Women’s Columbia Minx Shorty IV Winter Boot Review

Bottom Line

The Columbia Minx Shorty IV boots are one of our favorite models for everyday use. We love how comfortable these boots are for all-day wear, thanks to their remarkable customization options. They feel light on the feet and cozy. After a long day at work, we experienced no foot fatigue.

The traction is effective for use around town, and while they aren’t the warmest we tested, this actually benefits wearing them in the car or indoors. Buyers should note that these boots are water-resistant rather than waterproof. They’re fine for walking through the occasional puddle, but they will eventually soak up moisture, leading to wet feet.

We truly enjoy wearing these boots; they often top our list of women’s winter boots for outings. Coupled with a price tag much lower than most of the boots we tested, these boots are an excellent choice for casual use.

How We Tested

Our primary gear tester mainly wore these boots back and forth to their office job, which involved being on their feet the majority of the day. They were also used for walking dogs in the early morning, running errands, and on trips to visit friends. Our tester lives in a mountain town where nighttime temperatures consistently drop into the twenties during the winter, with occasional snowfall.

Weight

The Columbia Minx Shorty is light on both the feet and the scale. When we weighed one of these boots on a kitchen scale, it came in at 13 ounces or 0.8 pounds. These results make it the lightest boot in our lineup, which is no small feat for a piece of winter gear.

During testing, we found that this boot also feels featherlight. On our feet, the Minx Shorty is more minimalistic compared to the other boots we tried and feels more like wearing taller slippers. The sole is minimal, with most of the boot made of fabric, which adds to that sensation.

Overall, we truly appreciate how light this boot is because it makes it easier and more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

Water Resistance

We would classify the Minx Shorty boots as water-resistant rather than waterproof. When we placed these boots in a bathtub filled with several inches of water, they wet out after about 45 minutes. The fabric itself absorbed the water in one area instead of the water seeping in at the laces. The downside is that it also took these boots several days to dry out once they got wet, which is something users should keep in mind.

The good news is that these boots were fully submerged for 45 minutes. This means that users who are just walking through the occasional puddle while shopping or walking the dogs should have enough water resistance to stay dry.

Warmth

There are many things we love about these boots, but warmth isn’t one of them. During our side-by-side comparison test, we placed the boots in a shady snow drift and used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature inside every five minutes for half an hour. At its lowest point, the temperature inside dropped to 31.3°F, which is certainly going to be chilly on the toes.

However, it’s important to note that body heat and sock insulation can help keep the boots warmer. They simply won’t be as comfortable in extreme temperatures compared to other boots we tested.

On the positive side, these boots are better suited for frequent transitions between indoor and outdoor environments. While wearing them inside at an office job, our tester found them comfortable enough to wear all day. Their feet did not overheat while walking around in a temperature-controlled space. Considering the intended use can help buyers better understand these metrics.

Comfort

Comfort is an area where the Columbia Minx Shorty boots truly excel due to their many adjustable features. Since comfort is a highly subjective metric for feet, we assessed how many features each boot offered to customize the fit for our ranking system. In the case of the Minx Shorty boots, there are numerous features that make them comfortable for various wearers. They come in sizes five through twelve, have half-sizing options, and are additionally available with a wide toe box. This increases the likelihood that the shoe will perfectly fit the buyer’s foot.

Like other boots we tested, they include a removable insert, allowing for the use of custom orthotics if desired. We found the faux fur lining in these boots to be cozy, and the laces enable adjustment of the boot’s tightness.

During our field tests, we discovered that they were incredibly comfortable for all-day wear. They became one of our top choices, as even after standing in them for nine hours, there were no signs of foot fatigue.

Traction

The Minx Shorty offers mediocre traction due to its smaller tread. When we placed one of these boots on our traction testing device, they stayed on until the angle reached an average slope before slipping off.

However, the size and shape of the tread are somewhat below average. Generally, a larger surface area provides better tread, as it creates more friction with the ground. The tread design on the Minx Shorty boots have a pattern that increases contact with the ground, but there are not as many raised sections as some of the other boots we tested.

We found these boots to be sufficient for walking on flat surfaces and packed snow, but they might not perform as well as some others in icy conditions or on steeper hills.

Should You Buy the Columbia Minx Shorty IV winter Boots?

The performance of the Minx Shorty boots makes them incredibly well-suited for some activities but not as great for others. We really liked these boots for everyday use during casual activities such as working, walking around town, or running errands. They are comfortable to wear, easy to put on and take off, and light on the feet.

That said, they are not as well-suited for more intense activities like long hikes in the snow because they are more likely to get wet or become cold in low temperatures.

What Other Women’s Winter Boots Should You Consider?

We tested a wide variety of boots with many different looks, shapes, and features. Here are a few of the other models that we like for casual use.

Columbia Ice Maiden II Review: The Ice Maiden has a very similar look, feel, and performance to the Minx Shorty. One of the biggest and most obvious differences is that this boot is taller which means it weighs slightly more. Water resistance, comfort features, and warmth are all about the same for both of these boots. The Minx Shorty has a bit better traction. 

Blundstone Thermal Chelsea Review: The Blundstone Thermal Chelsea is another one of our favorites for casual use. While it doesn’t have as many comfort features, it is warmer and has better water resistance. These boots are easy to slip on and off, though the lower top means it is easier for snow to get into these boots.

UGG Adirondack III Review: The Adirondacks blend fashion and function thanks to a versatile design. These boots are warm due to their wool lining and waterproof. They lasted the entire two hours during our submersion test. While they are heavier than the Minx Shorty, they perform respectably in every category we tested them making them a great all around winter boot option.