Oboz Men's Firebrand II Low B-Dry, Earth, 9.5

If you are like me and spend hours reading reviews before making an online purchase, I wanted to provide my review of this excellent hiking shoe to make your decision to buy this shoe easier. I own or have owned merrill's, la sportiva's and salomon's and my new go to shoe is the Firebrand II by Oboz. First, I'm not an avid hiker but do put lots of time in them doing my personal weekend hobbies. Down in New Orleans, the terrain isn't exactly mountainous, but there are plenty of outdoor activities around. Anyway, I took the family to Glacier National Park this July and we hiked pretty hard for the first three days. My kids pooped out by the fourth, so I took it easy on them and only hiked 6 miles that day. While my legs, calves and thighs ached, my feet felt great thanks to the excellent support of the Firebrand II's. As for fit, I was very excited about how well this shoot fit my foot. When ordering from the internet, it's always nerve racking not knowing what you'll get in the mail. I have a standard 10-1/2 size foot and ordered these like my running shoes - a half size up. The size 11 even fit my slightly smaller left foot just fine. The shoe hugs the heel so there's no slippage. The width is standard - again, worked perfect for my standard width foot. The toe box provided enough room side to side, but didn't feel sloppy when hiking on sidehill paths. The one part of a shoe that can begin to heat up for me is the rise of the shoe. Again, the Firebrand II was very comfortable, didn't tighten up, slide around and or pinch at the rise. I wore mid and or light weight hiking socks each day and pulled the laces to a comfortable tightness. Day in day out, these have been the most comfortable pair of shoes I've hiked in and or worn all day. I did purchase the BeDry series (waterproof lining inside) which adds weight, so decide if you need yours to be waterproof or not. Down in south Louisiana, we get lots of rain, so it was a no brainer for me. Out of the box, the shoe has a unique look with the seven eyelets. The colors are bold and earthy and just look like they belong on a hiking trail. I did spend a little time breaking them in, however, I don't think that was necessary. The shoes are not stiff out of the box, but I always like to break my shoe in before embarking on a trip. Once I stopped admiring how good looking they were, I checked out the workmanship. I am leery of the toe's of shoes like this. It always seems the glue gives way. However, I saw no indication these toe wraps would pop. The sole seems very rugged. They did an excellent job with traction. I never slipped going downhill on loose gravel or wet rock. Best thing was at the end of each day, I would hose down the bottom and sides and not worry about the water soaking through. All in all, these are great shoes and you will not regret your purchase. I've cleaned mine up and put them away for my next hiking adventure - Alaska! I hope this helps. My final thought, Oboz are good to go. Buy with confidence.

These ones have a very sticky outsole and gel-like forgiveness against twisting. Traction is incredible, especially on wet leafy slopes. I can plant a heel firmly on stone and flex it right and left a few degrees without breaking it loose. My shoe is tightly fit, and the flex is all in the rubber of the heel. This allows lots of forgiveness toward ankle and knee tendons. I live in PA where the trails are famous for rockiness. This is my new sneaker. I laugh at all the other ones I've ever had now. It's heel counter is like something made by Osolo. There is no sneaker like heel rolling in these. I would gladly grab this shoe and a 35 pound pack for a day hike on mostly smooth trails, or even for a couple of weeks of fourteen mile days. With a fifty pound pack I'd get stone bruises on the bottoms of my feet. All day on big pointy gravel, even without a pack, my feet would be sore on the bottom. I'd like to see a removable thin delrin footplate, for times when I want to go where it's too rocky for this shoe's stone bruising permeability. Overall, I'd want the sole to be exactly as it is, though, as it grips so well as to confidently trail run leaf strewn hillsides half covered in snow, These shoes are put together better than the best legendary hiking boots of backpacking's heyday. No leaks in rain and slush, no separation of glued parts after three months, no complaints at all, except that I'd wish for a removable bottom plate under the removable footbed as part of the package. The removable footbed is about similar to $50 orthotic insoles. It cups the heel well, and relieves pain from a bone spur I got from other ill fitting workboots as well as those other orthotic insoles did. In these, the bone spur inflammation is healing up as well as with that other orthotic, and I like the Oboz insole better for comfort and balance. One can't tell easily from the photo, but the rubber toe cap is very sticky for good traction where one might do a toe jam, is attached bomb-proof enough for doing that, and is thick enough to kick rocks down the trail all day, or to kneel with the toe tops in the dirt without wearing out.

I use it for light tramping with a light pack. It gives excellent sole and foot protection but naturally little ankle protection. It is very comfortable to wear and fits my foot perfectly. Highly Recommended. This written year later - My 5* rating stands. This has done several long hikes and tramps and will easily last another year. Slight outer heel wear but normal for the type of hiking and general walk use it has done. Very good foot support and the metal eyelets are a good construction feature. Tommonz This written after two years of virtually daily use including light hiking. Still 5* rating but the soles are now virtually flat(tread worn) and outside heel has worn down. The uppers are fine and the lace eyelets are still intact. These have been a super buy. I am about to order a second pair after thoroughly researching for other types but it appears these are the best for me. 8 Oct 2014 . My second pair of Oboz Men's Firebrand 11 Multishoe have arrived!! Only 11 days to New Zealand. They really are an excellently made sports shoe and are comfortable "out of the box". I looked extensively at others - you know the story "it's time for change" - but none that I saw or tried were as well built, COMFORTABLE, solid and my first pair lasted me two years. The uppers are still fine and they remain waterproof but the soles are "flat" so OK around home. This shoe would sell even more if there was a range of colors available. How about it OBOZ??

stats on the wearer: 6' 4" @ 270lbs size 14 medium width wearer. normal arch. "stability" shoe wearer. Running shoes: Brooks Beast. I needed to find a shoe that I could wear comfortably during a 12-hour ER shift. Have previously tried Merrell, Vasque, and an assortment of "trail runners". Specific problem: If shoe relaxes and slips, does not support well, or when it breaks down - My knee and calf pain increases to the point of having to wear brace for work. Superfeet insoles have helped a little, but since Merrell shoes went to primarily bungee or speed lacing, nothing in there line has worked. I used to wear the Chameleon 2 or 3 with standard lacing system.. wore them until I couldn't find another pair to buy- would last for more than a year. SO FAR - with two 12-hour shifts in and have worn them in slush, snow, and around to get feel - this company will be my new shoe and boot. THANK YOU, OBOZ! comfortable and true fit out of box. The support of my foot feels just like I hoped. The laces can be easily adjusted to tighten and loosen where I want... AND THEY DON"T SLIP or relax through the day! The insoles are built similarly to the superfeet insoles I've been using. Stayed dry when shoveling snow and hopping puddles through parking lot. The tongue gusset does hit the top of my left foot in a spot that causes a little discomfort.. but I think that I can adjust around it. They look good - wear them anywhere. and for an extra bonus... the ad on the side of the box tells of the company mission to plant a tree for every pair of boots purchased. Already have two other styles of Oboz that I can't wait to try.

Great high quality shoes!

I purchased these in late January due to a good experience with the slip on moc. I am a larger person, 6'3" and 355 pounds at the time. Part of my fitness goal included getting sturdy shoes to support my frame while walking 5 to 6 miles every day. They were a little stiff when new. Always a good sign for me having broken in many hiking boots over the decades. That stiffness was good support on sides and arches which appears to have translated into durability. Pros: Comfortable Good laces Stitching stayed sound and intact Very water resistant Kept feet warm and dry Rubber parts did not delaminate on sole and rand Color lasted. Cons: Soles wore through earlier than expected (the rest of the shoes are in good shape, would resole if an option) I am hard on shoes. My size and activity mean prior shoes have fallen apart with stitching coming undone, soles delaminating, and toe rand coming unglued. I was really pleased how remarkably well these held up. Was surprised how the soles were not as durable as the uppers. I put an average of 5.3 miles a day on these shoes every day and found them comfortable untl I retired them today. Over those miles I lost over 30 pounds and appreciate relying upon them for that continuing goal.

Really appreciate Oboz not doing a complete overhaul on this line of footwear. Or cheapening the quality. I have a pair of boots at least 10y old. Finally wearing out. Thought I’d try the shoe. Similar style to the boot. Quite impressed the sole is still the same high quality. Arch support seems like these were designed for MY foot. There are some notable quality upgrades in outer material and laces. Overall this is high quality pair of outdoor shoes!

These seem like they are quality shoes. I've only had them for a couple of weeks so I don't know about durability. I probably should have returned them for a bigger size though. When I opened the box, I thought they even looked too small, but the size on the box and shoe both said US size 10. I usually have a little room in a 10, but these were extremely narrow and even seemed a bit short. I loosened the laces a lot and am going to try to break them in. Perhaps they are made to be small to prevent blisters when hiking. In my experience, I would advise to buy a half size up, or perhaps a wide.

Excellent quality and fit. Great shoe

低山ハイキングに数回使いました。何足かprime wardrobeにて試した結果、幅広の私の足を締め付けず包み込むような履き心地と配色デザインが気に入り購入しました。包み込むような、というのは具体的には既に持っているメレルのモアブ2に近いと感じました。 モアブ2と比較して良い点はソールが滑りにくいこと。山道ではなくコンビニなんかの硬く平らな床が雨で濡れている状況で、メレルモアブ2はすごく滑ります。その滑りやすさを５段階の5とすればこのオボズは3くらいだといえます。 比較して悪い点は添付画像にもあるように靴ひもが解けやすいこと。5時間のハイキングで10回以上解けてストレスが溜まりました。ひもを替えれば解決すると思われますがその点で☆-1です。 総じて言えば、日本人に多い幅広甲高の足にもフィットする足型、デザインがメレルのように野暮ったくない、洗練されているという2点においてオススメできる1足です。

I already had a pair of these so I’m very familiar with the excellent fit and quality , unfortunately oboz have superseded these with an updated shoe , however I was keen to get another pair for “best”and manage to source these new ones from America They truly are excellent shoes , my doctor said joint problems always start from the feet up so if your wearing I’ll fitting unsupportive shoes this will have a negative impact further up , in my case a dodgy knee , so having a good shoe is important . These truly are excellent shoes very ergonomic very supportive and certainly have had a positive impact on my knee , they can be worn all day no problem I can certainly recommend them

Love these shoes. Great support for a low hiker. Not a quick on/off shoe, as the tongue is anchored fairly low, even with the laces loosened right off. However, if you want a comfortable shoe for trails and/or longer walks, you won't be disappointed. Water resistance is great as well.

11月の山歩きに使用したのでレビューします。 履いてみてまず驚いたのはシャンクの適度な固さ。何というか腰の有る固さで、車の運転も支障無く出来ながらも、岩に足をかけた際や雪斜面でのキックステップでも重登山靴で登っている時と同じ安心感が有ります。 ソールもグリップ良く、一般的な路面や雪面、沢渡りでも安心して歩く事が出来ますが、唯一、泥濘路での排泥性能はあまり良く無い感じです。（どの靴もそうですが…） BDRYも体中汗をかく状況でも靴中は蒸れることなく、中々良い性能を出しているように感じます。 ローカットなので、同じObozのトラバースミッドに比べれば踵廻りのホールド感がもう一つかなと思いますが、行き帰りの運転でも支障無く出来、家を出てから帰るまで不足無く使用する事が出来る満足感の高い靴です。