Are The Columbia Trailstorm Hiking Shoes Better In Urban Settings?
The Columbia Trailstorm Hiking Shoes are part of a trend for walking shoes that are a little more fashionable and perhaps an al-rounder more than a hiking shoe.
The focus on urban living in the description will appeal to keen walkers living in cities.
But, are these shoes good enough to handle what is thrown at them in this landscape?
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The Pros and Cons of this Columbia Hiking Shoe.
Pros:
- An “urban” design for city-based walkers.
- Some nice designs to add to that idea of this being a more fashionable shoe.
- A supportive structure and some padding for better long-term comfort.
- Some nice protective details in the toe cap and tongue.
- Made to be both waterproof and breathable for year-round use.
Cons:
- Mixed comments about the waterproofing, especially around the toes.
- The durability issues in this part of the construction could be to blame.
- There are also some sizing issues with shoes running a bit narrow.
The Columbia Trailstorm Hiking Shoes have a great look and an interesting target audience.
The style of this show may be the most important selling point here as the company is after a slightly different demographic. There are references to urban style and applications for this shoe rather than the usual countryside hikes and pursuits.
This explains the more interesting look of the shoe with its shape and the different designs. This isn’t a hiking boot but more of a stylish shoe that anyone could wear around town. Some of the more vibrant colour combinations give off that weekend city adventure vibe.
Still, there are features through the Columbia hiking shoe that should make them comfortable and practical enough for longer walks in these urban environments. There is a supportive fit with more of a foot-hugging form and nice lace-up closure than some wider hiking boots.
This helps with the support, as does the structure around the midsole and the shape around the ankle. Most wearers seem to find these boots to be comfortable enough for long walks and will happily go a little further than they might in a less capable shoe.
Protection also comes from the moulding on the toe cap, the gusset on the tongue to keep out dirt, sand, or anything else, and waterproof Omnitech material.
This material in the uppers is meant to keep out the worst of the weather – although results vary – and also means that the shoe remains breathable in hotter conditions. This should prove to be worthwhile during a heatwave in the city.
There are concerns that the Columbia Trailstorm won’t last as long as hoped for.
While there are plenty of positive claims about the materials and protective elements of these walking shoes, there are also comments from wearers that got wet feet.
In some cases, this came about after a short period of wear as the materials on the toes broke down. This allowed water to come in, either through rain showers or walking on wet grass.
This suggests that durability issues are more to blame here than the initial weatherproofing. There are also comments suggesting that the joins and overall quality aren’t there for this to be used long-term.
The other downside to keep in mind here is that this show can run a little narrow. This isn’t so bad for those that want a snug feel and more support, but it may be better to go a half size up to avoid too many problems.
Is this Columbia Urban Hiking Shoe still recommendable with these setbacks in mind?
The complaints about the damage to the toes and short life of these shoes is a problem. If you are looking for something stylish to handle all kinds of conditions for the year ahead, this may not be it.
But, there is still potential here to use this shoe as something fun for nicer weather and shorter walks in the urban landscape.
This could be a more comfortable walking shoe for a day exploring a city than something that will also be fine in the wet countryside the next weekend.
If you treat these Columbia walking boots right and see them more as a fashion accessory, they could still be a fun purchase.
Find more reviews about the Columbia Trailstorm Hiking Shoes on Amazon here.
