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Columbia Facet 60 Outdry Review

A comfortable and versatile pair of budget-friendly hiking shoes with a casual look that's great for both the trail and the town
columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review
There are a lot of lugs on the Facet 60 Outdry which means they cake up with dirt more easily than other pairs we tested.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Price:  $140 List
Manufacturer:   Columbia
By Ben Applebaum-Bauch ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 1, 2022
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 15
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Support - 20% 8.0
  • Traction - 15% 6.0
  • Weight - 15% 8.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 5.0
  • Durability - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Columbia Facet 60 Outdry is a sturdy and stable hiking shoe that performs well in both back and front country settings. Its thick midsole provides significant protection from rocks and roots underfoot, and its wide base adds stability that helps resist ankle rolls on uneven ground. Though the regular width is on the edge of wide, our narrow-footed testers found that the shoe still fit well and offered the necessary stability. This shoe doesn't have exceptional water resistance, but it's lightweight, breathable, and dries quickly. The Facet is for anyone looking for a pair of shoes that can move seamlessly from hikes and trail runs to running errands in town, all for an affordable price.
REASONS TO BUY
Supportive
Versatile
Well-cushioned
REASONS TO AVOID
Average traction
Regular width is relatively wide
Hard to lace tightly
Editor's Note: This review was updated on November 1, 2022, to check all recommendations and update our testing metrics.

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Pros Supportive, versatile, well-cushionedExcellent performance, lightweight, great traction, water resistance, supportSuper comfortable, durable, stableSupportive, great traction, lightweightStable, supportive, durable
Cons Average traction, regular width is relatively wide, hard to lace tightlyCuff can be uncomfortable on ankle for some, Quicklace lacing not everyone's favoriteNot great for off-trail, average tractionStiff, lacing is hard to tightenDiminished comfort, wide fit
Bottom Line A comfortable and versatile pair of budget-friendly hiking shoes with a casual look that's great for both the trail and the townThis is a rugged hiking shoe that can do everything from day hikes to tackling long multiday backpacking tripsThese super plush hiking shoes feel like you are walking on clouds, perfect for long days on hard surfacesThis is a burly hiking shoe capable of getting off the trail and onto rugged terrainThis rugged little hiking shoe tears up the trails without getting torn up, thanks to impressive durable
Rating Categories Columbia Facet 60 O... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Hoka Anacapa Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... La Sportiva TX Hike...
Comfort (25%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
Support (20%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
Traction (15%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
Weight (15%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
8.0
Water Resistance (15%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Durability (10%)
5.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
Specs Columbia Facet 60 O... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Hoka Anacapa Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... La Sportiva TX Hike...
Weight (per pair) 1.78 lbs (size 10.5) 1.76 lbs (size 11) 1.79 lbs (size 11) 2.16 lbs (size 11) 1.87 lbs (size 44.5 EU)
Upper Seamless mesh Synthetic, textile Nubuck leather, GTX Textile Synthetic Recycled Air Mesh
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular
Waterproof Lining OutDry Gore-Tex membrane Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Gore-Tex
Flood Level 4.25 in 3.25 in 3 in 3.5 in 2.75 in
Last Board/Shank Not specified ADV-C chassis Not specified Nylon TX Hike
Midsole Techlite+ EnergyCell Compressed EVA EVA Compressed EVA
Outsole Omni-Grip rubber Contagrip MA rubber Vibram MegaGrip Pomoca MTN trainer Lite Vibram Ecostep EVO

Our Analysis and Test Results

With an exceptionally wide base, these shoes offer great stability when moving over uneven terrain. They have an aesthetic that looks just as at home on a basketball court as it does on a trail. The mesh upper is breathable, and the gusseted tongue makes them easy to slip on and off. They are one of our favorites for their light weight and versatility across an array of activities.

Performance Comparison


columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - the columbia facet 60 outdry is a comfortable and versatile pair of...
The Columbia Facet 60 Outdry is a comfortable and versatile pair of hiking shoes that we love for a variety of activities.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Comfort


The Facet 60 Outdry is a comfortable hiking shoe that kept our feet in top condition on the trail. We found the proprietary Techlite+ cushioning provided the relief we needed on rock and hardpack dirt. The padded tongue also adds another dimension of comfort by providing a buffer for ankles when flexing on uphills. Slipping these shoes on is also simple. The laces loosen easily, and the large heel loop means there is no wrestling to get your foot inside. The eyelet hardware, which Columbia calls Navic Fit, keeps the ribbed laces secure.


We did find that this model looks and feels wide, but they still offered a secure fit, even for our testers with narrower feet. One knock against the Facet is the lack of protection from the mesh upper. With a small toe cap, wearers will definitely feel any gnarly surfaces where a foot might get wedged underneath a rock or strike a root toe-on. The mesh just won't provide meaningful protection from top-side abrasion.

The Facet 60 Outdry are great for a variety of activities. They are sturdy enough for rugged hikes and light enough for trail runs. We like them the most for lightweight distance adventures and appreciate that they also don't look like hiking shoes. They are more than passable to wear for casual in-town errands, and we especially appreciate that they do just as well on a basketball court as they do on a summit.

columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - ribbed laces on the facet 60 outdry keep this shoe securely on foot...
Ribbed laces on the Facet 60 Outdry keep this shoe securely on foot all day.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Support


These shoes have excellent support. The sole has a wide base that minimizes ankle rolls on uneven surfaces. We found that they have a nice amount of arch support for a hiking shoe, and though they look wide, they have a secure fit for narrow-footed hikers and avoid the sloppy feel that other wider shoes sometimes fall back on.


We especially like the Facet 60 Outdry for moving faster on rocky terrain, where they gave us more confidence to plant our feet and recover balance more easily. The heel guidance stabilizer provides additional support and rigidity around the back end, and the padding in the collar reinforces the heel and back of the ankle. Because of these features, this is one of the few models in this category that we wouldn't hesitate to take on trail with a heavier pack.

columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - the built-in heel guard locks the ankle in place, providing support...
The built-in heel guard locks the ankle in place, providing support and protection.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Traction


Traction is sufficient, but we weren't blown away. The OmniGrip rubber sole is tacky enough on dry rock and dirt. However, we found that the spaces between the lugs are narrow enough that mud and wet dirt accumulated between them, reducing some of the traction and requiring us to knock the gunk free once it dried in place.


The lugs are also uniformly sized and evenly spaced around the entire sole, meaning that the bottom of the shoe is relatively flat, and this contributes to lateral slippage. Though they aren't as well-suited for persistently wet climates, they can do a lot of heavy lifting on a wide variety of natural and human-made surfaces.

columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - lightweight and supportive, the facet 60 outdry is a good choice for...
Lightweight and supportive, the Facet 60 Outdry is a good choice for both hikes and trail runs.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Weight


This pair is lighter than we expected. Weighing in at 1.78 pounds for the pair in size 10.5 US, they are one of the lightest models in the category. We really noticed the difference in the last few miles of day-long hikes. What makes the Facet even more exceptional is that its weight savings don't come at the expense of support.


We think that fast packers who would otherwise opt for traditional trail runners should give this pair a look. They are relatively lightweight while boasting a thick sole and wide base that provide additional support.

columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - a pair of the facet 60 outdrys is a scant 1.78 pounds.
A pair of the Facet 60 Outdrys is a scant 1.78 pounds.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Water Resistance


These shoes perform decently in light rain but are meant for drier climates. That said, sweat evaporates really well from the breathable mesh.


With a flood height of 4.25 inches, the Facet is on the higher side of hiking shoes, mostly owing to its substantial sole. In combination with its protected toe box, these shoes are serviceable for dry passage through 2-inch mud or puddles. And during testing, they held up in steady light rain. However, despite a waterproof coating, water started to seep through the mesh once the precipitation became moderate. On the plus side, their lightweight mesh dries out faster than most other shoes, making them more resilient if caught in a heavy downpour.

columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - though it isn't the most water-resistant model that we tested, the...
Though it isn't the most water-resistant model that we tested, the Facet 60 Outdry can still handle a few trail puddles.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Durability


We didn't experience significant issues with durability, though it sounds like other users have. We expect the mesh to be the first place to really show wear and tear, especially up near the toe box. The lugs are also not especially deep, so wearing this model on firm, abrasive terrain is going to chew through the rubber faster than the average pair.


Though the hardware is solid, our biggest concern is that other users reported weakness at the feather and separation of the sole from the upper, so we will monitor that seam as we continue to use these shoes.

columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - we are keeping an eye on the mesh upper and decidedly undersized toe...
We are keeping an eye on the mesh upper and decidedly undersized toe cap, which we suspect could peel away from the rest of the toe box with more miles.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Should You Buy the Columbia Facet 60 Outdry?


The Facet 60 Outdry is a nice multi-purpose hiking/trail running/in-town shoe. Its stability makes it stand out from the pack, and its general athletic sneaker look makes it great for other activities as well. Though some people have noted issues with long-term durability, based on our testing, this model is up to the task of the miles we put on it. We would recommend this shoe to anyone looking for versatility across function and fashion in their footwear, as well as hikers who want a lightweight shoe with additional lateral stability for ankle security.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?


If support is a primary consideration, we recommend the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX. For stylistic versatility, we also like the Arc'teryx Aerios FL 2 GTX, though this model doesn't offer the same support or comfort. Our favorite all-arounder is the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex, and the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX takes the cake for comfort.

columbia facet 60 outdry hiking shoes review - the facet 60 outdry is a versatile and reliable pair of hiking shoes.
The Facet 60 Outdry is a versatile and reliable pair of hiking shoes.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Ben Applebaum-Bauch
 
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