Home » Gear Reviews » Hiking & Camping » Hiking Boots & Shoes » Hiking Boots » Women's Winter Hiking Boots » Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Omni-Heat
Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Omni-Heat Review
March 7, 2016The Good
- Comfortable with a wide, roomy toe box
- High shaft for deep snow, as well as stability
- Good traction on snow and ice
- Totally waterproof
The Bad
- Heavy; slightly clunky
- Little-to-no arch support
- Comes in only neutral colors
The Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Omni-Heat is comfortable out of the box thanks to the waterproofing, warmth, and high ankle support while still allowing for some flexibility in the upper. Compared to other boots, the insole provides very little arch support. The toe box and overall width of the boot is much more roomy compared to the majority of the other boots, which were all quite narrow around the arch and in the toe box.
Versatility
The Columbia Bugaboot Plus III fit well with snowshoes and microspikes, and worked well for longer hikes with unsteady terrain, but were large and clunky for shorter mellow hikes.
Comfort
The Bugaboot Plus III boots have a very large, roomy toe box, but the included insole provides little-to-no arch support. The ankle shaft is comfortable in its flexibility yet tight and supportive for unstable terrain. On the initial hike, no blisters or hot spots developed—there was no break-in period required.
Traction
On ice and slick snow, the Bugaboots faired well, providing good traction and little slippage due to the large lugs and Omni-Grip outsole.
Warmth
During a leisurely hike in 21-degree weather, the boots kept feet and toes warm even with plenty of standing around to sight see. When dunked up to the mid-shaft in an alpine lake, the Columbia boots stayed dry and warm.
Stability
The midsole and upper support are rigid enough to provide stability on slippery, inclined surfaces, but also had enough flex to be comfortable during long hikes.