Great news: A similar hiking boot to these is also available in a men’s fit.
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Great price point for what you get
- Extremely comfortable almost straight out the box
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Waterproofing isn’t the most breathable
- Longer term durability concerns
If you’re looking for a hiking boot that is going to give you comfort pretty much right away, then this offering from Columbia should be right up there. If you’re looking for a good pair of hiking boots on a budget, then they get another tick too.
The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus are a great option for many reasons – and they make the perfect boot if you’re newer to hiking. They handle exceptionally well on slightly shorter, or well-maintained trails with a good level of traction.
Editor’s note: This article is part of our guide to the best hiking boots, be sure to check out the rest of this guide for our top buying tips:
Compare to Similar Products:
Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX | Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof | Salomon Quest 4 Gore Tex | Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped | Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX | Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex | Lowa Renegade GTX Mid | La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Vasque Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots | |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||
Our Ratings | Best Overall Women's | Most Comfortable | Best for Mountain Walking | Best Budget | Best Waterproof | Best for Summer/Hot Weather | Best Leather | Best for Day Hikes | ||
Pros | Extremely comfortable. Wears in quickly. Excellent fit for wider feet | Excellent comfort. Excellent durability | Sturdy and ready to take on anything. Good toe placement and great ankle positioning | Very comfortable, pretty much straight out the box. Great price point | Excellent build quality. Can be resoled | Low weight. Good build quality | Available in three widths and a variety of sizes. Extremely comfortable | Cutting edge materials, good breathability to waterproofing ratio | Extremely supportive and comfortable. Stylish. | Excellent durability. Rigid build |
Cons | Not great for narrower feet. Sizing for buyers outside the United States can be limited | Slightly confusing product range. The design looks dated. | Break in takes a little while. Rigid. | Isn't as breathable. Could do with a more robust sole | Expensive. The design may be too utilitarian for some | Ankle cuff not as supportive as some others. Wider toe box may not suit those with very narrow feet. New | Expensive. Isn't visually that striking | Expensive for what they are. We don't find them suitable for longer treks | Expensive. Leather feels cold after walking through significant water. | Dated design. Stiff upper may not be to everybody's taste. |
Traction | Excellent | Very good | Medium/deep thread pattern | Good - but not as good on technical terrain | Excellent | Excellent | Vibram outsole - excellent | Excellent | Excellent - uses Vibram Megagrip | Very good |
Breathability | Good | Very good | Gore-Tex upper and well insulated | OK | Low | Good | Good | Excellent | OK | Very good |
Ankle Support | Good | Very good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
Arch support | Regular to good | Good | Average | OK | Average | Good | Average | Regular | Average | Average |
Fit | Fits a little large, size down a half size if in-between, available in a single width | Fits true to size. comes in standard and wide widths | Suits normal to wider feet | Standard fit, runs small - best to go up a half size | Standard fit - runs small | Fits true to size. Comes in standard and wide widths | Comes in standard, narrow and wide fit options and wide range of sizes | Runs narrow | Standard fit | Runs a little small. Available in standard and wide fit |
Materials | Grain leather upper, metal lacing hardware and synthetic/rubber soles | Synthetic and pig suede upper. | Leather and synthetic | Upper leather and suede and synthetic | Mostly leather with synthetic lining and rubber sole | Fully synthetic | Leather and synthetic | Leather and synthetic | Leather and synthetic | Nubuck leather and synthetics |
Appearance | Modern hiking boot | Slightly dated design | Modern | Modern hiking boot with traditional feel | Traditional hiking boot | Modern hiking boot | Modern hiking boot | Modern hiking boot | Modern hiking boot/trail hybrid | Slightly dated design |
Durability | Excellent | Very good | Excellent | Sole feels quite lightweight | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Average | Good | Excellent |
Water Resistance | Gore-Tex membrane | In-house waterproof, breathable membrane | Gore-Tex membrane | Waterproof (Omni-Tech) | Gore Tex lining and water resistant coating | Gore Tex membrane | Gore-Tex membrane | Gore-Tex Surround membrane | Gore-Tex lining | In-house waterproof, breathable membrane |
Weight (pair) | 900g/2lb per pair | 800g/1lb 12oz | 1070g/2lb 6oz | 791g/1.8lbs per pair | 1.28kg/2lb 13oz | 740g/1lb 10oz | 950g/2lb | 900g/2 lb. 1 oz | 1015g/2.5 lbs | 990g/2lb 2oz |
Insoles | Standard insole | Padded insole | Padded insole | Standard insole | Padded insole | Padded. shaped insole | Standard insole | Standard insole | Standard insole | Padded insole |
Break-in Period | Minimal | Minimal | Some break in needed | Very minimal | Some break-in required | Minimal | Minimal | Slightly longer than average | Minimal | Medium |
Lacing system | Regular laces with metal lacing hardwear for durability | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard/regular laces | Standard/regular laces | Standard laces | Standard lacing system | Standard/regular laces | Standard - eyelet with grip lacing around the ankle | Standard laces |
Toe Protection | Rubberized toe rand | Rubber rand around toe and small toe cap | Rubberized toe rand | Rubberized toe rand | Substantially reinforced toe offers excellent protection | Rubber rand on toe and small toe cap. | Substantial rubber toe rand | Rubberized toe rand | Rubberized toe rand with reinforced stitching | Rubber rand around toe and small toe cap |
Analysis and Test Results
The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped hiking boots make a pretty solid choice when it comes to your first pair or for lighter trails. Straight away, the level of comfort they offer (thanks to their Techlite cushioning) is outstanding for their price point. In fact, they are some of the most comfortable hiking boots we’ve tested straight out of the box.
For their price point, the level of traction they offer is great for more well maintained trails and sticking to well-known paths – they’ll offer you good grip in most circumstances, but for slippery terrain and more technical work, they may not be best suited to you.
We did feel that the outsole lacks in places where we would have liked to have seen more support – the boot is very flexible and you’re very aware of every bend when you’re hiking. This did affect trail fatigue and we found when testing on longer trails that they weren’t our favorite. Though if you know you’ll be sticking to lighter trails or shorter day hikes, they may just be perfect for your needs.
Performance Comparison
Traction
These hiking boots make use of Columbia’s Omni-Grip rubber soles which did handle well in some scenarios. We hiked in these boots on a variety of trails and where they excelled themselves was on better maintained trails. Where they started to struggle was on alpine ascents, especially when it had been raining and rocks were naturally more slippery.
It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that they’re not really designed as a full alpine hiking boot, like some of the more technical hiking boots in our hiking boot reviews. If you’re new to hiking, though, you will likely find that these hiking boots give you the start you need to find out what interests you and get exploring.
Breathability
The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus hiking boots for women come equipped with Omni-Tech which is the brand’s version of a breathable membrane that claims to be both waterproof and breathable. We didn’t find these hiking boots to be some of the more breathable options we’d tried. Of course, they are waterproof and will never be as breathable as a fully synthetic pair.
That said, for the price point, and for many people they will provide enough breathability. If you live somewhere that doesn’t get particularly hot or sees a lot of rain, then these hiking boots will be a good option for you. However, if budget isn’t your main concern, a similar pair of hiking boots that give much more in terms of breathability and waterproofing too are the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX which we think present a much more long lasting option.
Ankle Support
Like most over the ankle hiking boots, the Columbia Newton Ridge offers a fairly good level of ankle support and protection. We found that it’s possible to get a tight grip in terms of lacing around the upper section of the boot around the ankle which gives a secure and snug feel when you’re wearing. This helps massively with trail confidence and means that you’re less likely to experience ankle rolls or more serious injuries.
The leather construction used on these hiking boots is rigid but also does have flex, so they aren’t going to give you an ultimately non moveable feel, but they do feel robust enough.
Arch Support
These boots offer what we’d call a mild to moderate arch support which will work well for the majority of hikers and foot types. One thing that you cannot deny with these hiking boots is their comfort and that in part comes from their extremely supportive mid sole thanks to their Tech-Lite mid sole.
However, if you do find yourself needing that bit extra support or have high arches, you may want to consider replacing the insoles to these hiking boots with a pair better suited to your needs. These can be picked up inexpensively from most drug stores or online.
See the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped in more detail:
Fit
Before testing, we noted that it had been said that these hiking boots can and do run a little smaller. Generally, it’s recommended to size up by a half size if possible. We followed this advice and ordered a half size larger and found that this fitted pretty much perfectly.
They feel like the fit is intended for those with normal to slightly wider feet – but some people have remarked that they feel a little tight or narrow – so it really does seem that they’re a little divisive here. It’s important to remember that everybody’s feet are different, so of course there will be variations, but if you’re concerned, it’s worth going up a half size for a generally assured fit.
Materials
The upper of these hiking boots is made of a pretty much one piece leather construction, which means they are fairly durable in this regard (and this also helps with waterproofing as these is very little in the way of seams on show). They also use synthetics and rubber in their construction. So, if you’re looking for a vegan hiking boot, this one isn’t for you, and it may be best to opt for a boot that offers an entirely plant based construction.
Unfortunately, this often comes at a price, and will cost you more than the price point of these hiking boots. We’d recommend the Hoka Trail Code as an entirely vegan suited option. We hope to see a vegan option that is worthy of investment at a lower price point soon!
Appearance
The Columbia Newton Ridge isn’t the most exciting looking hiking boot on the market. It also isn’t the most boring. It has a similar look to a really traditional hiking boot, and we think Columbia are aiming for that kind of iconic look with their design here.
It does feel very similar in look to the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX which, given the Mountain 600 Leaf is based on one of Danner’s most iconic and long lasting designs, suggests that Columbia have likely taken some of their design cues for the Newton Ridge from this boot.
One thing we did love about this boot’s appearance is the fact that after testing, it didn’t show a lot of signs of wear and tear, meaning that if you look after it, there’s a really strong chance it could stay looking good for some time.
Durability
We did have some concerns when it comes to the durability of these hiking boots. They’re at the more budget end of the market and that generally means a reduction in long lasting materials. That doesn’t mean they’re just going to fall apart, but it is important to remember that they are unlikely to last forever (and nor should you really expect them to).
If you’re newer to hiking or simply want a pair of hiking boots for well-maintained trails, or don’t plan to be out all the time – maybe only hiking once a week or similar, you will likely find that they offer you all you need in terms of durability, especially if you look after them.
Sustainability
Columbia don’t say very much about the sustainability credentials of the Women’s Newton Ridge, however due to the fact that the durability of these hiking boots may be a little quick to show through for some hikers, you may find yourself buying a new pair of boots earlier than more expensive models in our reviews.
Water Resistance
These hiking boots have very little in the way of seams and other areas that could let in water. The upper seems to be pretty much one continuous piece of leather/suede which does help the boots waterproofing quite a bit.
They stand up pretty well to shallow puddles and heavy rain, but we wouldn’t advise to wade through a stream in them as there are areas where water can enter around the tongue. For most uses, this will be absolutely fine. If you paired these with waterproof pants and gaiters, you would have a very good solution for keeping you well protected against water.
Weight
The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus hiking boots for women are relatively lightweight, and they feel it when you’re wearing them. Coming in at 791g/1.8lbs per pair they aren’t the lightest pair in our reviews, but they are very far away from being the heaviest. We feel this is achieved by a less rigid mid sole and outsole, as this is more flexible.
They feel great to wear all day and we have not experienced trail fatigue in these boots.
Insoles
These hiking boots come with a standard insole – much the same as many hiking boots on the market right now. This will be suitable for most hikers, but if you do have any specific concerns or needs, you can replace the insoles easily and expensively for a pair more catered to you. These can be found inexpensively online and add very little to the overall cost of these boots.
Break-in Period
Something we remarked on is just how comfortable the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Women’s hiking boots are straight out of the box. They didn’t really need a wear in period, and we felt confident taking them out on the trail pretty much straight away.
That said, you should always wear your new hiking boots on some test hikes and shorter trails before you take them out for longer days outdoors – just to be sure. There is nothing worse than uncomfortable feet and it can ruin that adventure you were looking forward to!
Lacing System
These hiking boots come with a standard lacing system which can be used to control the fit pretty well with various different lacing patterns depending on your foot type. When testing the laces, these boots seem to keep their grip and hold well, even on uphill and downhills. They’re also easy to loosen and tighten mid trail for extra support in differing situation.
They make use of a metal clip style ring for holding the laces, which is a pretty traditional design. It’s also a really robust, well tested design, so this is one area where the durability of these hiking boots stands up well.
Toe Protection
The Newton Ridge Plus uses a rubberized toe rand – similar to most hiking boots – for its toe protection. There is also a decent level of cushioning internally around the front of the foot which works together to create a comfortable feel.
They perform really well against scuffs and bumps on the trail, and you won’t feel a stubbed toe if you accidentally ram your foot into a tree root or similar. That said, if going up and down steep surfaces, you can feel a little tension around the toe area due to your feet being scrunched up to the front. In the majority of circumstances this will be ok, but it’s something to be aware of.
Conclusion
The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof are a good pair of general walking boots. They are comfortable straight from the box, have a decent level of waterproofing and come in at a very attractive price point.
If you’re looking for boots suited to occasional hiking on better-maintained trails, or general nature walking, then these boots are well worth considering – especially so if you want to stick to a budget.
However, if you have ambitions to head off more developed trails either into the back country or onto more technical terrain, then we think you’ll rapidly find the limits of these boots and there are other options – such as the (admittedly more expensive) Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX – that would likely serve you better.
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