You awaken from your deep slumber to find a blanket of fresh white snow gently covering the wooded backcountry. To celebrate this winter wonderland you’ve decided to dawn your snowshoes and explore. You take inventory of your gear: Jacket – Check; Cozy Beanie -Done; Snowshoes – Yup. Now there’s the question of what boots to wear. No doubt you have a multitude of options when partnering your new snowshoes with boots.
Of course you could just slip into your summer hiking boots, strap on the snowshoes and head out. However, you’ll be more comfortable in a winter specific boot that provides better insulation and a higher cut than regular boots to keep the snow out. When we were searching for quality options the good people at Columbia® sent out a pair of their Hoodster™ Mid OutDry® for our field team to put to the test.
First off credit to the Columbia design team for crafting a shoe who’s bold look match the bold athletic performance of this winter boot. Whether it’s the “Wild Dove, Spectra Yellow” or “Black and Grenadine” color schemes in the men’s version or the “Bungee Cord, Pastel Turquoise” or “Black, Hyacinth” in the women’s version the Hoodster Mid Outdry is visually striking and a masterful exercise of utilizing technological innovation to wrap a boot in style.
Features…
- Breathable softshell upper with protective leather and welded overlays for added support and protection
- OutDry waterproof-breathable membrane keeps your feet nice and dry.
- Compression molded Techlite midsole
- De-coupled heel helps reduce shock and provide a secure, comfortable fit.
- Non-marking Omni-Grip® rubber compound is specially formulated and matched with a tread that will give you sure-footed confidence in any activity.
The softshell upper features an Outdry® waterproof-breathable membrane so you need not fear for those moments you decide to tackle the waist deep snow drifts. Moreover, the protective leather and welded overlays add increased protection over uneven terrain while also protecting your Hoodsters from snowshoe straps. Now your winter kicks won’t show the wear and tear of your winter expeditions.
For those times when you aren’t strapped into your snowshoes the Omni-Grip® rubber outsole will safely deliver you to your destination come rocks, roots, snow or the even the dreaded iced over cabin stairs. Independent heel lug design with rubber gasket and a de-coupled shell, all come together to help provide for a great ride on the trail.
Our favorite features include the weight-reducing Techlite® used in the midsole to provide tremendous cushioning and support. Techlite is Columbia’s innovative material engineered specifically to provide superior comfort and cushioning for outdoor footwear, Techlite® is durable, impact absorbing, and an ideal material for consistent support and protection throughout a range of footwear uses. Created with a closed-cell compound, it is naturally antimicrobial, easy to care for, and odor-resistant.
Moreover when you’re floating over the snow in snowshoes, you don’t want your boot to feel like an anchor. By reducing the weight of the boot, Columbia’s Techlite® technology doesn’t weigh you down meaning you can push further into the snow laiden fields.
Room for Improvement…
The biggest critique our crew member had with the Hoodster Mid Outdry was fit. Our reviewer found that the boot was generally narrower than other winter specific boots, especially through the toebox. Specifically the boot cut narrow across the outside toe region. Granted now two feet are the same, but for those with slightly wider than average feet, you may consider moving up one half size for more comfort or hope Columbia introduces a “wide” option to their collection.
The second critique comes in regards to usage. If you are looking for a winter-do-all-things-in-the-snow boot this is not your best option. Although the boot features Columbia’s OutDry “waterproof-breathable membrane” these boots are not waterproof. They will keep your feet nice and drying during snowshoe outings, but our review team found that after just an hour in the snow using the Hoodster Mid Outdry as a stand alone boot, the winter waters seeped through the softshell exterior leaving parts of the foot damp and cold. Meaning one of the big downsides is that if you’re heading to the snow for a weekend you won’t be able to get away with simply packing your Hoodster Mid Outdry and using it as an all purpose winter boot for the long weekend.
Bottom Line…
A great winter boot can only increase your enjoyment of winter snowshoe adventures – with the Hoodster Mid Outdry, Columbia has introduced a snowshoe specific boot that will slip right into your bindings and carry you off to your winter wonderland destination.