Gear Review: Columbia BugaTrek Omni-Heat
For casual winter adventures, a warm-and-cozy boot.
Brand: BugaTrek Omni-Heat
Model: Columbia
[day tripper]
Warm and light with a heat reflective silver Omni-Heat lining, testers called the BugaTrek “fully breathable,” and reached for it on casual winter adventures when they were carrying a light pack. Omni-heat boosts the warmth of these Thinsulate insulated mid-cut hikers 20%, according to Columbia. What our testers said: “After a full day snowshoeing in the Bolton Backcountry in low teen temps my toes were warm. And I didn’t feel like I was hefting a huge winter boot with every step.”
The upper is waterproof leather with plastic reinforcements for extra support; webbing lace guides and ankle lace hooks allow for easy adjustments. Underneath, a molded EVA midsole cushions your stride. It’s got a nylon shank for torsional rigidity and support, and a sole with square and honeycomb lugs. “I had good traction in mellow to moderate conditions,” reported on tester. And they were great with snowshoes. Low profile lugs never felt awkward underfoot.” Bummer: even with two ankle lace hooks, it was hard to cinch the ankle tight, and in fresh snow, you need gaiters. $100; 2 lbs. 2 oz.; men’s 7-12, 13, 14, 15; Columbia.com