Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
CERTIFIED tier
Oboz was founded in Bozeman, Montana in 2007 by a former Merrell designer who wanted to build hiking boots with better out-of-the-box fit and domestic design sensibility.
Origin
Made in Vietnam (designed in Bozeman, Montana)
Warranty
Limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship; Vibram outsole resoleable by cobblers
Price
~$180 (Mid)
Community
Reddit r/BuyItForLife Approved
The Sawtooth X Mid delivers on that premise with a nubuck leather and abrasion-resistant textile upper that shrugs off trail debris, a B-DRY waterproof membrane that keeps water out without the licensing cost of GORE-TEX (savings passed to the buyer), and a Vibram outsole with aggressive lug patterning for reliable traction on varied terrain. The proprietary O FIT Insole provides arch support that competitors charge extra for, and the midsole geometry is tuned for loaded hiking rather than casual trail walking.
At approximately $180, the Sawtooth X Mid undercuts comparable boots from Lowa and Salomon by $30 to $70 while delivering construction quality that holds up through 500 to 1,000 trail miles. The Vibram outsole can be resoled by a competent cobbler, extending the boot's life beyond the midsole's natural compression timeline.
Oboz plants a tree for every pair sold through their partnership with Trees for the Future — a detail that aligns with the BIFL ethos of building less and building better. The boot breaks in quickly, typically within 10 to 15 miles, and the nubuck leather develops a character with use that synthetic boots cannot replicate.
For day hikers and weekend backpackers who want durability without the weight or price of a full-grain leather mountain boot, the Sawtooth X Mid occupies the practical center.