The best hiking boots ensure that you never lose your balance on challenging trails and that your feet remain blister-free. As someone who loves the outdoors, the Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry sound right up my street on paper — and they almost lived up to my expectations in real-world use, too.
Rugged, highly waterproof, and grippy, the Tellurix Titanium OutDry is great for muddy and wet environments. There’s no break-in period, and after having worn them extensively, I haven’t had any blisters or sores on my feet. But they aren’t perfect. These boots aren’t particularly breathable, and the fit runs a little narrow. The design isn’t the best either.
Should you still buy them? Read my full Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry review to find out.
Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry review: Specs
Price |
|
Size availability (women’s) |
U.S. 5-12 U.K. 3-10 |
Size availability (men’s) |
U.S. 7-17 U.K. 6-14 |
Weight |
11.5 / 13 ounces per shoe (women’s / men’s) |
Colors (women’s) |
Poppy Red/Black, Ti Grey Steel/Marine Light, Cloud Gray/Charcoal, Black/Sea Ice |
Colors (men’s) |
Cloud Gray/Charcoal, Teal Chloride/Black, Black/Mountain Blue, Super Sonic/Black |
Material |
Synthetic, technical mesh upper, 20% recycled content |
Waterproofing |
Yes (OutDry, no Gore-Tex) |
Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry review: Price & availability
The Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry are decently priced hiking boots, retailing for $160 / £125 at Amazon or Columbia itself. They’re available in a range of sizes for men and women. Men can grab the boots in U.S. sizes 7 to 17, or U.K. sizes 6 to 14, while women can get the boots in U.S. sizes 5 to 12 and U.K. sizes 3 to 10, and half sizes are available for both.
Columbia sells the Tellurix Titanium OutDry in two types of fits: standard and wide (the latter available only in the U.S., though). I tried the standard fit and, as I’ll discuss shortly, I’d recommend getting the wide fit instead as the standard runs a little narrow. Columbia also says to size down by half as the boots “run a bit large.” Having tried the size seven boots, I didn’t feel the need to get a smaller pair, really, but if you’re having trouble with the size, Columbia accepts returns within 60 days of purchase.
The Tellurix Titanium OutDry comes in a variety of colors. Poppy Red/Black, Ti Grey Steel/Marine Light, Cloud Gray/Charcoal, and Black/Sea Ice for women, and Cloud Gray/Charcoal, Teal Chloride/Black, Black/Mountain Blue, and Super Sonic/Black for men.
The Tellurix Titanium OutDry are a little pricier than the Columbia Newton Alpine ($130) and the Merrell Moab Speed 2 ($140), and they cost about the same as the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof ($185). While the Tellurix Titanium OutDry boots are good, I’m not entirely convinced they’re worth the asking price. I’d recommend the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof instead, which are frequently on sale and upstage the Tellurix Titanium OutDry in nearly every way.
Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry review: Design & construction
Before I began testing the Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry, I’d been wearing my Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof for nearly nine months — and I’ve been itching to go back to them ever since. Personally, I’m not a massive fan of the Tellurix Titanium OutDry’s design, but take this with a grain of salt — beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say.
The Tellurix Titanium OutDry looks like a mix between traditional hiking boots and trail-running shoes, and they feature a very chunky sole, which makes them look a little like platforms. The overall design is fine, but it's the colors I take issue with. I tested the Ti Gray Steel/Marine Light model, which utilizes a light shade of gray for the body with teal accents — and those teal accents aren't subtle.
“You look like you stepped in a puddle of teal paint and it left a perfect mark,” is how one of my colleagues described the boots, and I couldn’t agree more. If you aren’t fond of how the Tellurix Titanium OutDry look in the photos but don’t mind the rest of the design, I’d recommend getting perhaps one of the black models instead.
Construction
The Tellurix Titanium OutDry are well-made hiking boots, and they feel durable and sturdy. Are they designed for all-year-round wear, though? Not particularly — I wouldn’t wear them in the summer. They’re made of a synthetic “technical performance mesh upper” which sounds breathable… but isn’t, and I’ll talk about this more in detail soon.
Speaking of the upper portion, there are two loops on the back for pulling the boots on and off your feet. I love it when shoes and boots have these, as I use them a lot for quick wear. The Tellarix Titanium OutDry features a Navic Fit lace system, which, according to Columbia, ensures a secure fit. I haven’t had any issues with the laces coming undone on long walks and hikes.
The Tellurix Titanium OutDry’s insoles and midsoles utilize Columbia’s Techlite+ cushioning, which feels bouncy and springy. The outsole is made from Vibram, and this material is known for its deep treads for providing grip on both wet and dry surfaces. Jargon, I know, but it definitely provides exceptional grip, which I’ll discuss in detail shortly.
All of these traits come together to deliver a pair of boots that feels long-lasting. Having extensively walked and hiked in them, I haven’t experienced any build issues or tears. They feel highly durable, similar to my Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof.
Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry review: Break-in & comfort
As I mentioned earlier, Columbia recommends getting half a size smaller than what you typically wear, as the Tellurix Titanium OutDry runs large. I didn’t have an issue with this, though, as size seven (the one I always go for) fit me perfectly.
But it’s important to note that the boots run a little narrow, so if you’re in the U.S., I’d recommend opting for the wide fit. I don’t have the most slender feet, but they aren’t very wide either, and even I felt like the standard fit was slightly tight. Similarly, the toe box doesn’t leave a lot of room for your digits. I didn’t find it painful as such, but it’s something to keep in mind before you buy the Tellurix Titanium OutDry. If that sounds like a dealbreaker, consider the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof or the Keen Targhee IV ($169).
On the plus side, the Tellurix Titanium OutDry don’t have a break-in period — and if you’re familiar with, say, Dr. Martens boots, you’ll know how much of a pain a break-in period can be. Fortunately, I was able to wear the Tellurix Titanium OutDry straight out of the box. I didn’t have any blisters, chafe, or bleeding, which is great (and what I’d expect from a pair of good hiking boots).
Comfort
If you’re after a pair of comfortable boots — so long as they fit your feet well — the Tellurix Titanium OutDry are it. I’ve worn them on trails, hikes, and city walks, and I haven’t complained about the comfort even once. These boots are super bouncy, thanks to the TechLite+ lightweight cushioning, and they felt like I had a literal spring in my step.
The longest I wore the Tellurix Titanium OutDry, at a stretch, was on a 10-hour trek, and I didn’t have any blisters or sore spots after. I like how lightweight the boots are as well, with each woman’s boot weighing 11.5 ounces (men’s 13 ounces). I didn’t feel much stress lifting up my feet, and didn’t find myself dragging them either. They’re ever-so slightly heavier than my Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof (10.98 ounces each), but the difference was hardly noticeable.
Warmth & breathability
As alluded to above, the Tellarix Titanium OutDry’s synthetic material isn’t exactly breathable, like the Columbia Newton Alpine. Having worn them during a U.K. heatwave where temperatures reached highs of 95° F / 35° C, my feet felt suffocated and like they were crying for air. I could feel sweat pooling up and escaping my socks, too. Just not a pleasant feeling. I ended up ditching them for my Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof for that week.
On the flipside, the Tellurix Titanium OutDry are great for cold weather. I went for an early morning walk where the temperature was 50° F / 10° C, and my feet felt warm, well-insulated, and comfortable. Of course, even in colder temperatures, my feet sweat on challenging hikes, and because the boots aren’t especially breathable, I could feel my sweaty socks. The sweat didn’t evaporate as quickly as it does when I wear my Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof.
Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry review: Performance
If you want a pair of boots solely for hiking, especially in cold or wet conditions, you can’t go wrong with the Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry. They’re grippy, flexible, supportive, and waterproof, and they were up to the challenge, regardless of the terrain. I walked and hiked over 35 miles in the boots on a variety of terrain in the U.K., including hills, city streets, rocky trails, and mossy woods.
Grip
The first thing I noticed after putting them on was just how grippy the Tellurix Titanium OutDry felt. The Vibram Megagrip outsole features 4.5mm multi-directional lugs (raised rubber projectors on the outsole), which provide great impact traction. On rocks and mossy trails, I didn’t lose any balance and was able to maintain a good grip on the ground.
Even on smooth, polished surfaces, I didn’t feel like I was losing grip on the ground. For instance, I was able to maintain my balance and didn’t even feel like I was walking on smooth and polished marble flooring in a fancy store. Similarly, recently rained-on boulders, which were as smooth as butter, felt like a walk in the park.
Support
The Tellarix Titanium OutDry offer great support, thanks to the Omni-MAX system which uses a heel-cradling midsole design to keep the foot centered and balanced on uneven ground. Like I mentioned in the earlier section, I didn’t slip or lose my balance even once. I didn’t experience any straining, regardless of the terrain I tackled.
Flex
The Terrulix Titanium OutDry offers lots of flex, especially in the forefoot. Columbia says the boots are designed as such to create a more efficient stride, and it certainly works. I found the Terrulix Titanium OutDry’s flex suitable for climbing steep hills and up elevated surfaces. I was able to find my footing easily as the boots didn’t feel stiff at all.
Waterproofing
The Tellurix Titanium OutDry is fully waterproof, even though they don’t utilize Gore-Tex, which is a household name for waterproofing tech. Instead, the boots utilize Columbia’s proprietary OutDry treatment, and this membrane is bonded to the outer shell to block moisture and keep your feet dry.
Even if you don’t live in the U.K., you’re probably aware that it rains a lot here. Shortly after the aforementioned heatwave, it became very stormy with heavy downpour, so I naturally wore the boots to test their waterproofing. I’ve been very impressed with it. Moisture and water didn’t seep through the boots even when I walked in the pouring rain and through puddles. On a hike, I walked through a stream too, and my feet remained bone dry. Nothing’s worse than soggy socks, am I right?
Columbia Tellurix Titanium Outdry review: Maintenance
Columbia has extensive instructions on how to maintain its shoes, and they’re easy to follow. To protect the Tellurix Titanium OutDry’s water repellent membrane, it’s recommended to clean and dry the boots before storing them, so that’s what I did after every muddy hike or wet walk.
As per the instructions, I ran clean, cold tap water over the Tellurix Titanium OutDry and cleaned them with a soft-bristle brush. To dry them completely, I removed the insoles to ensure every part of the boots was dry by leaving them in the shade. Columbia says to never leave your boots to dry in the direct sunlight — and don’t put them in a clothes dryer, either.
In case your Tellurix Titanium OutDry has oil, grease, or ink stains on it, you can use a mild dishwashing detergent or isopropyl alcohol to remove them. Stubborn stains can be removed by using a cotton cloth dipped in denatured alcohol and rubbing the stains, leaving them to dry, and then using a toothbrush or light-bristle brush to wipe them off. The boots can then be washed in warm water and left to dry.
Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry review: Verdict
The Columbia Tellurix Titanium OutDry are capable hiking boots that deliver strong performance where it matters most. They’re extremely grippy and supportive, and they’re highly waterproof, making them great for muddy trails and uneven terrain. The lightweight construction and responsive cushioning make them comfortable enough for long hikes, and there’s no breaking-in required.
However, the Tellurix Titanium OutDry falls just short of being outstanding. The standard fit runs narrow, and the wide models are available in the U.S. only. Breathability is another weakness, as the boots can become hot and sweaty in warm weather, limiting their versatility as an all-season option. Some of the brighter colorways may divide opinion, too.
At the end of the day, the Tellurix Titanium OutDry are dependable boots, but they face stiff competition from the likes of Keen. They’re good, yes, but you can get better value for your money elsewhere.
