Oboz Bridger Insulated Winter Hiking Boots Review
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S WINTER HIKING BOOTS FOR FIT, WARMTH, AND SLIP-RESISTANCE
January 10th, 2024
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OUR VERDICT
If neither ice nor snow will keep you off the trails, the Oboz Bridger 9” Insulated B-Dry Winter Boots are our choice for best boots for winter hiking. If ice just isn’t your thing walking into work, these are also a great option, too. The Oboz Bridger 9” Insulated Winter Boots are designed for winter hiking by a brand that specializes in hiking shoes and boots. And we've also found the Bridger's useful for non-hiking activities, like shoveling snow, walking the dog, and winter outdoor chores where good traction is essential.
We chose the Oboz Bridger 9” as the best winter boots for hiking due to the excellent traction and grip on slippery, icy, and snowy surfaces. They're the best slip-resistant of the insulated winter boots we tested, especially among boots with lace-up closures (pull-on work boots tended to have better traction). We also like that they're available in wide sizing for both men's and women's boots.
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Comparison table
Men's
| MEN'S BOOTS | MSRP* | INSULATION | SHAFT HEIGHT | OUTSOLE | CLOSURE | WATERPROOF? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oboz Bridger Insulated 10" | $220 | 400g 3M Thinsulate synthetic fibers | 12" | Winterized rubber | Lace | Y |
| Oboz Bridger Insulated 8" | $210 | 200 g 3M Thinsulate synthetic fibers | 8" | Winterized rubber | Lace | Y |
| Xtratuf Legacy 15" | $150 | None (insulated version has polymeric foam) | 12" or 15" | Slip-resistant nonmarking chevron | Pull on | Y |
| L.L. Bean Flannel Lined Insulated Boot | $219 | 200 g Primaloft | 8" | Chain-tread outsole | Lace | Y |
| Kamik Nation Plus Boot | $250 | Thermal reflective lining, 200 g insulation | 7" | SNOWTREAD synthetic rubber | Lace | Y |
Women's
| WOMEN'S BOOT | MSRP* | INSULATION | SHAFT HEIGHT | OUTSOLE | WATERPROOF? | CLOSURE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oboz Bridger Insulated Winter Boots 9" | $220 | 400g 3M Thinsulate synthetic fibers | 9 | Winterized rubber | Y | Lace |
| Oboz Bridger Insulated Winter Boots 7" | $210 | 200 g 3M Thinsulate synthetic fibers | 7 | Winterized rubber | Y | Lace |
| Sorel Joan of Arctic | $240 | 6mm recycled felt | 12" | Vulcanized rubber | Y | Y |
| L.L. Bean Fleece Lined Insulated Boot | $219 | Fleece | 8" | Chain-tread outsole | Lace | Y |
| Xtratuf Legacy 15" Salmon Sisters | $142 | Uninsulated | 12" or 15" | Y | Pull on |
SPECS
Sizes available: 6-11 (women's), 8-13 (men's). All sizes available in standard and wide.
Insulation: 200 g 3M Thinsulate (men's 7"), 400 g 3M Thinsulate (all other heights")
Material: DWR (Durable Water REpellent) Nubuck leather with waterproof B-Dry liner
Outsole: Granite Peak WinterizedOutsole
Weight: 3 lbs 0.3 oz (women's 9" height), 3 lbs 5.8 oz (men's 10" height)
Shaft height: 7" and 9” (women's), 8" and 10" (men's)
Temperature rating: Not stated
Waterproof: Yes
Footwear closure: Lace
Best for: Hiking, snowshoeing, working
WHAT WE LIKED
Excellent traction on ice
Ankle support
High lacing allows you to get a dialed in fit
Insulated wool-topped, Mylar-lined O FIT Thermal insoles
Warmth and coziness
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
Sizing runs small
Can feel too stiff for everyday use in cities
BEST FOR
Winter hiking
Shoveling snow
Using with snowshoes
Walking the dog on icy and snow streets and sidewalks
Winter activities where good traction is essential
Features
Design
Oboz is primarily a hiking boot and hiking shoe company, and you’ll see the non-insulated Bridgers as winners in our Best Hiking Boots and Best Hiking Shoes guides.
To make their winter hiking boot, Oboz took the design and technology and added extra height and insulation. Like other Oboz shoes, it features a protective molded toe cap, sturdy pull-tab, and easy-lace eyelets. The end result is a boot designed for hiking that has extra insulation and winter-optimized traction.
Traction
The Oboz Bridger has a Granite Peak Winterized Outsole designed to grip and protect you from feeling rocks and roots underneath your feet. The lugs are deep and directional to aid with going up and down the trail and snowy slopes.
REI’s Co-op Journal describes the technology behind the winterized rubber: “The traction is also top-notch: The Bridger’s rubber outsole is infused with silica—the sandy stuff in quartz—to give it extra friction and keep hikers upright on slick or icy surfaces.”
According to dozens of customer reviews, that extra friction saved many a hiker from sliding down a trail or falling down steep steps and kept them out on the trails even in the heart of winter. One reviewer brought them on a trip to Iceland and stayed dry and upright on a sleet-covered glacier at -9℉.
Height
The height — which comes up to low calf — keeps the slush and snow out while walking around town. But that height also pairs well with gaiters to keep deeper snow out during snowshoeing adventures.
The Oboz Bridger’s come in a few height options–7" and 9" for women and 8" and 10" for men. The most popular for men is the 10” and reviews for the women's 9” boots were greater in both number and enthusiasm.
Warmth
In testing, we found the Oboz Bridger is also incredibly warm — with 400 grams of Thinsulate insulation. With 3 mm thickness, that Thinsulate is more than enough insulation to keep even the coldest toes cozy. It’s also ringed by wool on the top. You may even find these boots too warm!
Fit and Comfort
One thing we like about the Oboz Bridger is that they are available in standard sizing and wide sizing.
The Oboz Bridger Insulated comes with a proprietary insole, a wool-topped, mylar-lined O FIT Thermal that we really liked. In fact, Oboz is so well known for their insoles, they sell them separate of their boots so you can customize non-Oboz footwear with them. You can read more about third-party insoles in Should I hike with insoles? The O-Fit insoles on the Oboz are insulated with a wool top sheet for warmth and a Mylar bottom sheet that reflects back warmth. Unlike a lot of other third party insulated insoles, they are perfectly shaped to fit the boot.
One potential ding against the Oboz Bridger is that it’s a stiffer boot than most winter boots. (With the insulation, waterproof rubber, and waterproof nubuck leather, it’s not a wild claim.) It has a TPU chassis in the midsole for stability and is designed to prevent stone-bruising, which can happen to hikers who wear shoes that are too thin. You’re not going to find that in city-slicking winter boots, but then again, they aren’t designed for walking places where stone-bruising could be a possibility. We say if you’re winter hiking, you’ll want it. If you’re sticking to the streets, you may find something less featured to be more comfortable.
However, if ankle support is an important aspect of winter boots for you, the stiffness of the Oboz Bridger is actually a plus. They also provide great ankle support by lacing below and above the ankle — another perk of their height.
Reviewers also warned that the Oboz Bridgers tend to run small, so sizing up a half size isn’t a bad idea.
Still, the comfort of the Oboz Bridger is undeniably high. One New Hampshire-based reviewer popped them on right out of the box and took off on a 10-mile snowshoe, where they said, “My feet have never felt so comfortable.”
Value
These are certainly not our budget choice. At $195, the Oboz Bridger boots are certainly an investment. But they’re the kind of investment your feet will be thanking you for in the snowy years to come.
What others are saying
The Oboz Bridger 9” Insulated B-Dry Winter Boots earned these ratings: REI (Best overall for women, 4.4/5), Amazon (4.4/5), Run Repeat (97/100), Walmart (4/5), Outside Bozeman (Big Thumbs Up), Outdoor Gear Lab (Editors' Choice, 80/100), Good Housekeeping (Best Wool Winter Boots).
REI customers were overwhelmingly impressed with the Oboz Bridgers. They were hailed as warm, comfortable, great for arch support, and great for icy trails — from the East Coast to Iceland. One said, “These feel like UGGs, hiking boots, and snowboard boots had a baby.” If that’s not praise, we don’t know what is. A few commented on the price of the boots but called it “money well spent.”
REI Co-op Journal called them the “four-wheel-drive” of winter boots. They praised the warmth, the support, and the excellent traction above any other boot on their list. “But a winter rig would be nothing without guaranteed warmth—which the Bridger has. A whopping 400 grams of 3M Thinsulate (a synthetic insulation) keep the boot so toasty that women, who tend to have colder feet than men, might not notice frigid temps.”
Run Repeat provided a great summary that praised the ankle support, “winter-ready outsole,” warmth, and comfort. They noted that the boot’s stiffness “isn’t suitable for everyone” but bottom line? “[T]he Bridger 9” Insulated B-Dry from Oboz gives hikers an option that can deliver performance in the cold.”
Amazon buyers were thrilled with their purchases. They were great for snowshoeing, with ample support, good stiffness, and great tread, and were even comfortable right out of the box. One reviewer said her toes were finally warm, which even snowboarding boots couldn’t do. Others did warn that, if it’s not cold enough, your feet could overheat and sweat, causing them to get cold later on. But for really cold conditions, they are absolutely ideal.
OTHER WINTER BOOTS YOU MAY CONSIDER
Xtratuf Legacy
Sizes: 5-15 (men's), 6-11 (women's)
Shaft Height: 12” or 15”
Footwear Closure: pull on
Waterproof: yes
Insulation: Thin layer of nylon protects toes from cold rubber
Temperature Rating: none stated
Designed for commercial fishing on the brutally cold seas off of the Alaska coast, these boots are as waterproof as you’re going to find. Their traction is grippy enough for the wet deck of a boat. These are pull-on rubber boats, though, so the fit won't be as dialed in as the lace-up style of the Oboz. They also aren't insulated. We think the Xtratuf work best in above freezing wet conditions. The Oboz Bridger are better for traction on ice and snow in colder condition and for longer hikes and snowshoe trips.
XTRATUF LEGACY
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
Blundstone All-Terrain Insulated Chelsea
Sizes: W 6-11, M 4-13
Price: $240
Waterproof: Yes
Material: 1.8 mm Leather & waterproof elastic with latex seams
Insulation: Thinsulate and removable sheepskin footbed
Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz (pair)
Shaft Height: 6”
Color options: Rustic Brown, Rustic Black, Black, Shiraz
The winner in our Best Women's Winter Boots guide for City Walking, these boots have more street style than the Oboz Bridger. That is to say, they don't look like a hiking boot. These pull-on boots are durable and waterproof. Despite the city-look, the traction is excellent thanks to a Vibram outsole, which also accounts for the higher price tag. Because the Blundstone All-Terrain are pull-on, they don't have quite the dialed in fit of the lace-up Oboz Bridger. The Blundstone are a good option if you want something more city-oriented. You can read our in-depth, long-term review here.
BLUNDSTONE ALL-TERRAIN INSULATED CHELSEA
MEN'S
WOMEN'S
Sizes: Women’s US 5-12, no men's sizes
Price: $240
Waterproof: Yes (but not the laces)
Weights: 1 pound 15 ounces per boot (3 pounds 14 ounces per pair)
Height: 12 inches
Color options: Black/Quarry, Quarry/Black, Camel Brown/Black, Honest Beige, Khaki II, Fawn/Omega Taupe, Ceramic/Gum, Chrome Grey/Jet
The Sorel Joan of Arctic are stylish winter boots that are surprisingly functional as work boots. We've tested them for 7 years in the woods, mountains, and in knee-deep snow from Alaska to Maine to the Canadian Rockies doing everything from saddling horses to wading in the Arctic Ocean. Other testers have snowshoed on Mt. Hood in them. The Joan of Arctic are taller, at 12" in height and has more color options than the Oboz Bridger.
SOREL JOAN OF ARCTIC WINTER BOOTS
Still, these are literally the “boots with the fur" and we know that doesn't work for every person or situation. Plus, they're not available in men's sizing, though Sorel makes the Caribou boot that we recommend in our Best Men's Winter Boots guide.
We find the traction on the Oboz Bridger to be better than the Joan of Arctic and the Oboz have fewer parts that can snag or break. You can read our long-term, in-depth review of the Joan of Arctic here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
Cold is no stranger to me. I grew up in Colorado with New York-expat parents and spent winters in Alaska before settling in Maine. I’m no stranger to cold feet. I wouldn’t give up the cold for a sunny beach day, ever—but I do prefer to keep my toes warm.
I’ve skied for most of my life, from New England hills to hometown Colorado resorts, and backcountry adventures in Japan, Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon. Additionally, I’ve been a backpacking, rock climbing, hiking, and rafting guide in Alaska and Colorado; many of my “summer” seasons up north began when there was snow on the ground and ice blocking my boats from going downriver. Spending years on volunteer fire departments in Alaska and Maine have sent me out on Search and Rescue calls on frigid winter nights, ambulance calls in 4’ snowdrifts, and fire calls where water would freeze as soon as it left the hose.
My gear expertise stems from gear reviews for outlets like Backpacker Magazine and REI Co-op, 6 years of guiding, 3 decades of cold-weather adventures, and a plethora of gear-head friends. In addition, I’ve written outdoor lifestyle pieces for REI’s Uncommon Path Magazine and Powder 7 Ski Shop’s Lift Line Blog. (For additional publications and upcoming articles, check out my website.)
You can see all my Treeline Review articles on my author page.
