A nicely styled mid-cut hiking boot with an oiled nubuck leather and Cordura fabric upper. A simple yet effective flat-laced lacing system draws in the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-Dry boot’s exo-skeletal-styled upper, embracing your foot as it’s tightened, in a snug and supportive manner. Laces and webbing on the upper are made from Repreve, a polyester recycled from plastic bottles. The front benefits from an extra nubuck panel to protect the toes; there’s extra at the heel as well as a shallow band of rubber.
John Manning’s verdict
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-Dry is not overly heavy: of the half-dozen test in recent weeks, its weight was a only smidge above average and wasn’t going to tire my feet.- Style
- Supportive
- Double-hooking lacing system
- Good Traction
- Price
- Snug
- Runs warm
- Low Instep
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £175 Weight: 1,100g (stated, men’s size 9, EU43); 1,256g (on JM’s scales, men’s size 10.5/EU45) Pros: style; supportive; flat laces; double hook lacing system; good traction; price; membrane-free model available Cons: snug; runs warm; low instep Eco/ethical claims: tree planted for every pair sold; recycled materials; Sustainable Apparel Coalition member Materials: oiled nubuck and Cordura fabric mesh upper; TPU heel counter; B-Dry waterproof membrane; RPET Repreve laces; RPET Repreve webbing; Trail Tread rubber sole Features: standard width and volume; flat laces Sizes (UK/EU): men: 6–13 (EU 39–48) inc half sizes; women: 3.5–8.5 (EU 36–42.5) Women/men’s version: both URL: obozfootwear.com/en-gb |
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-Dry Trail Tread rubber compound outsole has provided impressive traction over various terrains, from vegetation and bare earth to grit and limestone (wet limestone not so good). Rounded edges make for a gentler heel-strike; I’d prefer a slightly deeper instep for braking assist on steeper descents. The dual density ACT+ rubberised EVA midsole provided excellent cushioning.
Out-of-the box, the Sawtooth needed a few days’ breaking-in, as the collar was snug (left boot in particular) and took a little wear to comfortably settle round my ankle. The boot became slightly less supportive over a few weeks’ near-continuous wear, which I’d expect from a boot of this softer style.
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-Dry is not overly heavy: of the half-dozen test in recent weeks, its weight was a only smidge above average and wasn’t going to tire my feet. What made it less comfortable for me was that the Sawtooth ran hot: I suspect that’s down to two things.
First is fit: information shared on Oboz’s website is worth referring to if you’re considering this boot: it describes the Sawtooth’s volume as “standard”, with a wider forefoot and toe box. My above-average volume feet are, like everyone’s, not equally sized: my left is slightly larger than the right. The boot felt very snug, the left foot particularly constricted and warm. This won’t affect every wearer but emphasises the importance of trying footwear on in-store before taking the plunge, not just buying blind online. Insulating properties of Oboz’s proprietary B-Dry waterproof membrane may also contribute to the warmth experienced: it’s worth noting that the Sawtooth Mid is available without a membrane. To its credit it hasn’t let in water, but extended testing would be necessary to gauge that more realistically.
Reviewed and tested by John Manning
John has medium-to-broad UK10.5 (EU45) feet; his left foot is marginally larger. He tested the boots on varied terrain, from limestone and gritstone Pennine fells to steep vegetated slopes, muddy field paths and pathless Pennine moors. The footwear was weighed at home on his kitchen scales.
