Kamik Momentum Review

Hands-on Review of the Momentum

A winter boot with excellent traction, a low price tag, and ample warmth you say? Sold! For only $90. That said, it's not incredibly stylish, but it performs for winter use around town.

Warmth

This boot features 200-grams of 3M Thinsulate insulation coupled with a water-resistant nylon exterior. The interior is fully lined with a cozy, fleece material, and the sole is relatively thick. The collar is fur-lined, doing a great job of locking in warmth throughout the day. While this boot is an option if you need to stand around in cold temperatures all day, it's far from the warmest we reviewed. It scores about average in this metric.

The Kamik claims that this boot is rated to temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. While we couldn't find the temperatures to test this, we remain skeptical. This is partly because the Keen Durand Polar also claims to be rated to -40, and it is much warmer. The Durand features 400-grams of KEEN warm insulation. When comparing these boots in our cold water tests, the Keen provided much more warmth (and weather protection) overall. There are also other Pac boots like the Sorel Joan of Arctic and the Sorel Caribou that both proved to warmer than the Kamik.

All in all, the Kamik performs well in the cold and even into the double negative digits. It has a plethora of warmth features and is bound to keep you warm this winter.

Weather Protection

We are happy to report that this boot does keep feet protected from the elements for short periods of time. That said, during our slush and water tests, we learned that the nylon upper just doesn't cut it. We noticed leakage around the edge of the foot. The nylon seeps when it's saturated, making this boot unusable for climates that have super wet weather all the time.

That said, despite its performance flaws with water, it kept out drier snow and slush. With a shaft height of 12.5 inches and a faux fur collar, snow stays out. Overall, it performed well in a dry Colorado climate, but users seeking a boot that will perform in wet-climates should consider other options.

If you are seeking a boot that does exceptionally well in wet weather, Pac boots like the Sorel Joan of Arctic and Sorel Caribou are both great options. They are both waterproof with removable liners (unlike the Kamik Momentum). If you want a light boot with comparable weather protection, consider the cute Sorel Tofino II.

If you're more interested in a waterproof hiking boot, be sure to check out the Keen Durand Polar and the Oboz Bridger Insulated, two of the most weatherproof winter boots tested.

Comfort & Fit

This boot's comfort and fit are about average. It doesn't come in half sizes and we recommend sizing up if you're in between sizes. Unlike some boots that don't come with a host of comfort features, the Momentum has one of the coziest inner linings of the bunch. The lining is synthetic and super soft and touchable all the way down to the tip of the toe box.

The supple shaft allows the leg to move freely and is quite flexible. That said, it doesn't provide a whole lot of ankle support, and we wouldn't take it out on a day of hiking. The footbed also isn't the most supportive, but the boot and its liners hug the foot, giving it the illusion of support.

If you're searching for a super comfortable boot be sure to check out the North Face Shellista II, a shorter boot with a cozy knit collar. Like the Kamik, it is lightweight and not super bulky. That said, it's also not as warm, though it will keep you drier.

The boot is true to fit with a bit of a bulkier feel, despite its lower weight. The heel is not super fitted, nor is there a whole lot of arch support. There is a lot of volume in the forefoot that allows toes to splay and wiggle freely and accommodates thicker socks well. Our general thoughts on fit? It's not precise and is quite sloppy but works for running errands around town or shoveling the driveway.

For this reason, this boot may not be the best option for those who need to wear their winter boots day in and day out, both in and outside. For consistent use, we recommend something a little more breathable like the Best Buy boot, the Columbia Ice Maiden.

Ease of Use

The Momentum is a very easy boot to take on and off. It features a super simple elastic pull cord closure system and a rigid shaft that has you sliding your foot in and out easily. That said, we were often frustrated by the fact that the insole often slipped out when we pulled our foot out (especially with wet feet).

As a result, we found ourselves continually readjusting the insole before putting it back on. Other than the insole issues, you'll be out the door in seconds or in front of your fireplace in moments if you opt for the Momentum.

Traction

We were shocked when the Kamik out-performed many of its competitors in our traction tests. This model uses Kamik's Peak Winter outsole, and we found that it allowed us to cruise over icy patches, steep snow banks, and wet logs with relative ease. The lugs are huge and multi-directional. Also, the rubber is soft, adapting to colder and warmer temperatures.

Our only complaint in the traction category is that the less technical fit affected our overall stability. If you need traction and stability the Oboz Bridger 7" or the Columbia Bugaboot IV are great options.

Style

This model, unfortunately, lost the majority of its points in our style metric. Although it's not downright ugly by any means, this boot resembles a youth snow boot, or as one of our testers said, “an old ladies boot”. It doesn't use sophisticated materials (like leather or suede), and the elastic pull cord closure system just looks less mature than laces or even a slip-on design.

One interesting fact is that it did score high in our online-style poll, but when our testers got a good look at it up close, they quickly changed their mind about their initial thought on the boot. Overall, the boot looks bulky without any real stylish additions.

If you're in the market for a boot with more style, again, check out the North Face Shellista II. Our testers love to wear this boot around town and to work. Adding that extra zing to any mountain-chic outfit, it works well with a pair of skinny jeans and a cute sweater. The Keen Elsa also got many compliments on the street and featured a very different style than the Kamik Momentum. It's shorter, lighter, and just cuter overall.

Value

The Momentum is just $90, and one of the highest-value items in this review. If you don't mind this boot's adolescent styling and just need casual around-town footwear, this is a great option.

Conclusion