Where to buy:
I finally purchased my second pair of Oboz footwear once I finally found the right price. I shelled out the cash and purchased a pair of Oboz Sawtooth Low Hiking Shoes in the non-waterproof version. My initial try on with them was excellent and I have to say that I like the way they feel so I bought them. They have a great feel to them and felt like they would be supportive enough to handle me and a 30 pound backpack. The stock Oboz insole is pretty supportive and a head above the rest as I’ve heard in the past. The outsoles are proprietary and look super aggressive although I’ve heard of a few instances where people said their lugs were torn right off (I saw this happen with the Vibram soles on my Merrell Moab’s). I’m not sure if that will happen to mine but I can’t wait to put many miles on them and see what they’re made of on the trail.
I currently own a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilator Low Hiking Shoes that I’ve really enjoyed this year. I’ve worn them on several hikes in the Grayson Highlands and took them on my big trip to the Sierra Nevada’s back in September and they worked out great. They aren’t waterproof and the trips I took them on were mostly dry with some rain/water. Even with that my feet actually stayed drier overall than when I wore my waterproof shoes, no doubt because of the breathability-sweat-vapor issues. At the suggestion of a friend I went with non-waterproof hiking shoes and so far I’m sold. Now winter hikes in snow and slush are a different ballgame so I’m not even going that route. But as far as warmer and non-freezing cold temps I’m going with non-waterproof footwear until something better comes along.
I’ve been eyeballing these Oboz Sawtooth Low Hiking Shoes for a while now – both the waterproof and non-waterproof version. I’ve heard a lot of good things about them and I really like the way they look. I happened to pick these up for cheap from someone who bought them but decided they didn’t want them. They’re in excellent condition and even the outsoles show little to no wear.
Upon first handling these things I knew they were going to be used for at least one backpack trip for many reasons. They are ten times stouter than other hiking shoes I own – I’m not sure if the leather is split or full grain but they’re rigid and they stand tall and firm. When I sit them next to another pair of low hikers they sit much taller and they stand firm. I believe this is a combination of the molded heel counter and thick piece of reinforcing leather. In a low hiking shoe this is what I like to see because you need more support than a high or mid hiking boot simply because there is a lack of a higher sidewall! Very impressive!
Here is information from Oboz website:
Keep heels snug and comfortable
In between the pieces of leather are nice mesh windows that should aid for breathability because the leather doesn’t breathe extremely easily.
The soles were next because I wanted to actually feel them and see if they were gummy and rubbery or if they contained more of a carbon hard rubber. It’s somewhere in between both of those categories with a nice balance of stickiness and stiffness. The lugs definitely feel tougher than the Vibram soles on my Merrell Moab’s. I question the traction of the long straight sides of the some of lugs but hopefully they do their job like I’ve heard. They feel like they have promise.
Here is information from the Oboz website.
Sawtooth
I took notice of the midsole chassis because it’s pretty awesome – it looks like a cradle of comfort and protection. One look at it and you know it’s an added layer of underfoot protection and lateral stability. Below is how Oboz describes their midsole.
Here is an information from the Oboz website.
Add armor without adding weight
This slim-but-powerful TPU Chassis protects feet from stone bruising and sharp rocks while enhancing torsional stability underfoot. Since the chassis adds such substantial protection, we can strategically drop rubber from the outsole underneath-making for lightweight shoes with heavyweight benefits.
And finally you have the Oboz BFit Deluxe Insoles that are definitely complex for a stock insole. They have excellent rigidity in the arch area like no other stock hiking sole that I’ve ever tried. That alone is a major confidence booster and enough that I’d try them first before switching out to my Superfeet Green Insoles. They also have a few pads of urethane in the right places. I might like these!
Here is information from the Oboz website.
BFit Deluxe
In warm or non-foul weather I honestly believe they are the way to go now that I’ve tried them. My feet stay drier when it’s warm or hot out and I’m exerting a lot of energy especially or even not exerting too much energy because there’s no membrane stopping vapor escape and air circulation. This equates to no blisters!
If my shoes do get soaked because of a stream crossing or deluge then no worries because again, they breathe very well and this enables them to dry in no time at all. Shoes with a membrane take at least twice the amount of time to dry and most times it’s longer. And while they’re wetter longer you have to keep going so you have longer time in the wet shoes which equates to the perfect recipe for blisters.
Finally, there’s the comfort value which is hiking in dry shoes and that’s just priceless! Ask anyone who hikes a lot about this one!
Definitely get a pair of Drymax socks to go with your non-waterproof hiking shoes (or waterproof for that matter) and you will be off to a good start. They really excel when it comes to their dry time!
So back to my new Oboz Sawtooth Low Hiking Shoes and I just can’t wait to put some serious miles on them. Possibly in 2016 because I hope to go finish the Southern section of the JMT if the weather permits. I’m not sure if I’ll get any more hikes this year with them but I will definitely give my experience with them right here.
Shop Eastern Mountain Sports for the Best Outdoor Gear and Apparel
Cincinnati
Recent Comments