How to Choose Hiking Boots

Rugged and weather-protective, the men's Oboz Firebrand II waterproof hiking shoes offer versatile multisport performance and a supportive fit for comfort mile after mile.
$16
10% Reward
on this and every eligible full-price item*
+
$30
Bonus Card
valid for 60 days after joining*
=
$46
Value
Keep shopping
Imported.
View all Oboz Men's Hiking ShoesBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Upper | Nubuck leather/nylon mesh |
Lining | B-DRY waterproof breathable membrane/nylon |
Midsole | Dual-density EVA |
Support | Nylon shank |
Outsole | Rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 2 lbs. 5 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 |
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
After several feet explosions on long hot hikes it was determined I needed a hiking shoe or boot with a larger toe box and stiff sole. I was told me these shoes would do the trick. Most of the hiking I do is off trail, bouldering, through creek beds and rock formations which tears up equipment. So I put them to the test. After break in I put on a 50lb pack and headed deep into the Los Padres National Forest, trekking down white ledge canyon toward the Sisquoc River. No issues at all they did great. Over the course of the next time months I did several extended trips without any issues. These shoes did great with out any feet issues. After returning from an expedition deep into the lower Sespe wilderness region on a seriously hot day I notice several chucks were missing from the soles. I took the shoes back to REI and was able to get a full warranty and picked up a band new pair. These shoe have done great, well enough to justify another pair.
I purchased this shoe late April of this year and I have used it exclusively as a walking shoe and have put only about 79 miles on them per my tracker. The sole is a bit slippery on wet surfaces (road) when I step in water I can feel it slide a bit. Otherwise it’s a fairly comfortable shoe. Unfortunately the reason I am returning it is because the heal inseam has separated/torn from west friction and has started to give me a blister I noticed this on the last 2 walks on todays it was very apparent that there was some malfunction inside the shoe, after a quick look I noticed the tear and this was only after normal walking use
On a recent trip to San Diego I realized that I would be doing a lot more walking than I had planned on. My airport shoes weren’t cutting it! I bought the shoes knowing that I would be able to use them for hiking back home. My walking app told me I put on over 20 miles walking during the week in the city. They were some of the most comfortable shoes that I have ever worn. Little did I know how good the shoes actually were until I went on a 3 mile hike in an Easter weekend snowstorm. I was amazed at how dry my feet stayed and how comfortable the shoes are! I would highly recommend them.
I am an experienced hiker and backpacker, but new to the Oboz brand. Simply put, the Firebrand is an amazing day hiking shoe...a big advancement over other/older brands, especially because of the great heel and arch support (no need for super-feet). Was wearing Garmonts most recently, which now feel like Buicks in comparison. Saw that some hikers gave these shoes lower marks on fit and stability...they definitely need you to dial your lacing fairly precisely to adjust the shoe to your foot. Guessing this might have been an issue. Not sure why more hiking shoe manufacturers don't include lacing and break-in instructions...would save a lot of headaches for everyone!
When I bought these shoes, I was skeptical, because the tongue of the shoe seemed to be pretty stiff and thick, with potential to create pressure spots at the side. However, having just used these shoes on a five-day hiking trip to Ciudad Perdida in Colombia, I'm very happy with the shoes, no complaints. They are comfortable even after many hours of hiking, and they have great grip, even on wet rocks or sandy ground. Also the rounding of the sole at the heel feels weird at first, but is actually great for walking downhill.
Bought these shoes to replace a pair of cross trainers that fell to bits very quickly. Needed shoes for a 45KM. coastal walk. Mainly beaches and rocky headlands with occasional wetlands. On receipt of shoes wore them around house and into town for a couple of days. Very impressed with instant wearability. These shoes performed very well on coastal walk and I was impressed with their waterproof qualities when crossing swampy wetlands. Traction on a wide variety of surfaces was excellent. Seriously considering buying a second pair. Very interested to see how they wear over time.
Use them for easy to mid level day hikes. They look great compared to some of the others. Pretty light and the sole is more rigid. Providing more stability. You'll barely feel pointy or edgy rocks which helps with foot fatigue. Haven't used them in wet conditions yet but excited to try. I would of given 5 stars but I did get a blister on my second use of these shoes. I just started hiking though so I think I just have to break them in. Also tried using sock liner with hiking socks. Still in search of a good one though. These shoes feel great. Like I can conquer anything with them.
I have worn these shoes on 3 different 14ers so far this year and a lot of shorter hikes to break them in. With time they become more comfortable but I did have to buy them in a size smaller than my other shoes and the top of my foot felt strangled at first. Perhaps I am just not used to hiking boots as much (usually hike in lightweight trail running shoes). That is the only complaint I have. They are rugged, durable, and provably waterproof. I am not worried about beating these shoes up like I would be with some of their cheaper cousins. Worth the price premium that they command.
Not sure who's idea it was to put a seam inside the heel of the shoe, but it was a very bad idea. (See picture). I wore these shoes for 30 minutes and felt the "hotspot" forming on the inside of my heels. They are going back. This is the second pair of OBOZ I've returned in the last week. They've apparently forgotten how to design and build shoes. It's a shame, because I've been wearing OBOZ exclusively for hiking for the last 5 years.
I never thought I'd be happier with shoes than I was with my Scarpa Zens, but I have to say... the Firebrands are better. I can see them being used as an approach shoe, thought they lack a little of the stickiness of the Zens, but for all around comfort and hiking, Oboz has it nailed. It feels incredibly burly and well constructed without sacrificing out of the box comfort. The sole took a bit of getting used to, but by "a bit," I mean like 10 minutes. They roll from heel to toe more than other hiking shoes I've owned, but I love this. They've become my go-to shoes for everything. Can't recommend enough.