Columbia Ice Maiden II Review

The Columbia Ice Maiden II is a good option for those who live in warmer winter climates and don't need a heavy-duty winter boot. It's also very affordable, making it a viable option for those who don't want to break the bank on a boot purchase addition to their footwear lineup.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Ice Maiden II has a warm and fuzzy interior with a slipper-like feel. With 200 grams of insulation, it can keep your toes warm through wintery conditions, though it didn't maintain warmth for as long as we had hoped in our field tests. After trudging through fresh storm snow for an hour, our feet were quite cold. At only about 1/2 inch, the lack of thickness in the rubber sole means less insulation and thus a limited ability to retain heat. The Ice Maiden II has a cold-weather rating of -25 degrees Fahrenheit / -32 Celcius, temperatures we weren't able to test in, but based on our time in the field, we wouldn't expect this boot to provide enough warmth in such cold conditions.

Weather Protection

We were satisfied with the weatherproofing on the Ice Maiden regarding keeping snow out of the interior and our feet dry. The boot offers 10 inches of upper to keep the leg protected to the mid-shin, and the fur collar helps to stop snow and keep it out of the interior. The waterproofness is also impressive but not as robust as some of the tighter, seam-sealed constructions on more expensive boots. When river wading, flowing water easily worked its way into the tongue and through the laces at about 5 inches from the base of the boot. The exterior wicked away water from the outside, making it a viable option for rain and snow, but the Ice Maiden is not the best option for exploring wet or muddy trail areas.

Comfort and Fit

The Ice Maiden II has an interesting feel compared to the other snow boots in our review. The midsole structure that hugs the outside of the foot has a cardboard-like feel. The boot feels fine once you walk around in it for a bit, but the out-of-the-box fit is somewhat uncomfortable.

The faux fur interior is soft and plush, so the boot has an overall slipper-like feel. The laces are simple and easy to tie up. The Techlite footbed and midsole are good for narrow or wide feet but lack structure and support. Overall, the comfort and fit of the Ice Maiden II is good but not great. It's not our first choice, but we can't complain too much about the poor fit for such a low price tag.

Durability

The waterproof leather and nylon exterior of the Ice Maiden II does not feel burly enough to outlast multiple seasons of heavy use in snow-induced conditions. Still, it will likely withstand many seasons of light use. The absence of a stiff shaft backing the heel area will likely allow the upper to loosen and soften over time. The Omni-Grip rubber outsole should be strong and durable enough to withstand hundreds of miles of walking but is thin enough that the heel is likely to wear over time.

Traction

The Omni-Grip non-marking traction rubber on the Ice Maiden II is a solid outsole that provides good traction on trails around town but falls short compared to the capabilities of the lugs on hiking boots and burlier boot designs. We weren't entirely confident on slippery snow or icy surfaces, particularly on an incline, but the boot is capable of keeping you right-side-up in more mild conditions.

Should You Buy the Ice Maiden II?

We weren't super impressed with the Columbia Ice Maiden II. That said, it's a decent footwear option if you want to save some money, and the solid 200 grams of insulation and 10" of coverage maintains a decent amount of warmth. It'll even keep you upright on most slippery trails. We would recommend this boot to those who live in warmer winter climates and need it to get them through errands, work, or average everyday activities. The Ice Maiden II is a solid option for those that don't want to break the bank on a boot purchase. It may not have excelled in any particular category, but it gets the job done and will keep your feet warm during everyday activities. If you're hoping for superb warmth or a boot with versatile functionality, you may search for a burlier boot with similar coverage, though you'll undoubtedly pay more.

What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?

While it looks like a warm boot, it doesn't offer as much warmth as the UGG Adirondack III, which has better weather protection and traction. It also has better durability and fit with a lighter design making it more suitable for most activities over the Maiden. The Ugg fits well and is less bulky, making it easier to drive and walk. Indoors or outdoors, it is the better boot. If hiking is the plan and you need something designed for hitting the trails, the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid WP - Women's is our standout favorite with impressive warmth and traction; it can keep you going down the trail all day with impressive warmth.