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Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof - Women's Review

As a very stiff option, these all-leather boots take time to break in, yet offer unsurpassed sturdiness
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oboz bridger mid waterproof for women hiking boots review
The leather uppers make the OBoz Brigder Mid the stiffest, most durable boot we tested. The other boots that compare are the Lowa Renegade GTX.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Price:  $200 List
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Manufacturer:   Oboz
By Jane Jackson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 23, 2022
76
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 18
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Support - 25% 9.0
  • Traction - 15% 8.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 6.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

A small company based out of Bozeman, Montana, Oboz brings a more traditional aesthetic to ourbest women's hiking boots review this year. The Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof ended up being one of the stiffest, more durable boots we tested and required a bit more time to break in than some of the less burly models. The tread is very aggressive, and the soles are thick to protect your feet on the gnarliest of trails. For those looking for a long-lasting, more traditional style hiking boot, the Bridger Mid Waterproof might be the boot for you. These boots have the support and sturdy construction to hold up on long backpacking trips or long hikes over rugged terrain. The Oboz Bridger is most at home on long, rugged hikes, preferably with a heavy load and a creek crossing or two.
REASONS TO BUY
Very supportive
Exeptionally durable
Protective soles
Waterproof
REASONS TO AVOID
Difficult to break in
Very stiff
Lacking flexibility in forefoot
Editor's Note: This review was updated on March 23, 2022, with helpful info comparing boot models and product recommendations.

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Bottom Line Durability is a key characteristic of these stiff and sturdy, all leather boots, for rugged terrain and longevityWhile less supportive than a traditional leather hiker, these boots excel in comfort and agility while saving weightA solid choice for any aggressive terrain thanks to superior comfort, abundant support, and a durable leather upperWaterproof protection and durability set this hiking boot apart from the restA great choice for day hikes and moderate backpacking trips, these boots lack support and padding for shouldering heavier loads on extended trips
Rating Categories Oboz Bridger Mid Wa... La Sportiva Ultra R... Hoka Kaha 2 GTX - W... La Sportiva Nucleo... Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP
Comfort (25%)
6.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Support (25%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Traction (15%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Water Resistance (15%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
Weight (10%)
6.0
7.8
6.0
5.2
5.6
Durability (10%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Oboz Bridger Mid Wa... La Sportiva Ultra R... Hoka Kaha 2 GTX - W... La Sportiva Nucleo... Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP
Measured Weight (per pair) 2.00 lbs (size 7.5) 1.68 lbs (size EU 40) 2.00 lbs (size 8) 2.14 lbs (size EU 40) 2.06 lbs (size 8)
Upper Nubuck leather AirMesh, microfiber, TPU Waterproof nubuck leather Nubuck leather Leather, mesh
Width Options Regular, wide Regular, wide Regular Regular, wide Regular, wide
Waterproof Lining BDry Gore-Tex Gore-Tex waterproof booties, waterproof leather Gore-Text Surround Waterproof membrane
Heel Height 1.4" 1.8" 2.0" 1.6" 2.0"
Shaft Height 6.3" 5.0" 7.0" 5.0" 4.9"
Midsole Dual Density EVA, nylon shank MEMlex Rubberized EVA EVA Super Rebound Compound
Sole Granite Peak carbon rubber FriXion XF 2.0 Rubber Vibram Megagrip rubber Vibram Nano XS-Trek rubber compound Vibram TC5+

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof is a well-made, aggressive all-leather hiking boot that will hold up to lots of trail miles with a large pack. It's available in regular and wide sizes, has a very durable leather upper, and a lacing system that pulls the heel in snug for a great fit. The waterproof/breathable membrane keeps water out of socks, and the Granite Peak carbon rubber outsole with aggressive lugs helps this boot gain traction of hard and loose surfaces alike.

Performance Comparison


oboz bridger mid waterproof for women hiking boots review - the oboz bridger mid is a sturdy and stiff leather boot—great...
The Oboz Bridger Mid is a sturdy and stiff leather boot—great protection for desert adventures.
Credit: Alexa Flower

Comfort


These boots scored lower on comfort than any other metric because of their stiffness and long break-in period. They were almost debilitatingly stiff on steep terrain, especially trails with large rock steps. This stiffness made it difficult to flex the foot forward when walking uphill. That said, with time and a strategic break-in plan, these boots could become a great option for all-day hikes and long backpacking trips.

oboz bridger mid waterproof for women hiking boots review - the bulky midsole and leather upper make these some of the stiffest...
The bulky midsole and leather upper make these some of the stiffest boots we tested.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Support


The lower scores the Bridger Mid received in the comfort category are made up for in their ability to provide support for long periods. Our feet felt very stable inside the Bridger Mid's due to the nylon shanks and thermoplastic urethane forefoot plates. There was little movement from side to side, and we never felt at risk of rolling an ankle, even on uneven terrain. The boots have lots of padding on the sides, and the soles are thick, which made our feet feel protected and supported. The toe caps on the Oboz are beefy and make the Bridgers a good option for manual labor, as the thick rubber on the front protected our toes from rocks and tools.

oboz bridger mid waterproof for women hiking boots review - 360-degree stability is the name of the game with the bridger mid.
360-degree stability is the name of the game with the Bridger Mid.
Credit: Alexa Flower

Traction


With large side lugs and 4 mm directional lugs on the bottom, the Oboz Bridger feels grippy on rocky surfaces and loose gravel. Just by looking at them, we could tell that these would hold up to steep, variable terrain based on the thick rubber soles and rubber toe and heel reinforcements.

oboz bridger mid waterproof for women hiking boots review - though they're not the stickiest boots in this review, the oboz...
Though they're not the stickiest boots in this review, the Oboz Bridger have some of the most aggressive lug patterns we've seen on hiking boots.
Credit: Alexa Flower

Water Resistance


Constructed with waterproof Nubuck leather uppers, these boots will keep your feet dry even when fully submerged in flowing water for a minute or two. The height of the sole and the leather and rubber construction protect from shallow puddles, but even if the leather upper got wet, we never felt our feet get wet. As we've discovered in our tests of the best women's hiking boots, all-leather boots with waterproof coating perform very well in terms of water resistance, and the Bridgers demonstrate this.

oboz bridger mid waterproof for women hiking boots review - with a waterproof membrane and waterproof leather uppers, these...
With a waterproof membrane and waterproof leather uppers, these boots do a stellar job protecting from moisture.
Credit: Eric Bissell

Weight


At just over two pounds, these boots are fairly light for the amount of material used in their construction. The sole seems bulky, especially the heel and toe rubber, and their all-leather upper makes them seem heavier than they actually are. But, the scale doesn't lie, and by the numbers, they are a fairly light boot for such a burly design.

Durability


Few models can match the Oboz Bridger in durability. The design and choice of materials make these long-lasting shoes. Even after many days of wear, they still looked brand new. They are so tough that it was difficult to break them in, which was one of the few negatives we found with this boot.

oboz bridger mid waterproof for women hiking boots review - these are a great option for folks determined to get a stiff...
These are a great option for folks determined to get a stiff, durable boot.
Credit: Alexa Flower

Should You Buy the Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof?


The Oboz Bridger Mid are tough and durable, but because of this, we found them difficult to break in. However, this durability lends to their use as a great work boot, so if you need something that can shine as a rugged hiking boot and for occasional use doing manual labor, these are a good option. Their thick sole and aggressive tread pattern had our feet feeling protected and stable on uneven terrain. The leather upper and integrated lacing system also provided ankle support. This is a sturdy, durable, and very water-resistant boot that's built to last.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?


If you want an all-leather, durable, well-made boot, we'd also point you toward the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid, which bested the Bridger in nearly every metric, although it's slightly heavier than the Bridger. For something a bit lighter weight, check out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid, our favorite women's hiking boot.

Jane Jackson