Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated Waterproof

This boot is comfortable, warm, lightweight for a serious snow boot, grips great, clip for gaiters, nothing bad to say except it runs small. I usually wear a 10, bought an 11 and wear with sock liner and heavy wool sock, fit is perfect.

Have worn the Oboz Bridger BDry 10" boots on easy strolls in the woods, in deep snow up in the White Mtns barebooting and snowshoeing hikes in the Berkshires, rain, sleet, mud, stream crossings...pretty much everything.  Overall, Oboz really hit the mark for a HD winter boot. I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars but I'm pretty critical with gear/boots...so consider me a Russian judge...4.5 out of 5 stars

I have pretty neutral, "normal" feet, ordered a full size up expecting it to run small and to wear a sock liner+heavy wool sock for winter hiking/snowshoeing. Fit is absolutely perfect. The boot is higher up on my calf than I'm used to but broke in very quickly...pretty much right out of the box. The boot goes up just below mid-calf on me, wasn't too stiff around my calf, and the material is comfortable/doesn't wear against my skin even if I don't wear it with a tall sock. 

Lacing is simple, secure, and easy. Knot has come undone a couple times but I just double knot it and it's fine. 

Could use a little more cushion underfoot for me, but it's still very comfortable. Roomy toe box, heel feels secure underfoot. 

Very resistant to snow getting in the boot and is pretty damn near completely waterproof. Walked in two feet of snow, crossed streams 6+inches deep, stayed completely dry. 

Traction is great. Wore it up Mt. Moosilauke, Stratton, Ascutney, Greylock, and several others and while I ended up putting on Microspikes on each hike, I probably didn't need to. 

On these winter hikes, not once did my feet get cold. I was moving pretty good, had sock liners+wool socks. Feet didn't get too warm. On Mt Moosilauke, it was -5°F at the trailhead, -15°F at the summit with 40-50 mph winds and my feet were toasty the entire time. 

Durability=great so far. No issues. 

Background

I'm a fanatic about outdoor gear in general. I hike a lot, camp a lot, trail run, year round in rain, snow, hot, frigid temps...a very outdoorsy kind of guy. However, this was my first serious winter performance boot. Have used winter boots like Sorels which are great, but heavy.

I was going to try my Salomon Quest 4D GTX 3 in the winter because they are very water resistant and awesome in their own right. But a very warm, and waterproof boot they are not. Plus, I didn't want to wear them down using them not for their intended purposes. I made the right choice because these Oboz are on a whole other level and are ideal for winter conditions.

The Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated Waterproof boot are excellent winter boots. They are comfortable, warm for hiking in temps into the teens, have good traction on most conditions, with the exception being ice. Highly recommend, especially for people who like a taller boot with great support.

Very comfortable, snug, supportive, and warm. Required no breaking in. Soles are harder and stiffer than other boots, which makes them very durable, but are a bit more slippery on ice. I have a pair of Columbia Bugaboot III XTM for very cold weather when I'm not moving much, and they have a much softer rubber sole that grips the ice a lot better.

I have had the Oboz since January 2020, and are my go-to winter hiking boot. I bought them for a winter trip to Iceland, where they sadly didn't get much use due to Storm Dennis wreaking havoc.

Since then, however, they've seen miles and miles of New England trails. Once temperatures drop into the 30s Fahrenheit, and down into the teens, as long as I'm moving, my feet are comfortable.

I don't recommend too thick of a sock, as the snug fit of the boot with the added bulk of thick socks does restrict toe wiggling and my feet get cold in temps below 20 if I'm standing still. My feet have never gotten wet despite walking ankle deep in streams and deep snow. I really love the taller height for more ankle support. I only wish they made an 10" uninsulated version.

I do recommend waterproofing these with a waterproofing product after a while, as you should any winter boot. My feet haven't gotten wet yet, but the boot material does stay wetter for longer as time has gone on.

Fits just like the mid Bridgers.

Have lots of Oboz in 12 wide because it is the only shoe that fits me perfectly every time. I have wide toes and a narrow heel and need what is known as a "combination last". Oboz in wide is an EE toes and a C heel which with a Smartwool extra cushion hiking sock makes a perfection fit for me.

I got the 10 inch height for two reasons: it was on sale and I can wash the mud off with a hose and keep my socks dry. I think it has good insulation although have never worn them in snow.

Update 6/2024. I bought these new. Having used these a few months they are now my go-to dog walking shoe. Easy to hose off when I am done, my feet and, more importantly, my socks are now immune from foxtails. Super comfy and the toe is even the right shape for kicking balls to my dog.

Background

Lots of 12 wide Oboz Bridger, Sawtooth, etc. The hiking Oboz boots all fit the same.