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Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated Review

A solid all-around winter boot that performs well in most areas, but it doesn't stick out from the pack
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Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated Review
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Price:  $220 List
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Manufacturer:   Oboz
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 27, 2023
72
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 14
  • Warmth - 25% 8.0
  • Weather Protection - 25% 8.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 20% 7.0
  • Traction - 15% 5.0
  • Durability - 15% 7.0

Our Verdict

With plenty of insulation, a comfortable fit, and waterproof construction, the Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated performs well, making it a good choice for an everyday winter boot for all activities and conditions. It doesn't excel in any particular activity, but these boots are a reliable choice if you are looking for something to shovel the driveway or use for a short hike in the woods. They are warm enough for most winter temperatures, water-resistant for deep puddles and snow drifts, comfortable to wear, and well-built. The sole is a bit rounded, and the lugs aren't as deep as other options, which takes away some traction, so keep that in mind depending on your conditions. The Bridger isn't particularly impressive in any one regard, but it's a decent overall choice.
REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Waterproof
Comfortable
Supportive
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
Lacks traction
Editor's Note: We retested this boot and brought it back into our lineup on April 27, 2023.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This model boasts a combination of comfort, warmth, and water resistance, making it a great all-around bootThese boots perform great across the board, earning top accolades for being so well-roundedProvides warmth, comfort, protection, and support while performing chores at home, errands around town, tasks at the job site, and hikes along wintery trailsThis boot makes winter walks comfortable and secure, but it isn't a great option for deep snowWith good performance across the board, these low-priced boots deliver great value
Rating Categories Oboz Bridger 10" In... The North Face Chil... Danner Arctic 600 S... Merrell Thermo Chil... Columbia Bugaboot III
Warmth (25%)
8.0
7.0
7.5
7.0
8.0
Weather Protection (25%)
8.0
8.0
7.5
8.0
7.0
Comfort and Fit (20%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
Traction (15%)
5.0
9.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
Durability (15%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
7.0
Specs Oboz Bridger 10" In... The North Face Chil... Danner Arctic 600 S... Merrell Thermo Chil... Columbia Bugaboot III
Measured Weight 4.08 lbs (size 13) 3.86 lbs (size 13) 2.75 lbs (size 9.5) 2.74 lbs (size 13) 3.69 lbs (size 13)
Measured Shaft Height 10" 11" 8" 7.5" 10.5"
Maximum Puddle Depth 8.5" 8.5" 5.5" 6.5" 8"
Fit Details True to size True to size True to size True to size True to size
Appropriate Activity Hiking, town, errands, chores Town, errands Town, errands, chores, hiking Hiking, town Hiking, town, chores, errands
Lining/Insulation 400g Thinsulate 400g Heatseeker Eco 200g Primaloft 200g M Select 200g synthetic
Upper Material Leather Waterproof leather & suede Full leather suede Waterproof polyurethane-coated leather and mesh Waterproof leather
Toe Box Rubber Rubber Leather suede w/ thin rubber toe cap Rubber Rubber
Outsole Rubber Surface Control rubber Vibram Artic Grip AT Rubber Omni-Grip Rubber
Company Claimed Cold Weather Rating Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed Not listed
Animal Products Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Sizes Available 8 - 14 7 - 14 7 - 14 7 - 15 7 - 17

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated performed well in most of our metrics, only coming up short on slippery surfaces or when we wanted the convenience of a slip-on boot.

Performance Comparison


oboz bridger 10" insulated - the oboz bridger 10" insulated is a great winter companion in cold...
The Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated is a great winter companion in cold and snowy weather.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Warmth


The Bridger 10" is packed with plenty of high-quality 400g Thinsulate synthetic insulation. The result is a boot that doesn't feel too thick but provides enough warmth for any winter temperatures. Our testers were surprised by how warm their feet were on cold winter hikes and extended shoveling sessions while wearing this boot. The insole has a thin heat-reflecting insert, which helps the bottom of the foot retain heat, and the sole is thick.

oboz bridger 10" insulated - the mylar heat reflective layer on the insole keeps the bottom of...
The mylar heat reflective layer on the insole keeps the bottom of the foot incredibly warm.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

This boot is probably too warm for users in warm winter climates, where the temperatures only occasionally drop below freezing. But if you live in a cold and snowy winter climate or need a good winter boot for living in a mountain town, these are plenty warm.

oboz bridger 10" insulated - reading the internal temperature of the bridger 10" after 12 minutes...
Reading the internal temperature of the Bridger 10" after 12 minutes in the ice bath.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

Water Resistance


The Bridger is completely waterproof up to the height of the tongue, or 8.5 inches (22 centimeters) off the ground. We tested for water resistance by submerging the boots in a shallow, mostly frozen lake for 5 minutes, and at the end of the test, our feet were still completely dry. The Bridger also withstood a 12-minute submersion during our warmth test, further demonstrating their water-resistant prowess. This is achieved by a DWR finish on the exterior leather, which beads off water and prevents the leather from soaking through. An interior waterproof lining is also employed to avoid any water seepage.

The Oboz Bridger 10" is fully waterproof up to a submersion depth of 8.5", and when tightly laced, splashes won't penetrate through the tongue of the 10" shaft.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Comfort and Fit


These boots are relatively comfortable. They fit well right out of the box, and our testers didn't experience any pressure points after weeks of use. The insulation is soft and molds to the user's foot and ankle over time. They fit true-to-size, which makes online purchasing reliable and easy. The heel is cupped nicely and doesn't lift, and the lacing system allows plenty of customization in the fit. One downside is that the insulated leather upper and shaft is relatively stiff, making the boot less comfortable for extended walks in rough terrain. We don't reach for these boots for long winter hikes and snowshoe tours, but if your winter only occasionally features those activities, the Bridger 10" will be plenty comfortable.

oboz bridger 10" insulated - the inner lining of the boot is soft, creating a warm and fuzzy...
The inner lining of the boot is soft, creating a warm and fuzzy feeling underneath plenty of comfortable insulation.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Traction


These boots lack traction relative to other competitive models on the market. The rubber is sticky enough for dry surfaces, but when winter turns wet and icy, they don't grip as well as we would like. The sole lugs aren't very deep or aggressive, preventing the boots from biting into snowy surfaces. And the sole has a “rockered” shape, meaning it curves upwards from heel to toe, like a banana. The result is a lack of surface area on the ground throughout the step, and it's also hard to chip the side of the boot into deep snow cover to gain purchase.

oboz bridger 10" insulated - the sole lugs aren't deep enough or aggressive enough for good...
The sole lugs aren't deep enough or aggressive enough for good traction on slippery winter surfaces.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi


Durability


The Bridger 10" is a well-made boot. All seams are tight, and there are plenty of reinforcement patches to prevent wear and tear in the usual areas. The lace hooks and eyelets are mostly metal, except for one lace hook at the ankle, which is nylon. This is puzzling since this location on the lace pattern is subject to the most force, and this nylon loop is at risk of blowing out over time. A thick rubber reinforcement patch on the upper heel prevents damage to the back of the boot when putting them on and taking them off. Overall, these boots are made to last.

oboz bridger 10" insulated - these boots are well-made and have plenty of durability, especially...
These boots are well-made and have plenty of durability, especially in the sole and lower part of the leather.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Should You Buy The Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated?


These boots are expensive, and although they perform well, they don't stand out in any particular way from the rest of the market. They are good overall boots, but for the price, it might be worth considering your specific needs and if a more specialized boot will serve you better. If you need one boot for any activity in a cold winter climate, these are a decent choice, but we think there are better options on the market that cost less.

oboz bridger 10" insulated - there was a thin skin of ice on the lake when we stood in it for 10...
There was a thin skin of ice on the lake when we stood in it for 10 minutes to test the waterproofness of the Bridger 10. Thankfully, they are completely waterproof.
Credit: Jeremy Benson

What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?


If the all-around performance of these boots is appealing, check out our all-around favorite boot, The North Face Chilkat V 400. It's a bit less warm but supremely comfortable with excellent traction. If warmth is what you need, the Baffin Impact is hands-down the warmest boot on the market, and the Sorel Caribou provides warmth in a boot that is easy to slip on and off for quick outdoor chores. The Muck Boot Arctic Sport Mid provides even more weather resistance but less warmth. And if you are looking for a winter hiking boot, the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid has a lot more comfort and mobility in a lighter package, perfect for long hikes.

Jeff Dobronyi