Oboz Women’s Bridger Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot Review

I love this time of year. A cold, dry, wintry day is such a fantastic time to go for a walk, so a great pair of boots are a must. As you may have already read, Mike and I were heading to Ireland for a week – our stay would include a lot of walking – so I decided to invest in a brand new pair of boots, in the hopes that they would provide comfort (I would be wearing them every day), grip for a variety of terrains we would be covering, 100% waterproof (you can always expect at least one wet day when on holiday, especially in the UK), and something that wouldn’t look out of place in the mountains or in a city centre.

After a bit of research, I found the ideal boots. These were the Oboz Women’s Bridger Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot. Although a lesser known brand in the UK, Oboz have a wonderfully ethical aim which really appealed to me. Their headquarters are powered by wind power and for every pair of boots they sell, a tree will be planted. I was intrigued about their products plus the reviews for the hiking boots were fantastic, so I decided they were a must have for our trip and my life in general.

I literally wore these boots every day during the trip and was so impressed with every feature! One of the best parts of the boots has to be the comfort. Normally with a new pair of boots, you have to wear them in and they get comfier over time. These boots, however, were comfy the minute I put them on. This is because they have something called an ‘O Fit Insole’. This is fantastic as it gives so much cushioning underfoot, amazing if you are walking for long periods of time.

They are also moisture wicking, so my feet stayed dry and comfortable, even after being on the go all day. These insoles have a high density sculpted arch and heel cap, both of which support the natural shape of the foot really well, plus ensure your feet are just very well cushioned throughout. The collar of the boot not only helps to provide added support when on rocky terrain, but they are padded and seriously comfortable around the top of the foot and lower ankle.

For the type of walking and hiking we normally do, it really was important to get a boot that was strong and sturdy, with good protection from rocks, tree and plant roots and also debris. Thankfully, these boots come equipped with a spacious, moulded toe cap and heel counter. Not only do they aid comfort, both features work excellently in protecting the feet wherever we walked, from any obstacles we encountered.

The boots have a traditional lacing up system with a metal trim and a hook at the top to keep the laces in place. They look really stylish, especially with due to the Rio Red colour of the boot which I choose, although they also
come in Walnut or Cool Grey- both of which are just as nice. These hiking boots are a classic mid-foot style, which can be worn with hiking trousers, shorts or even a pair of jeans. They really are versatile, suitable for a variety of occasions.

The outer material of the boots is made from a Waterproof Nubuck leather. I have found this material is particularly resistant to mud and other stains. After a days hiking, they have been extremely easy to clean, the mud and dirt just wiping off. This material also ensures that the boots are lightweight, a brilliant feature, especially when on the move all the time.

Aside from the other specifications I have mentioned, one of the main features these boots boast has got to be the B-Dry Waterproof system. It really does ‘what it says on the tin’!! Not once have I experienced any moisture inside the boots since wearing them. There are 3 parts to this amazing waterproofing system. Firstly, as you have already read, the inner material does a great job at wicking moisture away. The second element is the inner part of the boot which has been tape-sealed to ensure no water can seep through. And finally, the upper materials (as discussed above) are water tight.

These have been perfect for trekking in wet weather and also whilst enjoying some very snowy days we have had recently as you can see below (who would have thought Cornwall would get so much snow??). Not only are these boots waterproof, they also have a breathable membrane, which keeps your feet from getting too hot, which I know will be great on our travels in the summer months.

These boots are full of amazing features and the final one I want to mention is the outsole. They have a classic and very practical design, extremely suitable for hiking on all terrains. They have a nylon shank, which is a very important feature to ensure that the boots function correctly, as it helps to lessen the load sustained by the feet and calves during an ascent. The soles also provide excellent grip, especially on uneven terrain, due to the 4mm directional lugs studding the sole,so they have been perfect to wear during all of our walks.

I really am so pleased with the quality of the Oboz Women’s Bridger Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot and have been very impressed with every feature. If you are looking for intelligently designed footwear from a brand that takes care in everything they do, these boots are the ones for you. I thoroughly recommend them!

FYI Vicky is wearing her Celine Parka by Didriksons

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2 Comments

  1. Denise
    May 21, 2018 / 6:19 pm

    Doesn’t that make your laces too long by not crossing them before hooking them?

    • WildTide
      Author
      May 21, 2018 / 6:27 pm

      Hi Denise,

      I didn’t find so but if you thought they were too long you could cross them again and still go through the hook (which is probably how they are designed to be used). I regularly change the lacing style depending on how my feet are feeling or how rough the terrain is. What is great about these boots is they just give you lots of great options.

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