Facts
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Use
Day Hiking
Shoes or boots for hikes that only last for half a day. Flexibility and lightness are the highlights of these kinds of footwear. See the best day hiking shoes and the best day hiking boots.
Backpacking
For multi-day trips with a heavy pack. Manufacturers emphasize durability and support in the creation of backpacking boots. See backpacking boots
Speed Hiking
Designed for users who want to cover a greater distance by going fast, usually with a light pack. See speed hiking shoes.
Winter Hiking
Boots that grant insulation to the user during hikes. See winter hiking boots.
Multi-sport
Mainly sandals. Aside from hiking they can be used for other purposes such as water activities. See multi-sport hiking sandals.
Good to know
Casual hikers can choose day hiking footwear or multi-sport sandals. More info here.
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Cut
Low
Shoes with a cuff that goes below the ankle. See low-cut hiking shoes.
Mid
Boots with an ankle-height cuff. They provide extra ankle support. See mid-cut hiking boots and mid-cut mountaineering boots.
High
Boots with a cuff that goes above the ankle. In the case of insulated ones, they may reach the calf. Also grants extra ankle support. See high-cut hiking boots and high-cut mountaineering boots.
Good to know
Generally, for trails that are easy to tackle, go with low-cut shoes. Go mid to high if there are more trail obstacles.
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Price$110
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WeightMen: 15.6ozWomen: 12.4oz
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WidthMen: Narrow, Normal, WideWomen: Normal, Wide
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Special editions
Rankings
Expert Reviews
Experts are hikers, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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98 / 100 based on 2 expert reviews
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Oboz’s Sawtooth II Low Hiking Shoes are comfortable and stable low hikers for people looking for a supportive yet lightweight hiking shoe that provides plenty of toe box room and protection.
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The Sawtooth II’s are nearly perfect dry condition hiking shoe that can also double as everyday shoes with one minor annoyance.
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- The Oboz Sawtooth II Low, the Sawtooth Low’s successor, is a footgear crafted to provide trail adventurers with the ability to nimbly cover miles with as much airy comfort as possible. It comes with a brand-exclusive moisture-wicking footbed called O Fit Insole for a pleasantly dry in-shoe experience. This component replaces the older model’s B Fit insert.
- This iteration, just like its predecessor, is built for lightweight action. That said, the Sawtooth II Low is about 10 to 15 grams lighter than its senior.
- Oboz engineers gave this new version a more streamlined look. This update is evident in how they lessened the number of its mesh panels and pull loops. Its protective overlays have seen a minor design change as well.
- On the breathability front, the Sawtooth II Low is given a slight upgrade. Although the number of its vent panels has gone down, it now has a mesh collar—something its older brother lacked.
- This second-gen Sawtooth Low inherits the former version’s rockered sole unit. With it, seekers of the trail can pull off better toe offs on even surfaces.
A low-top day hiking footgear for men and women is the Oboz Sawtooth II Low. The brand declares it as a true-to-length shoe. Its sizing selection consists of whole and half sizes. It is offered in widths D – standard and 2E – wide for men. The women’s variant, on the other hand, only comes in B – standard. It has a heel cup that conforms to the shape of the wearer’s heel, a sculpted medial section, and a spacious forefoot region. Users may set its fit to their preference using the hiker’s ghillie lacing.
With its classic company-owned outsole, the Oboz Sawtooth II Low is capable of delivering sufficient grip on different types of backcountry surfaces. It is engineered with mud-shedding treaded lugs, the border ones of which help hikers tackle off-camber trails with enhanced slip and skid resistance. Oboz designers gave it a front tip that serves as the shoe’s protective toe bumper.
This shoe for hiking provides enough underfoot comfort and stability over bumpy terrain with its dual-density midsole. Its entirety is made of EVA or ethylene-vinyl acetate, a cushy yet heavy-duty material akin to foam known for its stress resistance and also for its ability to bear considerable weight. It comes built with a nylon shank—a lightweight implement that stiffens the midfoot section of the midsole, thereby giving wearers additional arch support.
Helping this resilient component grant cushioning is the Oboz-exclusive O Fit Insole. Its multi-density engineering makes it extra comfy yet adequately supportive. Since it is built with a sculpted arch, this proprietary footbed gets to center the foot and keep it in place. It is also designed to keep the shoe’s interior well ventilated with its breathable, moisture-wicking top layer.
The Oboz Sawtooth II Low is a shoe with a breathable below-the-ankle upper. It is one part abrasion-resistant textile (mesh), one part nubuck leather. Within its confines is ample padding for added comfort. Its forefoot has a sturdy toe cap for bump protection, while its heel zone has a 3D-molded heel counter for improved rearfoot support. What allows users to slip in and out of the gear with relative ease, on the other hand, is the pull tab stitched securely to its heel.
Its lacing system has fabric loops and plated lace holes for eyelets. A round lace made of interwoven synthetic cords is set through them. The lace also goes through the tongue’s lace keeper, preventing the tongue from moving out of place.
In order for a pair of Oboz Sawtooth II Low hiking shoes to last longer, proper care and attention must be given. To that end, consider the following:
- After each use, rinse, brush, or wipe mudded and dirtied areas of the Sawtooth II Low. It is recommended to take out the insole and lace before major cleaning is done on the shoe. Do a thorough cleaning of the footgear a couple of times every season. A cleaning gel (or a similar product appropriate for the material used in the upper) can be used to clean the breathable parts of the footwear safely. The gear may not be cleaned using petroleum-, solvent-, or detergent-based cleaning agents, and under no circumstance be washed in a machine.
- The Sawtooth II Low must be dried at room temperature—anywhere between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Oboz advises against drying the shoe under direct sunlight, via any kind of heat source, or through a dryer. Filling the interior of the hiker with some newspaper can expedite the drying process. Removing the footbed after getting its inside wet can help dry the footwear faster minus the stink.
- During the off-season, store the Sawtooth II Low in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Before storage, it is imperative to clean and dry the gear first. Additionally, since this hiking footwear has some parts made of leather, it is a good idea to treat it with a leather conditioner—preferably one that is made specifically for nubuck leather use. This kind of treatment will prevent the leather from drying out and becoming dull. Owners are discouraged from stowing this pair of kicks in their cars, especially not in the trunk during summer months. Doing so can lead to warping, making the shoe no longer fit for use.
- For those who need protection from the inclement weather, hikers may opt for the Sawtooth II Low’s waterproof sibling—the Sawtooth II Low BDry. For those requiring firmer ankle support, however, they can look into the shoe’s mid-cut cousin, known simply as Sawtooth II Mid.
- This hiking footgear is part of Oboz’s “One More Tree” campaign which prompts them to plant a tree for every pair of Sawtooth II Lows sold.