Girls’s Columbia Ice Maiden IIWinter Boot Overview

Backside Line

Due to its light-weight development, quite a few adjustment options, and budget-friendly value, the Columbia Ice Maiden II is a superb alternative for winter boots on the go. We respect that this boot is the lightest choice among the many tall boots we examined. This may be attributed to its minimalist design, making it simple to stroll in. It additionally presents a variety of adjustment factors for consolation, together with half sizes, vast toe field choices, detachable inserts, and adjustable laces.

Nonetheless, we had been considerably much less impressed with its water resistance and insulation. After 45 minutes, the within of the boots turned moist, and the temperature inside dipped under freezing throughout our side-by-side exams. Moreover, the traction just isn’t pretty much as good on account of a smaller tread in comparison with most different winter boots in our lineup.

Whereas these components cut back the Ice Maiden’s total winter efficiency, they nonetheless present sufficient usability for operating errands round city or coping with a snowy commute. They’re trendy and inexpensive, which is a big benefit. Consumers ought to take into account their supposed use and limitations earlier than buying these boots.

How We Examined

Due to the stylish design of those boots, our gear tester primarily wore them throughout their workplace job all through the winter. As a trainer, they spend most of their 9-hour workday on their toes. Our principal tester additionally used these boots for strolling canine and operating errands round city.

Weight

One of many standout options of the Columbia Ice Maiden is its reasonable weight for a tall boot. We positioned this boot on a kitchen scale, and one boot weighed 16.2 ounces, or simply over one pound. This makes it the lightest calf-height boot we examined, rating fourth total.

Our expertise sporting these for walks and to the workplace was constant. In comparison with different boots we tried, these have a extra minimalistic and fewer structured really feel. After a protracted day, they don’t really feel heavy or troublesome to stroll in.

Water Resistance

Water resistance just isn’t a robust level for the Ice Maiden as a result of cloth it’s constructed from and the waterproofing. After we positioned this mannequin in a bath stuffed with a number of inches of water, it was one of many few boots that received moist earlier than the two-hour mark.For the Ice Maiden boots, it took about 45 minutes for moisture to seep into the within of the boot. Although the boot is manufactured from waterproof leather-based, it doesn’t really feel as thick or sturdy as a number of the different leather-based fashions we examined. The leather-based has a extra suede-like texture: comfortable and pliable.

However, it’s disappointing that the boot didn’t keep dry for longer. Nonetheless, because the boots are primarily designed to be used round city or within the workplace, the shortage of water resistance will not be crucial.

They resist water sufficiently to deal with strolling by means of puddles or snow all through the day, however not for extended immersion. For the common wearer, it will probably be enough to maintain their toes dry.

Heat

The Columbia Ice Maiden boots lack the insulation and design to make for a really heat boot. We positioned these boots, alongside others in our lineup, in a snow drift for side-by-side testing. Each 5 minutes, we used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature contained in the boots. After 25 minutes, we recorded a temperature of 31.8°F within the boot. This recording is near the coldest temperature that we measured. Not an important end result for this boot.

Realistically, this boot doesn’t provide as many options for heat as a number of the different boots we examined. For example, the only of those boots is thinner than that of others in our lineup. The leather-based materials across the toes can be much less insulating in comparison with the designs of another boots.

Lastly, the insole of this boot just isn’t as thick or heat as many others we examined. We discovered the heat to be enough whereas sporting these boots round city on sub-freezing days. Our toes by no means received chilly, however we additionally don’t imagine they’d stay comfy in sub-zero temperatures. You will need to take into account when and the place these boots can be used to make sure they meet the client’s requirements.

Consolation

Options corresponding to half sizes, vast toe field choices, and lace changes make the Ice Maiden a sensible choice for consolation. We tallied varied consolation and adjustment-related options to account for the completely different foot shapes individuals have.

The Ice Maiden boots provide quite a few customization choices, which will help guarantee consolation for a variety of people. Whereas sporting these throughout lengthy days on the workplace, we discovered that they’re typically comfy.

We solely skilled someday when our tester’s toes felt fatigued by the tip. This situation might probably be addressed by utilizing a high-quality orthotic insert.

Traction

Sadly, the small tread on the Columbia Ice Maiden boots doesn’t present as a lot traction as different boots in our lineup. After we examined these boots on our traction measurement machine, they recorded the bottom diploma of measure. This implies they started to slide on even the slightest slope.

The measurement appears very correct because the tread seems fairly small and slick on the backside of the boot. Traction depends on friction, and friction could be elevated with extra floor space. These boots don’t have a lot floor space, which is why they don’t grip the bottom successfully.

This aligns with the supposed operate of those boots, as they don’t seem to be designed to be as rugged as lots of the different fashions in our lineup.

Ought to You Purchase the Columbia Ice Maiden II?

These boots are a incredible alternative for sporting round city or when each vogue and performance are wanted. The fake fur, suede leather-based, and excessive laces complement a wide range of outfits. These boots provide sufficient performance to be worn outdoors in inclement climate.

Thus, they make an important alternative when getting into and outside. We in all probability wouldn’t use them for lengthy hikes or lengthy hours working outside, however they will nonetheless deal with the fundamentals corresponding to shoveling.

What Different Girls’s Winter Boots Ought to You Take into account?

There are such a lot of completely different winter boots to select from, and now we have examined a lot of them! Listed below are just a few related choices to assist slim issues down.

Columbia Minx Shorty IV Overview: Very related in heat, water resistance, and customization, the Minx Shorty is a good different to the Ice Maiden. We like that this boot is even lighter on the toes due to the shorter top and minimalist design. They, too, are trendy and an important option to put on round city. It is a nice different for individuals who simply desire a barely completely different fashion boot with related efficiency. 

Bogs Arcata Snow Boots Overview: The Arcata are a barely extra sturdy model of the Ice Maiden boots. They commerce a bit of fashion for higher water resistance and heat. They’re additionally barely heavier however are even simpler to slide on, due to the handles on the tops of the boots. 

UGG Adirondack III Overview: One other lace-up choice, the Adirondack boots weigh a bit extra however have higher water resistance and heat. We like this boot as a result of it comes with the choice to roll the highest down or pull it up straight, relying on the look that’s desired.