How to Choose Hiking Boots

Offering a cushioned and responsive feel that won't weigh you down, the men's Oboz Katabatic Low hiking shoes are designed for days when you want to move fast and light on the trails.
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Imported.
View all Oboz Men's Hiking ShoesBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Mesh/TPU overlays |
Midsole | High-rebound, single-density EVA |
Support | ESS plate |
Outsole | Trail Tread rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 9.4 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
U.S. Women's | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | ||||||
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 39.5 | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 |
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These are great for moderate terrain. The sole has plenty of grip and it's tough enough without being uncomfortable and can withstand jagged surfaces. The top portion of the shoes is a little stiff to provide stability and protection and the stiffness did not contribute to any discomfort. The shoes are not waterproof, but I had no issues with my feet getting wet nor did they get too hot or sweaty. Overall, they're a great hiking shoe.
Initially, I thought these hiking shoes were going to be too narrow for my feet, but once I put them on, I found that wasn't to be the case. I "ran" these through the gauntlet of what a typical hiker might encounter trail tread-wise. The sole has really good gripping qualities. Moistened, slick granite posed no problem. I was able to confidently ascend and descend wet uphill soil without a slip. Some feat! The sole also provided really good cushioning, a real plus for someone who is still trying to get over plantar fasciitis. River rock along your route? No problem. Sure-footing & cushioning. Uneven exposed bedrock in the tread -- hardly felt it. But, I felt it enough to not get lulled into complacency. Don't want to get overconfident and take a dive! I also stopped in a shallow water crossing to see how the shoes reacted to getting wet. My feet stayed dry, but I could feel the cold from the water after prolonged exposure. The upper shoe has a great deal of flex. On the plus side, one can really feel the trail and get a good grip on really tough terrain. On the minus side, one might want a little more rigidity so that one's foot is not twisted and turned quite so much. This is a personal preference. Lastly, I couldn't help but thinking that I was hiking "pigeon-toed". These shoes have a clear inward bias compared to other hiking shoes I've owned, and for that reason I deducted one star.
Its Mid-January 2024 and I live in Colorado. Temperatures have been chilly. I wore these between 10 & 20 degrees with mixed snow & ice still on the ground from the last snow fall a few days ago. Pros: The toe box is very roomy, which I like. The fit through most of the shoe is comfortable except for the heel. I have high arches which can be an issue with some shoes but did not experience any discomfort while wearing these shoes. I received the Thicket color scheme which are attractive. I like the orange on the front of the shoe. The tan and black colors go with just about anything I wear outside. There is a strap at the top of the tongue which I do like. I don’t recall having this feature on other shoes but it’s nice to give it a tug to ensure the tongue is fitted before securing the laces. The tread performs well in snow/icy conditions. In one of the pictures, I was walking on black ice. The tread gripped well with minimal slippage. I did read other reviews that knocked this product because it looks too large with the roomy toe box “the front look bulkier than it needs to be…” I would disagree. I like the looks of this shoe. It has a stable appearance that looks nice. Cons: My feet do not feel secure as my heel moves around too much for my preference. My heel actual rises in the shoe when walking regardless of how tight I tie the laces. According to their technical specs online: Standard Width - Men’s standard width is C in the heel and D in the forefoot. I may put inserts in to see if it can tighten up the heel box. The strap on the back of the shoe for pulling it on is small for me to get a finger in there. I did after some effort. I didn’t need that strap to get the shoes on. However, if you’re going to have that feature, I would make it a tad bigger so anyone can get a finger in there unless it’s just there for looks. I would not take these into the back country of Colorado, I will stick with my Danner boots. These shoes are more for everyday wear. The weather is dry and cold here in Colorado so I’m not sure how breathable the synthetic material is at the front of the shoe. I can say it is comfortable as a winter shoe.
I have wanted to get my hands on a pair of the Oboz Katabatic low hiking shoes ever since I participated in the Oboz Trail Challenge last October in Central Texas. I was recently given a pair and I love how this shoe has a rugged and refined design which looks great in both shorts and pants. The tongue of the shoe lays flat and is form fitting on top of the foot to keep debris from infiltrating its way in. The cushioning was the most prominent feature I noticed. I use other name brand hiking shoes, which I've been quite loyal, but the their cushioning is nothing in comparison to the Oboz Katabatic. I honestly believe if I had these on when I hiked 200 miles in one month my right knee lining would not have become swollen and inflamed causing me to lay low for 6 weeks. The fit was great right out of the box and required little to no breaking in. I have a normal size foot with an average D width and the shoe fit great all around. The tread is aggressive and grips well on all surfaces, I can wear these on walks, hikes or in more rugged areas like the rocky Texas Hill Country or even climbing a 14er in Colorado. This is a great all around hiking shoe that provides a ton of cushion, fits great from the start, provides exceptional protection from rugged/rocky terrain while still be being light and agile enough to do some trail running.
I used these shoes as work shoes, which involve time at a desk and in a hangar. The shoe material broke down and wore out in about five months. I tried to return them to REI, but they did not support the brands they sell.
No complaints here, really nice hiking shoe. Look: really nice colors and a good design. Lots of hiking shoes these days seem to have crazy patterns but i really like the look of these. Size: They run true to size. Comfort level: Great and feel good straight out of the box. I think they will only improve after breaking in. Tread pattern works well, tried these out in some peanut butter mud and they had great traction. Overall, I am liking these shoes and cant wait to wear them on some more hiking trips.
As a longtime hiker, I've come to appreciate the importance of reliable and comfortable footwear on the trails. Recently, I had the opportunity to test out this pair of Oboz Katabatic Low Hiking Shoes. They initially felt on the stiff side (mostly around the ankle and heel). However, after a week or so of wearing them around the house and on short walks they noticeably break-in and gradually mold to the contours of your feet, resulting in a comfortable fit. These hiking shoes have a generous toe box, lightweight feel, and have excellent grip. The roomy toe box is great for anyone like me that falls close to needing a wide size. With reliable grip on muddy and loose trails, these shoes give you confidence to move quickly. Overall, they offer a solid combination of comfort, rugged style, and performance for your adventures.
“I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review.” I was excited when I was able to try these hiking shoes from Oboz. They have a great style that is both unique and different from other brands, but the real test is how do they feel after being on trail for several days. And I am here to tell you, they are fantastic! I have traditionally sworn by Merrill’s and felt any shoe would have to be really special to be more comfortable, but these are! So much so I wear them all the time. I have also worn them on some tough trails and they are holding up very well! I highly recommend the Oboz!!
The fit is good. You can cinch these shoes pretty tight around the foot so you can really feel the trail as you walk over it. The back heel of the shoe is VERY stiff, which is very nice going uphill, but downhill you really notice that same stiffness as it rubs into the top of your Achilles tendon. There's plenty of padding there, so it's not a dealbreaker at all, but it's something to note for people who do a lot of trails over steep terrain, and the only reason a star's been knocked off. The stiff heel also is an advantage at the campsite: if you loosen the laces you can slip in and out of these shoes kind of like a slightly tighter loafer, which is convenient if you forgot your camp shoes. The flexibility of the shoe out of the box was impressive. I had an accident with a cream of chicken soup can falling on my big toe the day before the shoes got in, and I was dreading wearing my daily sneakers- they pressed right on where the can of soup left the bruise. The mesh top of these, however, let my foot operate normally despite that injury- granting them daily driver status for a few days, hike or no. These things are COMFORTABLE for daily wear. I'm actually writing this review a week after I planned to, thanks to inclement weather. These shoes aren't the waterproof version, so I had to wait for it not to be actively raining. But! The weather gave me an opportunity to test these in a way that products don't often get to be- in MUD. I found a local hike that bordered a stream bed and hopped up a few hundred feet in elevation over a mile and a half. The trail was muddy, sticky and slippery. The shoes held on through it all. I didn't skid or loose my grip ONCE, despite the trail conditions, the slope, and the kid on my back. All the photos are from that hike. These things have GRIP, and they're basically an ATV tire for your foot.
I've worn Oboz for years. I loved the Sawtooth and have had over a dozen pairs. The wide toe box and the fantastic support made for many comfortable miles on the trail. Then they "updated" the design. I ordered a pair of Sawtooth in the same size I've always worn and the toe box was so much tighter I lost a toenail after trying to wear them for a week. So I went to our local outdoor gear store and the guy recommended I try these. That was three months ago. The mesh is now ripped through on the sides of both shoes. I haven't even used them for hiking, they've just been used at home and around town. The tread looks brand new. But the side mesh is toast. Gravel is falling through. I hate to say it but I think it's time to give up on Oboz. They updated and did away with everything that made their shoes so awesome.