Light enough for mellow afternoon outings, supportive enough for a weeklong trip and aggressive enough for every roughshod ramble in between, the Yellowstone II from Oboz Footwear provides the heft and support you need without bogging you down.
With all the variables you need to consider when deciding on a hiking boot, how a boot fits is without question the most important factor in your consideration. A good fit correctly addresses the 3 dimensions of your foot:
Length: Toes should wiggle easily inside the footwear.
Width: Feet should not slide around inside footwear; nor should they be compressed from side to side.
Volume: The “bulk” of your foot should fit securely inside a boot’s interior.
Well, get ready to enjoy your outings on the trail much more my friends because from our perspective the Yellowstone II is spot on in all three categories. Thanks in part to a gender-tuned midsole the Yellowstone II provides both men and women the right level of support with every step. This hiker gently hugs the midfoot while still providing ample room in the toebox so your toes don’t despise you on downhill descents.
High-abrasion nubuck leather uppers and rubber toe and heel caps stand up to your abuse so you don’t go wearing them out before their time. Meanwhile the Oboz B-DRY Waterproof/Breathable Membrane ensures these mountain kicks are ready for any conditions you may encounter, whether muddy trails, snowy fields, or babbling brooks.
The Oboz BFit Deluxe Insole along with ankle-high design stabilize your foot protecting you from little trail monsters (learn more about the Oboz Insoles here). And speaking of trail monsters, you’ll want to learn the motto “in sawtooth we trust”. Whether confronting scree or slick wet rock, the Oboz high friction sawtooth outsole proved to be one of the most durable and adventure ready outsoles we’ve tested.
As with many of the Oboz models, the Yellowstone II comes with a 3D molded external heel counter. While most shoes have heel counters, Oboz brings a unique take to this feature by creating a heel counter that is molded three dimensionally instead of flat and bent to shape. The heel counter not only provides a nice shape to the back of the shoe, more importantly it helps prevent heel slippage on the trail while keeping your foot centered inside the shoe.
Admittedly it took the initial outing to adjust to the rounded external heel of the Yellowstone II hikers. That being said, the design added to an adept and aggressive fit while the snug heel cup did an excellent job of locking in feet for technical multisport performance.
Bottom Line….
Stiff sole to push up steep ascents? Check. A toothy tread that sticks to terrain whether wet or dry? Yup. A durable design that’s built to last? Without a doubt.
For hikers who value durability and performance but don’t want to sacrifice style or comfort, the Yellowstone II is a tremendous choice. And at only $145 you’ll have enough coin left over to pick up some quality hiking socks to go along with your new Oboz hikers. Explore your habitat and go the distance with the Yellowstone™ II from Oboz Footwear. Gumption tested, Gumption Approved.