Wife bought me some keen hunting boots a couple weeks ago. They didn't feel all that great so today I returned them and tried on a pair of oboz. The salesman told me to walk around the mall for a bit to see how they feel.

I headed to the kids playground. Crap there to climb on. Dang boots actually feel good.

Went home with them. My question is if anyone has used them and the durability of the boots. I've never heard of oboz before. Do they hold up?

I had a pair and wanted to like them. They fit good and I think the quality is there. But all of the ones I've owned or tried on have zero cushioning. They feel pretty good when walking off pavement, but if walking on a hard surface they aren't as comfortable as I'd like.

I realize they make several styles and others may suit me better. But in that price range I like these.


https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/keen-durand-ii-mid-waterproof-hiking-boots-for-men

These are USA made and a big step up over most Keen boots. I saw them advertised at $140 on Amazon, but couldn't get the link to work.

I have worn a pair of GTX style Oboz for about 5 years. When new, the fit and comfort were superb. It felt as if the boot were molded around my foot. Over time, that wonderful comfort diminished to the point that after wearing the boots for several hours last Thanksgiving in a hard surface, my feet hurt badly. I replaced the Oboz factory insole with Super Feet and the boots no longer cause pain - but the comfort of the brand new boot is long gone.

In the past, I wore a pair of Asolo Fugitive GTX for many years - best boot I have ever owned.

I've tried them and currently have a pair of Sypes I wear as "dress shoes" when it's crappy out.

Oboz are well built, fit normal to narrow feet well, and come with a pretty good OEM insole. My issue is the rounded outsole on them, it is more pronounced on some models. I found the rounded edges less stable than a more normal flat outsole w/o the rounded edges.

The other thing is that they aren't overly cushioned - but that was never an issue for me because they fit well and I didn't carry big loads with them.

I’ve got a pair, but after wearing out dozens of Asolos, every time I switch away I regret it. The Oboz boots were no exception.

Interested in the Asolo Fugitive since they are available in wide.

Reviews say the soles fall apart ( material breaks down) after a couple years, any experience with that?

It has been a few years since I had my Asolo boots. As I recall, they were a wide size and I probably wore them for 7 years. They never exhibited any signs of breaking down. From the very start, I used SuperFeet in the Asolo’s. The Oboz were good; the Asolo were great.

I’ve got Asolo Fugitives - they are stiffer than one needs unless weight carrying is the plan. The only degradation I’ve seen is the randing at the toe can crack/check over time. I keep wearing mine and have had no structural or integrity issue with the rubber cracking a little. Not every pair does it and mostly the older versions I’ve had seem to be afflicted. My .02

Thanks!

I had gone through two pairs of the premium leather mids. Very comfortable, but not very durable. Make it about one season. Not planning on purchasing again.

Went with Crispi's and are holding up much better.

Like stated above....

Very well constructed, but no cushioning. I stand on concrete all day and even after replacing the insoles with more cushion, my feet still hurt.

Also, the low cut between the laces and heel pocket keep from getting the shoes tight enough to keep my heels from lifting and rubbing.

I wanted a low cut hiker that is waterproof and comes in XX-wide. I hoped Oboz would work.

I will NOT buy another Oboz.

I wore out 2 or3 pair of Oboz hiking boots, bought a replacement pair that ended up hurting my feet, same size and style, returned them for another pair, same results, something had changed with them. Switched to Keens and had the exact same thing happen, third pair, could not break them in. Sent them back and now looking for a new boot to try. Maybe it’s my feet, I don’t know.

Should mention, all the ones I wore out were great!

So far they feel pretty good but the jury is still out.