A soggy November loop on the Larch Mountain trail is where I first started paying serious attention to budget hiking boots. My previous pair, a mid-range brand I won't name, soaked through before I'd even hit the first switchback. I squelched the rest of the way out in wet wool socks, swearing I'd do my homework next time. The Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot landed on my radar shortly after, and I've been putting it through its paces on wet PNW trails ever since.
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If you want to check the current price and availability on Amazon, that's the best place to start. Let me tell you what I found after wearing these through everything the Cascades threw at me.
Where it shines
The waterproofing is the first thing I noticed, and honestly, it held up better than I expected at this price tier. The full-grain leather and mesh bootie construction kept my feet dry through standing puddles and persistent drizzle on a long out-and-back near Silver Falls. That's not nothing. A lot of boots at this price point use a thin waterproof liner that starts wicking through the seams after a season. These didn't.
The Omni-Grip outsole is genuinely useful. I picked my way down a muddy, root-covered descent near Ramona Falls, the kind of trail that turns into a slip-and-slide after an hour of rain, and I didn't lose my footing once. The multi-terrain tread pattern grips well on both wet rock and loose soil, and I'd say it's more confidence-inspiring on mixed surfaces than a lot of similarly priced competitors I've tested.
Cushioning is comfortable from day one. My knee injury means I'm picky about midsole response, and these delivered a noticeable energy return that kept my legs feeling fresher over longer miles. Break-in time was minimal, maybe two or three shorter hikes before they felt truly dialed in. That's a genuine plus.
Best fit if…
These boots are a solid pick if you're a day-hiker or weekend backpacker who spends most of your time in wet, variable conditions and doesn't want to spend serious money to stay dry. The Newton Ridge Plus II isn't trying to be an ultralight trail runner or a technical mountaineering boot. It's a workhorse for moderate trails, and it knows it.
They're best for hikers who:
- Tackle wet or mixed-terrain trails regularly (PNW, Pacific Coast, the Appalachians in shoulder season)
- Want real ankle support without stepping up to a stiff, heavy boot
- Are carrying a light-to-moderate pack, not a full multi-day haul
- Prefer a lace-up fit that can be dialed tighter around the ankle at the end of a long day
If you're planning high-altitude scrambles or extended snow travel, I'd look elsewhere. These aren't mountaineering boots, and the tread, while capable on light snow, isn't a substitute for something with a proper crampon-compatible sole.
Width can be an issue too. I've got a fairly standard foot, and the fit worked well for me. But a hiking buddy with wider feet tried these and found the toebox a bit narrow, especially over long miles when feet tend to swell. Worth ordering a half size up if you're between sizes.
After a few weeks
Here's my one real criticism, and I think it's fair: the breathability is mediocre. The mesh tongue helps, but the waterproof construction means heat builds up on warmer days faster than I'd like. I wore these on a drier late-summer trail in the Columbia River Gorge, temps in the low 70s, and my feet were noticeably warm by mile four. For cool and wet conditions, that's a non-issue. For summer hiking or desert trails, it's something to think about seriously.
Durability so far looks promising. The leather upper hasn't scuffed or creased badly, the outsole hasn't shown significant wear, and the laces are still intact, which sounds like a low bar but isn't always a given. I haven't had these long enough to call them bombproof, but the construction feels solid. I've seen cheaper boots start falling apart at the toe rand after a season. I'm not seeing that here yet.
The Cordovan/Squash colorway, the one I tested, looks sharp out of the box. It's earthy enough to not look ridiculous on the trail, and the contrasting tones hold up reasonably well to dirt and scuffing. A small thing, but I know people care.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Waterproofing holds up well in wet conditions | Breathability suffers in warmer temps |
| Omni-Grip traction is confident on muddy and mixed terrain | Narrow toebox may not suit wider feet |
| Comfortable midsole cushioning with good energy return | Not suited to technical or mountaineering use |
| Minimal break-in time | Runs slightly narrow; sizing up recommended for some |
| Solid ankle support for the price | Heat buildup on sunny, dry days |
For wet-season day hiking and light backpacking, I'd recommend these without much hesitation. They punch above their weight class on waterproofing and traction, and the comfort-from-day-one factor is genuinely rare at this price point. Grab a pair on Amazon and give them a shot on your next soggy weekend out.
I'll keep updating this as more miles accumulate, but right now these are my go-to recommendation for anyone who hikes wet trails and doesn't want to drain their bank account doing it. Stay dry out there, and for goodness' sake, bring dry socks. I've learned that lesson the hard way more than once., Dave