Exceptionally comfortable, lightweight, stylish and low profile hiking shoes for day and multi-day hikes in wet weather, and year-round everyday wear.
With some impressive eco-credentials, brilliant waterproofness and a super stylish design, the Oboz Sypes Low Leather Waterproof Hiking Shoes will leave you not needing any other shoes in your life! But if comfort and performance are also high up on your list of hiking shoe desires then you’ll not be disappointed.
Oboz Sypes Low Leather Waterproof Hiking Shoes: The stats
| Best for: | Day and multi-day hikes in changeable conditions, and everyday wear |
| Weight: | 26oz / 738g (per pair) |
| Waterproof?: | Yes, BDry |
| Uppers: | Nubuck leather |
| Outsole: | Carbon rubber |
| Eco-conscious: | Recycled (rPET) laces, webbing and lining. Insoles are made with BLOOM, a plant-based foam made with algae biomass. Oboz plant a tree for every shoe sold. |
| Overall rating: |
Features of the Oboz Sypes Low Leather Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Uppers
The main part of the uppers are soft nubuck leather that is naturally waterproof. For further waterproofing, the leather is treated with a DWR (durable water resistant) coating and lined with an Oboz B-Dry membrane. This is waterproof and breathable. Additionally, there is a section of abrasion-resistant CORDURA® AFT mesh fabric, and the shoe has an rPET (recycled plastic) lining.Outsoles
New to the Sypes collection, the Bend outsoles offer excellent versatility for all types of walking and hiking. The carbon rubber outsoles are super sticky with directional lugs to provide traction on varied and steep terrain. Plus, the increased surface area of the lugs makes them suitable for everyday walking around town.
Insoles
A highly appealing feature of the Sypes is the O FIT insoles which are made with BLOOM. This is a plant-based foam made with algae biomass sourced from lakes and ponds at high risk of algal bloom. The sustainable technology is used to create a highly molded insole which offers excellent support through the arches and a fitted heel cup that feels super supportive.
Midsoles
To support the insoles, the polyurethane midsoles use ACT (Adaptive Cushioning Technology). These are designed for female-specific feet and those who have medium to high volume feet (wider with higher arches and insteps). The overall result of the fancy midsole technology is comfort and support for walkers and hikers without being too heavy or clumpy.
Laces
Another nice touch on the sustainability front is the laces which are made of 100% rPET REPREVE. The laces do up easily, though don’t always stay done up without a double knot, securing over the top of a gusseted tongue that attaches internally to the lining. There are also rPET webbing tabs to help pull the shoes on.
Toe box
The toes of the shoes are nicely rounded offering a slightly casual pump-like style, which I really like. Internally, the toe box is a little wider than average allowing the toes to splay naturally. And finally, the toe cap has an additional layer of leather on for extra protection.
Ankle and heel
To contrast the wider toe box, the Sypes feature a narrow heel which helps to keep the foot in place and prevent slippage and blistering. For further support and comfort, there are TPU heel clips and nylon shanks which form the structure of the heel and support for the ankle.
Oboz Sypes Low Leather Waterproof Hiking Shoes review
Over the years I’ve been drawn to hiking shoes over boots more and more. Though there are certainly times when I love the support and protection of boots during wet and cold weather, I much prefer the nimbleness and low weight of hiking shoes for most of my hiking.
But not all hiking shoes offer everything that I feel like they should. For a hiking shoe to win me over it needs to be super comfortable, even on longer hikes, perform well on a variety of terrain in lots of different conditions, and look good enough to wear in everyday life. Not too much to ask, right?
Well, I’ve tested out quite a few hiking shoes over the years and almost every pair has failed on at least one element of my hiking shoe desires. The more comfortable and better performing options often lack style and appeal for everyday wear. Whilst the better looking ones tend to not measure up on the comfort or performance front.
Queue the Oboz Sypes Low Leather Waterproof Hiking Shoes!
Finally, I might have found my ideal pair of great looking, high performing and incredibly comfortable hiking shoes.
Performance and comfort
Firstly, the Sypes are extremely comfortable. Not plush and overly cushioned, but the kind of comfort you don’t notice. Which is the best kind, in my opinion. Truly comfortable shoes should make the wearer unaware of them. Like a second skin. And these shoes make it hard for me to remember to think about how they feel when I’m in them. When I do try to take notice I lose interest immediately as there’s nothing of note to comment on. Perfect!
Some shoes are noticeable up to a certain point and then they start to grab your attention via hot spots, rubbing or pinching. But even by the end of long day hikes I still don’t notice them.
Secondly, they perform like a hiking boot but without the heft and clumpiness. They provide excellent support and protection without being restrictive or overly structured. And their waterproofness is, so far, proving to be most impressive.
The grip is also really impressive and makes me feel super confident on almost all types of terrain. There is, however, an exception to this. When walking downhill on wet, exposed rock I’ve found the shoes to be much less grippy than I would have hoped and expected. I’ve not fallen over but I’ve slipped a couple of times and now feel quite wary on this sort of terrain.
Versatility
Shoes that are fit for more than one purpose is an important factor to me. Yes, the Sypes don’t bridge the gap between trail running and hiking. But they most certainly do make a very nice pair of everyday shoes as well as hiking shoes. They’re especially at home when worn about town during the winter when it’s wet and changeable. And because they look great with jeans and even leggings, they get worn more than any other shoe I own.
Size and fit
I sit somewhere between a UK size 4.5 and 5. However, size 5 was most certainly too big. The size 4.5 is pretty much perfect but certainly not as snug as other 4.5’s I’ve worn. So, if you’re between sizes then I recommend going for the smaller option.
The fit and shape of the shoe is designed around a female-specific last. This means that they fit like a dream! They’re form-hugging and supportive without feeling restrictive or tight. And there’s oodles of run in the toe-box for your feet to splay and move a bit more naturally. This is a huge plus for me as I really dislike feeling confined in the toe area. I also think it’s really beneficial for your body to be using the muscles in your feet and toes as much as possible. And because I’m not yet converted to barefoot-style walking boots, this seems like a good compromise.
What I love the most about the Oboz Sypes Low Hiking Shoes
Oh gosh, where to start. Well, despite the few relatively minor downsides outlined below, the Sypes are incredibly comfortable, look great and perform well in almost all hiking scenarios that they’re designed for. They tick all three of my hiking shoe desires! And as a result, they’re pretty versatile for all types of hiking in the shoulder seasons and everyday wear year round.
What I don’t love so much about the Oboz Sypes Low Hiking Shoes
There is one minor downside to these shoes and a couple of slightly more significant ones, depending on where and when you’re wearing them.
The minor negative is that the round laces like to undo themselves over time! Double knots are required.
The first of the slightly more significant negatives is that my feet run pretty hot in the shoes. I usually suffer with very cold feet and I’ve yet to wear them in temperatures above 13ºC. So I’ll be sure to update this once I’ve done done some warmer hikes. However, as it stands, I don’t think I’ll be favouring them over my trail running shoes or sandals for mid-summer hiking in hot weather.
The second is that the grip is a little unreliable on exposed rock in the wet.
Verdict
With exceptional comfort, a high performance design and style that suits everyday wear, the Oboz Sypes Low Leather Waterproof Hiking Shoes are a superb lightweight hiking shoe for cooler summers, mild winters and everything in between. They run a little bit warm for mid-summer hiking in high temperatures. But their excellent waterproofness makes them very well suited to changeable conditions as well as everyday wear right through winter.
Find the latest price at:
Oboz | REI
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.
