Columbia Men's Fairbanks Mid

I have spent the past year looking for the right shoes to wear on a 200+ mile hike through rugged, mountainous terrain in north central Spain. Since the trip also involved some road and city walking, I needed a pair of shoes that could handle anything--with enough tread to keep me safe on steep ascents and descents, but not so aggressive as to make walking on pavement uncomfortable. These shoes were perfect--If you have ever hiked the Camino Primitivo, you know the demands of that trail. After 200 miles/300km, the tread still looks like new. These shoes made the trip very comfortable for my feet. I normally wear wide sizes, but these don't come in wide. However, there was plenty of room in the toe box for my feet to spread out, and there no issues with feet swelling towards the end of a long day of hiking. I did not need to size up for this backpacking trip--the shoes had just enough room for my feet to breathe and move, but were also secure enough and breathable enough that I did not develop any of the dreaded heel blisters. The shoes are not waterproof--I chose breathability instead for the hot weather. Early one day, I stepped in mud up to my calf, and the shoe and sock underneath were dry within 45 minutes of walking. This incident did not affect the fit or performance of the shoe. This shoe does not have much cushioning, and again this is why I chose it. There is just enough to support my feet and joints, and it also allows me to feel the trail beneath my feet--which really helps prevent a rolled or sprained ankle. This was a surprise to me, as I run on heavily-cushioned Hokas; for walking, this minimally-cushioned shoe was perfect. I had no joint problems. I had an older pair of these shoes, which I have worn every day around the city where I live. These shoes handle uneven, poorly-repaired sidewalks, grass, and wet concrete and brick very well. This is one of the most comfortable, versatile pair of shoes I have ever owned. There is enough flexibility in the shoe to adjust your tie to a thin summer sock or a thicker merino wool sock for hiking or cold weather. They look nice, too. The black color fits in any business casual setting, or even with a suit on a regular day in the office. Finally, the price is excellent--this is also one of the least expensive pair of shoes I have purchased in years. It's a steal. The pictures show my shoes after completing the Camino de Santiago. Given that I now have two pairs of these, I don't expect to have to replace them for another year.

Love these shoes, especially for the discounted price. They are very comfortable. I normally wear 8.5, I ordered the same size and it fit perfectly. Seems to have good traction on wet ground. Though keep in mind that these are NOT waterproof, but still they are now my go-to shoes for rainy days. BTW, they don't squeak on hardwood floor.

Comfortable and lightweight. The laces are quite odd-looking in person, and I feel like they immediately looked old, the first time on the trail; however, they held up for a year (which is typical for me). These are NOT waterproof in any way, just an FYI. I use these are my dry-season hiking sneakers, and I have alternates for the wet/cold seasons.

📝 Quick Review These sneakers are comfortable right out of the box, with a lightweight feel that makes them great for all-day wear. The breathable upper keeps feet cool, while the cushioned sole provides solid support for walking, casual hikes, or running errands. The style is versatile enough to pair with jeans, shorts, or outdoor gear. 👟 Why They Stand Out Lightweight design for extended comfort Breathable materials help keep feet dry Cushioned sole offers good shock absorption Sleek, casual style works in multiple settings ✅ Final Thoughts A well-made, versatile sneaker that blends comfort and style, perfect for both outdoor adventures and everyday activities.

I normally don't write reviews, but after trying on these shoes and walking around in them I felt compelled. These shoes have so much grip and feel so comfortable to wear that I'm a new fan. They're not a walking shoe as much s they're a hiking shoe, but they go great with my semi casual wear. Thank you Columbia for knocking this one out of the park!

I love these shoes. They fit great and are super comfortable.

These seem to be near-perfect, virtually waterproof, walking/light hiking, sneaker-y, wide in the toe shoes. They're warm but not sweaty and feel kind of bouncy, which is good. I tried them out at the recent "No Kings" demo in a light steady rain and they kept my feet dry, tho the tops appeared to absorb water. The only slight concern is they smell strongly of vulcanized rubber, an industrial smell that I hope will go away after wearing them outside. Also, somewhat cheaper than other name brands and quite comfy, even when new.

They have a lot of toe space, which is hard to find in walking/hiking shoes. They are also very comfortable, so you shouldn't have issues with a long walk. They are also have great traction on gravel, sand, rocks, and even wet stone as well. However, they have 1 major flaw... I went on an 2-hour walk and they absolutely destroyed the area above my heel. They grind in sooo freaking bad. I tried tying them as tight as possible, but the same thing happened. Then I tried to loosen them up, but that didn't help either. Eventually, I ended up soaking them in water and let them dry with a glass bottle in the shoe... hoping that would help stretch it out, so I went on a 2-hour walk and that seemed to work... at least I thought so. I had a 6-hour adventure coming up, and since these shoes were good last time, I decided to wear them. After 2 hours in, they were grinding into my skin soooo freaking bad I had to stop. I was bleeding like mad and the top half of my socks were soaked in blood. Luckily, I had bandaids, so I used 3 4inx2in bandaids on EACH side, and it was enough to prevent it from getting worse. Now I'm not really sure what to do. I can use them with the bandaid trick, but I don't think I should have to waste $3 to just wear my shoes on a hike. This is just a word of caution for those buying them, make sure to test them a few times before hiking. If you don't have the heel issue then they will probably be the best hiking shoe you ever had.