Is it possible to love something to pieces? I’ve been trying for over a year, and while close, my Oboz Sawtooth shoes still haven’t fallen apart (completely). As you know, Kaitlin and I spent a full year traveling through Europe, Thailand, and New Zealand with only carry-on luggage. Knowing I would only have space for one pair of shoes besides my sandals, I set out to find the perfect world-traveling shoes.
New Zealand's Tongariro Crossing with Lord of the Rings' Mt. Doom in the background
Oboz Sawtooth
My criteria included: lightweight, breathable, durable, supportive enough for hiking, decent looking if we go out to eat (not fancy, but nothing too flashy either), and (most importantly) comfortable on my relatively wide feet. It seemed like a lot to ask of one pair of shoes. With these ideas in mind, I began my search. I tried on at least a dozen different shoes.
Finally, I found the Oboz Sawtooth. Categorized as a “cross-training” shoe, the Sawtooth has the tread and support I need for hiking, the lightweight and breathability I need for traveling in hot climates, and is the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever owned. I have walked on four continents and up many mountains in my Oboz Sawtooth shoes. They carried me between villages in Cinque Terre (Italy), up mountains in the Scottish Highlands, through valleys in the Swiss Alps, along the streets of Paris, “tramping” in New Zealand, and (maybe my favorite) skydiving over Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand! Finally, toward the end of our time in New Zealand, they began to give out. We woke up the morning we planned to set out on the 11+ mile hike of the Tongariro Crossing when I noticed the stitching was giving out on the front of the shoes. Despite this setback, we still hiked an amazing 14 miles that day over some of the most epic terrain we have seen in the world.
Here are a few of my favorite memories with my Oboz Sawtooths:
Crossing a wire bridge over a river in Scotland
Hiking in Scotland
Backpacking in the Swiss Alps
We walked about 8 miles around Paris one day
Enjoying the view of the Eiffel Tower
Hiking along a beach in Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand
On top of Ben Lomond in Queenstown, New Zealand
Hiking in a New Zealand rainforest
Skydiving in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
Well worn but still kickin'
Thanks Oboz!
About the author: Brian
Brian is one of the two backpacks traversing the globe with his lovely wife and better half, Kaitlin. He enjoys all things relating to delicious food, good beer, and the great outdoors. When he isn't out taking photographs and adventuring himself, he enjoys writing about travel and backpacking gear, his favorite foods from around the world, and lessons he has learned throughout his adventures.
Hi! We are Kaitlin and Brian, a couple of outdoor educators turned world travelers. We embarked on our first round the world adventure in May, 2011. After a year overseas, we've "settled" in Portland, Oregon to experience life on the west coast. This site documents our adventures here, there and everywhere. Our hope is that it inspires your inner-adventurer as well.
