Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed Review

Editor rating: 9.3 / 10

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By Brian Price

Columbia has been making exceptional quality products for outdoor enthusiasts for over 80 years. Based out of Portland, Oregon, the company produces footwear, apparel, and other accessories to ensure that you stay protected no matter what adventure you are on. They are set apart from the rest thanks to their innovative gear and hardworking and passionate employees.

Their products are sold all around the world, and they are still going strong today. If you are someone who enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, golfing, running, or just about anything else done outdoors, then Columbia is sure to have a product that is right for you.

The Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed fishing shoes are just another one of their long line of products aimed to please those who enjoy being out in the fresh air. If you are a fisher and want a great pair of shoes that will not only look great but have decent functionality, then you have come to the right place. The water and stain resistant uppers combined with the drainage holes in the sole help keep your feet as dry as possible while donning a fishing rod.

They are pretty comfortable too, thanks mostly to the cushioned midsole and the extra layer of padding in the removable insole. The biggest downfall, however, is the sizing. They appear to run reasonably narrow, even in the wide sizes, so if you are wide feet, then they might not be the best fit for your feet. Overall, though, they are a great product and have an affordable price tag that many customers admire.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Great color choices
Stain and water resistant
Fantastic durability
Long-lasting comfort
Affordable price tag

Cons

Runs narrow in size

Can be difficult to put on

Uppers

The Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed shoes have varying uppers, depending on the color option you choose to purchase. They are available in either canvas or leather materials. Whichever you decide to go with you will get to take advantage of the fact that they feature Omni-Shield Blood 'n Guts water and stain resistant treatments. This essentially means that they are going to be protected against stains and water. Of course, if you submerge your feet into some water, you are going to get soaked, but a splash here or there or getting caught out in the rain will barely be an inconvenience. You are not going to have to worry too much about getting your shoes filthy either, as the stain resistant uppers will help keep them nice and clean for quite some time.

Breathability

As mentioned above, the fishing shoe is designed to be water resistant, but that does not mean that it is going to cause your feet to suffocate while you are wearing them. They have vented upper and a breathable textile lining to give you optimal breathability while you are out and about. The water might have a more difficult time getting into the foot chamber, but the air will have no problem passing through the materials of the upper to keep you cool and dry, from the inside out. They will allow the sweat from your feet to evaporate quickly and easily, keeping your socks dry and helping eliminate any kind of odor-causing bacteria that will cause stinky feet at the end of the day. If you are out enjoying a lovely summer evening of fishing, you will not have to worry about your feet overheating while in these great shoes as the excellent ventilation will ensure that you stay fresh all day, or night, long.

Midsole

The midsole of the fishing shoes is made out of Techlite cushioning which are designed to be lightweight while still providing a decent amount of padding to keep you super comfortable. They feature drainage ports that assist in providing excellent air flow into the foot chamber, and it will also aid in draining any water out of your shoes that you might encounter. Step in the water a little too far when trying to catch that prize fish? No problem, these slippers will help drain the water right out of your shoes so you can dry quickly and stay comfortable. Even better is the fact that the cushioned footbed is removable so you can always choose to put in something that will better suit your needs, or you can just pop it out to wash it and then reinsert. They seem to offer enough padding right out of the box, without many customer complaints.

Outsole

The Columbia's have an Omni-Grip outsole that is designed to have extremely high traction, even on wet surfaces. Of course, when you are out on the docks fishing, you want to make sure that your shoes are going to be able to keep their grip when you hit a slick spot, and these are going to do that for you. The grippy rubber and tread pattern work together to ensure that you won't go sliding off the dock while you are fishing. On top of the excellent traction, they are also non-marking, so you are not going to have to deal with your soles leaving marks all over the floor you are walking on. You can keep yourself upright and safe while still protecting the ground that you are walking on.

Fit

The reviews on the sizing of the sneakers go both ways, some saying they fit just fine and others stating that they didn't. One thing that customers can agree on is that they are slightly more narrow than you would expect. They are available in wide width sizes, but customers don't feel like even the wide sizes are big enough for what they claim. If you have wide feet, then these are probably not going to be the best fit for you. It can feel a little too tight and uncomfortable when you first put them on and breaking them in does not seem to stretch them out too much. As for the length of them, those sizes are mostly true to size, with some customers saying they might be a bit on the small side there too. A majority of reviewers recommend going up at least a half size to accommodate for the slightly narrow construction.

Comfort

Consumers can agree that the Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed shoes are incredibly comfortable, assuming that you are wearing the correct size, which can sometimes be a little tricky as was mentioned above. Once you get the right fitting shoe, then you should have no problems at all with the overall comfort level. They have a cushioned midsole that gives your feet a great underfoot feeling; all those long hours on your feet will not cause you too much discomfort while wearing these sneakers. The uppers are relatively flexible and will move with your feet, and the breathability of them will help keep you cool and dry throughout your adventures.

Style

Customers really like the look and the style of the Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed shoes. They come in many colors so you are sure to find something that you will love. They are available in ancient fossil and steel; British tan and tangy orange; city grey and gypsy; mountain and intense red; and stream and electron yellow. Keep in mind that those color options are available in both canvas and leather.

There is not a whole lot of versatility to the sneakers. They can look good as a pair of casual shoes, but they really fit in when you are hitting the docks or taking a fishing trip. They have the look and functionality of something that you would wear around the water. The slip-on design with the lacing accents gives them a more casual look that will fit in during your everyday lives, but customers tend to stick to the water with them.

Weight

When you are doing any kind of walking or standing for extended periods of time you will want to try to make sure that your shoes are relatively lightweight and that is something that you will get to experience with these sneakers. When compared to other similar products they are about average in weight, so they are not going to be heavy on your feet. They weight in at only 9 ounces for a men's size 12 medium, although this is just for a single shoe, not the pair and will vary from size to size. You are not going to have to worry about these shoes weighing you down throughout the day.

Durability

When you are hitting the docks and donning the fishing poles, the last thing you will want to think about is whether or not your shoes are going to survive the trip. The good news is that with the Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed slip-ons you won't have to. They are designed for a wet environment and made to be worn for your fishing trips, they are built strong and will be able to hold up to whatever you are going to throw at them. They are both water and stain resistant, so a little water and dirt are not going to be putting them out of commission. The sturdy outsole will not only keep a decent grip, but they also will not wear down prematurely, leaving you with a slippery pair of shoes that you will need to replace. All and all, they are a durable pair of sneakers with a long life span.

Value

When you hear of a great pair of shoes that have a long lifespan, you will probably expect them to have a high price tag, but in this case, you would be mistaken. Not only do they have wonderful longevity, but they have a moderate to low price tag, especially when compared to other similar products. Most consumers can agree that you will absolutely get your monies worth out of the fishing shoes. Once you spend that little bit of money up front, you will not have to do it again for a while as these sneakers are going to be part of your fishing attire for quite a while.

Support

Do not let the laces on the Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed shoes fool you, they are slip-ons, and the lacing system is for aesthetic purposes. Even though they don't actually lace up, they can still provide you with a decent amount of support and security. They fit you snuggly, some even say too snuggly, so you will not have to worry about your feet sliding around inside the foot chamber, causing you to fall and get injured. You are going to be safe from falling, both inside and outside of your shoes.

When it comes to arch support, there is a moderate amount provided in these sneakers. There is a cushioned midsole and a removable insole that your feet sit on top of which can give you some much-desired underfoot padding, including some under your arches. Some people who have rather high arches might want to consider swapping out the insoles for something better suited for their needs, but right out of the box they will be able to cater to a vast majority of their customers.

Bottom Line

Are you a frequent fisher? Do you spend a lot of time on a boat or sitting on the docks? Will you be in the market for a great looking and comfortable pair of boat shoes? If these are things you have said yes to, then you might want to take a peek at the Columbia Bahama Vent Relaxed fishing shoes. They are designed to wear in a wet environment, as they are both stain and water resistant. In the case that you step too far into the water and soak your feet, you will have no problems getting the water out of them as they come equipped with a drainage hole to help keep you as dry as possible throughout the day or night. The sneakers come in a variety of different colors and materials so you can find something that will go best with what you like to wear. They are more than just a stylish pair of fishing shoes; however, they feel great too. They feature a cushioned midsole to ensure you have a fantastic underfoot experience. Customers have stated that they are running extremely narrow, even in the wide widths, so use caution when ordering. All and all though, people seem to be genuinely happy with their purchase.