The Haglöfs Oxo GT hiking boots in this review were used on a two-day trekking in Norway, guided by Jeffry Oonk and hiking trips in the Belgian Ardennes and Austria. I carried a pack with 20 – 25 kilograms of weight, across various terrains ranging from flat, easy trails to rocky and steep mountain passes.
Promise
As we say in the video, we always want to find out about the promise of the product first. In other words, what it is made for, what is it supposed to do, what is the idea behind it? Only if we know enough about the product can we do a fair review.
Haglöfs designed the Oxo GT (= Gore-Tex) for getting into more remote and rugged places where you need a pair of boots that will give your ankles the support they need to carry a heavy pack.Stability
The Oxo GT uses a combination of SpEVA and Solyte technology. SpEVA is a material that improves bounce back characteristics and decreases midsole breakdown when walking, providing better shock absorption and improving durability. The Solyte material in the midsole increases cushioning, resists breakdown and shaves overall weight from the boot.
Combined with a Haglöfs Custom Comfort footbed and cleverly designed ankle support, this boot excels in stability and support. The Oxo GT provides impressive stability compared to most of the boots I have worn and used across a variety of terrains the past years.Protection
The upper part of the boot is made from 1.5 mm water repellent nubuck, a premium eco-friendly leather from the tannery of the Leather Working Group. Added to it is a Gore-Tex membrane, making creek crossings, rain, and muddy trails easy to handle without getting your feet wet. The boot is watertight.
The lace locking system is of real added value for the boot. What it does is it makes it possible to vary the tightness of the lacing over the foot and the ankle area of the boot. It definitely allowed a tight fit around the ankle whilst the foot had another measure of tightness.Comfort
The first fit of the Haglöfs Oxo GT wasn’t what I expected. I felt the edges of the shoe on my calves and it didn’t feel very good. But after walking a few miles it seems to be ‘setting’ and starts actually to feel very comfortable.
This Oxo provided a lot of padding and support around the ankle, which I really enjoyed when wearing it for days of intensive hiking. This boot has one of the wider toe boxes I have experienced and that leaves plenty of room for the toes, which I especially appreciated when walking on steep down hill inclines.
