REASONS TO BUY
Soft liner
Lightweight
Decent traction
Tough nylon upper
Cushy PU footbed
REASONS TO AVOID
Runs small
Not as warm as others
Columbia Minx Shorty III Review
This is a comfortable and durable boot meant for casual use but isn't quite warm enough for the coldest weather
The boot had surprisingly good traction on snowy surfaces, but the lugs had a hard time gripping icier surfaces, including this rock!
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
RELATED: The Best Winter Boots for Women
Our Verdict
The Columbia Minx Shorty III is one of the more affordable options in our lineup that offers lightweight comfort and warmth in milder weather conditions. While not necessarily designed for heavy recreational use or ultra-cold temps, this boot is capable of accomplishing casual winter activities both on and off the trail. Though it doesn't excel in any one area, it's a solid boot that you can wear just about anywhere, and one we would recommend to those who want one boot to do it all without breaking the bank. If your winters are on the mild side and you want to be stylish, this is a solid choice.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Columbia Minx Shorty III | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||||
| Price | $83.59 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $159.00 at Backcountry | $79.37 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $74.99 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $60 List $53.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A good boot for casual use with decent traction but isn't quite warm enough for colder winter climates | A robust, insulated, and waterproof boot designed for extreme cold, offering exceptional warmth and durability for winter expeditions | Not the most durable or fashionable, but this boot is warm, snowproof, easy to use, and has solid traction | An affordably priced boot that is comfortable and lightweight but is of lower quality and has limited traction, stability, and insulation | A stylish casual boot that provides good coverage and excellent value but falls short in the ankle support department |
| Rating Categories | Columbia Minx Short... | The North Face Chil... | Kamik Momentum 3 | Columbia Ice Maiden II | Dream Pairs Mid Calf |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Weather Protection (25%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Columbia Minx Short... | The North Face Chil... | Kamik Momentum 3 | Columbia Ice Maiden II | Dream Pairs Mid Calf |
| Maximum Puddle Depth Before Major Leaking | 4" | 8.5 | 3" | 5" | 5" |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 1 lb 4 oz (size 7) | 3 lb (size 9) | 2 lb 10 oz (size 9) | 2 lb 4 oz (size 9) | 2 lb 8 oz (size 9) |
| Measured Shaft Height (from bottom of sole to top of shaft) | 6.5" | 8.5" | 9" | 10" | 10.5" |
| Lining/Insulation | Omni-Heat reflective | 400 G Heatseeker Eco Insulation, collar lined with high pile fleece | Synthetic Heat-MX Insulation | Synthetic (200g), plush faux fur collar | 200g thermalist insulation, faux sherpa detail and knitted opening |
| Type of Boot | Casual winter wear | Winter hiking | Casual winter wear | Casual winter wear | Casual winter wear |
| Removable Liner | No | No | No | No | No |
| Footbed | Removable PU | Compression molded EVA | Removal EVA | Techlite | Not stated |
| Upper Material | Waterproof woven synthetic textile, suede | Full grain leather and suede | Waterproof nylon | Waterproof leather | Quilted fabric, |
| Toe Box | Nylon and rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Leather | Not stated. Assumed leather and rubber |
| Outsole | Omni-Grip rubber | Surface control rubber | ICEKISS rubber outsole | Omni-Grip nonmarking traction rubber | Rubber |
| Company Claimed Cold Weather Rating | -25°F | Not stated | -40 °F | -25°F | -32°C/-25°F |
| Animal Products | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 | 5-11 | 5 - 11 | 5 - 12 | 5-12 |
| Features | D ring at bottom of tongue for gaiter attachment, web looping at heel. Heal clip for snowhoe compatibility . Webbing loop at heel. | available in standard and wide sizing. Avaialble in 5 colors | Available in 4 colors |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Minx Shorty III has several redeeming qualities that make it a one-quiver option for those who don't want to break the bank on a new winter boot. It is lightweight, stylish, and comfortable with an Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining backed by 200g of insulation that adds a cozy feel to the interior. The lugs performed surprisingly well on most terrain, and the upper is made of tough, abrasion-resistant nylon. The two hangups that kept us from loving this boot were the tight fit and the liner that did not live up to our warmth expectations compared with the rest of the lineup. Still, if you don't need something too warm and you're more focused on an affordable boot, the Minx Shorty III is a great option.
Heading uphill into the backyard after a storm, we tested the Minx Shorty III on a variety of slopes and snow conditions.
Credit: Guy Eriksen
Warmth
The Minx Shorty III boasts 200g synthetic insulation and a faux fur lining. The boot is temperature rated to -25°F / -32°C, however our feet began to feel cold at 15-20°F when stationary. Once moving uphill on a long hike, our feet felt sweaty at around 30°F. This tells us the boot can retain heat once moving, but the lining may not be the most breathable.
In our 15-minute ice bath test, the Minx Shorty III lost 9.7°F in temperature and then 24°F in our 2-hour snow bank exposure test. Both of these results were some of the highest temperature changes in the review and supported our initial observations of a lack of warmth, particularly in stationary settings.
The faux fur interior of the Minx Shorty III was very soft but unfortunately, did not lead the pack in warmth.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Weather Protection
The Omni-Tech waterproof, breathable, seam-sealed upper membrane delivers on weather protection. This boot seemed to shed snow instantly. We went for a jaunt in a knee-high field of fresh powder and found our feet were still warm and dry after half an hour. The only hangup is the low-profile coverage. The shaft height measures just 6.5 inches, which is not quite enough to keep snow out in deeper snow banks unless the boot is covered by gaiters. Some snow was crammed into the top of the cuff, creating a ring of moisture around our socks. We recommend tucking in snow pants to add coverage and keep your lower legs as dry as possible. Or, if you know you'll be navigating deeper snow, the Minx is also available in a taller Mid height.
In our water submergence test, we stepped into Donner Lake in Truckee, CA, to test how well the Minx Shorty III could seal out water. Water entered the boot at 4 inches, likely seeping in through the front tongue. Afterward, water shed quickly from the nylon upper. We felt pleased with these results — the boot doesn't look ultra waterproof, but it is entirely capable of keeping the feet dry when things aren't too deep.
The faux fur lining actually helped to clump snow on the collar of the boot and keep it from entering the interior.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Comfort and Fit
The Minx Shorty has a fashionable, low-profile fit with a cozy faux fur interior that's easy to slip in and out of. When new, the fit feels tight in thicker winter socks, even for someone with narrow feet. The heel pocket also feels a little tight compared to a roomier fit in the shin and ankle areas. Someone with a wider foot would likely find this boot to be too snug or straight-up uncomfortable. However, once we started to move around, we didn't notice these drawbacks as much, and over time, the fit loosened up.
Our feet felt a bit suffocated when we wore thick socks with this boot, even though the weather required the extra warmth.
Credit: Guy Eriksen
The PU footbed on the Minx was one of the redeeming qualities of the fit. This footbed had the most cushion out of any footbed in the lineup, and it felt super supportive under the arch, which we loved. All around, the fit isn't perfect, but it has some redeeming qualities.
Despite a tight fit, the PU footbed in the Minx Shorty III was one of the thickest and most supportive of the entire review lineup.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Traction
We were surprised by the traction capabilities of this boot out in the field. The Omni-Grip rubber lugs seemed minimal compared to more aggressive lug patterns on other boots in our lineup. But lo and behold, these small triangular lugs remained stable throughout shoveling sessions, slippery stair ascents, and hikes out into shin-high fields of snow. This boot did not handle icy surfaces well, though it performed better than some of the flatter lug profiles in this review.
The tripod shaped lugs on the Minx Shorty III are small compared to some of the other lug shapes in this lineup, but they turned out to be tiny and mighty.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Durability
At first glance, the nylon upper of the Minx Shorty is seemingly unstructured. However, the triple seam-sealed upper has a high-grade denier nylon that's tough and impermeable. We thrashed the boot against branches, rocks, and pavement to test the exterior's durability and found that the nylon resisted abrasions and all seams remained intact. The boot experienced little scuffing aside from color wear during our testing. We were impressed!
There was very minimal scratching and scuffing on the upper after smashing the boot against rocks, trees, ice, and pavement.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
Should You Buy the Columbia Minx Shorty III?
We feel this boot is priced competitively with similar styles in our review. We recommend this model if you're looking for one boot to do it all this winter without breaking the bank. It is both functional and comfortable, with good coverage and grip. The Minx is a solid product and will get you through several winter seasons.
A stylish, cozy, and lightweight little boot that we enjoyed but didn't excel beyond other boots in this review.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?
If you like the price of the Minx Shorty III, you may want to reach for the Columbia Ice Maiden II. It has a very similar fit and feel, and while it is lackluster in the warmth department, it is a decent boot for an affordable price.
If the Minx Shorty III isn't for you, there's a ton of other options to explore.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain
—Liz Chamberlain
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