While in the US, I stopped in Sedona, Arizona for a few days and decided to try the Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY boots on the Little Horse hiking trail. The ample cushioning and padding of these hiking boots were surprisingly effective, and the outsole managed to be very adhesive and protective of the underfoot.
Oboz Bridger Mid BDry
The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry is a well-made boot designed to withstand rocky trails.
However, these boots are a little heavier than most hiking boots in the lightweight tier, making the Oboz brand’s trail running shoes better choices for casual hikes. Aside from that, they’re one of the sturdiest pairs of hiking boots I’ve worn.
So, let’s jump into the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry review and see if these held up to our standards.
Specs
- Weight: 19.0 oz / 538 g
- Waterproof: Oboz B-DRY
- Insole: O-FIT
- Midsole: Dual-density EVA
PROS
CONS
Things We Tested When We Reviewed Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Waterproof Hiking Boots
1. Traction
The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry is designed with a Granite Peak outsole, which does well at sticking to rocks and loose gravel thanks to the lug depth and aggressive tread patterns.
The Little Horse hiking trail is very rocky, but the steep ascents and descents for this boot were extremely safe and grippy.
Even on light trails, there have been no downsides to the Granite Peak outsole’s excellent traction.
2. Comfort
The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry is lined with the brand’s O-Fit footbed, which is reinforced by the dual-density EVA midsole for increased stability and cushioning for the heel and arches [1].
However, while it’s a comfortable boot overall, the forefoot stiffness makes it a little difficult to properly flex the foot. Fortunately, that’s nothing the break-in period won’t eventually solve.
3. Breathability
The nylon mesh linings of the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry hiking boots did well with pulling in the air and keeping my feet dry.
On the Little Horse hiking trail, I didn’t have many issues with ventilation, which is good since I’m not as familiar with the BDry membrane as I am with a Gore-Tex or M-Select Dry membrane.
I’m pleased to say that it didn’t run as warm as some high-end water-repellant liners usually do.
4. Durability
The Oboz’s nubuck leather upper is long-lasting and so is the rubber outsole. Even after several rocky adventures over hundreds of miles, I can hardly tell that these hiking boots have been used at all.
Although, the high build quality of these boots also lends evidence to their toughness, which may be a lot to handle for some hikers.
5. Weight
The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry hiking boots weigh 2 lbs. 6 oz., despite their bulky build. The padding in these hiking boots and the ratio of leather to mesh make them seem a lot heavier than they actually are, especially around the ankles.
Despite being lightweight boots, some people may not like the contrast between the numbers and how they actually feel.
6. Waterproofing
The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry hiking boot’s upper is made with waterproof nubuck leather and BDry water-repellant membrane.
On my hikes, I’ve had the inside of the boots remain dry after nearly submerging my feet in the water.
Even when the leather and mesh did manage to retain some water, it almost immediately dried up, never getting my socks wet.
7. Support
The Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof boots are some of the best hiking boots I’ve worn for support.
The nylon shank in the midsole, combined with the TPU forefoot plate, increases the reliability you’ll have on technical terrain.
Overall, the thick sole and internal padding on this boot does well at locking your heel in place to prevent slippage or blistering, while also having great ankle protection.
8. Fit & Sizing
These hiking boots fit perfectly and come in both normal and wide sizes.
We also made a complete review of the best hiking boots for wide feet, where we have included the Oboz Bridger.
Even though these boots are heavier, they’re sized just right.
The heel stays locked in, the toe box is roomy, the lacing system is snug, and the foot doesn’t feel like it’s too constricted or too free.
However, I’d like to see improvements to the flexibility of the boot and a decrease in how long the rigidness is present.
How Does it Compare with Other Products?
1. Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid
Compared to the Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof, the X Ultra 3 Mid has a lighter build and more flexibility. However, the X Ultra 3 is designed for light-day hiking.
The Oboz’s heavy design and thick padding provide more protection, especially on the underfoot, so it’s suited for more advanced hikes.
Overall, these shoes serve different purposes for different skill levels. As a mid-lightweight hiking boot, the Oboz performs much better than the X Ultra 3 would on jagged rocks and steep inclines.
2. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid hiking boots, similar to the Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof footwear, are meant to perform well on difficult and technical trails.
However, unlike the Oboz Bridger, the Lowa Renegade doesn’t have a non-waterproof version, making it a poor choice for people who hike in warmer weather.
Additionally, the Oboz Bridger is less expensive, costing only around $190, compared to the $255 Lowa Renegade. For a lower price, the Oboz Bridger gives the same build quality for above-average protection.
3. Oboz Sawtooth X Mid
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid is a versatile hiking boot that’s effective both on and off the hiking trail.
Both the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid and Oboz Bridger are meant to be extremely cushioned and protective.
However, the Sawtooth X Mid, because of its heaviness, makes long hiking trips a little difficult. While it is a durable boot, the stress it puts around the ankle tires out the foot very quickly.
The Oboz Bridger also has a heavy design though, so it really all comes down to style and personal preference on this front.
Where Does the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Perform Better?
The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry performs better on trails where you’d encounter more risks to your feet, or where you would need the most protection possible. As mentioned before, the leather upper that lines this boot is highly durable and scratch resistant.
The outsoles can also take exposure to light snow, wet sediment, and mud without wearing down too quickly. While these aren’t the best hiking boots for light trails, where the bulk could be more than you need, the Oboz Bridger performs well in many other environments.
Custom Reviews
Despite the fact that our test methods are what we mostly rely on, we also want to share some Oboz Bridger Mid BDry online opinions.
Do We Recommend the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry For Hiking?
The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry is a product we would highly recommend for hiking. These boots are perfect for moderate-advanced backpacking trips, so we would recommend them for seasoned backpackers.
If you’re someone that hikes in mild conditions or on very simple trails of up to a few miles, the features of the Oboz Bridger could be overkill.
Aside from the stiff and weighted design, which was convenient for the Little Horse hiking trail and some other heavy traveling I’ve done, these are highly durable and protective pieces of footwear that I would use for any challenging hike.
We also like that they fit on various hiking boots and footwear, giving everyone the confidence they need to walk outdoors in icy areas securely.
FAQs
Obozs are good for backpacking. Oboz has both hiking shoes and hiking boots made to handle trails of varying skill levels. They are also designed to manage varying terrain types.
Oboz hiking boots are good. Oboz hiking footwear is designed to be sturdy enough to protect the feet from harsh elements, as inspired by the thick designs that are produced.
The Oboz Bridger does not run small. All Oboz shoes are measured to be true-to-size. However, we do recommend visiting an Oboz retailer for the best possible fit.
Oboz is an American brand. The Oboz manufacturing plant is based in the mountains of Bozeman, Montana, which is also a reference to how the brand got its name.
