Customer Reviews Oboz Big Sky Mid Insulated Slip-On

I am a longtime wearer of the Oboz Sawtooth (size 9) and decided to purchase a pull-on winter boot for walking around town, chores, etc. I spoke with an Oboz rep who advised me to order a half size up from my normal size to accommodate a heavier sock. I wear the Smartwool Light Hiker sock religiously with the Sawtooth and decided to stay with my normal size based on the other reviews I read. My experience with 7 pairs of Sawtooths is that the foot bed compresses slightly and the upper material breaks in which provides even more volume. I purchased my normal size in the Big Sky for that reason. (Note: I tried the Big Sky (size 9) with a liner sock + the Smartwool Light Hiker sock and it was too tight for my liking. If you do wear a heavier sock, I would advise sizing up by a 1/2 size.)

The length seems perfectly true to size. My ideal size for most brands is 9E (Mens). However an E width is not available in most brands these days and D's are usually too narrow, while EE is usually too wide. Thankfully, Oboz has made these slightly roomier in width so I can wear them with light to medium weight wool socks. Another reviewer emphasized that he has a high instep - as do I - and that he could not get these boots on. However, I used a shoehorn while pulling up and out on the front loop and was able to get them on fairly easily (Yay!). That said, these are not easy slip-ons - they take a bit of persuasion. They are very comfortable once on though. I bought these boots to replace a similar style in another brand which were much easier to get on, but were also a much sloppier fit. They also had a very wide opening at the top which formed a large funnel - that constantly collected debris and also made it difficult to get pant legs to fit over the boots and to stay put. Even wide pant legs would constantly get stuck on top of the boots and I seemed to spend most of my time adjusting them back down. These Oboz Big Sky Mids have a much tighter fitting top which mostly eliminates the pant-leg-stuck-on-top problem and also makes for a much better fit, meaning less sloppy and more snug. I've had the boots for a week and have worn them for multiple hours each day. They have been comfortable right-out-of-the-box and they are getting better with time. The arch support seems good so far and the insole is the first I've ever had that seems to give adequate support. I've had to buy after-market insoles for all of my other boots to get the support I need. So far I've used these for farm and tractor work, working in my shop, mud boots, cold weather hiking (short hikes), snow shoveling, and chainsaw work with temps in the mid 20's (F). They kept my feet warm at that temperature. Traction is good on loose snow, packed snow, mud, and rocks, but terrible on ice. Lastly, the tread is rather aggressive, but mud and debris rinses out easily.

Updated Review: First, as mentioned in my initial review, if you have a high or even a moderately high instep, you'll likely have an issue getting this boot one (at least initially). Because I needed a boot with an aggressive tread like this one, I put in a little more effort to see if I could work with it until it became easier. I was successful using a moderately thin sock and a boot hook (which kind of devalued the pull on aspect for me, at least for now). Once my foot was in the boot, it felt fine and was seemingly true to size. (I would get a half size up to accommodate a heavier sock for winter.) Lastly, once on, the boot doesn't put a significant amount of pressure on my instep. I'm hoping it loosens a bit so I can wear a heavy sock, which I cannot now. Since I also have a high arch, there is no sense that my foot is being crushed while wearing the shoe even though it is not yet stretched out a bit.

The fit and comfort of these is awesome. They also look like they would be pretty well waterproof and have a thin thinsulate to keep warm The main issue for me is the looks. I got the "Carbon" ones which, in the website picture look so great but in real life they are not two-tone color of brown leather and black rubber like in the picture. They are pretty much solidly black (maybe the leather is a hint of gray, but mostly matches the rubber). For that reason I prefer the Keen Anchorage III for a low boot and the amazing-in-all-regards Red Wing "Irish Setter" in a high boot. I got the

1st pair was a little short , went to next size an very happy ,the insulation is just right for what I wanted warmer for all around use than summer shoes

I originally ordered what I commonly wear, size 11. The 11 was toooo tight and uncomfortable. The Z rep gladly exchanged those for a size 12. These have s little more wiggle room for my toes and if I happen to wear a thicker sock, they will still be ok. I’ll be interested to see the performance of this boot in a real work environment. My son wore out 2 pair of Onoz Firebrands on the AT trail. We were impressed with their performance, hence the purchase of these OBOZ.

I bought a pair because I love slip on . But I can’t get them on without pulling my guts out. I thought they would loosen up but they didn’t I wish I could take them back . But I kept wearing them

If you have any instep at all, you'll likely not be able to get this boot on you foot. It seems incredibly well made and looked like it would fit well. I do have a high instep, and have struggled to get boots on in the past. There is no way, however, that I could even get this boot on my foot.