Review: Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

Extremely comfortable mid-height hiking boots that are perfect for casual adventures and everyday wear.

The Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are robust, out-of-the-box comfortable boots which are as at home on local trails as they are out on moderate terrain. With impressive grip, waterproofing and flexibility, these boots offer a versatile outdoor footwear option.

Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots: The stats

Features of the Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

Uppers

The uppers are ‘Buttersoft’ LWG gold certified nubuck leather with coated leather toe and heel caps, featuring an integrated breathable B-DRY waterproof membrane. I appreciate the Leather Working Group certification, which means the leather has been responsibly raised from farms that adhere to welfare standards. Plus, the B-DRY membrane is made from 25% post-industrial waste. The uppers also have abrasion-resistant breathable mesh integrated tongue and collar sections.

Outsole and midsole

With 4mm deep, multidirectional lugs in Trail Tread rubber, the outsoles provide excellent grip and traction across most terrain, even in muddy conditions. The only time the soles struggle is in wet, coastal conditions navigating slippery rocks. The midsoles are Oboz’s signature lightweight, single density EVA foam with an EVA super skin plate for extra underfoot protection.

Lacing

There are two collar hooks on each side for a secure fit around the ankle. The rest of the lacing system uses webbed hoops secured to the nubuck leather sections either side of the integrated tongue. An unexpected negative of the lacing system is the length of the laces themselves, which I find to be neat when securing with a double knot.

Toe box

The forefoot and toe box on the Ousel’s are generous. I have average feet width and find the toe box roomy. This, combined with the supportive, narrower heel, allows for a very comfortable, light fit.

Insole

The removable O FIT insoles are a signature of the Oboz brand. They feature 3 different densities of EVA foam with a sculpted arch and deep cushioned heel cup to support a neutral foot placement. There is extra cushioning under the forefoot and heel for added strike-zone protection.

Cushioning and ankle collar

There is generous cushioning around the ankle collar, which means whilst these are only mid-height boots, the ankle feels well supported. The cushioning feels lighter throughout the rest of the boot, which still performs well, but makes for an airy feeling.

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Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots review

I am usually one extreme or the other when it comes to hiking footwear. I wear either full-height boots or very low, minimal shoes. But wouldn’t life be boring if we never tried something new? These mid-height Oboz Ousel boots were a style I’d never have picked out myself and that made me excited to try them. Another new thing for me was an almost exclusively leather boot, I have always leaned towards synthetic or mixed styles in the past. Oboz was a brand I was previously unfamiliar with, so I had no expectations in relation to the brand reputation, which was a nice starting point.

First impressions

I have to admit my first impressions of these boots were hesitant to say the least. These boots are very lightweight, flexible and soft. I have feet that usually take a while to break boots in, but with the Ousel’s, they were comfortable from day one. This meant I mistakenly thought they wouldn’t last well. It also took me a while to get used to a mid-height boot, which I’ve never worn before. When I first tried the Ousel’s on, the collar position on my ankle was different to what I was used to and I was worried they would rub. Spoiler alert, they haven’t. I have also never had boots with such a generous toe box and the feeling of freedom in the forefoot was new. All of my initial reservations soon evaporated when I started to use, and enjoy, the boots.

Comfort and fit

They are hands down one of the most comfortable pairs of boots I’ve ever owned. They have fit like a glove from day one and never rub or pinch. The boots are true to size and open wide enough to get them on and off very easily, even with a higher arch like mine. The generous toe box is something I’ve grown to love and seems to keep my feet fresher after a long day out. I think the extra room encourages toe movement, keeping my feet from becoming as stiff.

Type of use

I have used these boots almost exclusively since they were delivered a couple of months ago. The only time they get swapped out is when I am hiking on complex, advanced terrain, when lying snow is deep enough to want higher boots or on the rare occasion I dress up. I use them for running errands, walking my 4-mile round commute to work, and for all my low level adventures. I even took the boots away with me to the Isle of Skye for 10 days where they had constant use on coastal and moderate terrain. I didn’t think I’d use the boots this much, especially in winter! The benefit of having a less technical boot is that they are far more versatile. I wear these just as often with a pair of jeans out sightseeing as with hiking gear for trail-based adventures. To me, this is not only great value for money, it means I can travel light, packing only these boots on short breaks.

Durability of materials

Despite my initial first impression that these boots may not last, they are wearing really well. With almost constant use over a few months, there is minimal creasing across the toes, minimal wear to the tread and the collar cushioning remains plump. I have to acknowledge how good the waterproofing is too, the B-Dry membrane is holding fast and has impressed me on lots of outings crossing areas of bog. I have had much more expensive footwear fail with less use than these boots.

Eco-credentials

Here I’d like to talk not only about the boots, but Oboz as a company. In the features section above I mention the use of recycled materials and welfare assured leather on the Ousel boots, but Oboz take things further. They are a certified B Corp, adhering to stringent standards for positive social and environmental impact. They also plant a tree for every pair of footwear sold. From when Oboz started in 2007, they have already planted over 5 million trees.

What I love the most about the Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

These boots are amazing for two reasons: comfort and versatility. If you are looking for a boot that you will get value for money with, the price-per-wear on these is extremely low. The quality of the materials means that they withstand the volume of use they get very well. I love the Yukon blue ones as a fun pop of colour, but the neutral Stone colourway the boots also come in would make them even more versatile as they would go with any outfit. If you are looking for boots for the casual side of outdoor life, I’d highly recommend giving these a go.

What I don’t love so much about the Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

There are two things I would change about these boots if I could. Firstly, I would like longer laces. It might sound like a petty complaint, but neat laces really do get annoying. I could of course swap the provided ones out for others, but they match the grey and blue of the boots, so I like the look of them. Secondly, I wish they were available in a full-height version. I think this would be the icing on the cake because whilst the waterproofing is great, you are still limited in really wet or snowy conditions because the boots end mid-ankle.

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Verdict

The Oboz Ousel Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are a great option for everyday wear and low level adventures on anything up to moderate terrain. They are very comfortable and versatile, meaning they are likely to get a lot of use. The durability means even if they are an initial investment for your budget, they will end up low cost-per-wear. I have definitely become more open minded in what I would look for in a boot thanks to testing the Ousels and would definitely buy from Oboz in the future. If you are looking for good all-round boots, these are perfect. I’m giving them 4.5 out of 5 for the activities they are aimed at, they are rightly not marketed for more technical terrain. I’ve mentioned the two things I’d change about the boots if I had the chance, so that is why I dropped the half point. All in all, I’m very impressed.

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Looking for waterproof hiking shoes instead of boots? We love these Oboz Sypes Shoes.

Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.

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