I am a huge fan of Oboz having had the pleasure of trying and testing a few different Oboz styles. My verdict on Oboz couldn’t be more positive as they not only create the most practical and stylish footwear, but I love the ethos of their company. Oboz say – The Most Important Footprint Is The One We Don’t Leave Behind. But more about that later. Another reason I’m such a huge fan of Oboz is that they actually do larger men’s sizes which so many other brands fail to do.
Anyway after wearing the Oboz Katabatic LT Low, I am not at all surprised that this has quickly become one of their most popular hikers. This new Katabatic LT Low has taken their collection to a new level as it has a lighter package with improved performance and additional environmentally friendly materials. The ‘Gore-Tex’ Invisible Fit combines the true fit, feel and comfort of your favourite athletic sneakers with their ‘Guaranteed To Keep You Dry’ promise. This technology bonds the GORE-TEX lining directly to the upper, removing extra layers, giving the wearer a lighter weight as well as enhanced breathability. Now this guarantee was important to me as I spend a great deal of time walking my dog on my local Welsh beaches and I need my feet to stay dry, for me and you too no doubt, there’s nothing worse than damp feet! The O FIT Insole® featuring Ortholite® Eco™ Originals™ and Hybrid™ eco contents with fully recycled moisture wicking top layer – again another positive for me.
These Katabatic shoes have been engineered so that you have an agile performance, plus your feet are comfortable with Oboz’s proprietary ACTEnergy cushioning system that is a compression molded EVA, formulated for moving quick on the trail, or in my case on the Welsh beaches, as they provide a lightweight cushioned ride that is both responsive and resilient. Oboz’s proprietary Trail Tread™ outsoles doesn’t just feature a rubber compound. As Oboz have combined end-use driven design elements with specific rubber formulations, the Trail Tread™ outsoles are engineered to meet the variable demands of different environments and trail conditions. Each pair of Oboz is thoughtfully crafted to fit a large range of foot types right out of the box, giving every adventurer, – or Welsh dog walker – a roomy toe box and comfy heel pocket connected by a supportive arch. Oboz use their own gender-specific lasts to address the anatomical nuances between different types of feet. Length runs true to size and there’s a form hugging heel cup, sculpted mid-foot and a generous forefoot & toe box. So whether you are going for a serious speedy hike, walking on the beach or sand dunes, or out for lunch at the pub, the Oboz product technology adds durably waterproof, totally windproof and breathable protection with a long product life. I realise I have given you a lot of technical details but when you get your feet inside these Katabatic shoes, you’ll understand how remarkable this brand is.
I cannot praise the Katabatic LT enough and to have such a comfortable and waterproof pair of shoes when I walking and playing with my dog on my beach walks, life feels good. So from fastpacking to day hiking make the Katabatic LT your choice of shoe, I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do.
Colours: black sea, drizzle, pond, saddle
Sizes: 7 – 13 including, plus ½ sizes.
Price: £150.00
Visit: obozfootwear.com
I appreciate the Oboz company ethos so I wanted to share this with you which I have taken from their website:
Outside + Bozeman = Oboz
Right outside our front door, the mountains just outside Bozeman beckon us. It’s this 18-million-acre laboratory where we test our designs and inspire ideas, and where we just soak it all in. It even inspired the name “Oboz”.
People
Here at Oboz, we are hikers, anglers, runners, skiers, knitters, bikers, guitar players, dog-walkers, and fun-chasers. We are different, but we have a collective love of the trail that enables us to create footwear that’s always worthy of the task at hand.
Our Office
Nestled in Bozeman, MT, our office is powered by solar energy, illuminating our commitment to reducing our electrical footprint. Participating in the “Adopt a Drain” program directly outside our office, we actively safeguard our rivers by preventing pollutants from entering their waters. Outside of the office, our team receives annual volunteer hours to contribute to our local community, fostering a spirit of giving back.
Planet
We love the outdoors. The places that we love exploring, discovering, and hiking need to be cared for and protected. The more we show these places how much we love them, the more outdoors there is us to enjoy.
What’s Inside Matters.
Our purpose-designed O FIT System® integrates seamlessly into our hiking boots and shoes to promote the foot’s natural biomechanics.
It’s time to celebrate muddy shoes.
Here, at Oboz, we consider a dirty hiking shoe as a sign of days well-spent on the trail.
After a long day of trekking it’s easy to pull off your hiking shoes and toss them out of sight and out of mind. While we encourage the use a post-hike comfort shoe, we’d ask you to think twice about tossing your footwear.
Just like you need a shower after a muddy trail day, so do your hiking shoes. With time, caked on mud and dirt can dry out the fabric and leather, abrading the fibers of the footwear. This ultimately leads to your hikers wearing down faster. We recommend cleaning and waterproofing your footwear frequently, and at least once seasonally. This helps to prolong the lifespan of the shoes and keep them in tip-top trail shape.
Caring for your footwear is simple, just follow these three easy steps:
- Clean
- Waterproof
- Dry
- Clean
Clean shoes start on the trail. At the conclusion of each hike brush off your boots to remove dried mud AND prevent the spread of invasive species from one trail to another.
Start cleaning your shoes by brushing off all the dirt and mud that you can. Next, remove the shoelaces, and O FIT Insole and rinse your footwear. We recommend using Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel (green cap) for a gentle and effective clean. The Nixwax gel cleans the breathable surface of your hiking shoes and prepares them for any waterproofing treatment. It’s best to avoid solvents, petroleum, and detergents on your shoes. Once you have generously applied the gel, rinse the boots once again.
- Waterproof
No one enjoys wet feet, no matter the adventure. Avoid soggy socks by re-applying a waterproofing product regularly.
All Oboz footwear has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish on the outside leathers and textiles, which can benefit from occasional retreating. If the surface of your shoes is absorbing water, it’s time to re-waterproof. Even styles with a B-DRY membrane will benefit from re-waterproofing.
Apply Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Proof all over your footwear. Drying takes a few minutes – and a couple funky dance moves. Wipe off any excess proof. This process revives breathability, reduces sweaty feet, and eliminates the “false leaking” sensation when excess perspiration can be confused with water coming in from the outside environment.
- Dry
Let the boots air-dry completely. Do not put your shoes in a clothes washer or dryer. This will send your footwear to an early grave and can even alter the fit of your shoe. To expedite drying trying stuffing your shoes with dry cloths to soak up excess moisture.
Lace up your clean and dry footwear and hit the trail!
