The North Face Chilkat III Men's Insulated Boot vs Oboz Bridger 8in Insulated B-Dry Boot
Buy the Oboz Bridger 8in if you want a lighter, more supportive winter hiker with a wide toe box and a thermal insole. Buy the North Face Chilkat III if you want a taller, simpler pull-on-style leather boot with IcePick lugs for icy pavement. The Chilkat III is listed at $159 at Distritech as of November 3; no price was given for the Bridger 8in.
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The North Face Chilkat III Men's Insulated Boot
Choose the Chilkat III if you want a 6-inch waterproof leather boot with IcePick temperature-sensitive lugs for icy sidewalks and a gaiter D-ring for snow.
Pros
- IcePick lugs harden in cold for grip on ice.
- Waterproof leather upper plus molded waterproof shell.
- Gaiter D-ring and rustproof hardware for deep snow.
- Tall 6-inch shaft with a 14-inch circumference.
- True to size, normal width.
Cons
- Heavier at 1.5 kg listed.
- No shank or chassis listed for stiffness underfoot.
- Limited color choices in the listing.
What separates them
| The North Face Chilkat III Men's Insulated Boot | Oboz Bridger 8in Insulated B-Dry Boot | |
|---|---|---|
| Shaft height | 6 in (15.2 cm) | 8 in |
| Insulation | 200 g Heatseeker synthetic | 200 g 3M Thinsulate (listed as Freeze Guard in the description) |
| Weight | 1.5 kg listed (about 3 lb 5 oz) | 3 lb 1.2 oz per pair (24.6 oz single) |
| Outsole | TNF Winter Grip rubber with IcePick temperature-sensitive lugs | Winterized Granite Peak rubber with molded heel kick |
| Support | Compression-molded EVA midsole, no shank listed | TPU chassis plus nylon shank |
| Footbed | Dual-density footbed | O FIT thermal insole with Mylar heat-reflective sheet |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof leather upper with injection-molded waterproof TPR shell | Waterproof nubuck with B-DRY membrane lining |
Price history
- The North Face Chilkat III Men's Insulated Boot: lowest $149.00 on Nov 2 at Poshmark.
- Oboz Bridger 8in Insulated B-Dry Boot: lowest $230.00 on Nov 2 at Oboz Footwear.
Prices at every store
The North Face Chilkat III Men's Insulated Boot
- eBayCheck price at eBay
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- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
Oboz Bridger 8in Insulated B-Dry Boot
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- CampSaver.comCheck price at CampSaver.com
- Oboz FootwearCheck price at Oboz Footwear
Specs compared
| Spec | The North Face Chilkat III Men's Insulated Boot | Oboz Bridger 8in Insulated B-Dry Boot |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | 200g of insulation | 200 g 3M Thinsulate synthetic fibers |
| Upper | Waterproof leather upper | Waterproof nubuck leather |
| Midsole | Compression moulded EVA midsole | Dual-density EVA |
| Weight | 1.5 Kg | 1 lb 8.7 oz |
| Available colours | Mudpack Brown Bombay Orange | — |
| Shell | Injection moulded waterproof shell | — |
| Sole | Rubber sole with temperature-sensitive rubber l… | — |
| Width | Normal | — |
| Fit | True To Size | — |
| Hardware | Rustproof hardware |
What reviewers say
The North Face Chilkat III Men's Insulated Boot
Owners of the Chilkat line generally rate it as a warm, genuinely waterproof winter boot that grips well on packed snow and ice. Common complaints are bulk, weight and warmth that is too much for mild days.
Pros
- Stays dry in slush and wet snow
- Warm enough for deep winter without heavy socks
- IcePick lugs noticeably better on ice than plain rubber
- Durable leather and hardware hold up over seasons
Cons
- Heavy and clunky for driving or long indoor wear
- Stiff out of the box; needs break-in
- Too warm in temperatures above freezing
- Sizing can feel roomy for some wearers
Oboz Bridger 8in Insulated B-Dry Boot
Reviewers rate the boot 5 out of 5 from 6 ratings and describe it as comfortable out of the box with no break-in, warm and waterproof in snow, cold and creek crossings. The main complaint is weight.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for icy sidewalks?
- The Chilkat III. Its IcePick lugs are temperature-sensitive and harden in cold for traction on ice. The Bridger uses winterized Granite Peak rubber without that claim.
- Which is better for winter hiking and snowshoeing?
- The Bridger 8in. It has a TPU chassis, nylon shank and a molded heel kick, and it is lighter per pair. The Chilkat III is a simpler leather boot.
- Which is warmer?
- Both list 200 g of synthetic insulation, so warmth is close. The Bridger adds a reflective Mylar insole and an 8-inch shaft; the Chilkat III has a 6-inch shaft.
- Which is lighter?
- The Bridger 8in at 3 lb 1.2 oz per pair. The Chilkat III is listed at 1.5 kg, roughly 3 lb 5 oz.
- Is the Bridger worth the extra over the Chilkat III?
- No Bridger price was given, so a direct comparison is not possible. The Chilkat III is $159 at Distritech as of November 3. Pay more for the Bridger only if you want the shank, chassis and lighter weight.
- Do either fit wide feet?
- The Chilkat III is listed as normal width and true to size. Reviewers describe the Bridger as having a wide toe box and a true-to-size fit.
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