Rather than go on and on about a piece of gear, we’ve prepared these mini-reviews to quickly illustrate what we like or dislike about a piece of gear that you might be in the market for. These are quick-read-format reviews that won’t take more than a couple of minutes to read so that you can quickly get up to speed on the good, the bad and the ugly of gear we’ve tested.
Oboz has been one of our favourite shoe brands for well over a decade now and in this time we’ve reviewed several of their shoes and boots including the Oboz Sundog Shoes, Oboz Traverse Low BDry Shoes, Oboz Helium Shoes, Oboz Beartooth Boots and Oboz Firebrand II Hiking Shoes. The company was founded in Bozeman Montana in 2008 by John Connelly who is a forty-year veteran of the industry. The name Oboz is derived from the combination of Outside plus Bozeman which is shortened to Oboz.
The company's latest day hiker is the Oboz Katabatic Low which also comes in a B-Dry waterproof/breathable version for those seeking to do more foul-weather hiking. The shoe’s name comes from a downslope wind which carries high-density air from a higher elevation down to a lower elevation under the force of gravity. Both the regular and B-dry versions of the Katabatic feature Oboz’s most responsive midsole ever which is also their softest and lightest—making the Katabatic ideal for moving fast and efficiently on trail. Their outsole uses a multi-directional lug pattern for impressive grip and controlled start and stopping on uneven and variable terrain. The breathable mesh uppers found on the regular version let in cool air to keep your feet from overheating while the B-dry waterproof option keeps your feet drier on wet trains and in the rain. The Katabatic Low Shoes feel like a running show given their comfort and lightweight but their athletic stance and foot support mean they are a serious athletic trail shoe with plenty of grip.
Oboz doesn’t just design and sell impressive shoes for the great outdoors, they also have a vested interest in preserving the wilderness we all love. With each pair of Oboz shoes purchased the company plants a tree with their ‘One More Tree’ program. They also purchase carbon offset for all of their shoe shipments and all employee travel. And 100% of their office’s electricity comes from wind, solar, and biomass from northwest Montana and Wyoming. They also help restore the ecological, recreational, and economic health of critical freshwater ecosystems by purchasing Water Restoration Certificates (WRCs) from Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
Great performing footwear from a company that strives to make a difference is how they operate in the world we all love—this is a shoe company that is worth considering when you need your next pair of hiking shoes or boots.
Features:
- Breathable mesh upper with printed overlays for durability
- EVA midsole provides smooth transitions
- Eco-friendly OrthoLite® EVA footbed cushions feet
- O FIT Insole® provides support and comfort for long days on your feet
- Bellows tongue adds comfort and keeps trail debris out
- Trail Tread rubber outsoles offer excellent slip resistance and durability
- Aggressive lugs in a multi-directional pattern for effective propulsion and braking
- Abrasion-Resistant Breathable Mesh
- Reinforced TPU Overlays| welded & stitched to reduce weight, and provide protection & durability
We tested the Women’s Katabatic Low and Men’s Katabatic Low B-Dry Shoes and found that they were both super comfortable and performed well on trail and around town. Their aggressive lug patter provided all the grip you’ll ever need on the trail and the shoes were light enough that they didn’t slow you down. Their stylish colours and aggressive design were easy to love but the verdict was out on which was better, the B-Dry or regular version. While I think waterproof footwear is a must, you do have to sacrifice some breathability on warmer days. The regular women’s version of the Katabatic Low Shoes were far more breathable but while hiking through wet alpine grasses they did wet out whereas the men’s B-Dry version were much, much dryer. Overall it is nice to have the choice between waterproof and regular versions of the Katabatic shoes and whichever version you choose, I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how well they fit and how happy your feet are.
Pros:
- Comfortable.
- Aggressive tread.
- Appealing design.
- Impressive environmental initiatives.
- B-dry waterproof shoes are not as breathable as the regular shoes.
Price: $180CAN / $140US
Colours: Panthera, Drizzle, Evergreen, Thicket
Sizes: 8-14
Weight: 720grams / 25.4oz
Rating: 9.5/10
Innovation: 2/2
Function: 1.5/2
Aesthetics/Fit: 2/2
Features: 2/2
Quality/Price: 2/2
