Oboz: hiking boot review

It’s summertime in Colorado and that means a few things: Red Rocks concerts, Rockies games, and hiking in the mountains. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of hikes to be enjoyed for all different levels of experience - from quick day hikes an hour outside the city to four-day backpacking adventures in the corners of the state.

We have a big 3-day adventure coming up not in Colorado, but in the underrated Wind River mountain range of WY. It’s become an annual family adventure, and in order to prepare for this year, I knew I needed to upgrade my 10-year-old hiking boots I bought after college.

Enter: Oboz Sypes Mid Leather Waterproof Boots.

• Price: $165 (currently on sale for $115)

• Comes in 6 Earthy colors

• Waterproof (obvi)

• Made from sustainable materials

• Mid-Height upper for added support

• For every pair purchased, Oboz plants a tree

After spending an hour talking with someone at REI, I landed on this pair for the versatility - they can handle the weight of a backpack for an overnight trek while also providing comfort on a light day hike.

REVIEW: 4.7 / 5 Stars

NOTE: I’ve had these boots for a few weeks and I did wear them on two walks before taking them to the mountains and thank god I did. I got a blister on the back of one of my heels the first time I went out… that’s typical of breaking in new boots so make sure you take them for a test ride (or two) to allow your foot to get used to the fit.

ELEVATED TIP: During hikes, our toes naturally sweat and swell, which for some people (me) can mean blisters on the toes. Someone at REI also recommended I try out toe socks and so far, they’ve been a game changer!