Oboz Sundog Review: Lightweight Hiking Shoes for Adventure Travelers

If only I had the Oboz Sundogs while doing the Lares Trek in Peru. Hiking in high altitudes with a pair of sneakers on, I was slip prone and not properly equipped for the rugged trails. Sneakers were all I had, so I trudged through.

The perfect shoes for an adventure traveler should have these 3 things: durability, great traction and versatility, and the Oboz Sundogs do a good job at meeting those requirements.

For those who are new to the brand Oboz, like I was, here’s a quick introduction:

• The name ‘Oboz’ is a merge between the words “Outside” and “Bozeman”
• Bozeman is a city in Montana, near Yellowstone National Park
• You can find their shoes at REI, Zappos.com and more
• Oboz was founded in 2007

As I’ve come to learn, Oboz makes quality footwear made to last. The Sundog from Oboz is a ‘Trailsport’ shoe which is described in the Oboz website as:

Combining weight consciousness, support and trail grip.

I’m reviewing the ‘Woodbine’ Oboz Sundog in size 9. Here are some of my thoughts on the shoes:

Pros:

• Generally lightweight for a pair of (1.5 lbs for pair in size 9 according to my Davidsbeenhere Luggage Scale)
• Great traction
• Comfortable to wear for long hours
• Not bulky but supportive
• Durable

As a city dweller, I’d admit I barely get to hit the trails, however during a recent volunteering trip to the Dominican Republic I had the chance to really push the Sundogs to their limits. Throughout the entire trip I only wore the Oboz Sundogs and the KEEN Uneek sandals. Our volunteer team helped out at a couple of churches and medical centers, which all involved a lot of walking and playing with kids.

While running around the dusty gravel area, I could feel that the Sundog shoes had lots of traction and could grip well even on dusty and sandy grounds. At one point, I unknowingly ran across a heap of sharp broken tiles. Thankfully the sharp edges weren’t able to penetrate the rock plate in the forefoot.

Overall, these shoes have a really rugged and robust feel. I’m not a big fan of traditional heavy hiking shoes for traveling, so I really like how the Oboz Sundogs are a balance between lightweight running shoes and bulky hiking shoes.

At first sight I wasn’t too sure about the green “Woodbine” color, but I’ve grown to like it. If you’re not into green, Oboz also sells a ‘Graphite’ version which is black.

Fit:

The Oboz Sundogs fit true to size. I’m a size 9 in Nike, Ahnu, Keen and also Oboz. These shoes have ample arch support and allow you to hike for several hours no problem. For me, width of these shoes is just right allowing my toes to move around a bit. With a nylon shank in the midsole and ‘forefoot armoring’ the Sundogs are supportive but still flexible.

Cons:

• Mesh upper absorbs water like a sponge

My waterproof-shoe-loving phase has officially ended, but that doesn’t mean I like having wet feet. Mesh is great for breathability however the mesh found in the upper of the Sundogs tends to easily absorb water. It would be great if Oboz could apply some form of a DWR (durable water repellent) or make the mesh less sponge-like.

If you’re into waterproof hiking shoes, you might want to check out Oboz’s other shoes.

The Verdict:

The Oboz Sundogs have everything it takes to meet the needs of adventure travelers, outdoor enthusiast and hikers. With their durability, comfort and support you’ll be ready to take on any adventure.

You can find the Sundogs for retail $100 at ObozFootwear.com and also Amazon.com. $100 for a pair of hiking shoes is well worth it and I expect for these shoes to last.

Where to Get These Shoes:

• You can find the Oboz Sundogs at ObozFootwear.com
• Also on Amazon.com

The Oboz Sundog shoes were provided for this review. As always, this Oboz Sundog review contains only my honest views and opinions. Some links found in this review are affiliate links, meaning that we get commission if you decide to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. This helps to fund the site. 🙂