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Columbia Heavenly Omni-Heat Lace-Up Review

This warm and comfortable winter boot is the lightest tested.
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Price:  $140 List | $97.95 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Warm, faux-fur collar, waterproof, versatile, light
Cons:  Tight and narrow fit, need to size up, questionable style
Manufacturer:   Columbia
By Amber King ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Feb 14, 2018
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65
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#9 of 13
  • Warmth - 25% 5
  • Weather Protection - 25% 6
  • Comfort & Fit - 25% 7
  • Ease of Use - 15% 8
  • Traction - 10% 8

Our Verdict

If you're a lover of fur-lined boots that are super lightweight, the Columbia Heavenly Omni-Heat may be dialing your number. With each boot weighing less than a pound, you can walk for miles without even noticing this winter boot is on. The synthetic overlay is not super stable or firm but flexible and completely waterproof. Slide your foot into the fully faux-fur lined interior for heavenly comfort. The 200-grams of insulation keep you warm in moderately cold temperatures. Overall it's a light and versatile winter boot.


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award  
Price $97.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$249.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$185.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$143.12 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$145.00 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Warm, faux-fur collar, waterproof, versatile, lightSuper cozy liner, completely waterproof, cute style options, comfortable, warm.Comfortable, good traction, waterproof, warm, supportiveVery protective, warm, durable, excellent traction on icy surfaces.Warm, wider-forefoot, waterproof, fantastic traction, stability and support
Cons Tight and narrow fit, need to size up, questionable styleExpensive, shaft lacks stability.Poor on ice, shorter construction, technical style, 1/2 size too small.Expensive, bulky and heavy, reported issues with leaking after long-term use.Aggressive and techy look, not cozy, less arch support
Bottom Line This warm and comfortable winter boot is the lightest tested.The epitome of comfort and warmth, wrapped in a cute, yet high performing waterproof package.A stable and comfortable winter hiking boot with many uses.A durable and protective neoprene boot offering warmth and protection.A great winter hiker, perfect for slippery trails and long days.
Rating Categories Heavenly Omni-Heat Lace-Up UGG Adirondack III Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Wa... Arctic Ice Tall Bugaboot Plus IV Omni-Heat
Warmth (25%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
7
Weather Protection (25%)
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
8
Comfort & Fit (25%)
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
2
10
0
8
Ease Of Use (15%)
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
10
10
0
6
Traction (10%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
10
10
0
10
Specs Heavenly Omni-Heat... UGG Adirondack III Oboz Bridger 7"... Arctic Ice Tall Bugaboot Plus IV...
Maximum puddle depth before major leaking 6.5 inches 9 inches 5 inches 15 inches 6 inches
Measured Weight (one boot, size nine) 14 lb. 9 oz 1 lb. 5 oz 1 lb. 4.8 oz 2 lb. 5 oz 1 lb. 4 oz (size 7)
Type of Boot All around winter All-around winter Hiking Outdoor work and chores Hiking
Fit Details Runs 1/2 sizd too small True to size True to size True to size True to size
Measured Shaft Height (from bottom of sole to top of shaft, Size 9) 11 inches 10 inches 7 inches 17 inces 7.5 inches (size 7)
Lining/Insulation 200g insulation, Omni-HEAT reflective lining UGGpure wool 200 gram 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation Fleece lined & 5mm of neoprene Omni-Heat reflective lining, 200-grams of insulation
Removable Liner? No No No No No
Footbed Removable contoured PU EVA O FIT Insole™ Thermal Removable contured PU Techlite EVA
Upper Material Waterproof woven synthetic textile Waterproof suede and leather Waterproof nubuck leather Neoprene 8mm & rubber Leather, nylon
Toe Box Rubber Rubber Molded rubber Rubber Rubber
Outsole Omni-GRIP non-marking traction rubber Molded Spider Rubber Granite Peak winterized rubber Vibram Arctic Grip Michelin winter compound rubber
Company-claimed cold-weather rating -25 -32 n/a n/a -25
Animal products used? No Yes Yes No Yes
Sizes Available 5 - 12 5 - 12 6 - 11 5 - 11 5 - 12

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Columbia Heavenly Omni-Heat Lace-Up offers 11 inches of pure comfort and weather protection. Wear it for less technical hikes, to work, or around town. This is one of the most versatile boots tested.

Performance Comparison


The Heavenly Omni-Heat boots are flexible soft and comfortable. One of the most versatile boots tested.
The Heavenly Omni-Heat boots are flexible, soft, and comfortable. One of the most versatile boots tested.

Warmth


Loaded with 200-grams of insulation and Omni-Heat heat-reflective technology in the liner, this boot keeps feet warm in freezing conditions.

Loaded with 200-grams of insulation this boot will keep you warm in sub-zero temperatures.
Loaded with 200-grams of insulation, this boot will keep you warm in sub-zero temperatures.

While there is ample insulation throughout the boot, the sole is relatively thin, and a source of heat loss during our super cold days out in the field. As a result, we're not sure if the -25 degree temperature rating claim is correct, as we quickly lost heat when temperatures were around zero degrees, and our feet were left cold.

During our water tests this boot stayed dry until it met the point where the tongue and body separated. Here we show that point of waterproofing.
During our water tests, this boot stayed dry until it met the point where the tongue and body separated. Here we show that point of waterproofing.

Weather Protection


Despite the super flexible synthetic upper being seemingly absorbent — it proved to be the opposite! When we stood a local lake and marched around for a few minutes, no water penetrated through the seams. The upper is indeed waterproof. It wasn't until we went a little deeper and water seeped in where the tongue met the body of the boot. This happened with most boots tested.

Faux-fur extends from the collar along the interior of the boot for amply coziness and warmth.
Faux-fur extends from the collar along the interior of the boot for amply coziness and warmth.

This boot is exceptional in snow. The faux-fur collar kept out blowing snow while the upper protected even after walking around for hours. Overall, we are impressed with the weather protection of this fabric-based boot.

Comfort & Fit


As the lightest boots tested (weighing less than a pound!), our group of testers said it hardly felt like it was on! As a result, we recommend it for all-day wear. We also love its fur-lined interior that made stepping into this boot quite cozy, generating warmth on the go.

While we love the comfort features, this boot has quite a tight fit. When trying to pair it with a pair of woolly socks, we could hardly wear the boots because they were too tight. The toe box is narrow and doesn't have a whole lot of volume.

It features a flexible shaft that is easy to walk in for days.
It features a flexible shaft that is easy to walk in for days.

Also, the heel is super tight and small in comparison to other boots in this review. Those with narrow feet love this boot. We would also recommend sizing up a half or even full size depending on the width of your feet.

Pull once and all the laces tighten up with the Heavenly Omni-Heat.
Pull once and all the laces tighten up with the Heavenly Omni-Heat.

Traction


With fan-shaped lugs and a rubber outsole, this boot provides decent traction overall. The longer lugs grabbed the trail and snowy sidewalks when the weather turned foul.

The outsole is loaded with tri tipped lugs that bite the trail in all directions.
The outsole is loaded with tri tipped lugs that bite the trail in all directions.

Unfortunately, this shoe doesn't offer much in the way of a surface area on the bottom of the outsole. That is to say, it's thinner and more narrow. As a result, we found ourselves falling through deep snow easier than with a broader platform found in wider options. Despite this small caveat, we felt this boot did well for trudging around town and light hiking in the woods.

This 11-inch boot features faux-fur and a baffled design throughout the body of the boot. Perfect to wear with a pair of tights or under a pair of pants.
This 11-inch boot features faux-fur and a baffled design throughout the body of the boot. Perfect to wear with a pair of tights or under a pair of pants.

Ease of Use


Pulling on this boot is not super easy. The interior is lined with a super plush faux-fur that catches on the fabric of your socks. The shaft of the boot is not stiff, so both hands are needed to open up the less voluminous opening. While it's harder to put on, we did like that the lacing system can be tightened with just one simple pull. It locks the boot into place and doesn't move for hours.

Decent traction suitable for light hiking and around-town use.
Decent traction, suitable for light hiking and around-town use.

Value


This boot is a decent value. While other boots have better protection and warmth for less, this model stands out for it's super flexible and lightweight design. If this is what you seek, we think the price is right.

Heather takes a look into a beautiful canyon while on an afternoon hike after teaching all day.
Heather takes a look into a beautiful canyon while on an afternoon hike after teaching all day.

Conclusion


Take this super flexible boot anywhere! Wear it to work, on a trail, or around town. It's versatile, protective, and warm. A great winter wear option.

Take a light hike with this soft snow boot!
Take a light hike with this soft snow boot!


— Amber King