Columbia Women's Heavenly Omni-Heat, Black/Deep Water, 5.5

My husband saw these boots were the winter boots winner on the Wirecutter after rigorous testing and when I found them for $80 in my size it was such a good deal we ordered them.They arrived this morning as I was heading out on the school run so I quickly switched my rainboots for them. My socks were so thick I couldn't get them on so I just wore them with no socks (was really in a rush but very excited to try these!) On the way to school I have pushed a 3 year old in a stroller over solid ice and uneven melted and refrozen snow and ice packed down and my feet were not warm BUT with no socks at all in just above 0F weather, I'm not surprised. I slipped around a little on the bad patches of ice while trying to gain traction to move the stroller, but I'm not marking them down for that because any shoe would do the same.So, after the school run we went for coffee at the little store nearby and I felt my feet warm up fast! Within 5 minutes they were warm and toasty and they stayed that way all the way home so I'm thinking my feet were just cold when I first put them on and took a while to warm up.These are amazingly comfortable, I have wide feet and I ordered size 11 which is the size I usually wear and they fit just fine. I have even tried them with really thick socks on once I had more time to adjust the laces and can still get them on, although I do think I'll stick to thinner socks in future for comfort. If you want to wear thick socks, definitely order a size larger.The sole is flexible and comfortable, gripped well in icy conditions apart from the smooth, ice rink areas, but even then they weren't truly awful.There are some nice little features like a solid metal aglet for ease when lacing, substantial laces that feel like they'll last, and the faux fur lining that runs from the ankle to the tops that works well for warmth. The Omni heat reflective dots cover from the ankle down and as I said, once my feet were warm, they stayed warm for about 30 minutes and I am confident they'd have stayed that way for a good while longer.And last but not least, they're really nice looking boots! They don't look clunky and big like some waterproof boots do, they're black so they go with everything and the fur peeking over the tops is cute! I'd definitely recommend these boots to my friends and family and the price this seller has them for is great.

BEWARE SIZING ISSUES BEFORE ORDERINGI almost took off a star because of how off the sizing is, but if I had to rate everything else about the boots except the sizing, I’d rate them a 6/5. So I kept it at five stars.It’s important to start with the sizing. I wear a 6.5 in running shoes. I have had several pairs of Columbia minx mid boots in size 7 that fit perfectly, so I initially ordered a 7 in these. Way too small. Exchanged for a 7.5 and honestly they’re still kinda tight but not too tight to not be able to love them. I think an 8 would fit me better but I’ve already committed to this pair. I only wear thin socks with them because otherwise it’s too tight. So make sure you order at least a full whole size up from your normal shoe size.Aside from the off sizing, these boots are the boots I’ve been searching for for years. I am a dog walker in the Midwest. I walk miles every day in whatever weather comes at me. Previously, I always had to choose between boots that were comfortable to walk in (the Columbia minx mid) and boots that could handle the elements without my feet getting wet (Pajar grip).No boot that I have ever tried has been both comfortable and waterproof. Many reviews boast tons of waterproof boots as “comfortable,” but my standards for comfort considering my job are different. These are the only boots I’ve ever tried that do not leave my feet feeling weird after a long day of walking in them. The transition from warm weather (wearing running shoes every day) to cold weather (needing the warmth and/or protection of boots) is usually a difficult one for my feet and legs since most boots force me to walk slightly differently which can have effects if you walk as much as I do. These boots feel the same as my running shoes.Before I tried these, I tried the new Merrell boots that look like high top sneakers, and even those were too clunky for me. These boots are perfectly slim to as not to affect my normal walking stride.Enough about comfort. Let’s talk about the other pros. They are warm. As I mentioned earlier, because they fit small, I’ve been wearing thin socks with them. Just regular non-winter socks, and my feet haven’t gotten cold. The fur lining is very soft.And most importantly, the one thing that sets them above my previous favorites, the Columbia minx mid, they are actually waterproof. I walked through a heavy wet-snowstorm today and my feet stayed dry.I cannot recommend these boots enough. Just make sure to adjust the size you order.