Our verdict
updated Mar 11, 2023 Columbia is a dependable companion to have around. Armed with technologies that blur the divide between urban and backcountry, this piece has you covered with more than enough surefootedness on top of extraordinary comfort. It's also light both on feet and your wallet, making it among Columbia's must-haves.
Pros
- Cloud-like comfort
- Exceptionally grippy
- Supportive arch (women's version)
- Among the cheapest Columbia kicks
- Why trust us
- Quite light
- Breezy confines
Cons
- Frail eyelets
- Somewhat narrow toe box (men's)
Who should buy the Columbia Flow Centre
Apr 25, 2022:
- The trails you tackle have soft-soiled parts.
- You're looking for an inexpensive boot that you can wear both on moderately rugged trails and city pavements.
- Who should buy the Columbia Flow Centre.
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You prefer to reach the end of the trail as fast as possible, minus the sweaty feet Danner Skyridge Columbia hiking shoes Top 25% in instead.
Exceptional comfort level from the box
Hikers in droves find the Columbia Flow Centre immensely comfy right from the get-go. Some of them even refer to the experience as "like walking on clouds."
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This Columbia hiker provides superb slip and skid resistance, according to many. Its opposing lugs make ascents and descents safe.
Top 25% in
Many female trail-goers find the Flow Centre remarkably supportive, particularly around the arch.
Lighter than most of its kind
The shoe's top eyelets tear easily, according to adventurers from both gender camps.
Rather tight around the toes (men's variant)
There are those who say that the men's Flow Centre has a tad narrow toe box.
A real delight price-wise
With its minimum asking price of $100, this hiker from Columbia is quite affordable.
Built extra light yet protective, the Flow Centre might be for you if
With an average of 360 g per shoe, this day hiking boot is one of the lightest hiking boots out there. Case in point: most mid-top trail kicks weigh about 500 g per boot.
Altra Lone Peak Hiker
Supportive arch womens version.
Columbia Flow Centre
Columbia Flow Centre We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us in this head-to-head. Their differences are as follows:
Outsole. Between the two Columbia boots, only the Flow Centre has a heel brake. This feature, along with the Flow Centre's aggressive lugs, is extra useful when tackling slippery descents.
Water protection. Engineered with Omni-Tech, the Trailstorm Mid Waterproof provides up to three inches of waterproofing from the ground up. The Flow Centre, on the other hand, is completely non-waterproof.
Price. The Flow Centre is cheaper than its rival by roughly $10.
Lightness. The Trailstorm Mid Waterproof is lighter than the Flow Centre by approximately 40 g per shoe.
TAKEAWAY: For sunny adventures where the terrain can get loose and tricky, opt for the toothier Flow Centre. If you prefer hiking on manicured trails in wet conditions, you can't go wrong with the slightly pricier yet lighter Trailstorm Mid Waterproof.