Customer Reviews

Columbia Sportswear Men's Bugabootoo Hiking Boot

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Its been about 2 months since purchasing this boot. The 3rd party vendor had a great price and delivered on time, so 5 stars there.

The shoe however get mixed reviews. Being a long time Columbia customer, I wasn't surprised by the out of the box quality except that I remember thinking how flimsy the plastic speed lace clips looked... sure enough one has already broke and I no longer use the speed clip feature, always keeping them laced with fingers crossed on the remaining three. (As an aside, Columbia customer service also gets a mixed review on this. While the clip would be covered under warranty I still will need to cover the freight one way. While this is the industry standard as pointed out to me by the on line customer rep, I don't feel I should pay one more cent for an under-engineered fault of Columbia's. And really, do you want to buy something from a just average company?)

Otherwise the boots do what I had expected, relatively light weight, waterproof, and comfortable, with just enough flex in the uppers to not chafe yet provide support. Grip is good too on varying surfaces except glare ice. I agree with other reviewers that this is an active wear boot, and would not recommend it for sub zero Fahrenheit temps and long periods of inactivity. And, if you overnight with them, plan on sleeping with them to prevent freezing since the liners are not removable. For my 45 minutes a day walking commute to work and day hikes in the upper Midwest the boot works well.

Would I buy them again? Not without a lot more research for an alternative (preferably with a metal speed lace clip!).

Comfortable, warm, and dry. You really don't want to take these off. Tread freely through anything with confidence, and great traction. Awesome value.

The seams between the rubber and the leather started failing the first year. I sewed them up and patched them with ShoeGoo, but then the rubber started cracking in several other places. In total I have three major separations at the seams, and 6 other large cracks in the rubber.

After wearing only a couple dozen times the rubber started to come apart on these where they are stiched together at the seam between the upper and lower sections. I expect that from a 19 dollar mart-mart boot, not something from Columbia. Disappointing.

Columbia also won't respond to inquiries about their product. Buy something else made by someone else.

Great boot with excellent waterproofing. Extremely comfortable and easy to wear. Columbia scores again!

Worked OK for a few outings, but seams fell apart at the seams after approximately 10 wearings. (See other reviews for confirmation that this is not an abberation.) Ridiculous. Will *never* buy a Columbia product again. Period.

As with others I have had the same problem with the bottom plastic/rubber coming undone from the upper fake leather. Also the plastic/rubber gets stiff in the cold and then cracks in multiple places. Worthless boot made in China for a few dollars and then marked up by Columbia to 75 dollars. Avoid at all costs. Columbia will not fix or replace.

Purchased in late 2006 to replace a pair of Sorels that I had worn for 8 years for snowplowing, showshoeing and winter hiking. Did not start wearing the Bugabootoos until winter 2007 and was surprised that the seam between leather uppers and rubber boot separated within a few weeks. In 2008, the seam pulled apart entirely, allowing moisture through. Although I like the boot styling, I expected better from Columbia. This year, I will go back to Sorel for the long term.

So I spend 75 bucks thinking I'll get a quality boot. The false security of thinking big bucks means quality. Not so. The boot as designed has a major flaw where the rubber(plastic) is stitched to the leather uppers. Just won't hold. Also the plastic(rubber) cracks and splits. Once that happens the waterproof boot becomes a disaster. Here's the fact,Jack. If you want a waterproof boot, buy a complete rubberized boot. The galoshes of old. The bastardized approach of leather and rubber means problems down the road, say in 5 weeks.
Also I notice they are made in China, probably some big factory that turns out the same bugaboot that costs 20 bucks. Save your bucks and buy the pull on galoshes. Or stay out of the water and wear Timberland leathers.

I've given up on Columbia's boots... I've had 3 pairs over the past few years and the rubber part over top of the foot has cracked open on all 3 letting snow/water in. It's too bad really because otherwise I liked them... they were warm and comfortable for long winter walks and snowshoeing. Anyway, they get a 2-star rating from me.