Oboz Sawtooth X Low Waterproof - Women's Review

The Oboz Sawtooth X Low Waterproof is the newest addition to the Sawtooth hiker series, named in celebration of the company's 10th anniversary. It comes equipped with a few notable enhancements — a sufficient slip-resistant outsole and an updated, softer midsole — all to ensure more cushion and stability underfoot. Just like earlier versions, this design prioritizes waterproof protection and durability at the cost of increased weight and volume, which can really weigh you down during longer days on the trail.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Sawtooth X offers a fit that is well-suited to varying foot shapes with a reasonably roomy forefoot and a well-padded and narrow backend that holds the heel in place during activity. While not the thickest midsole in the testing group, the shoe delivers new Adaptive Cushioning Technology built of a proprietary dual-density rubberized EVA meant to be more easily adaptive to changing terrain with deeper cushioning to improve efficiency and create an even softer heel strike zone. While the midsole offers significant shock absorption and substantial interior padding, we did note a pronounced firmness to the footbed from the get-go. We hoped this firmness would break in over time but found that it doesn't break in enough to promote efficiency and full range of motion.

Our testers quickly noticed that the Sawtooth X not only offers a decent level of support built-in underfoot (both laterally and below the arch) but a very well-cushioned foot, from heel to toe and even under the tongue. Unfortunately, this added support and cushioning can be a bit much while hiking in warmer climates and also comes at the cost of additional weight in the design, increasing fatigue in the feet after miles spent along the trail. We also noticed that the lack of breathability within the heavy design created discomfort and hot spots in the forefoot when spending long days hiking around the Eastern Sierra. While this shoe offers a reasonably comfortable design, we were eager to remove them after several miles.

Support

When it comes to support, the Sawtooth X is in the middle of the pack, with noticeable arch support, an effective (though somewhat confusing) lacing system, and reasonable lateral support. The “O Fit” insole offers sturdy and firm structural support underfoot, even for those with higher arches. We found it much more robust than most insoles we observed during testing.

The lacing system is well-designed to lock down your ankle, with a set of runner's loop eyelets up top to provide some flexibility and adjustability for a more customized fit, even if it takes a little getting used to. We recommend utilizing the runner's loop eyelet for increased stability, though it is necessary to make this adjustment yourself. The cut of the Sawtooth X cradles the heel remarkably well, and we never felt like we had to crank our laces too hard or often to keep each heel in place. The stiff upper adds another layer of structural reinforcement but at the cost of added weight and a limited range of motion. Though this shoe offers a stable base of support both underfoot and laterally, we felt like the structure was cumbersome, bulky, and weighed us down, especially when carrying a heavier pack. There are hiking boots that offer more ankle stability, breathability, and traction at a reduced weight for a similar price.

Traction

Good traction is critical to confident hiking, and how your tread handles loose scree and rock slabs will determine what types of trails you tackle. This becomes particularly important once pack weight is involved. And, of course, wet, slick terrain will quickly reveal the strengths (or weaknesses!) of rubber outsoles. We tested and scored for all of these factors, and the Sawtooth X performed very well when moving through steep scree and slippery boulders, though we noticed a decline in performance once the tread was wet from stream crossings.

This shoe features deep, chunky, zig-zag-shaped lugs and ample rubber siding to allow for easy movements and solid grip when confronted with everything from loose rock and mud to more technical situations. Out on the trail, the soft, sticky rubber outsole performed excellently on both slick rock and logs. And the well-defined heel and toe tread pattern proved superb when heading up and down steep inclines, allowing us to dig in and stabilize easily when crossing all kinds of terrain.

Water Resistance

Constructed with a proprietary BDry waterproof membrane that is advertised as both waterproof and breathable, the Sawtooth X performed well during stream crossings as well as under controlled testing (submerged in 3 inches of water for 5 minutes). Though we noticed that the leather upper can retain a bit of water in the upper after submersion, it never penetrated to the inside of the shoe. In fact, there were no signs of leaks at seam lines or seepage through venting nor any other indication of failures. The only water that made it inside came over the ankle collar, which sits at a relatively low height of 3 inches above the outsole. While we were stoked about the waterproof performance, we just found ourselves hoping for better breathability, especially during long and warm days along the trail.

Weight

The Sawtooth X is the heaviest hiking shoe in our lineup. Weighing 1.92 pounds per pair for a US women's size 8.5, we felt the additional weight with every step. Features like the nubuck leather and BDry membrane are excellent for increased durability and waterproof protection, but this is a lot of shoe and weighs more than some of the top-performing hiking boots that we've tested.

Durability

The Sawtooth X continues to impress with its strength and staying power. It incorporates triple stitching along its leather and Cordura AFT fabric upper, plus a heavy rubber outsole that rides high for extra protection. We saw no issues anywhere along the seams between the upper and lower, nor among the lacing or tread systems after testing. We also found no pattern of complaints among online reviewers calling out durability issues. The only item to note is that these are meant to be trail shoes, not city shoes. So their sticky rubber soles are likely to wear out faster if you plan to walk on concrete or asphalt regularly.

Should You Buy the Oboz Sawtooth X Low Waterproof?

After several rounds of testing across each iteration, the Sawtooth X remains an adequate shoe for various kinds of hiking objectives. Just keep in mind that you may find its features weighing you down and causing early fatigue on the trail — this is a heavy shoe. Though it is ready to tackle everyday adventures, you may want to consider another option if considering an extended trip carrying a heavy pack or planning to hike in warmer climates. There is also a lighter, non-waterproof version available at a lesser cost for those who don't need the added protection and are seeking increased breathability.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

The Oboz Sawtooth X Waterproof stands out from other hiking shoes we've tested in terms of its waterproof design and quality leather construction. We just wish it wasn't so heavy and offered more flexibility and breathability within the rigid design. If you're seeking a shoe that's more agile and responsive for quick, technical trails, you may want to consider the The North Face VECTIV Fastpack FUTURELIGHT or the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex. Both provide excellent support and waterproofing in a much lighter-weight, more athletic design. And if a little extra weight isn't an issue, consider our overall favorite hiking shoe, the La Sportiva Spire GTX.