Oboz Sypes Low Leather B-DRY

Our Take If we were only allowed to own one pair of hiking shoes, the Sypes Low would be our pick. We took it on both long trips and dayhikes, through the airport and up peaks, and it never let us down. This shoe’s low profile and roomy fit make it comfortable for daily activities (plus, it doesn’t look too “hiker-y” for off-trail use). When neighborhood jaunts proved no match, we took a chance wearing the Sypes Low on the 7-mile, 4,300-foot climb up Mt. Shuksan’s Fisher Chimneys. On the route, the shoe’s PU midsole (which has a midfoot nylon shank) provided stability and kept us comfy under a 40-pound pack, and the chunky proprietary outsole with 5-millimeter-deep lugs ensured our steps never faltered on a heinous bushwhack.

The Details We had full confidence in this shoe while walking through Pacific Northwest puddles and mud thanks to the B-DRY membrane. A leather upper combines with a beefy rubber rand around the toes and heel and Cordura accents to provide plenty of durability. The medium volume fits a range of feet, and there’s enough flex in the tongue and lacing that you can keep the shoe loose or tied down snug for hikes.

m’s 8-14, w’s 6-11