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The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY bridges the gap between a rugged, high-support leather boot and a flexible day hiker. It is built for hikers who love Oboz's signature supportive arch geometry but find the brand’s heavier Bridger model too stiff and punishing for fast-paced weekend trail outings. The upper combines oiled nubuck leather with Cordura nylon mesh panels, providing solid abrasion resistance while dropping weight and improving forefoot flex. Inside, the proprietary B-DRY membrane seals out moisture from rain-slicked vegetation, muddy tracks, and creek crossings. Underfoot, the Trail Tread rubber outsole features an updated, aggressive lug pattern that grips Tenaciously in loose scree, clay, and damp forest floor duff. Like all Oboz boots, it includes the sculpted O Fit insole, offering arch and heel support that outclasses standard factory footbeds. The trade-offs center around climate suitability. The B-DRY membrane is quite dense, meaning that in warm, dry weather, internal heat and moisture struggle to escape, leading to damp socks by midday. Additionally, while the Sawtooth X is more flexible than the Bridger, the heel cup has significant volume, which can cause slight heel slip for hikers with narrow heels if not laced tightly. **Highlights** - Sculpted O Fit insole provides exceptional out-of-the-box arch support - Trail Tread rubber outsole delivers aggressive traction in loose dirt and mud - Oiled nubuck and Cordura mesh blend durability with forefoot flex - Molded rubber heel counter locks the rearfoot in place - B-DRY membrane effectively seals out standing water and slush **Watch-outs** - Proprietary membrane traps sweat in temperatures over 70 degrees - Wide heel pocket may cause slippage for narrow-footed hikers - Outsole rubber compound can be slick on polished, wet rock
Pros
- Class-leading arch support out of the box with the sculpted O Fit insole
- Exceptional mud, loose dirt, and scree traction from deep Trail Tread lugs
- Tough nubuck and Cordura construction resists severe trail abrasion
- Molded heel counter delivers solid stability under moderate pack loads
Cons
- B-DRY membrane runs hot and traps sweat in mild to warm weather
- Hard outsole rubber compound slips on smooth, wet rock slabs
- Generous heel volume can cause slippage for hikers with narrow feet
Best uses
- Cool-weather backpacking
- Muddy shoulder-season day hikes
- Hikers needing high arch support
- Off-camber forest trail trekking
Specifications
- Weight
- Approx. 19.3 oz (547g) per boot
- Upper Material
- Oiled nubuck leather and Cordura nylon mesh
- Waterproof Tech
- B-DRY waterproof breathable membrane
- Footbed
- O Fit Insole with sculpted arch support
- Outsole
- Trail Tread rubber with multi-directional lugs
- Ankle Cut
- Mid-height with padded collar
Pricing
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Full catalog listing & offersBest for
Cool-weather backpacking, Muddy shoulder-season day hikes, Hikers needing high arch support, Off-camber forest trail trekking
Where to buy the Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY
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The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY occupies a deliberate middle ground in the hiking footwear spectrum. It sheds the punishing rigidity of heavy full-grain backpacking boots while providing far more torsional rigidity, heel lock, and underfoot structure than the modern wave of mesh trail runners. If you need serious arch support and durable protection without hauling an immovable block of leather on weekend treks, this boot is aimed directly at your feet. At its core, the Sawtooth X retains Oboz's trademark sculpted geometry, pairing oiled nubuck leather with abrasion-resistant Cordura mesh. The result is a boot that flexes cleanly through the forefoot right out of the box while securing the rearfoot in rough, uneven terrain. Underneath, a dual-density midsole and molded heel counter keep your ankles stable under a moderate pack load. The compromises become apparent when the mercury climbs or when route finding demands friction over slick, polished granite. The proprietary B-DRY membrane keeps external moisture out exceptionally well, but it runs notoriously hot. This is a workhorse boot tailored for cool, wet, and rugged trail systems rather than sweltering desert canyons or technical slab scrambles.
Fit and Footbed Architecture
The standout feature of any Oboz boot is its proprietary insole, and the Sawtooth X is no exception. Most stock boot insoles are flimsy pieces of flat foam meant to be replaced immediately. Oboz ships this model with its sculpted O Fit footbed, which features dense EVA foam, targeted heel cushioning, and pronounced medial arch support. For hikers dealing with plantar fasciitis or high arches, this boot provides immediate relief without requiring a fifty-dollar aftermarket insert. The forefoot offers a comfortable, medium-to-wide spread that lets toes splay naturally during descents. However, the heel pocket runs fairly generous in volume. If you have narrow ankles or flat arches, you will likely experience heel lift unless you utilize the top eyelets for a tight surgeon's knot.
Waterproofing and Heat Retention
The proprietary B-DRY waterproof membrane creates an impenetrable barrier against external moisture. Submerging the boot in shallow stream crossings, kicking through soaking wet brush, and slogging through slushy mud reveals zero leakage. The oiled leather upper also sheds surface saturation when maintained with leather conditioner. The drawback to this heavy-duty barrier is breathability. The B-DRY membrane is denser than standard Gore-Tex, and moisture vapors generated inside the boot have a hard time venting out. Once ambient temperatures climb above seventy degrees Fahrenheit, your feet will sweat significantly. On multi-day trips in warm weather, that trapped perspiration dampens merino socks from the inside out, demanding mid-day sock swaps to prevent hotspots.
Traction on Mixed Surfaces
Oboz revamped the outsole on the X generation with their Trail Tread rubber compound, shaping deeper, perimeter-wrapping lugs designed to chew through soft terrain. On muddy trails, scree descents, pine needle duff, and loose topsoil, this boot tracks straight and stops on command. The braking lugs on the heel bite securely when dropping down steep, loose dirt grades. The rubber falls short, however, on smooth, wet rock faces. The compound is relatively hard, tuned for long-term wear resistance rather than sticky friction. When stepping across wet river boulders or polished granite slabs, the lugs tend to skate rather than smear, requiring careful foot placement compared to softer Vibram Megagrip formulations.
Chassis and Ankle Stability
Rather than relying entirely on stiff leather around the ankle bone, the Sawtooth X derives its stability from a molded external TPU heel counter and a rigid nylon shank running through the midsole. This construction anchors the rear of your foot to the platform, preventing ankle rolls without suffocating the lower leg. The padded mid-cut collar wraps comfortably around the ankle without pinching the Achilles tendon during steep climbs. It offers ample support for carrying pack weights up to thirty-five pounds on rugged backcountry terrain. You gain the protective security of a traditional boot while retaining enough forefoot flex to maintain a natural, non-clunky hiking cadence over high mileage.
Break-In and Durability
Unlike all-leather boots like the Oboz Bridger, the Sawtooth X requires minimal break-in time. The strategically placed Cordura panels across the flex zones let the boot bend naturally on your first outing, though the stiff heel cup takes twenty to thirty trail miles to mold fully to your rearfoot. Long-term durability is a major strength. The oiled nubuck resists abrasion from sharp rocks, and the rubber toe cap wraps sufficiently high over the front bumper to prevent delamination. The stitching holds up remarkably well against scrub brush. Barring excessive heat exposure that can cook the waterproof liner, the chassis easily survives several seasons of aggressive weekend use.
Comparable Field Alternatives
At this price point, the Sawtooth X sits against the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid and the Keen Targhee IV. The Salomon is substantially lighter, nimbler, and handles technical scrambling better, but it lacks the underfoot arch support, leather armor, and durability of the Oboz. The Keen Targhee matches the Sawtooth's relaxed leather comfort and durability, offering an even wider forefoot, but the Targhee feels sloppy and unsupportive on steep, off-camber terrain by comparison. If you already own Oboz's heavier Bridger Mid, the Sawtooth X is noticeably softer, lighter, and more forgiving underfoot, making it the superior option for single-day loops and lighter weekend overnights.
How we picked
We started with a long list of waterproof hiking boots that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Fabric behavior over time
- Breathability, DWR life, loft retention, and how the piece performs after repeated washing.
- Throughput and fuel economy
- Boil times, flow rates, and how much fuel or effort a real trip consumes.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY — frequently asked questions
- Is the Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY worth it?
- We rank it #8 in Waterproof Hiking Boots. The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY bridges the gap between a rugged, high-support leather boot and a flexible day hiker. It is built for hikers who love Oboz's signature supportive arch geometry but find the brand’s heavier Bridger model too stiff and punishing for fast-paced weekend trail outings.
- What is the Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY best for?
- Best for cool-weather backpacking, muddy shoulder-season day hikes, hikers needing high arch support and off-camber forest trail trekking. Standouts: class-leading arch support out of the box with the sculpted o fit insole and exceptional mud, loose dirt, and scree traction from deep trail tread lugs.
- What are the downsides of the Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY?
- B-DRY membrane runs hot and traps sweat in mild to warm weather, Hard outsole rubber compound slips on smooth, wet rock slabs and Generous heel volume can cause slippage for hikers with narrow feet.
- What are the key specs of the Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY?
- Weight: Approx. 19.3 oz (547g) per boot · Upper Material: Oiled nubuck leather and Cordura nylon mesh · Waterproof Tech: B-DRY waterproof breathable membrane · Footbed: O Fit Insole with sculpted arch support · Outsole: Trail Tread rubber with multi-directional lugs
- Fit and Footbed Architecture — what should I know about the Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY?
- The standout feature of any Oboz boot is its proprietary insole, and the Sawtooth X is no exception. Most stock boot insoles are flimsy pieces of flat foam meant to be replaced immediately.
- Waterproofing and Heat Retention — what should I know about the Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY?
- The proprietary B-DRY waterproof membrane creates an impenetrable barrier against external moisture. Submerging the boot in shallow stream crossings, kicking through soaking wet brush, and slogging through slushy mud reveals zero leakage.
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