Oboz Katabatic RT Hiking Shoe Review
Testing the Oboz Katabatic RT on La Luz Trail
Katabatic RT Support
The Oboz Katabatic RT may not look like a serious hiking shoe, but it's more supportive than the Oboz Bridger and Oboz Sawtooth. With a rock plate that runs from heel to toe, the Katabatic RT is stiffer than I expected.
That stiffness supported my feet well during testing. My feet felt fresh at the end of a 9+ mile hike on the Pino Trail, which has more than 3000 feet of ups and downs. (Two weeks earlier, I couldn't wait to take off my adidas TERREX Skychasers after 5 miles on the Pino.)
A stiffer shoe also adds ankle support. Several times on La Luz trail, I felt my tired ankles on the brink of turning over. However, the Katabatic RT's torsional rigidity kicked in, keeping my ankles from rolling over rocks. Oboz made the Katabatic RT for "rugged trails." Based on my personal experience, I agree it's supportive enough for hard hikes.
My pair of Katabatic RT hiking shoes weigh 2 lbs 7 oz
Kabatic RT Weight
At the same time, I disagree with Oboz's claim that this is a "lightweight" hiking shoe "for moving quickly over mixed terrain." My pair (men's 13) weighed 2 lbs 7 oz. That makes the Katabatic RT the third heaviest hiking shoe I've tested and reviewed.
I felt that weight in the field, too. The Katabatic RT did not feel agile. When my legs grew tired on my toughest test hikes, I stumbled several times as I struggled to get precise foot placement on steep, rocky descents.
If you want to move quickly over mixed terrain, I recommend the Oboz Katabatic Wind over the Katabatic RT. It's noticeably lighter and more athletic.
The Oboz Katabatic RT fits true to size
Oboz Katabatic Fit
Like other Oboz, the Katabatic RT fits snug in the heel with standard width. It's not available in wide at this time. If you need more width, you might be able to get it by sizing up one full size from your everyday shoe size. I normally wear a 12-wide in Oboz but got a decent fit in a men's 13. (That snug fit in the heel prevents my feet from sliding forward in a longer shoe.)
Stiffer hiking shoes may be more comfortable on rugged mountain trails
Katabatic RT Comfort
As with all hiking shoes, the Katabatic RT's comfort hinges on fit, your hiking style, and your personal preferences.
Fitwise, the RT is a better fit for medium volume, average width feet. The snug fit in the heel is a comfort plus because it prevents feet from slipping around.
As for hiking style, the Katabatic RT is more likely to feel comfortable if you mostly hike moderately difficult trails that require more support. Personally, I appreciated its stiffer build on steep and rocky trails. (Many experienced hikers know that stiffer hiking shoes take more pressure off your feet on tough trails than lighter, more flexible shoes.)
But less experienced hikes might find the Katabatic RT too stiff for comfort. It's not as cushy or as flexible as many hiking shoes. It's for "rugged trails," not casual trails or walks in the woods. Fast-and-light hikers will find the Oboz Katabatic RT too heavy for comfort.
Surprisingly, the Katabatics don't use Oboz's $40 O-Fit Trail insoles, which add extra cushioning and foot support. They use lighter, more breathable Ortholite insoles.
The Katabatic RT features GORE-TEX Invisible Fit waterproofing
Weather Protection
The Oboz Katabatic RT GTX scores points for its GORE-TEX waterproofing. I've had good luck with Oboz's proprietary B-Dry waterproofing, but GORE-TEX is more reliable and breathable. Plus, the Katabatic RT uses GORE-TEX's Invisible Fit. Invisible Fit bonds the waterproof membrane directly to the shoe's uppers. This makes the waterproofing less bulky and more breathable than the traditional GORE-TEX bootie.
New Mexico is mired in drought, so I couldn't test weather protection as thoroughly as I'd like. However, I purposefully walked through puddles and trickles of snow melt on several test hikes. As expected, my feet stayed dry, thanks to this shoe's GTX waterproofing.
Testing the traction of the Katabatic RT with some rock scrambling
Katabatic RT Traction
Over 50 miles of first-hand testing on moderate to difficult trails, I stumbled several times in the Katabatic RT but never fully fell. I was surprised that Oboz chose moderate tread—not aggressive tread or rock-specific outsoles— for a shoe specifically made for rugged trails.
The Katabatic RT's outsoles feature moderate lugs that are surprisingly similar to the Katabatic LT—which is made for light hiking. I've successfully hiked hard trails in both shoes, but the traction hasn't been clutch. For example, I had to hike slower than my usual pace on the smooth granite boulders in Embudito Canyon in the Katabatic RT because I felt subtle slipping on several steps. Similarly, I had to take steep switchbacks slower than normal because the Katabatic RT's tread didn't have much bite for climbing or braking in scree and weathered granite gravel.
Overall, the tread is good enough for mixed terrain but not optimized for this shoe's recommended use: "rugged trails."
The Women's Katabatic RT is available in both muted and bright colors
Value
The Oboz Katabatic is an expensive hiking shoe with a MSRP of $220. For that money, you do get Vibram outsoles, GORE-TEX Invisible Fit waterproofing, and a stiffer-than-average hiking shoe that's supportive enough for hard hikes. At the same time, that's a chunk of change for a low-cut hiking shoe.
You may be able find discounts using the links below, including 15% off at Backcountry.
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Men's Oboz Katabatic RT Low
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Women's Oboz Katabatic RT Low
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Oboz Katabatic RT Hiking Shoe: Pros vs. Cons
Here's a quick overview of the pros and cons of the new Oboz Katabatic RT hiking shoe after testing it on the Pino Trail, Embudito Trail, 3 Guns Trail, Piedra Lisa Trail, and La Luz trails outside Albuquerque:
Should you buy the Oboz Katabatic RT hiking shoe?
The Oboz Katabatic RT may be a good hiking shoe for you if you prefer a stiffer, more supportive hiking shoe for moderate-to-difficult trails. However, if you prioritize weight savings or price over support, the Katabatic RT is heavier and more expensive than most hiking shoes I recommend. This shoe was heavier than I expected, and its moderate tread didn't match its recommended use: rugged trails ("RT"). Personally, I prefer the lighter Oboz Katabatic Wind for moving quickly over mountain terrain, and I prefer the grip of other hiking shoes for rugged terrain. The Katabatic RT is better for hikers hunting for a supportive hiking shoe with excellent waterproofing.
If you think the Katabatic RT will fit your feet and hiking style, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links in this post. This doesn't cost you anything. But Hiking Feet may receive a small percentage of the sale. Those few bucks keep this site alive—and give me a little bit back for the thousands of uppaid hours I've spend testing and reviewing footwear for hikers.
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Men's Oboz Katabatic RT Low
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Women's Oboz Katabatic RT Low
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