Kamik Olivia Review
Cons: Stiffness, no insulation
Manufacturer: Kamik
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
![]() This Product
Kamik Olivia | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $44.95 at Amazon | $159.95 at Amazon | $144.95 at Amazon | $49.94 at Amazon | $110.00 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Inexpensive, stylish, great weather protection | Tall flexible shaft, comfortable, adjustable boot circumference | Well made, excellent traction, high comfort | Mid-height shaft, fashionable, substantial traction | Cozy neoprene, decent traction, versatile |
Cons | Stiffness, no insulation | High cost, no insulation | Somewhat bulky, expensive, can easily become too warm | Basic foot support, no insulation | Heavy, some shin rubbing, mild heel lift |
Bottom Line | An affordable, traditional rain boot option with reliable performance | Well-made, stylish, and incredible, this pair is the best in our fleet | High comfort, traction, and warmth for winter without the fuss of laces | Very trendy and remarkably practical, this boot is the ultimate deal for most budgets | Fairly straightforward comfort with added style and warmth |
Rating Categories | Kamik Olivia | Original Back Adjustable | Muck Boot Arctic Sport II Mid | Kamik Heidi | Muck Boot Originals Pull On... |
Weather Protection (30%) | |||||
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Traction (20%) | |||||
Warmth (15%) | |||||
Style (10%) | |||||
Specs | Kamik Olivia | Original Back... | Muck Boot Arctic... | Kamik Heidi | Muck Boot... |
Weight per Pair (lbs) | 3.6 lbs (size 8) | 3.6 lbs (size 7) | 3.0 lbs (size 8) | 2.7 lbs (size 8) | 3.8 lbs (size 8) |
Flood Height (inches from bottom of sole to lowest point at top of shaft) | 14 in | 16 in | 11.0 in | 12 in | 9.50 in |
Mouth Circumference (inches) | 15 in | 14-19 in | 13 in | 13.75 in | 13 in |
Lining/Insulation | None | Knitted Nylon | Fleece Lined Neoprene | Nylon | Neoprene |
Upper Material | Rubber | Vulcanized Natural Rubber | Rubber, Neoprene | Phthalate-free Synthetic Rubber | Rubber |
Outsole Material | Rubber | Natural Rubber | Rubber | Synthetic Rubber Blend | Rubber |
Insole | Breathable mesh | Multilayered Sponge Insole | Removeable EVA Insole | Removeable Kamik(R) Comfort Footbed | Removeable Insole |
Unique Features | Recyclable | Adjustable circumference | bioDEWIX dry footbed (plant based anti-odor & antimicrobial), insulated for "-40F to 40F", fleece lined | Recyclable | bioDEWIX dry footbed (plant based anti-odor & antimicrobial), insulated for "subfreezing to 65F" |
Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
Sizing info | True to size | Runs large | True to size | True to size | True to size |
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
Weather Protection
Measuring 14 inches from the ground, the Olivia isn't the tallest in this review. But, with a shaft that hits the top of the calf, weather protection is high. With a mouth circumference of 15 inches at this height, the shaft is narrow enough to help prevent rain from sneaking in. That said, this snug circumference was deemed uncomfortable for reviewers with larger calves.
Comfort
The biggest drawback of the Olivia is in their relative stiffness. Being taller and thicker than some of the others we've tested, they are simply not as flexible. This means that driving and general all-day wear is a tad more cumbersome — but only slightly. They are still a comfortable pair to walk around in, to put on and take off, and lug around. As is common, heel slippage did occur, and the front of the shaft press into the shin slightly on inclines. Many of these particular drawbacks are to be expected, however, in boots with tall shafts. For our lead tester, who usually wears as 7.5, the foot box was just roomy enough for her foot and thick socks at the size 8 we tested.
Traction
With a pronounced tread, the soles of the Olivia perform incredibly well across flat surfaces, with above-average scores in the snow and on grassy inclines. Overall, however, they did not fare as well as some of the more flexible and sensitive boots in the group. This means that the more rugged or icy the conditions, the worse our confidence became in our ability to stay upright.
Warmth
The thicker rubber of this competitor helps maintain heat quite well. They even held up when we walked across 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 comforts. 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.
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 shaft.
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.
Value
Designed and manufactured in Canada, this model is cheap without skimping on quality and performance. We think this is a great value for rainwear, especially due to the sustainable practices of the brand, a celebrated company whose recycling practices are nearly unmatched in this market.
Conclusion
If only this pair was either a tad taller or a tad shorter to hit that sweet spot for its circumference, we'd be a lot more in love. 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 for all your rainy day ventures.
— Sara Aranda