Kamik Nation Plus Winter Boot Review

Kamik is a longstanding Canadian company that knows their shoes, and the Nation Plus is a staple in their men's line. A waterproof and seam-sealed suede upper and Heat-MX thermal insulation meet a gusseted tongue and deep, confidence-inspiring lugs to offer a comfortable, warm, and reliable winter boot for almost any climate. But the thing that really stands out about the Nation Plus, year over year, is the affordably low price point. While not as high-end as more expensive offerings, the Nation Plus provides all most people need at a very fair price. Below we break down the Nation Plus' overall performance. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best winter boots. 
 

Table of Contents

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

Performance

Warmth

I found the Kamik Nation Plus boots best suited for less active jobs such as shoveling snow, chopping wood, or hanging out around the fire après ski. They provide plenty of warmth even while stationary, which can't be said for many of the lighter-weight options on the market that are optimized for more active pursuits (like hiking). The Nation Plus comes with a removable Heat-MX 145 liner that's packed with 145-gram (g) synthetic insulation and comfort-rated down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Many other options on the market stitch their insulation directly into the boot, but having a removable liner keeps the fill lofty and allows plenty of room for airflow between the layers. Much like a ski boot, you can also pull the liner out if it gets damp from sweat and dry it out overnight or between shoveling sessions. 
 

I've comfortably worn the Nation Plus in temperatures as low as about 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10°C), which is a far cry from the -40-degree rating that Kamik advertises. Paired with thick wool socks, I could see this boot offering serviceable warmth in colder climates, though if it were truly -40, I'd prefer to have something a bit more robust, such as the Chilkat from The North Face or perhaps even an extreme-cold design like the Baffin Impact (which is rated for -50 degrees F). That said, for typical winters in British Columbia (where I live) and similar climates, the Nation Plus provides more than enough warmth. 
 

Waterproofing

Much like the Chilkat V 400 from The North Face, our top-ranked winter boot for many years now, the Kamik Nation Plus has a seam-sealed leather upper and a waterproof synthetic rubber shell. Both have effectively repelled snow, rain, and slush throughout a winter in British Columbia, keeping my feet dry while shoveling snow, chopping wood, and trudging through snowbanks. Thanks to an 11.25-inch-high build (measured from the base of the heel to the top of the boot), the Nation Plus offers plenty of coverage for walking through deeper snow, and the gusseted tongue provides a secure seal up to about 6.25 inches in case you need to walk through a puddle. It's worth noting that many competitors have a shaft height measurement, which excludes the heel itself, while Kamik's specification includes the height of the heel. In our testing, we estimated shaft height to be closer to 10 inches.
 

The Kamik Nation Plus opens up nice and wide for easy on and off, though the upper eyelets end an inch or so from the top of the boot (for reference, the eyelets on The North Face Chilkat go almost to the top of the 8-in. cuff), and the laces are difficult to keep tight. The result is that snow can enter the boot and liner even when laced up as snugly as possible. Thankfully, when the liner does get wet, as it has while shoveling snow, it is removable and dries out quickly. The liner also wicks moisture quite well—I never had any issues with overheating or sweating while wearing the Nation Plus, even in temperatures above freezing.
 

Traction

The Nation Plus offers dependable traction on all surfaces you're likely to come across in the winter. I'm a little less confident on ice than when wearing The North Face Chilkat V 400, but the Nation Plus offers excellent grip on both packed and powdery snow and got me across the always-variable conditions found in the parking lot at the ski hill. The lugs on the sole are deep and self-cleaning (meaning they effectively shed snow and mud on their own), and I haven't had any issues with snow packing into the treads (which leads to reduced traction) or chunks of salt getting wedged in the grips. I tried to fit winter traction devices (a pair of Kahtoola Microspikes as well as a pair of Yaktrax) on the Nation Plus for some added bite on very slick ice, but the boots were just a bit too large for them to work. If you're considering the Nation Plus and want the ability to add grip, I would suggest sizing up on your traction devices or considering a more streamlined boot, such as the Chilkat. 
 

Comfort

Put simply, the Kamik Nation Plus is a big and bulky boot. The top entry is wide and easy to access, which is great for those with larger calves. The lower rubber shell is also very generous, and there is some space between the liner and the body of the boot. This isn't an issue when standing around or performing simple tasks, but it feels sloppy when hiking, particularly on more technical terrain or undulating trails. I've worn the Nation Plus on longer walks with our dog, and the boots don't offer particularly great support for the arches or ankles (the extra wiggle room exacerbates this). Finally, while I like the generous height for protection from the elements, it can reduce mobility a bit when laced tightly all the way up. As I mentioned, the Nation Plus shines more for stationary activities than long walks or hikes. 
 

The tongue of the Nation Plus doesn't have a loop, but there is one at the back of the cuff. It's slightly smaller than that of most competitors, but it does still help when getting in and out of the tall boots. I personally don't like to completely loosen the laces to remove my boots, which makes getting in and out of the Nation Plus a bit of a pain. With the tall shaft height and closed eyelets, the laces have to be loosened almost all the way to get in or out. There is a small indentation on the back of the heel to help get some leverage when pulling them off, however. And despite these critiques, I've found the Nation Plus to be highly comfortable—as long as I'm sticking to more basic, simple tasks and outings.
 

Weight

The Nation Plus is listed at 3 pounds 9.6 ounces for the pair, but my pair in a size 11 checked in heavier at 4 pounds 1.1 ounces. This isn't excessive by any means, especially considering the boots' large and bulky stature, although you can certainly go lighter in the winter boot market (some streamlined competitors go as low as sub-2 lb.). If you're like me and you don't wear it for hiking and snowshoeing (which it's not well suited for), the weight is a non-issue. It's not something I ever really noticed while chopping wood or puttering around my van. 
 

Construction and Durability

The Kamik Nation Plus is by no means poorly constructed, but it doesn't have the finer touches that you get from premium competitors like Danner or The North Face. For example, I prefer the smooth leather/suede on the exterior of the TNF Chilkat to that of the soft, less abrasion-resistant suede on the Nation Plus (check out the Nation Pro if you also prefer leather to suede)—plus, the Chilkats have more structure to them. The stitching on the Nation Plus is also not as tight and has frayed a bit in spots, particularly below the lowest eyelet. This is my second pair of Kamik boots, and I noticed similar issues in the past. That said, all the stitching and seams are still holding up well after a full season, and the small scratches and scuffs are in line with typical wear and tear. 
 

I don't love the laces on the Nation Plus, as they come untied easily. The laces on my previous pair eventually tore, and I had to knot them back together until I found replacements. However, the upper leather and lower rubber are both maintaining their weatherproofing, dispelling moisture and offering ample protection from snow. The outsole is also holding up really well other than showing some noticeable salt deposits. Rinsing them off a few times a season is good practice for maximizing your boots' lifespan, and it's also a good idea to treat the leather so that it maintains its waterproofing and doesn't dry out or crack as it ages.
 

Fit and Sizing

As I mentioned above, the Nation Plus is a large and bulky boot. My normal size (a men's U.S. 11) fit slightly big, which resulted in an almost clumsy feel (and unfortunately, the boot doesn't come in half sizes). That said, I don't recommend sizing down because the liner actually fits well—it's the outer shell that'd large. The sloppy fit isn't ideal for pairing with thinner socks, even when the laces are fully tightened. With the extra room, I was able to wear my very thick Icelandic wool socks to shovel the driveway when temperatures dipped well below freezing. And in a pinch, the Nation Plus fit into my snowshoes, although these aren't the boots I would choose for snowshoeing unless I had no other options.
 

Other Versions of the Kamik Nation

The Nation Plus is only available in a men's version, and there are other options available within the Nation lineup. There is the Nation Wide, which is the same as the Nation Plus but with a more generous fit for wider feet. Keep in mind that we found the regular Nation Plus to be quite roomy, so we'd recommend trying these on if you're unsure (or ordering from a retailer with an easy return or exchange policy). Additionally, Kamik makes the Nation Pro for $110, which is the exact same boot spec-wise, with the only difference being that the upper material is leather instead of suede. If you prefer the look of leather, spending $10 more may be worth it. The Nation Pro also comes in a wide version for those who need the added room.
 

What We Like

• Budget-friendly at just $100.
• Very comfortable for everyday winter activities, such as shoveling snow. 
• Heat-MX liner offers great warmth and can be removed for drying.
• Reliably weather-worthy with a fully waterproof, seam-sealed construction and tall shaft height.
• Deep tread offers dependable grip on most surfaces.
   

What We Don’t

• Loose, sloppy fit resulted in a an almost clumsy feel.
• Laces come untied easily and require undoing in order to get the boots on and off.
• Large and bulky shape makes the Nation Plus hard to pair with microspikes or snowshoes.
• Fairly heavy at over 4 pounds for our pair in a men's size 11.
   

  

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Kamik Nation Plus is a straightforward winter boot that should do well for more casual outings and chores during the coldest months of the year. But at the end of the day, it's a budget option, which means some concessions were made. If you're willing to spend up a bit for a more premium design, our favorite overall boot is The North Face Chilkat V 400. At $159 and 3 pounds 2.3 ounces per pair, it’s both cheaper and almost a pound lighter than the Nation Plus, and the fit is less clunky and sloppy. Performance is upgraded in other ways as well, such as D-ring attachments for gaiters and a heel clip to help keep your traction devices or snowshoes securely in place. Additionally, with 400g insulation, the Chilkat is a notably warmer boot—which could be a pro or a con depending on where you live—if you experience a lot of mild days or dry conditions, you very well might overheat. The Chilkat is also a couple inches shorter than the Nation Plus, which is great for mobility but less so for protection. 
 

While the Chilkat is better for mixed use (say, if you want to be able to snowshoe in your winter boot), the Sorel Caribou is another casual option that can't be overlooked. It's pricey at $200 and heavy (4 lb. 8.2 oz. for the pair in a size 9), but the Caribou is synonymous with winter footwear for a reason. The 9-millimeter felt liner and Sherpa pile cuff meet a stout leather upper and burly rubber lower and sole, which combine to offer a seriously warm, protective, and durable boot. Like the Kamik Nation Plus, the Sorel's interior liner is removable, and the 10-inch shaft height hits a great sweet spot for most uses. On the flip side, the heavy and bulky design isn't ideal for long walks and can even feel like overkill when driving. But the iconic style of the Caribou has made it one of the most well-known winter boots out there, and Sorel's build quality offers great assurance that it will withstand the test of time. 

What if you want to stay warm in the snow but also go hiking? Our favorite option for winter hiking is the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof. Don't be fooled by the traditional hiking boot look—the Thermo Chill has the chops to keep you warm and dry in seriously cold and wet conditions. While it has a shorter 6-inch shaft height, there's a front ring for gaiters should you need to increase protection in deep snow or slush. For just $130, the Merrell is lightweight at 2.5 pounds per pair, and the design is streamlined and well built. If you want to be able to transition from shoveling the driveway to hiking through the snow-laden forest, this is an excellent boot to have in your quiver. The outsole is geared toward a wider variety of terrain, making the Thermo Chill a true performance pick, though it's admittedly not as stylish for around-town use. 
 

All of the boots we've discussed so far offer excellent warmth for most winter conditions, but if you need something for more extreme cold or prolonged time outside, the Baffin Impact is not to be missed. This 15-inch-tall boot has eight layers of foam and polyester and weighs close to 7.5 pounds for the pair. You certainly won't be as agile or winning any style awards in these beasts, but you will stay warm when it matters most. At $260, the Impact isn't for just anyone—if you try to wear these in mild conditions, you'll undoubtedly be uncomfortable as you overheat. But if you reside somewhere where below-freezing temps are an everyday occurrence (like the Upper Midwest or Alaska), this boot could be the difference between frozen toes and happy feet.