backcountry adventures, they’re nonetheless sufficient for many informal makes use of.

Sturdiness

The sturdiness of those boots leaves some room for enchancment, too. After just a few 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 snug, shortly misplaced any supportive qualities. This boot could not maintain as much as heavy utilization yr after yr, however for an inexpensive value, it gives sufficient sturdiness for informal use round city.

Ought to You Purchase the Columbia Fairbanks Winter Boot?

With its attainable value level, the Columbia Fairbanks are good 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 mild yard work within the winter. Their versatile sole and comfy lining make them simple to put on for hours at a time. Although the Fairbanks are nice for round city, these will not be those for lengthy hikes, deep snow, or critical 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 on the lookout for a boot solely for in-town use, then it’s laborious to go improper with the Columbia Fairbanks.

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

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

Kamik Atwater Overview – In case you are 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 Overview – The Blundstone’s fashion is iconic, and the Thermal model gives climate resistance and heat for winter actions. With extra efficiency in moist circumstances than the Fairbanks, the Thermals are the right boot for moist and chilly winters.

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