ColumbiaMen's Woodburn 2 Low Rise Hiking Shoes

I've been searching for a decent pair of walking shoes for what seems like an eternity! Having tried various brands to no avail and cheaper options that perished far too quickly, I decided that, "you get what you pay for" and purchased a more expensive option. As soon as I took them out of the box, I could see the build quality was very good. Trying them on for the first time, they fitted almost perfectly and felt incredibly comfortable, as if already worn in! So far, so good. I have been walking to and from work (a mile each way) for just over a week now and they are very comfortable. I cannot speak for the waterproofing as yet, or their longevity (having had other brands that began to perish after only a few months, this is something I will be very interested in observing). I will come back to this review and update it once I have greater experience of their build quality. The only negative I have noticed (and as another reviewer commented), the laces do tend to come loose. Maybe I need to learn to tie them in a reef knot instead! At the moment, top marks, but we'll see how they do after a greater period of time and use and I will update this review accordingly.Update 23 January 2021: Well, I've had these over a year now and they have held up well, looking barely worn since I removed them from the box. The undersole has also held up well (though slightly more worn on my right foot due to my walking style). They are just as comfortable and have also provided waterproofing during some heavy rain. Laces have to be double knotted to keep them tied, although even then, after a while become loose. It's a small gripe considering the quality of these shoes. So after a year in, I can still highly recommend these walkers (first 3 photos are after a years use).Update 15 February 2022: 2 years later these are still in great condition and just as comfortable. I would certainly purchase a replacement if and when they are required. Highly recommended!Update 8 February 2023: 3 years in and still going strong, only negative is the stitching has come lose at the front slightly on the right shoe (photos added). Though they are still in good shape all round especially when considering I wear these every day. I've noticed how much the price has boosted since I bought these in 2020, I paid £57 and they're now £87, which is a around a 50% increase for the same item!UPDATE: December 2024: Well I got 5 years out of these shoes and wore them pretty much every day during that period. Finally the soles began to perish and let water in, as did some of the leather on the main shoe. Great value for that period and price. I managed to pick up a new pair in preparation during a sale, so got them at a good price again (about £8 more than I first paid). I think the inflation of price on these shoes is now the main negative. I paid £57 the first time, £66 for the new pair in March 2024 (only just start wearing them now) but the price is usually around £90 which is a huge increase in price.

First time I've purchased Colombia as I have tended to use another brand over the last few years, and I am very impressed. These look smarter than a casual walking shoe whilst still having an "active" design, they took no wearing in whatsoever, and unlike my previous brand of walking shoes (which purported to be waterproof with goretex but actually let water in round the tongue and toes) these are genuinely waterproof and keep my feet dry.Oh, and they were less expensive than my last brand too!!

Well made shoes and very comfortable. I bought in the sale for £60 which was fine but I'm not sure I would want to pay the normal price of £90 for them but very good value at the sale price. I only use in an urban environment so the have not let water in seem grippy enough so far. They are very lightweight and in terms of using for hiking, I would say the are an approach shoe. Also available as a low cut boot which I think I would have preferred.

These have replaced a really good pair of walking shoes from a rival manufacturer. I cannot believe just how comfortable, supportive and grippy these Columbia shoes are, on all surfaces. I guess the trade off will be that the grippy soles might wear out quicker, unfair of me to suggest it, only time will tell. But to be honest, at this price point, I think I'll be very happy to replace them with the same shoes eventually, they are that good.

Comfortable, warm and waterproof. One of the best pairs of shoes I have ever owned. Lasted 4 years of intermittent use. Just ordered new pair.

I was pleased with the fit and quality of these shoes however unfortunately after 18 months of average use both of the shoes have spilt on the sides!

Shoe-buying is perhaps the only thing I'm still hesitant about buying direct from a website. There's a bewildering amount of choice and ratings are often far from brilliant. I've been wanting to buy a new lightweight pair of walking shoes that I can easily stick in a suitcase for some time but had struggled to find anything suitable (not helped by being a size 6).Many of the walking shoes on offer are essentially glorified trainers with a waterproof lining. This Columbia model feels much more like a proper boot, with a harder shell. Despite this I found them to be instantly comfortable, with a thick cushioned sole providing good protection on stony ground. They are standard or even slightly narrow fitting, which I feared would be a problem, but actually the shape moulded around my feet really well and they didn't feel tight (they would probably not suit anyone with protrusions such as a bunion though). With a double knot there seemed to be little risk of the laces coming undone. The waterproofing has not yet been tested.The colour options available are all rather sombre: I plumped for cinnamon which is an indeterminate very dark green/grey/brown. The may look a bit odd worn with light coloured shorts on a summer's day but are undeniably practical.Overall I'm really happy with this purchase and glad to have taken the online plunge.

These are extremely comfortable shoes. They come pre laced. Wore them straight out of the box. No need to wear them in. Wore them all day, with no foot issues.Tread is good. Overall the shoes look good and are very comfortable to wear.