Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Review | WORTH IT in 2025?

In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Oboz Sawtooth X Mid review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2025. The Oboz Sawtooth X is known for its comfort, support, and durable construction, ideal for both casual and serious hikers. 

For over ten years, the Oboz Sawtooth X has been a top choice for both male and female hiking enthusiasts. Oboz Footwear is well-regarded within the outdoor industry for superior craftsmanship that sets a benchmark other brands often aspire to reach. The Sawtooth X Mid garners praise as a robust hiking boot, providing exceptional support, comfort, and long-lasting wear.

For this review, I have put in over 20 miles into testing my own personal pair of the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid so I'm familiar with how they feel and perform hiking on the trails. I'll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.

I have also recently reviewed the Oboz Bridger and did a head to head comparison of the Oboz Sawtooth vs Bridger, if you are interested. 

I'll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a trail guide and experienced hiker.

Should you buy the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid?

Buy if 

• You want a durable “rugged” hiking boot

• You prioritize excellent load-bearing support on backpacking trips

• You are looking for a top waterproof hiking boot

• Stability and support are a must for you

DON'T Buy if 

• You prefer a lighter hiking boot

• You are looking for the most-budget friendly option

• You are an advanced trekker or hiking 10+ miles a day

Oboz Sawtooth X Pros and Cons 

 Pros

• Resistant to abrasion

• Great ankle support

• Excellent water resistance

• Good backpacking boots

Cons 

• Very Heavy

• Narrow fit

• Foot fatigue

• Heel comfort issues

Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Price 

At the time of this writing, the Sawtooth X Mid are priced at $180 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $150 brand new.

Order the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Oboz Sawtooth X Mid (Amazon)

Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂

Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Comfort: 7.5/10 

The Oboz Sawtooth X stands out for its good comfort and reinforcement. Its Adaptive Cushioning Technology in the midsole allows for a more comfortable stride, offering superior shock absorption capabilities. 

I will say, once slipping these on and using them on the trail I felt my foot was a little snug in them. I mainly began to have pain in the bottom of my fore foot especially when breaking them in at first. Not the biggest deal, however it was slightly annoying.

Customized comfort and support are provided to your foot through the specialized O FIT insole, guaranteeing well-cushioned and stabilized feet throughout your hike. The soft leather uppers of the shoe offer a secure fit similar to wearing gloves, augmenting overall ease of wear while hiking. The ankle cuff has slightly more structural integrity than most hiking boots. 

I will say, my right foot (which had the pain) has a slightly higher arch than my left side. Regarding comfort, for hikers with a high arch, I would suggest a custom fit orthotic because the insole can be quite bothersome to hikers with a high arch.

Overall, the Sawtooth X has pretty good comfort all around, much better than some other hiking boot models out there.

Weight

Weighing in at 20 oz on my scale, the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid are On the heavier side of a hiking boot. A comparable model is the Hoka Kaha 2 which weigh approximately 23 oz.

Traction: 8.5/10

The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid hiking boot is engineered to tackle a wide range of trails, boasting an outsole equipped with a rubber composition known as Trail Tread.

 This material ensures reliable performance on both arid and moist surfaces. To boost traction on loose terrain, the outsole’s tread pattern features broad, extended lugs. I felt the trail tread did not perform as well against any wet terrain, something to keep in mind. 

The outsole is nice and firm which aids in traction while on trail. I felt this was one of the strengths of the Sawtooth X. 

During my practical field tests when navigating through steep and rugged paths, its unique tread design delivered impressive adherence.

For most conditions encountered while hiking or trekking along trails, the Oboz Sawtooth provides adequate grip that contributes to stability and safeguards your feet across irregular ground coverings.

Overall Protection 4/5 

The Oboz Sawtooth Mid is Definitely a more “rugged”  hiking boot model. The oiled Nubuck leather Gives a nice rugged fit around the entire hiking boot.

Starting at the toe box, there's a nice reinforced toe cap protecting the front of the shoe. I wish this was made out of rubber as most hiking boots are; however, it is a more stiff synthetic material.  I think the reinforced toe cap adds to the fore foot flexibility which helps facilitate a better stride while hiking.

Regarding the heel and overall protection, this is one of the best features of the Sawtooth. Starting from the reinforced leather at the bottom of the heel moving towards the upper, which is covered with stiff leather gives a nice “armored” to the hind foot. No need to worry about any sharp objects around the front or the back of the foot piercing through. 

Water Resistance 5/5 

The Sawtooth X Mid waterproof boot incorporates B-DRY technology to maintain dry feet in conditions of light to moderate rain. Its effective waterproofing membrane acts as a barrier against moisture, ensuring the shoe remains a reliable option when encountering wet environments.

The Sawtooth did exceptionally well during my 10 minute submersion test. The boot’s waterproofing ability expands up to 3 inches, which isn't the highest. I would suggest being careful during river crossings as 3 inches is not exceedingly high for a hiking boot. 

Does The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Fit Well?

I felt the Oboz Sawtooth was a very tight fit. I always wear a men’s 10.5, It felt very snug compared to other models. The sides of the boot did not have areas of compression; it had to do more with the top and bottom of the foot. I felt it was not accommodating for overall foot volume. 

Other than the volume, I felt the Sawtooth Mid fit pretty well. The lacing system has been meticulously crafted not only for comfort but also to ensure that the foot remains stable within the shoe. Thus offering a good heel fit crucial in averting hot spots and other discomforts throughout prolonged treks.

There are wide options available in this boot, I would recommend sizing a half size up, if you are someone who tends to need extra room in your hiking footwear. 

Oboz Sawtooth Fit  3.5/5 

Oboz Sawtooth Mid Stability & Support 4.5/5

This category is what separates the Sawtooth X from its competitors. The nylon shank helps aid in stability while on trail. I felt the midsole was very stable during my testing trail, I felt I was able to hold an edge easily against steep terrain.

The ankle stability is outstanding for a mid hiking boot. I felt my ankle was able to achieve a decent range of motion while on trail however not putting me at risk of sprains. 

What I appreciate about the ankle cuff of the Sawtooth is the fact that it does not dip around the medial and lateral part of the ankle which most hiking boots tend to do and put you at risk of sprains even when it is supposedly a mid boot. 

The heel-to-toe drop is 8mm, which is quite high for a hiking boot of this weight and size. I felt I was able to achieve a normal stride during my testing, and didn’t feel the heel-to-toe drop hindered me. 

In terms of support, the cushion of the midsole gives great shock absorption, one of the best you can have. Overall, if you are seeking a very stable hiking boot, the above-average underfoot support on various terrains is an endearing quality.

The Sawtooth caters remarkably well across different hiking scenarios. 

This footwear promises stable fortification during both brief jaunts and longer expeditions alike, making it an exceedingly reliable choice for any outdoor adventure you undertake.

Durability 8/10

Constructed from premium materials, the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid is designed to last. The oiled nubuck leather paired with Cordura mesh accents for ventilation, ensuring that robustness does not sacrifice comfort.

I like that Oboz has made an effort through reinforcement via double stitching. Areas such as the heel cup and toe box render the most damage during hiking are reinforced with extra stitching you need to ensure longevity.

Extensive testing over several weeks revealed some minor scuffing and scratching around the leather, but other than that there's been no ear on the tread or midsole. 

The Sawtooth X Is crafted from quality and durable materials. You're getting your money's worth in terms of longevity with this hiking boot. 

Is The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid worth it? 

The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid is a well crafted, high quality, durable hiking boot. This boot is made for hikers looking for extreme stability and support on trail.

The strengths of this hiking boot are the stability, traction, and waterproofness. 

The drawbacks to consider would be that they are more comfortable options such as the Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX, or lighter models with the same amount of performance such as the Keen Targhee IV. 

Overall, if you are reading this review and looking into the Oboz Sawtooth X, I don’t think you can go wrong picking up a pair. 

Value: 3.5/5 

Scoring Breakdown 

Comfort: 7.5 / 10 

Traction: 8.5 / 10

Overall Protection: 4 / 5

Waterproofness: 5 / 5

Stability & Support: 4.5 / 5

Fit: 3.5 / 5

Durability: 8 / 10

Value: 3.5 / 5

Total: 44.5 / 55

 Our Rating: 8.0 / 10 

At the time of this writing, the Oboz Sawtooth Mid are priced at $180 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $120 brand new.

Order the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Oboz Sawtooth X Mid (Amazon)

Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is There a difference between the Oboz Sawtooth X and II?

Yes! The Oboz Sawtooth X is made to be a more gender neutral fit. The Sawtooth II also has an EVA insole, while the X has the O-fit insole. 

Is The Oboz Sawtooth good for wide feet?

No! The Oboz Sawtooth are very narrow. I would recommend sizing up to the wide fit. 

How We Tested and Our Methodology

I personally tested the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid tirelessly with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.

Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Sawtooth's performance accurately in real-world conditions. 

We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.

Adventure Awaits,

Tyler