Excellent support and durability with a firm ride
Quick Answer: The Oboz Sawtooth X is a structured hiking shoe for day hikes, long treks and walkers who want real arch support underfoot. It uses an O FIT insole, an 8 mm drop, Kinertia+ cushioning and a Trail Tread HD rubber outsole. The men’s Low weighs 15.8 oz per shoe; the Low Waterproof is 16.9 oz. Standard and wide versions are offered, with a secure heel and midfoot plus a generous forefoot. Choose it for support and durability, not soft max cushioning or low weight.
The Oboz Sawtooth X is the current version of the shoe that built the brand’s reputation, and Oboz has kept the things that made it work rather than chasing the max-cushion trend. It is a hiking shoe in the traditional sense, built for structure, protection and longevity rather than for feeling like a running shoe.
The upper pairs oiled nubuck leather with CORDURA mesh. Nubuck goes where the shoe takes abrasion and CORDURA, a high-tenacity nylon fabric, goes where breathability matters, which is a more considered arrangement than covering the whole shoe in one material. Laces are made from REPREVE recycled PET polyester.
What distinguishes Oboz most is the insole. Nearly every shoe ships with a thin, flat sockliner that most people throw away, and Oboz instead includes a properly contoured supportive footbed as standard. For hikers who would otherwise buy an aftermarket insole, that saves both money and the trouble of finding one that fits.
If you want a lighter waterproof Oboz, compare our Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX review. For a broader look at outdoor footwear, see our walking and outdoor boots guide.
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Oboz Sawtooth X:
| Type | Structured hiking shoe and mid-height hiking boot |
| Best for | Day hikes, long treks, rough trails and walking on uneven ground |
| Fit | True to size; form-hugging heel, sculpted midfoot and generous forefoot/toe box |
| Widths | Standard and wide |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm |
| Upper | Nubuck leather with abrasion-resistant textile/mesh panels |
| Cushioning | Kinertia+ cushioning with O FIT triple-density EVA insole |
| Outsole | Trail Tread HD heavy-duty rubber |
| Waterproofing | B-DRY on Waterproof versions; non-waterproof versions also offered |
| Men’s weight | Low 15.8 oz (448 g); Low Waterproof 16.9 oz (479 g); Mid 19.2 oz (544 g); Mid Waterproof 19.4 oz (550 g), per shoe |
| Price | Current retail examples are about $165 for the Low and $185 for the Low Waterproof. Check latest price |
Pros
These are the reasons Oboz keeps a loyal following:
- A genuinely supportive contoured insole is included, not an afterthought sockliner
- Oiled nubuck and CORDURA make a durable upper that survives seasons of abuse
- B-DRY waterproofing on the WP versions keeps rain and wet ground out
- Firm, structured platform stays predictable on uneven and rough terrain
- Low shoe, mid boot, waterproof and non-waterproof options cover most conditions
- Improved comfort, traction and durability over the previous Sawtooth
Cons
These are the compromises:
- Heavy compared with trail runners: the men’s Low is 15.8 oz per shoe and the Mid is 19.2 oz
- Moderate, structured cushioning rather than a soft max-cushion feel
- Waterproof versions run warmer than the non-waterproof models
- The rugged build is more shoe than many people need for pavement or easy park paths
- Current retail pricing puts the Low around $165 and the Low Waterproof around $185
What the Sawtooth X changes
The Sawtooth X is a comprehensive update of the shoe that established Oboz, and the brand describes it as improving comfort, traction and durability over the original. Those are the three things a hiking shoe is judged on, and the X moves on all of them rather than reinventing the concept.
The upper materials are the visible change, combining oiled nubuck with CORDURA fabric mesh so that abrasion resistance and breathability each sit where they are needed. REPREVE recycled polyester laces are part of a broader materials shift rather than a performance change.
What carries over is the philosophy. Oboz still includes a supportive contoured footbed as standard, still builds a firm structured platform and still offers the shoe in four combinations of height and waterproofing. That consistency is why the line has the following it does.
Who should buy the Sawtooth X
Buy the Sawtooth X if you want a hiking shoe that will last and that supports the foot properly out of the box. The included contoured footbed is worth real money if you would otherwise buy an aftermarket insole, and the nubuck and CORDURA upper survives the rock and scrub that destroys mesh shoes.
It suits hikers on rough and uneven ground. A firm, structured platform does not deform unpredictably when you land across a rock, which is why traditional hiking shoes remain preferable to cushioned ones once the terrain gets awkward.
The range of versions also helps. Being able to choose a low shoe for summer and a waterproof mid for winter, on the same familiar fit, is genuinely useful if you have found a shoe that suits your foot.
Who should avoid the Sawtooth X
Avoid it if you want cushioning. Oboz describes the cushioning level as medium, which is accurate: it protects but it does not pamper, and hikers whose feet ache after a long day on hard-packed trail will get more relief from a max-cushion shoe.
Avoid it if weight matters. The men’s Low is 15.8 oz per shoe and the Mid is 19.2 oz per shoe according to Oboz. That is reasonable for traditional hiking footwear, but noticeably heavier than modern trail runners and lightweight hikers.
The waterproof versions also run warm and dry slowly, which is the standard membrane compromise and makes them a poor choice for hot, dry hiking. Anyone with persistent foot or ankle pain should seek a professional assessment rather than relying on footwear alone.
How does the Sawtooth X fit?
Fit and sizing
Oboz describes the Sawtooth X as true to size, with a form-hugging heel, sculpted midfoot and a generous forefoot and toe box. That is a useful combination on trail: the rearfoot stays controlled while the toes have room to spread and move on descents. Standard and wide versions are available, including an EE forefoot on the men’s wide model.
The included footbed is part of the fit, and because it is contoured rather than flat it takes up more volume than a standard sockliner. If you use a custom orthotic, swapping it in changes the fit noticeably, so try both before deciding on size.
Upper and step-in comfort
Step-in comfort is supportive rather than plush. The O FIT insole uses triple-density EVA, a deep heel cup and medium-to-high arch support, so the shoe feels more structured underfoot than most hiking shoes straight from the box. Nubuck and abrasion-resistant textile panels give the upper a durable, traditional hiking feel without turning it into a full-leather boot.
Breathability is decent in the non-waterproof versions and limited in the B-DRY ones, which is the usual trade. The nubuck panels resist abrasion where the shoe scuffs against rock, and the overall construction feels built to last rather than built to be light.
How does the Sawtooth X perform?
Cushioning and underfoot feel
Oboz rates the cushioning as medium and that is an honest description. There is enough foam to blunt the impact of hard-packed trail and gravel, and not enough to isolate you from the ground the way a max-cushion shoe does.
The included contoured footbed does a disproportionate share of the comfort work. Supporting the arch properly changes how the whole foot loads, and many hikers find that more useful over a long day than an extra few millimeters of midsole foam would be.
Stability and support on the trail
Stability comes from a firm platform, a structured heel and, in the Mid version, ankle coverage. A firm midsole is inherently steadier on uneven ground than a soft one, because it does not compress unevenly when you land across a rock edge, and that is the fundamental argument for a traditional hiking shoe.
The contoured footbed also contributes by seating the foot properly rather than letting it slide on a flat surface. There is nothing here designed to control inward foot roll, so hikers who need dedicated support should discuss orthotics with a clinician, and persistent pain warrants a professional assessment.
Outsole, grip and durability
Current Sawtooth X models use Oboz’s Trail Tread HD outsole, a heavy-duty rubber compound designed for wet and dry trail surfaces. The tread is aimed at general hiking rather than deep mud: it works well on dirt, gravel, rock and mixed hard surfaces, while a dedicated soft-ground shoe will still bite better in sloppy conditions.
Durability is one of the strongest reasons to choose the Sawtooth X. The leather-and-textile upper is built for abrasion, the outsole uses a heavy-duty rubber compound and the structured platform is less delicate than a lightweight trail runner. Lifespan will still depend on terrain, mileage and care, so we would not promise a fixed number of miles, but this is footwear designed to be used over multiple hiking seasons.
Is the Sawtooth X good for walking?
On trails and uneven ground, yes, and the included insole is a large part of why. Supporting the arch properly makes a long day of walking noticeably more comfortable than a shoe with a flat sockliner, and the firm structured platform stays steady at slow speeds where a soft shoe would move under you. The Mid version adds ankle coverage that helps on rough ground.
For everyday walking on pavement it is less appealing. At around 2.5 lb per pair it is heavy to lift with each step, the cushioning is medium rather than deep so concrete is felt, and the waterproof versions run warm. It is a good trail walking shoe and an unnecessarily substantial one for the sidewalk.
Sawtooth X Low vs. Mid
The height choice matters more than any other decision in this range:
Sawtooth X Low | Sawtooth X Mid | |
Men’s weight | 15.8 oz per shoe | 19.2 oz per shoe |
Ankle coverage | Low cut | More coverage against debris and brush |
Best use | Day hikes, maintained trails, warmer weather | Long treks, rougher terrain, carrying a pack |
Waterproof option | Yes, B-DRY | Yes, B-DRY |
Wide option | Yes | Yes |
Buy the Low for maintained trails and warmer weather. Buy the Mid if you carry a pack, hike rough ground or want more coverage in wet conditions, remembering that ankle height alone does not prevent injury.
Oboz Sawtooth X Alternatives
Hikers who want far more cushioning should compare the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX, which uses a deep running-derived midsole and a Vibram Megagrip outsole. It is more comfortable underfoot and less precise on rough ground (check price).
Where price is the deciding factor, the Merrell Moab 3 costs considerably less, fits more generously and includes genuine wide widths, though its insole is nothing like as supportive as the one Oboz includes (check price).
Hikers who want a much lighter shoe with similar structure should look at the Danner Trail 2650, which uses a TPU shank and a Vibram Megagrip outsole at roughly half the weight of the Sawtooth X Mid (check price).
Anyone who needs the widest possible toe box along with waterproofing should consider the KEEN Targhee IV, whose glue-free construction also outlasts most hiking shoes (check price).
Price and value
The Sawtooth X is not a budget hiker. Current retail examples put the men’s Low around $165 and the Low Waterproof around $185. Part of the value is the O FIT insole, which is substantially more supportive than the thin sockliners included with many shoes, and part is the rugged build. If your priority is low weight or plush cushioning, you can spend the same money on something lighter. If you value fit, support and durability, the price is easier to justify.
Final verdict
Best for: day hiking and backpacking on rough or uneven ground, and walkers who want proper arch support included as standard.
Avoid if: you want deep cushioning, you count grams, you hike in hot dry conditions or you want the cheapest option.
Fit: true to size, moderately accommodating, with a contoured supportive footbed that takes up more volume than a standard sockliner.
Verdict: Including a properly supportive insole is a small decision that makes a large difference, and combined with a durable nubuck and CORDURA upper it explains why Oboz keeps its following. It is firm and heavy, so buy it for structure and longevity rather than comfort underfoot. You can check size availability before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions for Oboz Sawtooth X
Yes. Oboz says length runs true to size, with a form-hugging heel, sculpted midfoot and a generous forefoot and toe box. The included O FIT insole is more substantial than a flat sockliner, so a custom orthotic can change the amount of interior volume.
The O FIT insole is a triple-density EVA footbed with a deep heel cup, medium-to-high arch support and firmer structure under the foot. It gives the Sawtooth X more built-in support than the thin flat sockliners included with many hiking shoes.
B-DRY is Oboz’s waterproof system used on the waterproof Sawtooth X versions. It is designed to block outside moisture while allowing some vapor to escape. As with most waterproof hiking footwear, it runs warmer than the non-waterproof version.
It is moderately cushioned rather than plush. Oboz’s current Sawtooth X uses Kinertia+ cushioning with a structured O FIT insole, so the feel is controlled and supportive rather than soft like a max-cushion trail runner.
Choose the Low if you want less weight and more freedom around the ankle. Choose the Mid for more coverage against debris, brush and shallow water. The men’s Low weighs 15.8 oz per shoe, while the men’s Mid is 19.2 oz per shoe according to Oboz.
Durability is one of its strengths. The upper combines nubuck leather with abrasion-resistant textile panels, while the Trail Tread HD outsole uses a heavy-duty rubber compound. Actual lifespan depends on terrain, use and care, but this is built more like traditional hiking footwear than a lightweight trail runner.
Yes. Oboz offers wide versions of the Sawtooth X. On the men’s model, Oboz describes the wide forefoot as EE versus D in standard width; the women’s wide forefoot is D versus C in standard width.
