Kamik Momentum2 Review

A winter boot with excellent traction, cozy lining and a low price tag, the Momentum2 has a lot to offer. That said, it's not waterproof or easy to dry once it is wet, and the floppy construction made it hard to get on.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Kamik is a boot with many cozy features, including a faux-fur collar that holds in heat and a fleece lining that goes all the way to the toes. The sole is thick enough to insulate well from the freezing ground. Its performance in our ice bath tests is average. It lost around 21.2-degrees over the course of 20 minutes.

In our field tests, the nylon allowed cold to seep into the boot over time. So, while we recommend this boot for standing around in cold temperatures and for winter chores, in very cold weather, we might look for something a bit more protective.

Kamik claims warmth to -40 degrees, which we are not able to verify in our lower-forty-eight based testing. While warmth ratings can be very subjective, we're not convinced this boot will perform well down to -40 degrees. During our waterproofness tests, we felt a cold sensation emanating through the nylon while wearing the boot, even before they started leaking. This is unexpected for a boot rated to -40 degrees, which makes us wary of this claim.

Weather Protection

If you are walking through the driest and fluffiest of winter pow, the Momentum2, with a tall, 12.5-inch height and ample ruff of faux-fur, will keep you protected. Of all the boots we tested, it leaked the earliest and most dramatically in our lake test. In 5-inches of water both boots leaked through the nylon after only five minutes, the worst performer in this test. More troubling was how long the boots took to dry, taking them out of commission for several days. We do not recommend these boots for wet weather or deep slush puddles.

That said, snow does not get into the top of the boot easily. If you live in a drier climate or save this boot for cold and dry days, the Kamik performs really well.

Comfort & Fit

One thing we love about the Momentum2 is how the fleecy lining wraps around the ankles in a big fuzzy hug. The upper is very flexible and soft, adding an extra bit of coziness. This boot fits true to size, with ample room in the toe box for wiggling toes. If you have a narrow foot, you may need a thick pair of socks to keep your foot in place, as the lacing system does not allow for a precision fit. While the footbed doesn't provide much support, the sole is thick and comfortable enough to stand on for long periods of time.

The flip side of all this softness is that the boot is not very supportive, and we would not recommend this boot for hiking or use on technical trails.

Ease of Use

With a simple pull cord lacing system, this boot is one of the fastest to cinch tight and to pull off. Getting them on, however, is another matter. The fabric lining grabs onto your socks and slides down to gather under the heel. Since the lacing system doesn't allow the boot to open up wide, our testers struggled to get their feet comfortably in place. Lower volume feet fared better.

Additionally, the removable footbed tends to pull out with your foot, meaning we were always adjusting the insole before wearing. Nonetheless, if you are looking for quick removal, the Momentum2 is one of the fastest.

Traction

The Momentum2 out-performed many of the other boots in our traction tests, which was a big surprise. The ICEKISS dual-density rubber sole is sticky and grippy on slippery sidewalks and frozen patches of snow. Additionally, the deep lugs grab onto softer surfaces and snow with ease. For quick trips to the mailbox, errands around town, and short walks on the trail, this boot was a trusty fave when things got slippery.

However, this boot is not a great choice for hiking or all-day technical pursuits. It just doesn't offer a precise fit.

Value

The Momentum2 is quite inexpensive. If you need a boot with good traction and warmth that is quick to take off, it's not a terrible value. It isn't the warmest boot, it doesn't protect from wet weather, and isn't the look for everyone. But this is a solid, warm winter boot perfect to wear after skiing, shoveling the sidewalks, or even in a snowball fight.

Conclusion