Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Men’s Hiking Boots

Field Notes:  Oboz is a brand name that, said out loud three times fast, brings a smile.  Active Junky testers, who’d put the brand’s non-waterproof footwear on the trail in 2014 and 2015, deployed Bridger in southern Colorado in a one-week trial earlier this year.  The goal: To see if grins held after subjecting the boot to a wide range of conditions.

Pros: Step into the boot and get the adventure started.  With a self-explanatory lacing system (many are no longer so), Bridger Mid BDry formed a secure, wrapped enclosure for each foot – even when left and right foot were slightly different sizes.  The Granite Peak outsole delivered competent traction across dry creek banks, 100yd plus stretches of clay mud, scrambles up loose rock and small-town pavement.  Waterproofing sustained the tester during quick river crossings as well as thunderous rain squalls pounding in from the west.

Cons: With an intentionally-overbuilt structure that handles wide-ranging conditions comes, by default, a bulkier boot.  The light TPU forefoot plate is among several components that reduce weight, still leaving Bridger Mid BDry intentionally mimicking “waffle stompers” from the 70s.  In addition, the foot-conforming NuBuck leather needs regular spray treatment to help shed dirt and grime.

Favorite Feature: The waterproof, breathable BDry upper is the obvious choice with this style.  But we’re going with the insole and midsole combination for serious, extended comfort.  Instead of plowing through all conditions (and leaving feet the victim), the boot brings instep relief and toebox wiggle room to the design.  Even extended climbs and descents failed to mash, crash or overextend the foot’s geometry.

Tester Quote: “Wear and you shall receive. Walk and you will prevail.  Carry and a world of overnight possibilities open up before you.  Fear not the raging river, soggy bottomland or high desert escarpment, fellow traveler.  Oboz Bridger Mid BDry is with you every challenging stride of the way.”

Bottom line:  For not much over $150, day hikers, trekkers and backcountry travelers get years of mileage out of a single pair.  The company maintains high standards so you can expect every pair succeeds straight out of the box.