I'm a big fan of Oboz hiking boots and hiking shoes. Oboz is a good brand for hikers and backpackers who value support and durability over weight savings. The brand also scores plenty of points for comfort, thanks to their special O Fit insoles, which amp up the cushioning and deliver near-orthotic support, too. Working in the outdoor gear industry, I've turned heaps of hikers on to Oboz. But no brand works for everybody. Oboz may or may not fit your feet, for example, and may not be the best match for your hiking style. That's why I wrote this Oboz brand review—to help you figure out if Oboz is a good brand for YOU and to narrow your choices down to the best Oboz hiking boots and hiking shoes:
Oboz Bridger Mid
Oboz's flagship hiking boot.
Oboz Sawtooth X Mid
The best value in hiking boots.
Oboz Sawtooth X Low
Sturdy hiking shoe with all-day comfort
Oboz brand review
Born in Bozeman, Montana in 2007, Oboz (short for "outside + Bozeman") quickly established itself as one of the best outdoor footwear brands in the United States. Oboz hiking boots and hiking shoes are made for (and named after) the mountains of Montana and the Greater Yellowstone basin. That means they're sturdy enough to stand up to tough hiking and backpacking. The small company remains based in Bozeman after being sold in 2018 to Kathmandu, an outdoor retailer in New Zealand. Oboz plants a tree for every pair of boots or shoes they sell.
Highlights: Oboz hiking boots & hiking shoes
Oboz is one of the best brands for hikers and backpackers. However, the key is buying the hiking boots or shoes best suited for your feet, your budget, and your hiking style. Here are Oboz's key selling points for men and women who hike:
Comfort
Oboz hiking boots and shoes stand out for their comfort. One key is the brand's O Fit insoles— expensive insoles that provide targeted cushioning and support where other brands skimp with a cheap-ass piece of foam. That targeted cushioning, deep heel cup, and arch support sits on top of well cushioned midsoles and sturdy outsoles for a cushy and well protected base for your hiking feet. LIke blues legend Howlin' Wolf, Oboz are built for comfort. (They ain't built for speed.)
Support
As a brand, Oboz generally stresses foot and ankle support over weight savings. Oboz's best niche is midweight hiking boots and shoes with sturdy soles that provide good mid-foot support, torsional rigidity to prevent turned ankles, and moderate flex in the forefoot for comfort. They're not the lightest boots and shoes, but Oboz generally provides better foot and ankle protection than budget hiking boots and lightweight hiking boots. That makes Oboz a better brand for men and women who want good support and/or mostly hike moderate to difficult trails.
Durability
My Oboz hiking boots and hiking shoes have lasted longer than any other brands I've worn. (On the left is my first pair of Oboz Bridgers at approximately 1200 miles of wear— and still hike-able). The quality leather uppers are protective and wear well while the expensive insoles and sturdy outsoles should outlast the average hiking boot. The brand's outsoles will show some wear but still provide traction as the rocks and miles wear away at them. Made for Montana mountains, Oboz footwear is tough enough to take on harder hikes and tougher terrain—unlike popular brands like Merrell and KEEN.
Overall, Oboz is a good brand for men and women who value comfort, support, and durability over weight savings. It's not one of the best brands for ultralight backpackers or fast hikers who prefer a lightweight hiking boot to a more supportive and durable one. However, Oboz builds some of the best mid-weight hiking and backpacking boots and one of the best hiking shoes for men and women. That makes it one of the best overall brands for hikers and backpackers.
best Oboz hiking boots
Oboz Bridger
Main Benefits:
The Bridger is Oboz's best overall hiking boot. Made with nubuck leather, it's a durable boot with significant cushioning and support, thanks to its upmarket O-Fit insoles, soft EVA foam midsoles, a sturdy TPU chassis, and sturdy, aggressive outsoles. Those outsoles dig into scree, snow, and mud and also provide great downhill traction, thanks to their deep heel brakes and deep, multi-directional lugs. It's got average weight for a mid-duty hiking boot but beats most of its competitors in terms of comfort and durability. This is one of the best mid-duty boots for backpackers and day hikers who prefer steeper trails and moderate to difficult terrain. It's also the most durable hiking boot I've owned!
Oboz Sawtooth X Mid
Main Benefits:
The Oboz Sawtooth Mid probably gets my vote for the best value in hiking boots. It's a solid mid-weight hiking boot with decent foot and ankle support, great insoles, plenty of cushion, and moderate traction on a range of surfaces. It's similar to the Bridger—with a little less traction and support. But it's a lot of boot for the price—a better buy than similarly priced boots from Merrell and Keen. Recently celebrating its tenth ("X") anniversary with an updated version, the Sawtooth X Mid is another sturdy, comfortable, and durable option from Oboz that's now available in standard and wide sizes.
best Oboz hiking shoes
Oboz Sawtooth X Low
Main Benefits:
The low-cut Sawtooth is Oboz's classic hiking shoe. For its tenth anniversary, Oboz has released the new Sawtooth X. The Sawtooth X is the rare hiking shoe that can not only handle moderate to difficult trails, but also deliver all day comfort, thanks to Oboz's O-Fit insoles. I've not only sold these to hikers, but also surgeons, nurses, factory workers, and sales people who spend most of the day on their feet. Sawtooths aren't light, but they're solid hiking shoes for people looking for good support, cushioning, durability, and value. I've sold a ton of these to men and women—and so has Oboz. Historically, the Sawtooth Low has been the brand's overall best seller.
Should you buy Oboz hiking boots or hiking shoes?
No doubt, Oboz is one of the best brands for hiking boots and hiking shoes. However, the key is buying the brand that best fits your feet and best matches your hikes.
As for fit, Oboz hiking boots and shoes generally fit true to size with a sculpted heel and average width in the forefoot. They offer their best sellers in wides, which also feature a snug fit in the heel (to prevent heel lift and keep your feet from sliding forward) and extra width in the forefoot and toe boxes.
As for matching your footwear to your hikes, it's helpful to consider the pros and cons of Oboz hiking boots and hiking shoes:
Conclusion:
With Oboz, the positives (literally and figuratively) outweigh the negatives. Their shoes and (to a lesser extent) boots may run a little heavier than some brands. But those few extra ounces give hikers more foot and ankle protection, cushioning, and durability than most brands. That makes it a good brand for men and women who mostly hike moderate to difficult trails.
best fit
standard feet,
wide sizes available
best match
moderate to difficult day hikes and backpacking trips
Are you ready to buy Oboz?
Oboz is a good brand for men and women who want support, comfort, and durability out of their hiking boots and hiking shoes. If that's not you, no problem. Please check out my other recommended brands or my other brand reviews.
However, if you are feeling one of these Oboz hiking boots or hiking shoes, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission from the retailer—and no cost to you—if you click on a link and make a purchase. That gives me a little something back for the hundreds of hours I've spent publishing free content to help others find the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes for their hiking feet. If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. Happy Hiking!