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The Columbia Minx Shorty IV stands out as a budget-friendly winter boot that delivers dependable comfort and adequate warmth for mild to moderate conditions. It's not built for extreme cold or rugged backcountry adventures, but it performs well for everyday winter wear — from errands around town to light walks on snowy trails. While it doesn't lead the pack in any single category, its versatility and affordability make it an appealing choice for those seeking a stylish, go-anywhere option that doesn't stretch the budget. If your winters are relatively mild and you want a cozy, fashionable boot, this one fits the bill.
REASONS TO BUY
Soft liner
Lightweight
Cushy footbed
REASONS TO AVOID
Not that warm
Not waterproof
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Minx Shorty IV packs a lot of value into an affordable winter boot, making it a strong all-around choice for those who want comfort and style without overspending. It's lightweight and easy to wear, featuring an Omni-Heat reflective lining and 200g of insulation that give the interior a cozy feel. The durable nylon upper resists abrasion, and the outsole lugs provided better traction than expected across varied terrain. The downsides is insulation falls short of the warmth offered by some competitors. Still, for mild winter climates and budget-conscious buyers, the Minx Shorty IV remains a dependable and stylish pick.
impressive comfort and style at a budget-friendly price
Credit: Sara James
Warmth
The Minx Shorty IV features 200g of synthetic insulation paired with a cozy faux-fur lining. While Columbia rates it to -25°F / -32°C, our testing told a different story. When standing still in 15–20°F conditions, our feet began to feel the chill, though they quickly warmed up—and even became sweaty—during uphill hikes around 30°F. This suggests the boot retains heat well during activity but lacks breathability for high-exertion use.
In controlled testing, the Minx Shorty IV showed a noticeable temperature drop during both short and extended cold exposure—among the most significant losses we observed. These results reinforced our real-world impressions: the boot struggles to retain warmth, especially when stationary in cold conditions. It is best suited for mild winter conditions or active use rather than long periods of inactivity in extreme cold.
The boot holds warmth effectively when you're on the move, but can feel stuffy during more active use.
Credit: Sara James
Weather Protection
The Omni-Tech waterproof, breathable, and seam-sealed membrane offers dependable defense against the elements. In our testing, the boot effortlessly repelled snow—even after a half-hour of trudging through knee-deep powder, our feet remained warm and completely dry. The only drawback is its lower 6.5-inch shaft height, which leaves it vulnerable to deeper snow sneaking in over the cuff. We noticed some accumulation at the top, resulting in a faint damp line around our socks. To maximize protection, we recommend tucking in your snow pants or pairing the boots with gaiters. For those who regularly tackle deeper snow, the Minx also comes in a taller mid-height version that provides added coverage.
Water entered around the 4-inch mark through the tongue area. Once removed from the water, the nylon upper shed moisture quickly and dried fast. Overall, we were impressed — while the boot doesn't appear highly waterproof at first glance, it performs well in shallow conditions and keeps feet comfortably dry during everyday winter use.
We were pleasantly surprised how waterproof these boots were given their nylon construction.
Credit: Sara James
Comfort and Fit
The Minx Shorty features a stylish, low-cut silhouette with a plush faux-fur lining that makes it easy to slip on and off. We found this shoe to fit true to size and comfortable to wear right out the box without requiring any break-in time.
The PU footbed on the Minx is one of its standout features when it comes to comfort. Among all the models we tested, it offered the most cushioning and delivered excellent arch support—a combination that made a noticeable difference during long days on our feet. While the overall fit isn't flawless, the plush, supportive footbed helps redeem it, adding a layer of comfort that elevates the boot's wearability.
The traction worked well on damp sandy trails.
Credit: Sara James
Traction
We were pleasantly surprised by this boot's traction in real-world testing. At first glance, the Omni-Grip rubber outsole—with its small, triangular lugs—appears less aggressive than those on many competitors.
However, it proved impressively stable during shoveling, climbing slick steps, and trekking through shin-deep snow. While it struggled on icy surfaces, its grip was still stronger than several models with flatter tread patterns in our lineup.
The lug depth isn't deep enough to really perform in very muddy conditions.
Credit: Sara James
Quality of Construction
At first glance, the nylon upper of the Minx Shorty appears soft and unstructured, but don't let that fool you. Its triple seam-sealed construction and high-denier nylon fabric are impressively tough and water-resistant.
During testing, we deliberately scraped the boot against branches, rocks, and pavement to gauge its resilience—and it passed with flying colors. The nylon resisted abrasions, the seams stayed perfectly sealed, and aside from minor color fading, the exterior showed almost no wear. We came away genuinely impressed by its durability and build quality.
The Minx Shorty IV offers a well-rounded blend of comfort, function, and value, making it a practical and affordable choice for everyday winter wear.
Credit: Sara James
Should You Buy the Columbia Minx Shorty IV?
We find this boot to be fairly priced compared to others in its class. It offers a nice balance of comfort, function, and value — ideal for anyone looking for one dependable pair to cover most winter needs without overspending. With solid traction, reliable weather protection, and everyday versatility, the Minx is a practical option built to last through several seasons of casual cold-weather wear.
If you are searching for some style and comfort in mild to moderate climates, the Minx is a great choice
Credit: Sara James
What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?
If you like the price of the Minx Shorty IV, you might also consider the Kamik Momentum 3. It isn't quite as comfortable or stylish, but it provides a similar fit, is warmer, and it's a solid budget-friendly option that delivers decent performance for everyday winter wear.
We found these boots comfortable to wear right out the box.
Credit: Sara James
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Columbia Minx Shorty IV - Women's versus top competing products:
