When running in the Columbia Konos Featherweight, the phrase that comes to mind is “ground feel.” The shoe is ultra lightweight—just as its name implies—with a thin protective barrier of foam underfoot.

Our wear-testers found that the shoe, a hybrid for road and trail, does indeed perform well on multiple surfaces. It’s a sweet deal for $100: a trainer that can pull double-duty on and off the road. But runners be advised: that ground feel is no joke.

This model’s roots go back to spring 2024, with the launch of the Konos TRS OutDry Shoe, a road-to-trail trainer with a waterproof upper and grippy hexagonal lugs on the outsole. The name comes from the Greek word for pinecone, konos ; you can see a pinecone-inspired pattern on the exterior sidewalls of the shoe’s midsole.

Columbia Konos Featherweight

Pros

Cons

How the Columbia Konos Featherweight Fits

The upper is made of breathable jacquard mesh, which our testers appreciated for its ventilation as well as its ability to keep out moisture on rainy runs. A toe cap serves as a shield when kicking up gravel.

Most testers (myself included) found the shoe ran long, but they liked how the extra length provided a little more wiggle room in the toe area. The lacing system, which incorporates a flat quick-dry tongue, ties snugly and securely. Testers liked how their feet felt locked in.

“The heel lock felt comfortable without any accidental sliding,” said wear-tester Tim Caulfield, who tested the shoe earlier this year when our valley was covered in snow.

“With shoes in the past, I have had issues with the collar pinching the tarsal nerves, but this did not happen to me in the Konos Featherweight. It also did a decent job at keeping my feet dry when compared to my other trail shoes.”

How the Columbia Konos Featherweight Feels

The Konos Featherweight has Techlite+ foam, which Columbia describes as a chemically-formed midsole. It’s the same foam used in the Konos shoes preceding the Featherweight version. We found the foam provided a thin buffer of support as we switched from road to trail.

Some testers liked the minimal cushioning . Caulfield, who averages 40 miles per week at 7:45 pace, was satisfied with the shoe’s energy return. He wore the Konos Featherweight for long runs and speed workouts.

“The midsole was responsive but comfortable,” he said. “I like this kind of shoe. My longest run in these shoes was 12 miles at a slower pace on rocky singletrack; the cushioning did its job. I did a few tempo runs along the Delaware River and they felt quick and fun.”

But other testers desired more cushioning in the midsole, especially in the forefoot.

“The cushioning in the Columbia Konos Featherweight was one of the more noticeable drawbacks. The midsole felt quite hard, especially under my arches,” said shoe tester Adrian Sauers, who has a high arch and runs with a midfoot strike. “The firm cushioning didn’t provide the level of comfort I was hoping for, which made each step feel less responsive than I’d prefer.”

How the Columbia Konos Featherweight Rides

The Konos Featherweight features Columbia’s Omni-Max system, paired with Omni-Grip. The system is a network of grooves, tread patterns, and cutouts that work together to provide cushioning, stability, and traction.

Because the Konos Featherweight lacks an aggressive tread, we find this hybrid more suitable for groomed trails, such as bridle paths or rail trails. Of course, preference is dependent on the runner.

Tester Renee Hislop, for instance, felt the shoes were lackluster when it came to performance on more technical terrain.

“What I least liked was the lack of bells and whistles,” said Hislop, who previously tested the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4. “With all the upgrades made in trail shoes over the last 10 years, these were super basic and nothing about them really stood out. The traction was a bummer during the winter when rocks were slippery. I was not confident taking these on any technical surfaces.”

Sauers said he most liked the responsive ride, even though he wanted more cushioning underfoot. “I enjoyed how light the Columbia Konos Featherweight felt on my feet,” he said.

“The shoes excelled on gravel, providing solid grip and decent stability without feeling heavy or cumbersome. The breathability of the upper kept my feet cool, dry, and blister-free even during longer outings. On top of that, they offered good performance at a price point lower than most everyday running shoes I’ve used, making them a budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much quality.”