Columbia Hiking Boots

Most of the range is, using a seam-sealed OutDry or Omni-Tech waterproof membrane that keeps water out while still letting your feet breathe, which suits wet Irish trails and boggy ground. As with any boot, the protection reaches only as high as the collar, so a stream deeper than the ankle will come in over the top. A smaller number of warm-weather styles are ventilated and not waterproof for breathability, so check the product page if staying dry is the priority.

A lot, and it is one of the areas Columbia does well. The Adapt Trax and Omni-Grip rubber outsoles are designed for traction on wet rock, mud and loose ground, with deep lugs that bite into soft trails and shed the muck between them. They hold their footing where a road sole or a worn trainer would slip. For genuinely icy conditions no standard lug pattern is enough, and you would want a winter boot with a separate traction aid.

Aim for a snug hold around the heel with enough room to wiggle your toes, and always try them on with the socks you actually hike in, since a thick sock changes the fit noticeably. Your heel should not lift as you walk, because a moving heel is what causes blisters, and there should be a thumb's width of space in front of your longest toe for long descents. If you are between sizes, size up rather than down, and try boots on later in the day when your feet have swollen slightly.

Less than a traditional full-leather boot, because most Columbia hiking boots use lighter synthetic and mesh uppers that flex from the first wear. It is still worth wearing them on a couple of shorter walks before a long day out, so the boot moulds to your foot and you can spot any rubbing at the heel or toe before it becomes a blister on the hill. Wear your hiking socks during those first walks so the fit you break in matches the fit you will hike in.

Yes, choose Click & Collect at checkout. Orders are usually ready within 24 hours and you will get an email when ready. Available from our Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown and Cork City Centre stores.

Yes, we offer free standard delivery on all orders over €100.

We have four stores across Ireland: Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown, Cork City Centre and Arnotts Dublin.