ObozOboz Men's Bridger Low B-Dry Waterproof Hiking Shoe

Great shoes just the job

I have always worn heavy hiking boots with steel shanks. They provided great support and protection for the hikes I used to do. However, I don't do those hikes anymore and needed something that was lighter but would still provide good support for my feet. I saw the description and reviews for these Oboz Bridger Low boots and took a chance. The first impression was that these things are stiff. I mean, really stiff. They felt more like road cycling shoes than hikers and I hoped they'd loosen up a little. After the first day the foot insole molded to my feet and they loosened up a little. After about 10 or 15 miles of use, they're still a little stiff but not so much that you can't use them as daily shoes. I've used them in the office and on dirt and road walks and they're working fine. The cleats/outsoles are pretty rugged and, in my opinion, relegate them more to trails and hikes versus daily wearing on concrete. If you're looking for something to wear around the office or wear on hard surfaces, there are probably better choices. With that said, I am using them daily. The toe box width is good and gives me lots of room to move. I can't attest to their waterproof ability. They're low hikers so regardless, if you're out on the trail, water will likely seep in from the ankles. That's not a knock on these Oboz but is just a reality to the type of boot it is. I wear an 11 and these fit fine but there's not a lot of extra room. I won't wear thick socks with these...they're summer hikers. Wearing mid-weight hiking socks was ok. Again, the 11s fit almost perfectly but don't leave a lot of extra room for thick socks. Regular crew socks just about fill these out without getting tight. The heels fit fine and don't slip. I have high arches and these feel fine. I have little foot fatigue when worn on long walks/hikes of 6 or 7 miles (so far) whereas other shoes will leave my feet tired. I got the Dark Shadow and my wife says they look good so they get style points. They're not cheap but, if they hold up, they are a really good option for the person looking for a stiff, light hiker.

My fiance loves these shoes. He swears by them and they are his "go to" when needing a shoe replacement. They offer great support and great durability but lose one star because:1. They lack style2. They are not breathable at all- when you are wearing these shoes for 8-12 hour shifts it is VERY noticeable when you take them off! All the shoe spray in the world isn't going to fix that.I wish this weren't the case as they do last a LONG time. He went with a different brand of shoes that cost $180 for his last pair and they had holes in them after 3-4 months. These shoes have never had that issue.

These are the most narrow shoe I’ve even encountered. Great looking shoe and well made. But go a full size up. If you take an 11 order a 12. Trust me, I’m a perfect 11M and I’ve never had such a tight shoe. Ouch!

This boot feels like it was made just for me, and assembled by someone who truly cared about workmanship. The fit is perfect and the boot has excellent stability, grip, and climbing ability. I used to be a Keen's fan, but these Oboz feel like a much better product in terms of design, materials, construction, utility and practicality. No more Keen's for me.