Kamik Momentum 3 Winter Boot Review

The Kamik Momentum 3 winter boots are stylish and a great value, easily earning a place in any winter wardrobe. They are comfortable, easy to slip on and off, and generally available in a wide selection of fun colors. That said, they don't excel at anything in particular. Warmth is decent, but the soles are on the thin side for seriously cold days or times when you're not active. And while we've been impressed with craftsmanship and waterproofing, traction is nothing to write home about ,and Kamik doesn't offer the Momentum in half sizes. Still, if you're on the hunt for for a cute boot for casual dog walks and snow-shoveling sessions, there's a lot to like here without having to spend an arm and a leg. Below we break down the overall performance of the Momentum 3. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best women's winter boots. 
 

Table of Contents

• Warmth
• Waterproofing
• Traction
• Comfort
• Construction and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Warmth

The Kamik Momentum 3 has a plush lining, and the 145-gram (g) Heat-MX synthetic insulation effectively keeps the tops of the feet, ankles, and lower calves warm. Overall, my feet were warm enough if I kept active, such as when shoveling snow, walking the dog, or running errands around town—this is where these boots shine. That said, I had hoped that the Momentum would be my après-ski boot for hanging out around our van, but unfortunately I did not find them warm enough for lounging about in freezing or even close-to-freezing temps. After a day of backcountry skiing, my partner and I settled in for a drink around our propane fire, and almost immediately, I noticed that the soles were thin enough (less than half an inch at the toes) that I could feel the cold from snow and ice underfoot, even when paired with thick wool socks. I ended up tossing my still-warm chemical hand warmers into the boots, which helped but did not completely fend off the chill. 
 

Kamik claims this boot can keep your feet "toasty warm even in temperatures down to -40°C," but this honestly feels like it must be a typo or a claim about only the upper part of the boot. By comparison, the men's Kamik Nation Plus has a removable liner that keeps my partner's feet warm and toasty. Both boots use 145g Heat-MX insulation, so it's likely that his positive experience was due to the Nation Plus' more robust rubber shell and thicker sole underfoot. Still, with 10 inches of height (this measurement excludes the sole), the Momentum 3 boots are tall enough to effectively keep snow out, even when walking through drifts, and the faux fur around the collar helps keep warmth in and moisture out. Even with high winds and pelting sideways snow and hail, the insulation held up well for me, and I couldn't feel any wind permeating at the baffles. Likewise, the gusseted tongue stays in place and creates a good barrier.
 

Waterproofing

The Momentum 3 is a wonderfully waterproof winter boot. The nylon upper is seam-sealed for added assurance, and I've had no issues trudging through melting, slushy snow. Still, I tend not to reach for this boot if it is straight-up raining, as the faux-fur collar gets soggy to the point that my leggings or tights become damp. If there is a light mist or snow, however, the collar helps keep precipitation from entering.
 

Traction

The Momentum 3 is designed for casual use, not for hikes on off-camber trails or steep ascents—and its traction matches this. The outsole does not have deep lugs, but the dual-density, self-cleaning tread design manages well in soft snow. As soon as the surface is slippery from compacted melting snow or ice, I find that the traction suffers, and I walk more tentatively. The rubber compound doesn't feel particularly grippy, and I've slipped a few times. That said, on flat sidewalks, grip has been perfectly adequate unless conditions are icy, and I haven't slipped while walking around town or on level trails. Anything more technical than those scenarios, and I reach for a pair of traction devices. 
 

Comfort

The Momentum 3 boots are very comfortable—this is without a doubt their strongest category. They feel like tall, robust slippers and are sleek without any excess bulk. The bungee lacing system keeps things snug but not overly tight, and since the boots themselves have very little structure, nothing rubs or applies uncomfortable pressure. Because of this lack of structure, there is no arch support or support of any kind, so I would not select the Momentum for hiking or particularly long walks. That said, they are great for activities like wandering around town and walking the dog. The soles feel thin, but I've never felt any rocks protruding—as mentioned, my only issue is that cold can permeate, which does impact overall comfort in colder temps. 
 

Construction and Durability

This past season brought a lot of snow where I live, and I have worn the Kamik Momentum 3 often. The boots have held up well to the almost constant wear, with just a few scuffs on the rubber outer and residue from the salt they put on our roads. Outside of that, there is little evidence that the boots have been worn. They are showing signs of rubbing where my snowshoe straps sit, but the elasticized, bungee-style laces are working well, and all of the stitching—including along the baffles and tabs for each lace eyelet—is holding up with no fraying. The faux fur is still fluffy and soft, and the tread looks unworn (not surprisingly, since I have primarily worn the Momentum's on snow, not bare pavement or dirt). Overall, I've been impressed with how these boots have held up to daily life.
 

Fit and Sizing

The Momentum 3 is only available in full sizes, so though I typically wear an 8.5, I sized up to a 9. They fit perfectly, and I would recommend others do the same and go up if you typically wear a half size. Doing this didn't feel sloppy but allowed me enough room to comfortably wiggle my toes. As I mentioned above, this boot has very little structure, so I never experienced hot spots or uncomfortable pressure points. The bungee lacing system is an elasticized cord with a single toggle and a pull tab that is simple to tighten, even when wearing bulky winter mittens. The system does not allow for a customized or locked-in feel, but I've never felt my feet slipping around inside, and getting in and out of the boot is easy. 
 

Other Versions of the Kamik Momentum

The Momentum 3 is only available in a women's version, and the Momentum L 2 is another variation that is mostly identical except for being 3.75 inches shorter, not available in as many colors, and $10 cheaper. If you like the look and price point of the standard Momentum but don't need as much coverage for deeper snow, the L 2 is worth considering.
 

What We Like

• Very comfortable for everyday winter activities with an almost slipper-like feel.
• Affordably priced at just $110.
• Stylish if you like the faux-fur collar look.
• Reliably weather-ready thanks to a seam-sealed, waterproof nylon upper and rubber lower.
• Bungee lacing system is easy to operate, even with bulky mittens.

What We Don’t

• Very little structure and support.
• Thin soles don't provide enough insulation from the ground, which led to cold feet.
• Traction is decent on flat terrain and in snow but not well suited for ice or anything steep.
• Not available in half sizes.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Kamik Momentum 3 is cute, casual, and comfortable. For simple outings in places that experience milder winters, it's likely all you'll ever need. However, if you live somewhere with harsher winters, you may want to spend up for a more serious boot. The Ugg Adirondack III has been our favorite casual option for many years, with 200g wool and the option to keep the shaft tall or fold it over on warmer days. It will cost you more than double the price of the Momentum 3, but it has a thicker sole for better protection when it's truly frigid outside. Another casual option is the Blundstone All-Terrain Thermal, a classic Chelsea style with some winter upgrades. The All-Terrain version of the standard Blundstone offers a gripper Vibram sole, full waterproofing, and a sheepskin insole for a boost in warmth. If you want to look classy in the cold when there isn't deep snow on the ground, the Blundstone is a staff favorite and cult classic for a reason. It's expensive at $265 but with proper care could feasibly last a lifetime. 
 

If you're more interested in being able to hike in your winter boots, the Oboz Bridger 7” Insulated is one of our favorite options. The 200g Thinsulate is cozy and warm, and the 7-inch height is a perfect middle ground for most conditions (if you need to navigate deeper snow, the Bridger has a small D-ring for attaching gaiters). Lastly, for those who want a winter work boot that can handle deep snow, slush, or rain, the Muck Boot Arctic Sport II Tall is another classic. This rubber boot will give you almost 17 inches of protection, and the 5mm neoprene and fleece up the ante on warmth compared to a non-insulated rubber boot. All told, your perfect boot or quiver or boots will depend on where you live, what you do for work, and how you recreate, but the Kamik Momentum 3 is a great candidate for milder conditions where you want a touch of style and extra comfort. 
Back to the Kamik Momentum 3 Review  See Our Women's Winter Boots Guide