The Kamik Olivia provides enough comfort for all-day wear, retains warmth, is stylish, and offers excellent weather protection. The shaft rises to the top of the calf with a 15-inch circumference, which, for some reviewers, felt a bit snug. This also meant it wasn't a breeze to wear with baggy pants or jeans. Nonetheless, they are easy to put on and take off without much effort. They are simple boots with molded features and an accessory buckle. This competitor is an affordable rain boot option made entirely out of recyclable rubber.
Kamik Olivia Review
A simple, yet stylish boot, both practical and affordable
Price: $45 List | $35.14 at Amazon
Pros: Inexpensive, stylish, great weather protection
Cons: Stiffness, no insulation
Manufacturer: Kamik
Cons: Stiffness, no insulation
Manufacturer: Kamik
By Sara Aranda ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Oct 22, 2018
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Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
With a removable, mesh-lined insole, the Kamik Olivia is an EcoLogic rubber boot with recyclable soles. EcoLogic is a plant-based, 100% recyclable rubber that provides durability and a sustainable option for the market. The Olivia is a fairly simple, yet versatile contender with ample traction to keep you steady and dry.
Performance Comparison
Despite a stiffer shaft than the others, all-day comfort was high with the Olivia.
Weather Protection
Measuring 14 inches from the ground, these boots aren't the tallest in the category. Nonetheless, with a shaft that hits the top of the calf, weather protection is a high score for them. With a circumference of 15 inches at this height, the shaft is narrow enough to help prevent water from sneaking in. Although, this snug circumference was deemed uncomfortable for some reviewers with larger calves.
Weather protection is high with this competitor.
Comfort
The biggest drawback is in their relative stiffness. Being taller and thicker than some of the others we tested, they are not as flexible. This means that driving and general all-day wear is a tad more cumbersome, but just a tad. They are still a very comfortable pair to walk around in, to put on and take off, and lug around. For our lead tester, the footbox, at a size 8, was just roomy enough for her 7.5 foot with thick socks. As is common, heel slippage did occur and only on inclines did the front of the shaft press into the shin slightly.
The Kamik Olivia had a slim circumference relative to its shaft height, which made wearing anything but leggings a challenge.
Style
With a matte, sleek look, the Olivia blends traditional with modern. The molded accents, coupled with the buckle, give off a horseback riding boot vibe, but not so much that versatility is limited. Wear them with skinny jeans, leggings, or long socks and a dress. The only catch is that, since the circumference is narrow relative to its height, it is more difficult to wear pants without them bulging or looking baggy around the top of the boot.
A closer look at the accessory buckle and molded detail.
Traction
With pronounced tread, these soles performed incredibly well across flat surfaces, with above-average scores in the snow and on grassy inclines even. They did not fare as well as some of the more sensitive footboxes we tested, meaning, the more rugged or icy the conditions, the worse our confidence became.
The tread was very similar to the Kamik Heidi. However, due to the stiffer shaft and taller height, walking around in the Olivia wasn't as sensitive or tactile as the Heidi.
Warmth
The thicker rubber of this competitor helps maintain heat quite well. They even held up when we walked across the snow, but only for a short period of time. Not meant for winter, the thin lining is all you get. Best for temperatures fluctuating between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it's easy to adapt sock thickness to your preferred comfort. The footbox felt a little cramped with our thickest socks, but it wasn't enough to prevent us from wearing them all day. Keep in mind, however, that higher warmth ratings mean sweatier feet if your environment is consistently warmer or if you plan to do a lot of activity in them.
This model performs fairly well in colder temperatures.
Fit
Kamik offers whole sizes from 6-11 and runs true to size. If you wear a half-size shoe, it is recommended to size up. The fit is generous enough to wear thicker socks, but not so much that your feet swim when wearing thinner ones. Again, the main gripe is the circumference of the boot opening. Being at the height that it is, the opening is right in line with the widest part of the calf (at least it was for us). This can be very uncomfortable or even unwearable for people with calves any wider than 14 inches in circumference. The buckles are non-functional and do not adjust anything, so make sure you know your calf measurements when considering this boot.
The front of the shaft flexed into our shins with incline, but it wasn't enough to discourage us from wearing the Olivia, even for short periods in the white stuff.
Value
Designed and manufactured in Canada, the Olivia is cheap without skimping on quality and performance. We think this is a great value for rainwear, especially due to the sustainable practices of Kamik, a celebrated company whose recycling practices are nearly unmatched in this market.
Conclusion
If only these boots were a tad taller or a tad shorter to hit that sweet spot for its circumference. Despite this drawback, the Olivia is an exceptional boot that provides ample weather protection, traction, and warmth. Cute for all your across town needs, they are durable and dependable.
— Sara Aranda