Males’s Oboz Bridger 8″ Insulated Winter Boot Overview

Backside Line

The Oboz Bridger 8” Insulated Boot is a sturdy winter climbing boot constructed for tackling rugged terrain and chilly climates. Over two months, Gear analyst Miles Knotek wore the insulated Oboz Bridger on a number of hikes in Alaska by way of mud, slush, and ice water to check its consolation, traction, climate resistance, and sturdiness.

Its waterproof nubuck leather-based higher, paired with an Oboz B-DRY membrane, ensures your toes keep dry in moist situations. The boot options 200g of Thinsulate insulation, offering dependable heat for winter hikes, and its molded rubber toe cap gives added safety in opposition to abrasions. Its distinctive mix of Oboz’s proprietary expertise paired with the classical reliability of leather-based makes it one in every of our greatest climbing boots.

The Bridger requires a chronic break-in interval and might really feel stiff and cumbersome due to the stiff ankles. Absolutely waterproof, these boots are nice for splashing by way of slush and puddles and can maintain your toes dry.

Though it lacks traction in comparison with different boots we examined, the Bridger is a superb all-around boot. It’s not our first selection for lengthy backcountry excursions, however we prefer it for in-town and front-country trails.

Consolation

When first sporting the insulated Oboz Bridger, it felt very stiff and clunky. This isn’t something new to those that put on leather-based boots, however the Bridger required an prolonged break-in interval, particularly the shaft. Though the 8-inch peak supplies nice ankle assist and climate safety, there may be little to no flex from the ankle up, making it tiresome to stroll in for lengthy intervals. Ultimately, our pair started to flex extra and felt extra comfy strolling.

We discovered that the boots have a typical form and match true to measurement. It’s not probably the most comfy boot we examined, the Bridger 8” Insulated Boot felt like a well-constructed boot with reasonable cushion.

Heat

With 200 grams of Thinsulate, we discovered that the Oboz Bridger supplies nice heat for many winter situations. The boots themselves would not have as a lot useless airspace within the toes as others examined, however we nonetheless discovered their insulation to be greater than satisfactory. The insoles have a skinny heat-reflecting lining to them underneath the forefoot and toes. This considerate function helps add extra heat to your extremities. If you happen to really feel like 200 grams of insulation will not be sufficient, the ten-inch model of the Bridger comes with 400 grams of Thinsulate for critical heat.

Traction

We used the Oboz Bridgers on quite a few hikes in a variety of winter situations. From muddy and moist shoulder season trails to the snow and ice of deep winter, we took these boots out on as many alternative surfaces as doable. The Bridger provided strong traction on dry trails however fell quick when situations turned moist, icy, or snowy. The sticky rubber carried out effectively on strong floor, however the shallow lugs struggled to chew into snow, limiting our grip on slippery surfaces. The rockered sole, designed for a clean stride, reduces floor space contact and makes it more durable to dig into snow for stability. We discovered ourselves slipping and sliding way more in these than different boots examined, so they don’t seem to be our best choice for an icy day. They carried out greatest in shoulder season situations with blended filth, mud, and a little bit snow.

Climate Resistance

Examined within the snow and rain of coastal Alaska, the insulated Bridger is a superb boot to put on when the climate will get moist.

We cherished sporting the Oboz Bridger on moist and muddy hikes because it’s utterly waterproof to the highest of the shaft. The hooked up tongue is a superb function that retains water from coming into the entrance of the boot. We didn’t discover any lower within the boots’ climate resistance over time since they’re constructed with nubuck leather-based and coated with a DWR end. Nevertheless, the highest of the shaft didn’t tighten in addition to we want, leaving the again of the boot open for snow to enter. This makes the Bridger much less appropriate for deep snow, however that downside is well fastened by attaching gaiters to the built-in D-ring on the toe.

Sturdiness

The insulated Oboz Bridger is constructed with robust and resilient nubuck leather-based that has proven no indicators of weak point after being scuffed in opposition to rocks and brought by way of mud and water repeatedly. We love the sturdiness of a leather-based boot, and our Bridger has delivered dependable efficiency hike after hike. 

Nevertheless, two design selections go away us questioning about long-term sturdiness. Whereas all the lace hooks and loops are riveted steel, the underside two ranges are skinny strips of webbing. In our expertise with different boots, these could be among the first locations to wear down. Moreover, there is no such thing as a rubber rand previous the toe cap that connects round to the heel. The flex level of the boot is thru the leather-based outer, linked to the midsole with out the rubber safety discovered round the remainder of the boot. Though it exhibits no indicators of weak point but, that’s one other stress level to keep watch over.

Ought to You Purchase the Oboz Bridger 8″ Insulated?

The Oboz Bridger 8” Insulated is a sturdy, waterproof, and dependable boot that mixes the basic rugged construct of leather-based with trendy updates. It is a nice boot for anybody climbing on moist, muddy, and snowy trails, and it’s fashionable sufficient to put on round city. Nevertheless, it lacks among the high-end efficiency required for lengthy days within the backcountry  – a minimum of in our gear analyst’s Alaskan dwelling. for lengthy days within the backcountry. Nonetheless, the insulated model of the Oboz Bridger is a superb all-arounder. If you happen to’re searching for one boot to put on for a number of makes use of, you may’t go flawed with the Bridger.

What different winter boots do you have to contemplate?

For extra choices, take a look at our full information to the greatest winter boots. 

Eager Revel IV Polar Overview – With the same leather-based building to the Bridger, the Eager Revel IV Polar gives extra sturdiness and higher traction on snowy surfaces.

The North Face Chilkat V 400 Overview – If you happen to’re searching for a boot with a taller shaft peak and higher efficiency in chilly climate, the Chilkat is a real winter boot that excels in chilly temperatures.

Kamik Atwater Overview – For a extra informal boot, the Atwater nonetheless has dependable leather-based building however is extra comfy and has higher traction for days round city.