REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Comfortable
Good for a wide foot
Simple design
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks breathability
Lacks support underfoot
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped - Women's Review
A simple leather boot designed with comfort in mind, ideal for the beginner hiker
We were pleased by how quickly water beaded off of the leather uppers of this pair of Columbia boots.
Credit: Eric Bissell
RELATED: Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2024
Our Verdict
At first glance, the women's Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped boots are some of the most traditional-looking in our review of women's hiking boots. Brown leather uppers, bright red laces, and clunky-looking soles bring Paul Bunyan to mind. After wearing them around a bit, we found these boots to be some of the most comfortable right out of the box. They break in quickly and are great for shorter hikes or if you're just getting into hiking. They also come at an excellent price. Because they are mostly leather and quite sturdy, they lack the breathability that is helpful on longer, more strenuous outings.
Compare to Similar Products
| Awards |  Best Overall Women's Hiking Boots |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best Hiking Boot Under $100 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $47.90 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $145.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 3 sellers | $59.83 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $59.88 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $67 List $49.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | These boots shine on short, moderate hikes with their stylish, classic looks and simple design | While less supportive than a traditional leather hiker, these boots excel in comfort and agility while saving weight | A great choice for day hikes and moderate backpacking trips, these boots lack support and padding for shouldering heavier loads on extended trips | This hiking boot offers impressive performance in exchange for a modest price tag | This boot features a very cheap design that lacks comfort, ankle support, and durability |
| Rating Categories | Columbia Newton Rid... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Columbia Crestwood... | NORTIV 8 Waterproof... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Columbia Newton Rid... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Columbia Crestwood... | NORTIV 8 Waterproof... |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 1.75 lbs (size 7.5) | 1.68 lbs (size EU 40) | 2.06 lbs (size 8) | 1.80 lbs (size 8.5) | 2.02 lbs (size 8.5) |
| Upper | Leather, suede, mesh | AirMesh, microfiber, TPU | Leather, mesh | Leather, mesh and webbing | Suede |
| Width Options | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | Omni-Tech | Gore-Tex | Waterproof membrane | Omni-Tech | Yes, not specified |
| Midsole | Techlite | MEMlex | Super Rebound Compound | TechLite | Shock Absorbent MD |
| Heel Height | 1.5" | 1.8" | 2.0" | 1.5" | 2.0" |
| Shaft Height | 4.5" | 5.0" | 4.9" | 5.0" | 5.5" |
| Sole | Omni-Grip | FriXion XF 2.0 Rubber | Vibram TC5+ | Omni-Grip | Rubber |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Newton Ridge received its highest scores in the comfort, weight, and water resistance metrics. These boots are comfortable for wearing around town or on shorter hikes, as opposed to long, technical outings.
Performance Comparison
We found these boots to be some of the most comfortable in this review, unfortunately this meant that they lacked support.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Comfort
Where the Columbia Newton Ridge shines is in the comfort metric. These boots are some of the most comfortable we tested right out of the box. Though they look like they would be stiff and hard to break in with all that leather, we discovered quite the opposite. They take very little time to break in and lack the stiffness that other mostly-leather boots have. This can be a huge plus initially regarding comfort, but we found that on longer hikes, the Newton Ridge did not provide the level of support, and thus comfort, we are used to. Though comfortable, they're not designed for rugged or long outings.
Lacing up the Newton Ridge's for a day on the trail.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Support
Regarding support, the Columbia Newton Ridge boots are decent, but not exceptional. When we tested the rigidity of the soles (by twisting them laterally between two hands, the boots did not hold their shape at all. This implies a flexible, and thus less supportive, sole. It also means that the boots have a decent amount of flex in the forefoot.
The red laces on the Newton Ridges pop, but they don't provide that much ankle support, even when cinched down tight.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Traction
The Omni-Grip rubber soles on the Newton Ridges provide some traction on moderately rocky trails, but these boots do not perform very well on technical hikes or when scrambling off-trail. This is okay since they're designed for shorter, more moderate hikes; just expect them to be somewhat slippery on granite slabs and talus.
The Newton Ridge does not provide the level of traction and stability comparable to other boots in this review.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Water Resistance
Here, the Newton Ridge performed surprisingly well. These boots have very few seams since the upper consists of almost entirely one piece of leather. Columbia claims that the boots are waterproof and seam-sealed, and as far as we could tell, they held up to this claim. After being fully submerged, water will start to leak in through the tongue, but for puddles and rainy hikes, the Newton Ridge will keep your feet quite dry.
Though the leather uppers kept our feet dry, water did eventually leak in through the tongue when the boots were fully submerged.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Weight
Weighing in at 1.75 pounds, the Columbia Newton Ridge falls into the middle of the pack in this metric.
Durability
Throughout our three-month test of women's hiking boots, the Columbia Newton Ridge showed very little sign of wear and tear. The leather uppers are durable, none of the seams blew out, and the soles remained intact. That said, these boots are much less expensive than the majority of the models in this review, and unfortunately, that means that they will probably wear out faster. The construction is just not meant to last as long as that of a heavy-duty, full-leather leather upper. That said, for those just getting into hiking or planning on using these boots for occasional or moderate outings, the Newton Ridge is a great option.
The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus is a photogenic pair!
Credit: Eric Bissell
Should You Buy the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus?
The price is hard to beat for an ankle-high, leather, waterproof boot. They're stylish and comfortable and a great boot for those who are not planning on logging tons of miles on the trail. Though we think these are a good bargain for an introductory hiking boot, they're not on the performance level of the high-end models we reviewed.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
If you're willing to shell out a little extra money for a higher-performing and longer-lasting boot, check out the Keen Targhee III Mid or the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid, both of which offer more traction and are more comfortable and supportive.
—Jane Jackson
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