Customer Reviews Columbia Peakfreak™ Venture Mid Waterproof Omni-Heat™

Loved this style of these boots right out of the box - they aren't big and clunky many others. They also felt really good when I slipped my foot in. But then came the lace up - epic fail. The boot has a flawed lace/material combination that doesn't allow the boots to ever get tight. You tighten one row and go the next and the one you started with is already loose. It doesn't make sense from an engineering perspective and can't understand why they wouldn't use a different lace or change the material on the tongue. The also have very poor arch support and while true to fit, my heel slipped up in the back (probably because they don't tighten properly). Bummer, I really liked these too.

The best hiking boot I've ever owned. I did add an insole I purchased at Dicks...and just returned from a 6 week journey in New Zealand and Hawaii trekking hundreds of miles over mud, rocks, mountains and lava. The shoes were impervious to everything. Choices in Size 14 are difficult to find....thanks Columbia

Recently purchased these boots for a fall hiking trip in northern Wisconsin and they performed very well. They are comfortable boots and mild arch support is there. If your feet are like mine, you may have to add in some inserts, which the boots took well to. The boots seem well constructed and did a good job of protecting my toes against rocks and my ankles from twisting (though obviously not as well as boots with a higher shaft). The fact that these are waterproof is very nice when you're hiking through swamp/marsh areas or even just some puddles and the boots don't make your feet feel like they are sealed-in. With decent socks, my feet were dry and comfortable in 75°F and I would not hesitate to take them out in 100°F. If you're primarily a warm weather hiker, you may want to look at warmer options, but these are versatile for climate use. I am looking forward to hiking and overall casual wear with these this winter!

As good, or better, than advertised. I've had lingering foot problems for nearly 2 years and have had trouble finding any type of good footwear. I've got a hiking trip coming up and needed help for my feet! I've been breaking these in and they've been awesome! Best part... they didn't need breaking in! Comfy and flexible right out of the box. Lightweight and not overly warm with the waterproof aspect, that I really haven't put to the test yet. The arch support felt solid, but I have added inserts for additional support due to my previously mentioned feet issues.

I really wanted a pair of hiking boots that are not ugly. I don't know what it is with hiking boots and sports items in general, but it's like they go out of there way to make them as garish and unappealing as possible. So as far as styling and looks go I am very happy with these boots. Now onto the comfort. I have tried and returned a few boots now from various manufacturers because I have big feet, size 13 and kinda wide. So I got these in the wide size and right out of the box they fit very well, didn't pinch at all and are very comfortable. So far I have worn them in the rain, during snow and up through some wet trails. They are warm without being too warm, feel well constructed and hopefully will hold up well, and they don't look like crap with a pair of jeans if I happen to wear them into the office. I am fine with regular weight socks with these, but if I need to they have the room for heavier weight should it be really really cold. I am very happy with these boots and if they hold up as well as they have so far will be even happier. I tried more expensive brands and they always felt too narrow or just really uncomfortable, I've never really understood the whole, you need to break them in period. Why must something feel like it doesn't fit at first and supposedly that's a good thing?

The good is that it's very comfortable out of the box, with excellent sole that doesn't look as if it'd be slippery in wet conditions. Aside from perhaps the uppers, I don't think this shoe really needs to be broken in, which is great. One caution is that this shoe runs quite small. I had to exchange my order one size up (in the wide width) and I'd say my 9-1/2W shoe is still not as roomy as, for example, the Merrell Pulsate in 8-1/2W (and my normal size for Eccos, for example, is 41/7.5). I use Lynco L405 sport orthotics in all of my shoes for better support. But even without orthotics, I'd say that wide for this shoe is about a D width for normal dress shoes, so I'd imagine that the normal width is fairly narrow.

In terms of size the shoe felt accurate but the width was a joke. It was very tight and I could barely get my foot into the shoe because of it. I wear a EE. Would not recommend this shoe if you have wide feet. In terms of style, I did like the shoe however it does not fit wide feet so it was returned

Perfect

I LOVE these boots! They seemed a bit stiff at first but after wearing them for several months I find they are light and sturdy, waterproof and my favourite footwear to wear for working around the yard and for my hikes!

My husband loves these shoes! He wears them out working in the fields and says they are really comfortable and keep his feet dry. We bought a different brand to try and he liked the shoe but they gave him painful calluses on the ankle. He went back to these and no problems. We just bought him another pair to put away before they decide to change them!

Stoked on these boots! I wear a 10.5 in Nike, and vans, and a 10.5, normal width fit perfect for me. Just took them camping in Big Sur. Comfy and warm the whole trip. I also got a pair of the Sperry Topsiders, which were great, but had a little to much wiggle room in the toe bed. These Peakfreaks were a little more fitted, and also much lighter. Waterproof ?? Good grip in wet terrain ?? Kept toes warm ?? 10/10 would buy these again.

I needed a water resistant winter/snow boot for moderate hiking/walking. This was perfect. Warm, comfortable, and seems to wear well.

Got these due to all the rain in the bay area this year. Also took them to the snow and they held up great.

Run small, order one size up.

Fit like a tennis shoe size for me. I wear 14 in most dress shoes and 15's in athletic footwear, had to go with the 15 for these. Nice comfortable hiking boot. lighter and not as bulky as most.

These are great boots to wear in rain/snow. They are completely waterproof and nice looking too.

From the minute I put these on they were extremely comfortable. I have used them once on the ice and they have a decent amount of traction. They look and feel great. I highly recommend.

Still too narrow in the toe box for me even in wide

Great boots! So far they are good in cold (20s F), moderate heat (75F), 1-2" standing water and mud, on the rocky beach, etc. - no complaints. I had been worried about the insulation, but so far so good in warmer weather, but will have to wait for summer to be sure. They are comfortable with almost no break in required, and also look good enough for casual wear. I went with my normal shoe size.

I spent a full day wearing these at a snow park, running around with my kids while they were sledding and learning to ski. As the sun went down at the end of the day and the temperature dropped, my feet were still warm and dry though the rest of me was starting to get cold. Since then, they've been dry and comfy walking through the city during wet and dry conditions. I bought a half size larger than I normally wear (because I wear them with thicker socks) and they fit well.

Comfortable, stylish, I can't wait to wear them! I got them for x-mas, and wore them around the house to make sure they fit and felt good!

Great hiking shoe, especially with it being waterproof. I've worn these out walking get the dog in the rain as well as sledding in the snow. Both times my feet were bone dry and warm. I recommend if you want a waterproof hiking boot

A boot for the modern day Viking. My husband is hard to fit for width and ability to get his foot into the shoe if it is above the ankle in any way. Bought the 12 Wide width and they fit beautifully. He wore them all day with no problems. Very Comfortable and stayed warm in -5 cold wet snowy weather. Look great and no slipping issues.

Bought this boot and then spent the weekend walking around chicago (with no break-in time). It was in the mid to high 30's and my feet did not get cold at all. Very comfortable and warm for a winter boot. Haven't tested the waterproof rating yet.

Bought these for my 13 year old son. He loves them and has lived in them since he received them. He walked through a puddle and his feet stayed dry.