Columbia Men's Vertisol Trail Hiking Shoes

When I first unboxed these shoes, the immediate impression was clear: this isn't your traditional heavy-duty hiking boot. If you're searching for the rugged, overbuilt feel of classic trail footwear, you'll want to look elsewhere. These shoes feel distinctly more geared toward casual wear and light trail exploration than demanding backcountry treks. The most notable difference is the material construction. The upper is dominated by a highly breathable, meshy material—a departure from the thick leather or stiff, reinforced synthetic uppers found on true hiking workhorses. This design choice grants exceptional flexibility and airflow, making them wonderfully comfortable for all-day wear, especially in warmer conditions. However, this also means they lack the robust structure and ankle support needed for carrying heavy packs or navigating aggressive, rocky terrain. Wearing them is akin to putting on a slightly more supportive athletic shoe; they are wonderfully lightweight and require zero break-in time. For pavement, parks, and well-maintained dirt paths, they are perfect. But for anything that qualifies as heavy hiking, the material simply doesn't offer the durability or protection required. They are best suited for the walker who occasionally dips onto a gentle trail, valuing comfort and a sneaker-like feel over the sheer ruggedness of a traditional boot.

Very nice shoes. Comfortable. Fits perfectly. Breathable.

Most comfortable shoes ever!! Standing all day on concrete can’t recommend anything better than these shoes. They have great support and so comfy and soft my feet are not tired and hurting after a 12 hour day.

I bought these for my boyfriend for Christmas and was nervous that they wouldn’t fit. He said they had plenty of room and were extremely comfortable!

Great

Comfortable, more than average padding but not hooka brand soles. A good color to wear with casual clothing without looking a gym shoe. Laces were too short. Swamped them out

I have struggled my entire life to find shoes that don't hurt my bad knees. I have very flexible feet which combined with the bad knees results in strain on my knees if the arch support isn't right. Even with orthotics there are few shoes I've ever found that worked. I usually try a bunch of shoes and settle on the pair that hurt my knees the least. This was a first in my life, it was the first pair of shoes I tried and they fit extremely well. I was replacing an older pair of Columbia shoes that I wore until they were falling apart. I wore those every day for about 4 years before wear and tear caught up with them. If these hold up as well I probably am good for another 4 years or so.

My friend has been wearing these Columbia trail shoes for over a year now, and as a full-time truck driver, I put them through a lot-walking on all kinds of surfaces, climbing in and out of the cab, and dealing with every kind of weather. These shoes have held up incredibly well! They're still as comfortable and supportive as the first day I put them on. The soles haven't worn down, the stitching is intact, and they still look great. I especially appreciate how breathable they are no funky smells even after long days on the road. If you need a pair of shoes that can handle tough conditions and keep your feet happy day after day, these are a solid choice. Columbia really nailed it with this one!