My Oboz Sawtooth X Mid review covers a big update to a hiking boot I know well. Oboz Sawtooths have carried my wife and me on famous hikes from Arizona to Australia. I've owned the previous two versions of the Sawtooth—and have well over 1,000 miles of personal experience in them—so I was stoked to review the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid hiking boot—the 10th ("X") anniversary edition. My Oboz Sawtooth X Mid review lets men and women know what to expect from this traditional leather hiking boot that I've owned for many years.
Testing the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid on Dragon's Back Trail in Pine Creek Canyon
Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Review
This Oboz Sawtooth X Mid review stems from a few months hiking in the 10th anniversary version of the best-selling Sawtooth. My test hikes included several signature hikes in Pennsylvania, including sections of the Allegheny Front Trail, Standing Stone Trail, Mid-State Trail, the Ironstone Trail, and the Golden Eagle Trail, which many people consider the state's best day hike. I hand-picked these trails to evaluate the Sawtooth's support, weight, comfort, fit, weather protection, traction, and overall value. Going back farther, I have more than 1,000 miles of first-hand experience in the Oboz Sawtooth hiking boot.
Support
GOOD
The Oboz Sawtooth X hits the sweet spot for support. It's moderately stiff through the midfoot with moderate flex at the foot's natural flex point. That's flexible enough for day hiking with just enough support for easy to moderate backpacking. The mid-cut ankle collar provide moderate ankle protection—pretty good for a day hiking boot but a little less supportive than a dedicated backpacking boot. My feet and ankles aren't great, but I feel very confident hiking pretty gnarly trails in the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid.
Weight
AVERAGE MID-WEIGHT HIKING BOOT
My pair of size 12 (wide) Sawtooths weights two pounds and 13 ounces—that's pretty typical for a men's mid-duty hiking boot (in my size). It's not a lightweight hiking boot or a clunker, weight-wise.
Comfort
ABOVE AVERAGE
Oboz arguably has the most comfort soles in the outdoor industry, largely because of its O Fit insoles. While most brands feature cheap-ass foam insoles that don't do anything but soak up sweat, the O Fit insoles (which retail for $30+) add meaningful cushioning and stability.
Those premium insoles sit on top of soft, rubberized EVA foam and think outsoles for better cushioning than most hiking boots. If they fit you, Oboz Sawtooths will probably feel pretty comfortable on your hiking feet. My messed up feet and ankles wear down on long, rocky trails. However, I've walked away from several long, hard hikes in my Oboz Sawtooths with my feet feeling relatively fresh.
Women's Oboz Sawtooth X Mid
Fit
STANDARD (TRUE WIDES AVAILABLE)
And Oboz tend to fit a wide range of feet. Oboz's standard fit runs snug in the heel and standard in the forefoot—a good fit for fairly standard feet. The Sawtooth X is also available in a wide, opening up this hiking boot to most hikers with wide feet. That snug heel—plus the O Fit insole—also locks down the fit better than most brands. If you'd had trouble with heel slippage or sliding forward on steep descents, you'll probably have better luck with Oboz's fit.
Weather Protection
GOOD
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid should offer hikers good weather protection in rain, snow, and mud. The nubuck leather provides plenty of moisture resistance while the brand's BDry membranes should seal out most moisture that would seep through that leather. It's not quite the waterproofing and breathability of GORE-TEX, but it's pretty good (and keeps the boot's price down). My feet have stayed dry through a series of 12-15 mile hikes in the slush, mud, and snow of late winter and early spring.
If you prefer GORE-TEX, you can upgrade to the new Sawtooth Pro Mid GTX.
Traction
MODERATE
The Sawtooth X Mid features an upgraded outsole. The old tread was fine. However, the new outsoles feature deeper lugs with a little more edging for better traction on dirt, mud, and gravel. It's not as aggressive on ascents or descents as the Oboz Bridger. However, it's well rounded tread for most kinds of hiking. The traction has worked well for me on relatively steep trails that can be tricky due to loose gravel, leaf litter, and wet surfaces.
Just last week, I finished an 11-mile hike in Pine Creek canyon without worrying about traction in the snow and mud—only to find several comments in the Alltrails App from hikers who fell on the trail that week because of the slick conditions.
Durability
EXCELLENT
Having hiked 17,000 miles the past 15 years, I've determined that Oboz is the most durable brand I've owned. My current pair of Sawtooths shows little to no wear after 150-200 miles of testing. My first pair lasted approximately 1000 miles—more than double the average hiking boot. The leather and insoles hold up well, and the midsoles and outsoles wear—but wear well—over time.
Value
For years, I picked the Oboz Sawtooth hiking boot as the "best value" in hiking boots. However, its price has increased significantly the past three years. Now regularly priced at $200, it's now above average in price. Given its durability, that may be worth it. However, this shoe isn't the slam dunk for value that it once was.
Men's Oboz Sawtooth X Mid
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Women's Oboz Sawtooth X Mid
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Oboz Sawtooth X Mid: Pros vs. Cons
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons of the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid hiking boot:
Should you buy the Oboz Sawtooth X hiking boot?
The Sawtooth X is a good, all-around hiking boot that can handle just about any trail without breaking the bank. It's not the best hiking boot for ounce counters or hardcore backpackers. However, it's more than enough boot for most hikers, thanks to its comfort, support, and durability. That's why I recommend the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid as one of the best buys for hikers and one of the best mid-duty hiking boots on the market.
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