Customer Reviews Columbia Minx™ Mid

I wrote a review previously and I thought these boots were great. My feet were so warm they even sweat in Siberia. One year later, my feet got wet in the New York City Snow Storm. I need my boots to last longer than a year. They still look good but I really need the waterproofing to last longer than one year. Oh, well.

True to size. Feels light weight. I'm concerned that it is more of a cute city boot. I live in upstate New York with deep snow and cold weather. I would definately use fleece inserts with this boot if I kept it.

Well, okay, I thought I had a winner here, but there is one problem with these boots...for some reason, the sole curves up at the toebox. It's fine, for about 10 minutes, but after that, I definitely start to feel it and it feels pretty weird. After about half an hour, it's not comfortable at all. After a few hours, I really want to take them off! It's too bad, because I loved them in every other way. The look, the warmth, the fur.

These boots are so attractive. I wish I could keep them, but the fit is wrong for me. Someone compared them to a sort of barefoot feel, and that seems accurate to me. They do have some cushion, but are upturned a bit and the feel is quite different from what typical boots offer. I have troubled feet and need a lot of cushioning on the ball of the foot. These boots do not offer that. I considered keeping them just to wear occasionally, but I know that I will be sorry if I do that so I am returning them. Instead, I am keeping the Ice Maiden, which has much more padding and also good traction. It was hard to judge the traction on these boots as they do have some, though not as deep as the Ice Maiden. They might work for you, they just do not for me.

I thought these were going to be the answer to my winter shoe dreams, but alas... Here are the sad details: The good: Super lightweight, super flexible, plenty warm. Boy was I excited at the thought of a flexible winter shoe, like in a barefoot shoe, but without having to freeze my feet. The tread is good - I did a two hour trail hike with them (not what they are intended for, but...) and they have a great ground feel. The insole, as someone noted, is surprisingly perfect - just the right combination of denseness and spring. There is basically no arch support, but I am someone who does not particularly want a lot of arch support. So what is wrong with them? There is something about the fit of this shoe that is a little weird and actually forces my feet to pronate inward a little. More importantly, though, they are narrower than they appear and toe box is too snug and constrictive over the top. So you have this great sole for "barefoot" type walking but no stability for the ball of your foot and your toes to spread out. In my case, the result of that was pain and discomfort after around an hour. By the time my hike was over, I could not wait to get them off my feet. My toes were actually cramped and a bit bruised where they had been bumping into the top of the shoe. I hope Columbia keeps trying with this style of shoe, though. There is really a market for this! If the shoe was a little wider in the ball and more spacious in the toe box, it would have been my perfect winter shoe - I probably would have bought at least a second pair. Alas, it was not to be, but if you have narrow feet, or do not plan to wear them for extended walks, they may work great for you anyway.

I love the light weight of these boots. Like sneakers, but they are much more durable. When traveling in winter I really get tired of heavy boots. Be aware that they RUN SMALL. I ordered my normal size 8 and returned for and 8.5. Fortunately they arrived before my trip but I could have even gotten a size 9. They were still touching at the tip of my big toe. (not comfortable) I had to wear them with thin socks which was ok because they are so warm but I'd prefer a thicker sock with boots for padding. Other than the size issue...your feet do stay so warm that they will tend to sweat. Be aware and open them up to air to dry so they don't smell. They are great for SIBERIA. They are really rated -35C for cold outside. I even stepped in a cold water puddle and was ok. Looked good for the only shoe I carried besides my dress shoes, on a Month long Russian trip. They also look great turned down, making a cuff with your jeans tucked in. Just for a different look.

Pros: Great look and warmth Cons: Absolutely no air circulation means that your feet will start sweating immediately Disclaimer: I am one of those people who never have problem with sweaty feet. Until I put on these boots. For a comparison, I have 70 pairs of shoes, none of them make my feet sweat. I tried these boots with three kinds of socks of varying material and thickness. I am really frustrated about the outcome. It is too late to return the boots (I do not have the shoe box, plus I wore the shoes outside) and it is also not likely that I would want to put them on again. I never had to experience the feel of sweaty feet, and it grosses me out. I guess that I will just have to keep looking at these pretty boots. Note that the feet sweat even in 32°F weather. Even when my feet feel cool. It is the lack of air circulation, not the thermo-insulation that causes your feet to sweat. If anyone has any advice on how to make this problem go away, please let me know.