Columbia Redmond Mid Waterproof - Women's Review

The Columbia Redmond Mid is an inexpensive option for a light, mid-height hiking boot that does not compromise comfort in its lightweight design.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Out of all the hiking boots we tested, the Columbia Redmonds were some of the easiest to break in. Due to the Techlight Lightweight mid-sole, these boots had plenty of cushion and felt comfortable from their first day on the trail. In terms of construction, the Redmond's combination of suede leather, mesh, and webbing in the upper makes them breathable and allows the boot to easily mold to any foot shape.

Support

Because they are so lightweight and comfortable, the Redmonds do sacrifice some quality in support. These boots have a soft, flexible toe box that is great on shorter hikes, but can be problematic on longer hikes where a more supportive boot may shine. In terms of ankle support, the shaft height is only 90 mm, which provides minimal vertical stability.

Weight

The Columbia Redmond weighs only 1.5 lbs per pair, making them by far the lightest of all the boots we tested. We were amazed by how light they felt on the foot even after hours of hiking. For shorter day hikes or adventures where we carried less weight, the Redmond's were a great fit because of their light feel. Thanks to their Techlight Midsole, these boots provide some cushion without compromising weight.

Traction

We wore these shoes while hiking on all types of surfaces and they worked best on loose dirt and gravel, where the Omni-Grip sole shines. On the scree and open granite slabs in the Yosemite high country, the Redmonds did not provide a level of traction that made us feel comfortable moving quickly. Our feet seemed to slip out from under us frequently in these boots.

Water Resistance

Because of their mesh construction, these boots were incredibly breathable, but not as water-resistant as other boots we tested that were made up of more waterproof material. The Omni-Tech Membrane does protect against light rain or minor splashes but does not protect as well as a fully waterproof boot. An all-leather boot will do a much better job of keeping our feet dry when fully submerged in moving water.

Durability

After one or two days out, the Redmonds began to show wear in the mesh upper. For people with wider feet, we noticed that wear began to show in the toe box almost immediately. The combination of leather and mesh panels on the sides allow for more wear to than a boot with less stitching.

Value

For new hikers that are not willing to pay the big bucks quite yet, these are a great introductory hiking boot. The Redmond Mid are a price point boot. They offer a bit of extra support than hiking shoes while costing in the same range.

Conclusion