• Comfort 60% 60%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 70% 70%
  • Weight 70% 70%
  • Water Resistance 60% 60%
  • Durability 90% 90%

Price: $180

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.37lb (1.07kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

Width Options: Regular, Wide

Waterproof Lining: BDry waterproof breathable membrane

Upper: Waterproof nubuck leather

Shank: Thermoplastic urethane forefoot plate/nylon shank

Midsole: Single-density EVA

Sole: Carbon rubber

Warranty: 1yr

Sizes: 7-14 US

Color Options: 3

What We Like: Highly durable, light

What We Don’t: Requires break-in time, stiff outsole

An excellent balance of ruggedness and lightweight construction, the Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY has a lot to like about it. This midweight hiker/backpacking boot boasts spectacular support and waterproofing, with a burly build that feels surprisingly light. It offers excellent traction and stability and doesn’t rely upon weight-saving materials but relatively high-quality craftsmanship. However, the classic design is beginning to feel a bit outdated as many footwear companies move toward lighter materials.

We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!

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Based on Boseman, MT, Oboz footwear was formed in 2007 by a group of footwear-industry vets who were passionate about the outdoors. The company prides itself on a “green” approach to business—their office is powered purely by wind, solar, and biomass; they carbon-offset their shoe shipments; and any unsellable (but not unwearable) shoes are donated to local nonprofits. Each pair of Oboz shoes is handmade by a team of 140 people.

 

The company’s flagship mid hiker is the Bridger. At $180, the Bridger Mid B-DRY is a midweight hiker/backpacking boot that boasts spectacular support and waterproofing, with a sturdy design that feels surprisingly light.

The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

Comfort & Weight

The Bridger Mid’s comfort factor is a bit of a mixed bag. Right from the start, it will take some break-in time, so don’t expect to take these on the trail right out of the box. Although the stiff leather upper could benefit from some extra flex, Oboz’s proprietary dual-density O FIT insole provides ample cushioning and support with its arches and cupped heel. Sitting below this is a Granite Peak midsole constructed from single-density EVA and a TPU (thermoplastic urethane) chassis. The lacing system consists of two pairs of nylon eyelets at the bottom, followed by two closed metal eyelets, a wider-set pair of nylon eyelets, and open metal hook eyelets at the top. It locks midway, too, so that you can dial in your fit between the foot and ankle.

The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

A pair of men’s size 11s weighed in at 2.37 lbs (1.07 kg), which is reasonably light considering some of the heavier materials that make it up. Despite its leather upper and thick sole, it’s still approximately the same weight as the Keen Targhee II and III Mid WP, and nearly a full pound lighter than our top-rated boot, the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX.

The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

Traction & Stability

The Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRYs sport what can only be described as a sturdy, beefy outsole. It’s made of non-marking carbon rubber (specifically, Oboz’s Granite Peak compound) with 4mm directional lugs and extra-large side lugs for added grip. The outsole is grippy and sturdy, but by the same token, it’s also a tad stiff, making it less than ideal for scrambling. We also thought it could use more of a heel brake.

The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

Stability is achieved by combining the boot’s stiff nubuck leather upper, TPU forefoot plate, and a nylon shank. There’s excellent cushioning around the ankles, and the lacing system makes it easy to cinch these boots tight without causing discomfort. The only drawbacks we could find were a relatively narrow heel and a low collar height compared to other mid-height hiking boots.

The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

Water Resistance & Durability

Oboz integrates their proprietary B-DRY breathable membrane inside nubuck leather. The leather upper is advertised as waterproof, but we did see it soak up some water—however, none leaked through. The low collar height means you’ll want to be a bit more cautious when trekking through streams. In addition, we did see issues with breathability as we have with other shoe companies that integrate proprietary waterproof membranes. It’s tough to match up to Gore-Tex in this regard, and we could feel some heat build-up in warmer temperatures.

 

Durability is, without a doubt, one of this boot’s biggest strengths. The stiff leather upper, while being stiff and a bit difficult to break-in, is incredibly tough and well crafted, while the rubber toe cap and heel counter offer ample protection for your feet. These boots are sure to hold up for several seasons even if you’re less than careful with where you step.

The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

Styles & Sizes

There are three color options for the Bridger Mid B-DRY: Sudan, Olive, and Midnight Black. Sizes run from 7-14 US, and both regular- and wide-fit options are available. The boots come with a 1-year warranty.

The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

The Bottom Line

An excellent balance of ruggedness and lightweight construction, the Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY has a lot to like about it. It offers excellent traction and stability and doesn’t rely upon weight-saving materials but rather high-quality craftsmanship. However, the classic design is beginning to feel a bit outdated as many footwear companies move toward more modern materials.
The Best Hiking Boots: Oboz Bridger Mid B-DRY - Gear Hacker

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We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!