In this Oboz Ousel mid-calf boot review, Cal explores these versatile women’s boots that are sustainably produced by the Montana footwear experts. We hope you find it useful.
introduce
Paul had previously tested Oboz hiking shoes and winter boots and was impressed with the Montana-based footwear expert. So, it seemed like it was time to take a look back at their women’s collection. Carl sneaks into the middle of Auxerre.
oboz
Oboz is a specialty footwear company founded in 2007 by footwear industry veteran John Connelly. They focus on producing high-performance and high-quality products, but also producing them in as sustainable a way as possible. They were founded with a mission to “do the right thing” and they are passionate about putting it into action.
A tree is planted for every pair of shoes sold, and the company has been reducing its carbon footprint for years. They are also passionate about driving change in sustainable manufacturing and are B Corp Certification company.
Auxerre mountains
Their range of women’s Ousel range is extensive. There are shoes and boots designed for different activities. For my use, the intermediate version seemed to be exactly what I would use on a regular basis, and they were kind enough to send some over to test. Check out my Oboz Ousel Mid Boot review for more information.
feature
The Ousel Mid comes in three colors and I didn’t know in advance which color they would send. I received the blue version (called the Yukon). You can also choose from a red color called “port” and a gray color called “Cdr Stone.”
The shoe is made from Buttersoft LWG gold certified nubuck. They also feature abrasion-resistant breathable mesh and a breathable mesh tongue. There’s Oboz B-Dry waterproof membrane and coated leather toe and heel caps. The Ousel Mid is secured with fabric loops in the lace holes at the lower foot and hooks at the ankle.
Oboz always provides detailed information about the fit characteristics of its footwear. For the Ousel, they say the heel of the shoe is B and the forefoot is C. This measurement is taken according to the Brannock device, which is the industry standard device for measuring foot length and width. Oboz has a helpful guide on how the device works here. They also say that trying on shoes is the best way to make sure they fit properly.
The stated weight is 400 grams, although I can’t see any sizing information on this either. Ousel retails for £150.
In use
modeling
I really like Ousel’s look. The shoes are brightly colored and the blue (Yukon) color I received is great. This is a 2 color scheme and Oboz added some nice details like stitching that reinforces the lace tabs and a light heel pull tab. As always, it’s the details that make the difference.
Styling-wise, the Oboz designed them to be a good performance trail shoe, but I would also add that I think they’re stylish enough for more general casual use as well. If you want a shoe for every occasion, this might be the perfect shoe for you.
Fit and comfort
As is common with a lot of modern footwear, the Ousel Mids are very comfortable right out of the box. It’s actually very comfortable. My feet are fairly wide and there’s plenty of width to allow for plenty of room. I like that Oboz provides detailed information on the fit characteristics. This requires you to know your fit requirements, but it’s a great addition that would be useful if offered by a wider range of manufacturers.
I asked for my normal shoe size and found that this fits me perfectly. I don’t usually rush into buying more technical shoes without trying them on, but that’s not always possible when receiving a review sample.
My feet fit tightly into the shoes and my heels didn’t lift up once I tightened the laces. It’s important to note that the lacing system is a fairly standard combination, consisting of a fabric loop on the shoe and two hooks at the ankle. This allows for fine-tuning of the fit and the ability to add more flex or support to the ankle if needed.
insole
Oboz put a lot of effort into the fit and performance of their O-Fit insoles. This means that each of their shoe models has an insole that matches that shoe model. The Oboz combines 3 different densities of foam with a deep heel cup and medium arch to deliver what they say is an industry-leading fit, feel, and performance.
It’s hard to quantify the exact effects of wearing the shoes, but that’s probably because you notice they’re very comfortable and perform well. This in itself supports the Oboz strategy. I often find myself needing to replace some of the cheaper insoles from some manufacturers, but the Ousel insoles feel great.
Midsole
The midsole uses a lightweight high-rebound single-density PVA unit with an EVA plate to ensure a solid sole. A good local test for any shoe is boulder hopping on gravel edges and walking on the blocky trails of the Peak District. The Ousel feels comfortable throughout, and the board prevents any sharp off-road debris from penetrating the foot. You should certainly be able to put in some decent miles in these shoes and still have happy feet.
Outsole
The outsole uses Oboz’s own Trail Tread rubber unit. It has 4mm multi-directional lugs. The sole is designed to provide good traction on a variety of terrains and plenty of contact area on smoother surfaces like rock slabs or boulders.
I like the stepped sole unit on many boots, leaving a defined heel edge. This is particularly useful for the various terrains found in the UK. The Oboz Ousel Mid features a flat base. For this reason, I would say I prefer wearing this shoe on dry terrain where the benefits of the grippy rubber are more apparent.
Having said that, for testing purposes I tried them on most surfaces and in many very slippery conditions during last year’s very wet autumn in the UK and this winter. They work very well. From wet gravel to grassy slopes and loose gravel trails, I feel more and more confident in their abilities with every use.
Durability
Ousel Mid is made of leather. In fact, it’s also responsibly treated Buttersoft LWG Gold Certified nubuck leather. I use shoes in different materials, but I am a fan of leather. I think it’s easy to maintain, has good weatherproofing, and is durable. It looks great too. Sturdy coated leather toe and heel cups also contribute to durability.
In the case of the Ousel, the shoe has withstood quite a bit of use in recent months and shows only minor signs of wear. I did scratch them during a gravel boulder jumping session, but with some leather wax the scratches became almost invisible. As long as the leather is well cared for, I think you’ll get a lot of adventure out of these shoes.
Weatherproof
The treated leather has good water-repellent properties and I have treated the shoes a few times with Nikwax Leather Wax. However, if that’s not enough, Oboz has also added a B-Dry lining designed to provide waterproofing and breathability. All I can say is that so far these shoes have kept my feet dry even in extremely wet conditions. I also used them as an approach shoe on a recent sport climbing trip to Greece and my feet stayed comfortable in some very warm conditions. So far, the weatherproofing and breathable systems have done their job.
sustainable development
Oboz has sustainability at its core. I’m always keen to really consider how a particular company’s sustainability claims are overhyped. There is no doubt that Oboz will practice what he preaches.
First, since the first pair was sold in 2007, they have planted a tree for every pair of shoes sold. So far, there are over 5 million trees! That’s definitely walking!
But Oboz also thought about the best way to do it. They work with an organization called Trees For The Future, which uses a method called “forest gardening.” Forest gardens are made up of thousands of trees and provide families with resources to create sustainable income. It also allows them to target specific areas. Since 2020, they have focused on the Tapora region of Tanzania. This seems like a positive way to help. The video below explains this concept and is well worth watching. You can also read more about the Oboz One More Tree strategy here and about Trees For The Future here.
In 2023, they also received B Corp certification. This is a rigorous process for measuring a company’s overall social and environmental impact. Details available here.
generalize
I am really happy to complete this Oboz Ousel mid boot review. They are stylish and perform very well whether as a more technical or city boot. They’re also durable and made by a company that takes sustainability seriously. I really have nothing bad to say about these boots and highly recommend them. Full details about the Ousel range can be found on the Oboz website here.
In addition to the Oboz Ousel Mid Boot review, we also tested a range of other Oboz products. Also check out our review of Katabatic Low Waterproof Shoes Review here and bridger boots here. We also have a wide range of other product reviews, all of which can be found on our reviews page here.
