Columbia Men's Vitesse Hiking Shoe

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!!

Comfy shoes, look nice too & have good grip.They are slighty on the narrow size, hopefuuly they will give a bit over time.Fit is true to size, not leaked as yet on the endless dog walks, & give you confidence when you're on muddy & wet grass.Good buy

Been struggling with footwear after a stroke left me with a bad limp tried all kinds of shoes and trainers,couldn’t believe it when I put these on so light and comfortable,definitely help me to walk better

I’ve had these for 4 years now and worn them pretty much constantly both for everyday use and longer walks. Very comfortable, and only recently after 4 years did I notice them leaking a bit on a very marshy walk over Dartmoor. Soles have worn a little, but not as much as I’d expect from the use they’ve had. So I’ll be buying another pair. Excellent value and very well made.

Month 5 Update.For the last few months, I mostly use this shoe one day week and I was very happy until I noticed damage to the shoe inner lining. Shoe inner lining ripped on one of the shoes. I am thinking Columbia used cheap material for the lining. Sole still holding well. Very comfortable. Downgraded rating from 5 to 3 stars due durability issues and I would not be able to get a replacement.____________________________________For last one year or so, I was on a hunt for a comfortable shoe for walking around which is waterproof and good looking. Finally I found a good one which is 90% comfortable when compared to Adidas pure boost running shoe. This shoe is well padded and good grip.

9.5 UK Fits perfectly with my wide size 9 UK feet. I used to buy 10 UK and tie them tightly but as I've grown up, my ego has receded a little.They look a little plain and straight-laced, as it were, but they might get overlooked if you fancy wearing something comfortable to work and don't feel like trapping your feet between the gentle bondage of leather upper and rubber sole. Speaking of which, the soles on these are very comfortable and make walking a few miles or just standing on your feet all day a breeze.I wouldn't go so far as to say the soles are bouncy like some well known comfort trainers that inevitably wear out after six months. No, these look like they will last the distance.They claim to be both breathable and waterproof which to my mind sounds like nonsense but I'm not a scientist... To that end, I can say that having worn them on a hot summer day and having the sun shine directly on them my feet got very warm and I had to move my foot into the shade. That said, my feet were not sweaty so perhaps that's something. It also indicates that perhaps I should steer away from puddles lest I push the boundaries of science and technology to its limits.So I can't say I've pushed these to the fullest (63km / 37 miles last week) but they have held up nicely, took no breaking in, averaging 9km a day, I didn't even think about taking it steady on day one and once I had the laces tightened correctly on my left shoe, I was foot loose and fancy free, as it were.