Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I just returned from a month in Nepal, trekking for 23 days through the Rowaling and Khumbu Valleys, crossing 3 high altitude passes, multiple glaciers, and approximately 26 hours through boulder/talus/scree fields and heinous glacial moraines. I had spent only three hours in the Yellowstones before my trek, so no a lot of break in time. I should have known better, being that I have ruined a few previous climbing trips due to shoddy footwear. Not this time. The Yellowstone II's were unbelievable. Not one blister, bruise, or hot spot. No band aids, mole skin, mole foam, or glacier gel were deployed. We carried 40# packs for half of the trek and they offered great support while being extremely light weight. The traction was excellent on all of the talus. I experienced almost zero foot fatigue. I can't recommend these shoe highly enough!

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

This is a good, solid hiking boot. Comfortable right out of the box. I'm a fan of sticky rubber compounds for the soles of all my footwear, and as far as I can tell, these should work just fine in traversing wet rocks. While I would prefer that all by boots have stitching securing the rubber toes and rands (which these shoes do not), the glue should hold up just fine so long as you don't get them too wet too often (they are waterproof, however; it's just that I've found that unless they are stitched in addition to being glued, the toe rands always start to peel away from the shoe).

A really nice addition, though, with these boots, are the quality insoles; typically, you'd have to go out an spend $30 or $40 to replace the cheap-o foam inserts most ever other footwear comes with today. The Oboz insoles are as good as the Shock Doctor's I usually use.

Overall, I'd recommend these hiking boots to anyone interested in hitting the trails, from day hikes to longer trips.

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have suffered through months of Plantar Facitis and hiking is my life. I saw these boots in an REI ad and was attracted by the fact that they did not need an additional orthodic (always an extra $30 -$40). Tonight, after a very good day hike, I am nearly pain free! I can't tell you what that is worth to me.

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I gave these boots 3 stars thou I ended up returning them. My local REI dose not carry the Oboz brand in house, so this review is based upon only one pair ordered online.
I normal wear a US Men's 8.5 or 9 depending on brand. My left foot is just slightly longer than my right, which can create a challenge when it comes down to selecting boots or shoes. I ordered a Men's US 8.5.

I had tried on everything at my local REI before ordering these ( one of the smaller REI's-limited brand selection – but fair choice of models ), and in MHO The Yellowstone II's quality out surpassed many brands costing more.

After wearing for a few days indoors, my trial consisted of three day hikes over hilly hard packed/ gravel mixed trails. Two hikes for 8.5 miles, one at 5 miles. All outings with a 20 pound pack Socks– liners w/ med. wool socks and med. wool socks alone. Here's my conclusions.

First impressions, fantastic mid-soles! Very comfortable and plush feeling under foot. Perfect balance of protection without the weight/ stiffness of a heavier boot.
REAL insole! Wither or not you'll like the stock insole is always a personal decision, but it's refreshing to see a 'footwear company' at least take there insoles seriously.
I'm usually not a fan when a company sports their own rubber, but these soles gripped well regardless of trail surface (all hikes where during dry conditions, can't comment on wet conditions).
For a waterproof boot (again assuming the B-Dry lining is waterproof– didn't stick a boot in the tub) they were surprisingly breathable (temp's high 70's to low 80's w/ typical mid west humidity). No, my feet didn't stay totally dry but never over-heated (have experienced worse with other 'breathable' waterproof linings).

Well– sounds great huh? So why didn't I keep them? I couldn't get my right foot to feel as comfortably as my left. My left foot was instantly happy, regardless of sock combination or insoles, (not the norm for me– my left foot is usual the 'problematic' foot). Right foot just never found the heel cup, and heel was always slightly rubbing. Even odder, right foot felt crowded. ( verified that the stated size of each boot was an US 8.5) . Tried different lacing techniques, but no luck. Toes and bottoms of both feet were extremely happy, it's was just that darn right heel! Heel never blistered, surprisingly (thou hot spot was noticeable early on in each hike).

If I wasn't planning on heading out West this summer I'd give these boots more time. But past experience has taught me that any seemingly minor issue (especially in footwear) can become major real fast in the steeps.

Is this an manufacturing quality issue with Oboz? Is this pair maybe out of spec? I really can't tell with only having one pair tried. But I do know that I'm impressed with the engineering design. I'll be close to one REI when I head out west. If they have a fair size selection in stock I wouldn't be opposed to giving these boots another try. This pair (or should I say half-a-pair ) didn't work for me. But I'd seriously recommend you give Oboz a look

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have wide feet. Oboz were recommended by an REI footwear specialist along with Keen for us "full-figured feet" guys, but they didn't have Keen in my size at the time, so I went with the Oboz. Excellent choice. The Yellowstone IIs were comfy from the moment I put them on. I only got to break them in for about 5 miles before I hit the trail for an overnight snowshoe backpack, and they did not disappoint. My feet stayed completely dry after 2 days of trudging through slush, pack, and powder, with no blisters or hot spots.

I gave them four stars instead of five simply because I haven't had them long enough to rate them for durability.

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

This is one tough boot. I have been training for Rainier for the past six months in these boots. I hike 5 to 10 miles a week usually on trails that gain 1,000 feet of elevation per mile, all with a 45 pound pack. These boots are awesome! I never feel the rocks on the trail, they give you great ankle support and have great traction. My feet are never tired or sore. I have hiked across snow fields and my feet stayed dry. The boot is true to size and the insole is very close to aftermarket. I will buy these boots again but 6 months into it, they feel and support my feet like they are still new. I wear REI silk liners and REI wool hiking socks, not hot spots or blisters and my feet do not get overheated.

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have used the step down model from this boot the Sawtooth Mid and recently Just got this boot and WOW!!! what a great mid. I have been wearing it as a daily driver and been out on several hikes with it and it rocks. It has some of the best fit and support out there. I also like how this rubber was a little gripper in the cold(-10) then my sawtooth was. Overall AWESOME.

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I wore thses hiking the Grand Canyon for four days. They were on my feet for 12 - 16 hours a day. Absolutely no complaints. They were very comfortable and my feet did not tire from wearing them all day long. These boots provided great support on rocky terrain, rock climbing and general trail hiking. They stayed oompletely dry when wading through streams, mudding trails and rainy days.

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have hiked all over the Northwest for many years and this is by far the best pair of light hiking boots I have owned. They have great arch support, I usually have to add an expensive orthodic and to my suprise was not necessary with these boots. They have a wide toe box which is beneficial when backpacking down relatively steep slopes. ( no smashed toes) The tread has good traction and the boot has just the right amount of stiffness for off trail hiking while still being comfortable. If there is one downside, they are not completely waterproof. After spending a very wet weekend in the Selkirk mountains, the boots were pretty much saturated and my feet were wet.
All in all , the best light hiking boots i have ever owned!

Comments about Oboz Yellowstone II Hiking Boots - Men's:

I was looking for a mid-height and mid-weight day hiking boot and compared the Oboz with the Vasque Scree. I decided on the Oboz. The primary use would be for day hikes on the Appalachian Trail and other hikes with total distances being from 4 too 10 miles. I have worn them several times and find them comfortable, stable, grippy traction, and they have prevented my ankle from rolling over several times. I noticed after the first hike on part of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania which included rock, scree, boulders, moss, dirt, and small streams that some parts of the side and underside of the sole which are made of EVA foam where showing extensive wear. This is likely a result of the terrain as well as the design of the sole which Oboz calls Sawtooth which cuts out some of the rubber sole to reduce weight. The nubuck uppers have remained like new. I still rate them five stars because of the overall performance [...], my only concern is the durability of the sole. We will see how they hold up and anyway boots like these are expected to last a year or two depending on use.