Discover our content material useful? You may help the BFT workforce by making your gear, attire, and journey purchases by way of the affiliate hyperlinks on this weblog put up. We get a small fee with no added value to you. It’s also possible to say thanks by leaving a tip in our digital tip jar. THANK YOU!
As a hiker who beforehand lived in Colorado for six years and at the moment travels full-time in my van to discover trails across the US, I’ve tried my justifiable share of mountaineering boots and sneakers. The newly launched Oboz Cottonwood is my first pair of Oboz, and my largest remorse will not be making an attempt this model sooner, as they’ve rapidly develop into my go-to sneakers for each day put on on and off the path.
As Oboz’s most sustainable mountaineering shoe to this point, the Cottonwood options parts made from 100% recycled supplies and the waterproof end is freed from PFAS (in any other case often called without end chemical substances). They’re additionally light-weight, waterproof, and have grippy bottoms that present stable traction.
Over the previous few weeks, I’ve examined the Oboz Cottonwood on numerous hikes and walks. I’ve worn them for lengthy days of procuring, strolling my canine across the campground, and mountaineering for miles on trails with sand, rocks, water, and dirt. Irrespective of the event, distance, or terrain, I can confidently say that these sneakers have carried out remarkably nicely.
In my Oboz Cottonwood assessment, I’ll present an in-depth have a look at the consolation, match, efficiency, sustainability, and flexibility of those mountaineering boots.
Sponsored by Oboz Footwear
The Bearfoot Idea workforce has been carrying Oboz mountaineering boots since 2017. Primarily based in Bozeman, Montana, we consider Oboz Footwear makes essentially the most supportive, comfy, and sturdy mountaineering boots available on the market. Plus, the folks behind the model are simply as nice as their sneakers, they usually plant a tree for each pair bought. We solely advocate merchandise we really love and suppose you’ll love too.
Oboz Cottonwood Overview
Oboz needed to make their most environmentally pleasant line to this point with out sacrificing the efficiency or options of high quality mountaineering boots and mountaineering shoots. They achieved this with the Cottonwood assortment. The Cottonwoods are light-weight whereas providing superior traction, cushion, and help.
Oboz Cottonwood Mid-Ankle
Key Options
The place to buy
Oboz Cottonwood Low-Ankle
Key Options
The place to buy
Notable Options
Greatest Makes use of
Though the Oboz Cottonwoods are mountaineering sneakers, their versatility is likely to be their largest promoting level. It doesn’t matter what my day entails, I attain for these sneakers. Whether or not I’m going to city or heading out for a day on the paths, these multi-purpose sneakers present consolation for any event.
I’ve worn them for mountaineering, strolling my canine, hanging out at my campsite, and working errands. Whereas Oboz didn’t design these as a backpacking boot just like the Oboz Bridger or the Oboz Sypes (one other BFT Group Favourite), I discover them so comfy that I plan to strive the mid-ankle model on an upcoming backpacking journey!
Mid-ankle vs. Low-ankle
The Oboz Cottonwood assortment is available in two choices for each women and men: mid-ankle mountaineering boots and low-ankle mountaineering sneakers. Each are waterproof, are made from the identical recycled parts, and have the identical technical options.
Oboz charges each their Cottonwood mid-ankle and low-ankle the identical when it comes to lightness, help, breathability, waterproofness, and insulation.
The important thing variations between the Cottonwood mid-ankle mountaineering boot and the low-ankle mountaineering shoe are the load, match, use, and colours:
Obtain my FREE Out of doors Journey Planning Toolkit
Enter your electronic mail to get entry to printable PDF packing checklists, itineraries, and extra.
Oboz Cottonwood Evaluation: First Impressions
The Oboz Cottonwood boots have develop into my new favourite sneakers for each mountaineering and informal put on. As quickly as I took the boots out of the field and slipped them on, I knew they had been completely different from others I’d worn previously as they felt comfy proper out of the field.
Since I stay in my Sprinter van full-time, I have to be selective about which sneakers I maintain in my restricted area. Right here’s what I preferred about these boots instantly whereas testing them for this Oboz Cottonwood assessment:
Oboz Cottonwood Consolation & Match
Made with the O Match Insole and designed for versatility, the Oboz Cottonwood mountaineering boots hit the mark when it comes to consolation, match, and magnificence. They’ve rapidly develop into my favourite on a regular basis sneakers.
Consolation
Whereas some sneakers might require a break-in interval, the Oboz Cottonwood boots are comfy proper out of the field. After I put mine on for the primary time, I went for a mile hike on rocky terrain and skilled no discomfort by any means.
The Cottonwood boots are comfy sufficient to put on all day lengthy. I’ve flat ft with mainly no arch, so I discover that my ft usually ache after lengthy hikes. With my outdated mountaineering boots, I counted the seconds till I acquired again to the automobile and will take them off, however I needed to maintain these boots on!
The insoles of the Cottonwood really feel like they transfer with me and adapt to the path terrain, not like different inflexible boots I’ve tried. The O Match Insoles permit my ft to maneuver freely once I step. Even when mountaineering on difficult terrain and rocks alongside the path, the insoles offered consolation the complete time, and I by no means felt the sharp rocks underneath my ft.
The Cottonwood boots are light-weight and versatile. At 13.0 oz, they’re solely a pair ounces heavier than the super-light Oboz Katabatic, giving them a lightweight and bouncy really feel. They’re comfy sufficient to put on mountaineering all day.
These boots have offered my ft with the proper stability of cushion and help throughout difficult uphill hikes, lengthy walks with my canine on gravel, and strolling to shops on paved surfaces within the metropolis.
Match
The Cottonwood boots are gender-specific, and the size runs true to dimension. Though I normally dimension up half a dimension for mountaineering boots to account for swelling and toe motion on trails, I believe it comes down to non-public choice.
I went up half a dimension from what I sometimes put on in on a regular basis sneakers, and the boots match nicely with my favourite mountaineering socks. They don’t really feel free, and I don’t expertise any slip in my heel.
Nonetheless, they do really feel a bit free with skinny socks. I like to recommend ordering your common dimension for those who are likely to put on skinny socks.
The Cottonwood boots match a wide range of foot shapes and arch ranges. I’m normally a medium (common) width and have flat ft. I felt instant help for my arches once I slipped on the boots.
The boots really feel cosy sufficient to stop heel slippage however not overly tight as if they’re uncomfortable. The cup comfortably hugs my heel, and the toe field feels huge sufficient to completely unfold out my toes.
I like how they transfer with my ft and keep in place whereas I hike. I haven’t gotten any blisters or sore spots, and my ft by no means felt scorching or sweaty whereas carrying them.
Type
The Oboz Cottonwood boots are fashionable sufficient to be worn as an on a regular basis shoe, making them a fantastic option to convey in your subsequent journey. Should you solely have sufficient room in your journey backpack for one pair of sneakers, these boots are versatile sufficient to put on round city with out trying such as you’re about to hit the paths.
I wore mine whereas strolling to all of the retailers in Joshua Tree, working errands in Palm Springs, and going to a date evening at a brewery with my husband. The Cottonwood boots are a handy selection for vacationers who plan to do a mixture of mountaineering, sightseeing, and hanging out in cities and don’t need to sacrifice consolation or model.
The one cause I docked a star for model is due to the colour decisions for the mid-ankle model. They arrive in Drizzle grey or Rye brown. I really like the pops of coloration, however I’d prefer to see some brighter choices too. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll be happy with these colours for those who favor extra impartial and earthy tones which have a tendency to cover dust higher.
Oboz Cottonwood Efficiency
The Oboz Cottonwood boots are useful and dependable, making them a fast favourite piece of out of doors gear that I really like carrying on numerous adventures.
Here’s a breakdown of the Cottonwood key efficiency options in my assessment under:
Waterproofness
The Oboz Cottonwood boots are my first pair of waterproof mountaineering boots. I used to be skeptical in the event that they had been really waterproof, so in fact, I jumped in some puddles alongside the path.
These boots exceeded my expectations and handed the waterproof take a look at. The waterproof Cottonwood boots make the most of the B-DRY lining to stop water from entering into them.
Even after leaping in puddles that coated the skin of the boot, my socks and ft stayed dry. After a couple of minutes, the skin of the boots appeared fully dry, and there was no proof that I had walked by way of any water.
BFT Founder, Kristen (an avid Oboz lover), and BFT Contributors who’ve been carrying different Oboz fashions for years attest to how efficient their B-DRY waterproof lining is for holding your ft dry, whether or not you might be strolling by way of a puddle like me or mountaineering in a downpour.
Traction
The raised rubber lugs on the underside of the Oboz Cottonwood boots are very efficient. They supply path tread, slip resistance, and sturdiness.
They’re simply the grippiest mountaineering boots I’ve ever tried! After I encounter scree on the paths, I normally decelerate and watch my step to keep away from slipping.
Nonetheless, I by no means as soon as got here near slipping in these boots, even when mountaineering on easy rocks with sand. The sturdy and grippy bottoms made me really feel safe and allowed me to maintain my stability the complete time.
Breathability
I used to keep away from waterproof boots as I had heard that they’ll make your ft really feel scorching and sweaty throughout lengthy hikes, inflicting blisters to kind extra simply. I discovered this isn’t the case with these mountaineering boots, although.
The Cottonwood boots have a breathable membrane and a mesh higher lining, providing air flow and permitting your ft to really feel cool even in scorching temperatures. My ft by no means felt uncomfortably scorching, even whereas mountaineering for a number of miles within the desert.
These boots are breathable sufficient to be worn comfortably in heat or dry climates. Nonetheless, they’re a hair much less breathable than my ultralight mountaineering sneakers or the Oboz Katabatic light-weight hikers.
Help
The Oboz Cottonwood is a mid-ankle boot that provides simply the correct amount of safety on trails. They hit simply above my ankle, permitting me to be nimble on the path.
I’ve discovered that my ankles really feel supported on all kinds of terrain and when carrying numerous sizes of backpacks and kit. They aren’t overkill for day hikes or backpacking journeys the place you might be packing mild.
Throughout the previous 12 months, I switched from mountaineering boots to path runner sneakers for backpacking journeys as a result of I really feel lighter once I step. Nonetheless, I’ve been lacking the help I get from a extra conventional mountaineering boot. I’m joyful to seek out that the Oboz Cottonwood is the proper in-between.
The mid-ankle model helps me preserve a fast tempo on trails whereas climbing up and down rocks and scree with out feeling overly inflexible, chunky, or heavy like different mountaineering boots. They supply extra construction than a path runner or light-weight mountaineering shoe, whereas nonetheless permitting you to go quick and light-weight.
I by no means as soon as felt like I’d twist my ankle on the path within the Oboz Cottonwood boots. I really like the arrogance these boots give me in such a light-weight package deal.
Sustainability
One of many options I’m most exited to share on this Oboz Cottonwood assessment is that the Cottonwoods are Oboz’s most sustainable mountaineering boots but. They function a number of 100% recycled parts, together with the higher, the liner, and the laces. The BDry waterproof lining can also be 100% recyclable and comprised of 25% put up industrial waste, plus it’s fully free from without end chemical substances (PFAS) which are widespread in waterproof finishes and recognized to pollute waterways.
I really feel proud to put on my Oboz Cottonwood boots on the path as a result of they’re extra eco-conscious than different leather-based merchandise and put the planet first, all with out compromising efficiency.
The higher nubuck leather-based is produced utilizing much less water than conventional strategies. It’s traceable to the farms, and the ranchers should adhere to verified and strict animal well-being requirements.
I additionally admire how Oboz Footwear is an organization that prioritizes sustainability at its core. Oboz crops a tree for each pair of sneakers they promote – greater than 5 million and counting! Their Bozeman workplace runs off of 100% renewable power from wind, photo voltaic, and biomass, they usually carbon offset all their shoe shipments.
Since Oboz began in 2007, they’ve devoted themselves to being environmentally accountable. They’re licensed B Corp® and have met excessive social and environmental efficiency requirements.
This can be a model you may really feel proud to help whereas having fun with nature!
The place to Purchase Oboz Cottonwood
The Oboz Cottonwood boots can be found on Oboz Footwear’s web site. They arrive in both a mid-ankle or low-ankle waterproof model in each males’s and girls’s sizes.
Listed below are a few of the present Oboz Cottonwood kinds and colours obtainable
Love mountaineering? Take a look at these sources earlier than you hit the path!
Save this put up to Pinterest
Do you’ve any questions in regards to the Oboz Cottonwood? Have you ever tried them out your self? Let me know within the feedback under!
Associated Posts