Males’s Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX Climbing Boot Assessment

Backside Line

The Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX is a light-weight, waterproof mountain climbing boot designed for velocity and agility, making it a wonderful alternative for day hikers and quick packers who need to hold their load gentle with out sacrificing assist. Throughout our testing in Colorado’s foothills and excessive nation, the place we encountered every little thing from dry gravel to early-season snow, we discovered the Katabatic LT Mid carried out greatest on average trails the place nimbleness and breathability mattered most. With a versatile construct and minimal break-in, it suits and performs extra like a path shoe than a stiff mountain climbing boot.

The boot affords strong grip and underfoot safety whereas conserving weight impressively low. That mentioned, it might not be your best option for lengthy hauls with heavy packs or tough, technical terrain, the place stiffer fashions usually present higher assist and grip. You’ll get first rate mileage out of those, however in the event you’re powerful on gear or are likely to hike rocky, rugged trails, a extra heavy-duty boot will maintain up higher in the long term.

General, we expect it’s a powerful worth for fast-moving hikers. For extra top-performing choices, try our information to the perfect males’s mountain climbing boots.

How We Examined

We examined the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX boots all through late summer time and early fall in Colorado’s Entrance Vary. Our hikes ranged from dry, dusty foothill trails to muddy singletrack and slick granite slabs within the excessive nation. We wore them each below load and with out, logging roughly 150 path miles throughout day hikes and light-weight in a single day journeys. From stream crossings to schleping up steep switchbacks, we pushed these boots throughout a variety of 3-season situations to see how they carried out in the true world.

Consolation

The Katabatic LT Mid feels extra like a path shoe than a standard mountain climbing boot. We discovered this boot to be extraordinarily comfy after a quick break-in interval. Proper out of the field, this boot felt gentle, slightly stiff, however nonetheless comfy. The mesh-lined artificial higher strikes simply with every step, which helped cut back stress factors and hotspots on lengthy days. Initially, we skilled some stress and stiffness within the toebox, however after only a few brief hikes, issues started to melt up and felt dialed. 

Gear analyst Ben Dawson has long-term testing expertise with each the “vast” and “customary” width Katabatics. His primary gripe with the unique Katabatic is that they had been too slim. The vast is a pleasant addition to the Katabatic lineup.

Ankle Help

The Katabatic LT Mid supplies extra ankle assist than you’d anticipate from such a light-weight boot. Whereas most boots on this weight class supply minimal construction, we discovered the Katabatic to be on the upper finish of the assist spectrum. Just like the Salomon X Extremely 5 Mid, it hits a pleasant center floor. They’re versatile sufficient to maneuver quick, however nonetheless supportive sufficient to present you confidence with a pack on average terrain.

We appreciated the added stability when carrying a 35-pound load by Colorado’s dry, dusty foothills. The additional construction across the ankle helped on each climbs and descents, particularly on soft-packed and free trails. Whereas it doesn’t supply the identical stiffness or “locked-in” really feel as conventional leather-based boots, however for fast-moving hikers who stick with established trails, it’s a strong choice price contemplating.

Extra skilled hikers may discover the assist sufficient for alpine backpacking, however informal customers might want one thing extra sturdy. In the event you ceaselessly carry heavier hundreds or enterprise off-trail, you’ll in all probability need a boot with a stiffer ankle and a safer match.

Weight

Relating to midweight waterproof mountain climbing boots, the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX is among the lightest fashions we’ve examined. At a listed weight of 1 lb. 9.6 oz. per pair, it edges out opponents just like the Salomon X Extremely 5 Mid GTX and adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 Mid. For transparency, that spec weight doubtless refers to a males’s customary dimension 11; our dimension 13 wides tipped the scales at 2 lbs. 2.8 oz., which nonetheless felt impressively gentle on path.Extra importantly, the Katabatic feels gentle underfoot. We’re not going to say it wears like a path runner (as a result of that phrase is beginning to really feel overused), however it does really feel nearer to a low-profile mountain climbing shoe than a standard mid-height boot. It’s nimble, responsive, and doesn’t weigh you down—even throughout lengthy days with a average pack.

Traction

The Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX delivers strong all-around traction that works effectively for many 3-season path situations, although it falls in need of the grip supplied by extra aggressive, mountain-ready boots. Throughout testing on every little thing from Colorado’s dry, free foothills to the slick, limestone-laced trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Katabatic held its personal. The outsole design affords reliable chunk on packed dust, rocks, and damp path surfaces.

That mentioned, the lugs are comparatively modest in each dimension and stiffness. Whereas that helps hold the journey clean and quiet on flatter trails, it means this boot isn’t fairly as surefooted when issues get muddy or off-camber. We skilled some slipping in slush and soupy mud, notably below heavier hundreds.

Nonetheless, for hikers sticking to well-traveled paths and combined terrain, the Katabatic affords the type of versatile, no-drama traction that makes it nice for on a regular basis use. It’s not constructed for alpine scrambles or sloppy shoulder-season slogs—however for many day hikes and light-weight backpacking journeys, the grip is greater than sufficient.

Climate Resistance

We had been genuinely impressed by how waterproof the Katabatic LT Mid GTX turned out to be. Oboz just lately swapped out their proprietary B-DRY membrane in favor of a GORE-TEX liner, and through testing, that change paid off. Repeatedly this fall, we discovered ourselves caught in surprising storms and soggy path situations. By means of regular rain, shallow creek crossings, and lengthy stretches of moist terrain, the boots persistently stored our toes dry. The upgraded membrane, together with the gusseted tongue and tightly sealed artificial higher, does a terrific job of shedding water, and we didn’t discover any apparent weak factors or leaks on the flex zones, even after a number of miles on saturated trails..

Regardless of the boot’s light-weight construct, it punches above its weight when it comes to water safety. Whereas some breathable mesh-heavy boots are likely to really feel soggy after some time, the Katabatic stayed impressively dry all through testing.

Even with a GORE-TEX liner, no waterproof membrane is totally infallible; as soon as absolutely saturated, moisture can ultimately seep by. That’s true throughout all manufacturers. In the event you usually hike in persistently moist environments or spend prolonged time in moist grass & brush, it’s price contemplating your situations fastidiously. Whereas the Katabatic holds up surprisingly effectively for its weight and building, a leather-based boot with a sturdy water repellent (DWR) end paired with a water-resistant membrane will present extra dependable long-term safety in extra-wet climates.

Sturdiness

The Katabatic LT Mid GTX holds up effectively on path, however, as with most light-weight artificial boots, it has its limits in rugged environments. Our gear analyst, Ben Dawson, has put lots of of miles on these boots throughout Colorado, Vermont, and New Hampshire. By means of that prolonged testing, he discovered that whereas the boots carry out admirably on average trails, they start to indicate indicators of damage extra shortly when uncovered to frequent off-trail abuse, particularly in alpine zones the place scree and talus are widespread. Particularly, Ben has noticed untimely put on and even small tears creating close to the ankle padding, an space the place light-weight synthetics are softer and extra susceptible.

That mentioned, the boots are well-constructed for what they’re. The stitching has held up over time, and the strengthened areas across the midsole assist shield in opposition to trail-level abrasion. For hikers who principally stick with maintained trails or do the occasional rocky detour, the sturdiness needs to be greater than sufficient.

Must you purchase the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid mountain climbing boot?

In the event you’re a hiker who loves to maneuver quick, hold your pack lean, and nonetheless need reliable waterproofing and assist, the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX could be your candy spot. This boot is constructed for people who favor agility over armor, gentle sufficient to really feel nimble on path but succesful sufficient to deal with average hundreds and altering terrain. You’ll particularly respect it on day hikes, quick overnights, or mixed-terrain routes the place you need each safety and responsiveness.

That mentioned, it’s not the appropriate software for everybody. In the event you’re ceaselessly carrying heavy hundreds by rugged off-route terrain, otherwise you choose a bit extra construction and long-term sturdiness, you may want a sturdier, extra inflexible choice. Whereas the Katabatic holds up impressively effectively for an artificial mid, heavy alpine scrambles and repeated abrasion will ultimately take their toll.

By way of worth, it affords a wonderful mix of efficiency and flexibility. For hikers who don’t demand full-on mountaineering specs however nonetheless anticipate good traction, waterproofing, and affordable assist, this boot provides plenty of bang for the buck.

What different mountain climbing boots ought to You think about?

 In the event you’re wanting round past the Katabatic, try our information to the perfect mountain climbing boots for extra choices. Listed here are three that pair properly with the Katabatic’s vibe whereas providing their very own strengths:

Salomon X Extremely 5 Mid GTX Assessment: That is the pure sibling to the Katabatic. You’ll get an analogous gentle, fast-moving really feel, however the X Extremely 5 provides slightly extra construction and assist. If you’d like one thing that’s nonetheless nimble however a bit extra locked in for steeper terrain, this can be a strong step.

HOKA Anacapa 2 Mid GTX Assessment: Just like the X Extremely 5, these boots are light-weight with a slim match and a responsive really feel. But when consolation is high precedence, the Anacapa 2s are the winner with their forgiving foam soles and superior traction. They provide a versatile, nimble expertise that’s excellent for hikers who need velocity over harsh climate resistance and sturdiness, making them supreme for average situations.

KEEN Hightrail Mid WP Assessment: For individuals who need extra ruggedness and a bit extra room, the KEEN Excessive Path Mid WP delivers. It trades some lightness for sturdiness and toe safety, and the WP (waterproof) mannequin provides confidence when trails get moist or sloppy.