If you’re a nature lover who enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, you know how essential it is to protect your feet with a good pair of shoes.
Many companies produce footwear for the outdoors in which two of the leading brands are Oboz and Merrel.
After seeing a lot of arguments, reviews, and queries about these two, we decided to give our perspective and look into the features and drawbacks of each.
If you are also the one who is confused between these two then continue reading this article.
Comparison Table Between Oboz And Merrel:
| Oboz | Merrell |
|---|---|
| Founded in 2007 | Founded in 1981 |
| Comfy | Lightweight yet comfortable |
| More Environmental Friendly | Sustainable |
| Very Sturdy | Supportive |
| For Men and Women | For Men, Women, and Kids |
| Relatively less variety | Huge variety of stylish designs and colors |
| For heavy-duty | For beginners to experienced hikers |
| Comparatively New Brand | Older Brand |
| Hiking, Backpacking, Casual, Winter Collection | Hiking, Trail Running, Slip Ons, Sneakers, Boots, Shoes, Sandals |
Overview of Oboz:
The story of Oboz started in the small town of Bozeman, Montana, sixteen years ago, in 2007.
The first Oboz trekking shoe was launched in 2008 and manufactured by an experienced businessperson named John Connelly, who realized that there was an increasing need for good trekking shoes in the area.
Since its establishment, the company has grown its roots and today has a global presence. The brand offers a variety of superior materials that appear and perform differently based on the shoe’s style, in which Oboz Men’s Bridger Mid Waterproof Boots are hikers’ favorite, and the brand’s best-selling is designed to help you conquer any terrain.
Moreover, the founders and people who work at Oboz are environmentally conscious and outdoor enthusiasts. They aimed to provide people with shoes that would both protect their feet while exploring or hiking and benefit the earth’s natural environment. That is why they decided to plant a tree for every pair of shoes they sold, since the beginning the Oboz team has been true to their word, and to date, they have planted more than 5 million trees, and this number continues to increase regularly.
Technology continues to advance, and every year this company comes up with a new way to design and make their already amazing trekking shoes in a way that has less effect on the environment.
Overview of Merrell:
Merrell is a footwear and apparel company founded in 1981 by Clark Matis, John Schweizer, and Randy Merrell. John and Clark have considerable background in outdoor travel gave them a boost in building a successful company, Randy, on the other hand, had the appropriate shoemaking skills.
The main goal of this friendly and cooperative partnership was to design, manufacture, and market high-quality outdoor shoes and boots without sacrificing the wearer’s comfort or productivity.
There’s a lot to like about all of the phenomenal Merrell shoes, and their best-selling Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Shoes are durable, provide great grip, and feel very comfortable on most types of trails.
Due to their exceptional footwear brand got worldwide appreciation and millions of nature enthusiasts all around the world still consider Merrell a top-tier shoe company.
Despite the brand’s success, Randy Merrell preferred to sell his share of the company a few years later, and in 1997 it became a part of the Wolverine World Wide label.
Presently, Merrell’s footwear is still crafted from superior materials, exactly as it was in the 1980s, however, the brand now designs and sells a variety of other products.
Merrell has always a strong commitment to quality and safety in its manufacturing processes, has believe in the shoes they manufacture, and aims to inspire and encourage its customers by providing them with reliable footwear.
Major Difference between the brands:
Read on to see which brand we think meets the criteria for being the best hiking shoe brand, and then you can make your own choice.
1) Comfort:
Oboz and Merrell’s shoes have lightweight outsoles made of long-lasting materials like rubber or EVA foam that are cushioned and flexible for maximum comfort on any surface.
However, Oboz is commonly considered one of the most comfortable manufacturers of hiking shoes. The company’s designers prioritize achieving the optimal fit and delivering high support.
At every stage of the design process, beginning with the sole and working up through each material they used, the insole, upper, and interior space, the brand always considers the wearer’s comfort. Their famous “O-FIT System” was developed by analyzing thousands of human foot shapes to find the ultimate comfort for the widest range of customers.
On the other hand, Merrell’s hiking shoes are built to reduce fatigue and discomfort on any path. The company’s shoes aren’t as tough or rugged as Oboz shoes, but the technology they use makes hiking far more pleasant.
The “M Select cushioned footbeds” of every pair of Merrell has a significant part of the company’s commitment to providing comfort and support precisely where it’s needed. Also, their lightness is the primary factor in their comfort, as your feet absorb the majority of the force during a hike, so dropping a few pounds off them will increase your trail endurance and speed as well.
Also, Check Out our Comparison B/W Moab 2 and Moab 3
2) Popularity:
Merrell is a worldwide leader in outdoor activity footwear and is more popular than Oboz.
In addition to being “Brand of the Year” at the Footwear News Achievement Awards, Merrell has recently been honored with many product awards, including the Moab 3 receiving an “Innovation in Design” honorable mention from Fast Company, the “Moab Speed Thermo Mid Waterproof” being selected for “Outside’s Best in Hiking Boots in the 2023 Buyer’s Guide”, and the “Rogue hiking boots and MTL Sky fire 2” receiving “ISPO Awards for product excellence”. This brand is also featured in Forbes, Hypebeast, Travel + Leisure, and many other publications.
Alternately, Oboz footwear is a popular choice among people who want more robust shoes for hiking in winter and summer. The brand is also recognized for being environmentally conscious and planting a tree for every pair sold.
Also Check Out: Timberland VS Merrel
3) Target Market:
Oboz designs and manufactures, footwear for trekkers, travelers, and hikers, and primarily sells its offerings to outdoor enthusiasts in North America.
Conversely, Merrell aims for anyone interested in outdoor activities, the brand does not necessarily target a specific age group, but they offer something to everyone in the active community.
4) Price:
Oboz footwear can cost you anywhere from $100 to almost $250 whereas a pair of Merrell range from $50 to around $200. Both brands aren’t the cheapest ones out there but Merrell provides more budget-friendly options by offering alternatives that are slightly less expensive than Oboz.
Also Check Out: Merrel VS Sorel – Which Is Better?
5) Design:
Oboz continued popularity among outdoor enthusiasts is due to its attention to the smallest details of every design. Almost 140 skilled professionals handle each pair of Oboz before they are ready to use. First, the most comfortable pattern is chosen, and then the right materials are carefully selected for the maximum performance of the shoes.
The upper of the shoe is composed of synthetic material, mesh, or other materials for high functionality. Moreover, the thermal O-FIT insoles also have a wool top sheet that provides insulation and a Mylar bottom sheet that returns heat to the foot. This will keep feet cozy and comfortable during long winter hikes.
Alternatively, Merrell has designed hiking boots, trail runners, and casual shoes for over four decades. The brand puts its shoe designs through tough wear-and-tear tests in the field to make sure they will last.
Merrell combines natural and synthetic materials to provide their shoes with the necessary durability to handle any trail and withstand abrasion.
Their Vibram rubber outsoles offer amazing cushioning and support and are engineered to deliver proper balance and traction, ensuring that you will have a pleasant experience during hiking and other activities.
The brand also incorporates “The GORE-TEX, M-Select WIND, M-Select WICK, M-Select WARM insulation, M-SelectTM GRIP, M-Select Dry”, and many more technologies into all of their shoe designs to meet the needs of every outdoor adventurer.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
It’s not easy to choose one between these two elite labels, whether it’s their hiking boots, sandals, or shoes, Oboz and Merrell always deliver high-quality products.
You should know that Oboz is designed to be worn on any uneven surface and for intense outdoor activities, whereas Merrell’s shoes offer a great lot of support and protection during a hike, but are suited for casual to skilled hikers.
They are not ideal for heavy-duty to give life-saving protection on a dangerous hike, but they’ll keep your feet comfortable for hours during hiking or just strolling down a trail.
In terms of environmental friendliness, we give Oboz the edge, in addition to reliable performance, the company is consistent with its original mission since its beginning.
No matter which brand you choose, both are made to handle the harsh conditions on every trail and are a great value for the money.