Columbia Crestwood

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Columbia Crestwood: Review

β€œA lightweight and affordable hiking shoe for day treks.”

Overview


The Columbia Crestwood is a hiking shoe designed to offer comfort and performance on the trail. This model is known for its lightweight and affordable design, making it accessible for a wide range of hikers.

Key Features:

  • Material: The upper is crafted from a combination of suede, leather, and mesh, providing both durability and breathability.
  • Comfort: Known for its out-of-the-box comfort, the Crestwood requires no break-in period, thanks to its flexible construction.
  • Support: It features a Techlite midsole (a lightweight, durable foam that provides impact absorption and high energy return) for cushioning and support, ideal for day hiking and light backpacking.
  • Traction: The Omni-Grip rubber outsole ensures reliable traction across various terrains.

The Columbia Crestwood is an ideal choice for hikers who prioritize comfort and affordability for day hiking on well-maintained trails. Its breathable design offers a sneaker-like feel, suitable for warmer conditions.

With an average review score of 68%, it's in the lowest rated 10% of similar hiking shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently in the cheapest 10% of hiking shoes today.

Verdict

The consensus on the Columbia Crestwood


The Columbia Crestwood has garnered positive feedback for its lightweight design and immediate comfort, making it a preferred choice for day hikers. The combination of suede, leather, and mesh in the upper provides a balance of breathability and durability, suitable for well-maintained trails. The shoe's Techlite midsole offers adequate support and cushioning, which is complemented by the Omni-Grip outsole that performs well on various terrains, including slippery surfaces.

However, the Crestwood is not without its drawbacks. The primary concern lies in its durability, particularly with the mesh areas that are prone to wear and tear. Additionally, the non-waterproof version may not be suitable for wet conditions, although it excels in breathability during dry, warm hikes.

Overall, the Columbia Crestwood offers good value for money, especially for hikers looking for a comfortable and functional shoe without a hefty price tag. It is well-suited for casual day hikes and light backpacking trips. For those needing a reliable, budget-friendly hiking shoe, the Columbia Crestwood is a commendable option.

Special versions of Columbia Crestwood


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The Columbia Crestwood Waterproof is a variant of the standard Crestwood, offering enhanced water resistance for wet conditions. While maintaining the same comfort and support features of the original, this version includes a waterproof membrane that makes it suitable for hikes in rainy weather or crossing shallow streams.

6 Columbia Crestwood Pros & Cons


3 Pros

Affordable price point, making it accessible for a wide range of hikers.
Immediate comfort with no break-in period required.
Lightweight design enhances comfort and reduces fatigue during hikes.

3 Cons

Durability concerns, especially with the mesh areas of the upper.
Not suitable for rough terrains or heavy off-trail use.
Non-waterproof version may not be ideal for wet conditions.

In Depth


Upper

The upper of the Columbia Crestwood combines suede, leather, and mesh materials, offering a durable yet breathable experience. This design choice contributes to the shoe's overall comfort and lightweight feel, making it ideal for day hikes. The mesh sections enhance breathability, keeping feet cool during warm hikes, while the suede and leather provide structural support and protection.

Midsole

The Columbia Crestwood features a Techlite midsole, which offers a balance of cushioning and support. This midsole technology is designed to absorb impact and provide stability on uneven terrains, making it suitable for day hikes and light backpacking. The midsole's performance is a key factor in the shoe's ability to deliver comfort over prolonged periods.

Outsole

Equipped with an Omni-Grip rubber outsole, the Columbia Crestwood excels in providing traction on a variety of surfaces. The multi-directional tread pattern ensures stability on both wet and dry terrains, making it a reliable choice for hikers who encounter diverse conditions on the trails.

Comfort

One of the standout features of the Columbia Crestwood is its exceptional comfort. The shoe is designed to be comfortable straight out of the box, eliminating the need for a break-in period. This immediate comfort is achieved through the use of flexible materials in the upper and a well-cushioned midsole.

Durability

While the Columbia Crestwood scores high on comfort and affordability, its durability is a concern, particularly in the mesh areas of the upper. These sections are susceptible to wear and tear, which could compromise the shoe's longevity, especially in rough terrains.

Who should buy the Columbia Crestwood?


The Columbia Crestwood is ideal for casual hikers and those new to hiking who are looking for an affordable entry-level shoe. It is particularly suited for individuals who prefer light day hikes on well-maintained trails. The shoe's comfort and breathability make it a good choice for warm weather hiking, while its lightweight design prevents fatigue during longer treks.

Who should not buy the Columbia Crestwood?


Hikers planning to tackle rough, off-trail terrains or those in need of a robust, waterproof hiking boot should consider other options. The Columbia Crestwood, while excellent for casual day hikes, may not provide the necessary durability and water resistance required for more demanding environments or wet conditions.

Columbia Crestwood: What's it good for?


The Columbia Crestwood is excellent for day hiking and light backpacking trips. Its lightweight design and breathable materials make it ideal for warm weather conditions, providing comfort without the bulk of traditional hiking boots. The shoe's traction capabilities also make it suitable for a variety of terrains, although it performs best on well-maintained trails.

3 Columbia Crestwood FAQs


Is the Columbia Crestwood suitable for long-distance hiking?

The Columbia Crestwood is best suited for day hikes and light backpacking. For long-distance hiking, a more durable and possibly waterproof shoe might be more appropriate.

Can the Columbia Crestwood be used in wet conditions?

The standard version of the Columbia Crestwood is not waterproof and is best used in dry conditions. For wet conditions, the Columbia Crestwood Waterproof version is recommended.

How does the sizing of the Columbia Crestwood run?

The Columbia Crestwood tends to run small. It is recommended to size up if you are between sizes or opt for the wide fit version if necessary.

Columbia Crestwood alternatives

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released
Released
May 2020
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productAthletes
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Gert Heyns
Weight
Weight
M: 417 g
W: 340 g
M: 349 g
W: 332 g
M: 354 g
W: 292 g
M: 309 g
W: 255 g
M: 309 g
W: 369 g
Usages
Usages
Day hiking
Day hikingUrban hikingDay hikingDay hikingSpeed hikingUrban hikingDay hikingDay hikingSpeed hiking
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
LightweightLace-to-toeLightweightLightweightLace-to-toeLightweightLightweight
Breathable
Breathable
Heel brake
Heel brake
Non-marking
Non-marking
Orthotic friendly
Orthotic friendly
Removable insole
Removable insole
Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial
Techs
Techs
Columbia OutDry
OrthoLite
Waterproofings
Waterproofings
Water repellent
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Columbia Crestwood characteristics and specifications

Characteristics
SportsHiking (+254)
UsagesDay hiking (+175)
BrandColumbia (+19)
MaterialsEVA midsole (+151)Fabric (+204)Leather (+93)Mesh (+169)Rubber Sole (+229)Suede (+41)
CutsLow cut (+225)
ColorwaysCamo Brown / Heatwave, Dark Brown, Elk Black, Graphite / Pacific Rim, Multicolour, Shark / Columbia Grey
Specifications
Released
May 2020

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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