Oboz Bridger 10-Inch Insulated Sustainability Report

The Bridger’s full-grain leather upper and robust outsole construction make it one of the more durable options in this category. Stitching and seam reinforcement are solid, and it resists breakdown from snow and trail wear well. However, the leather requires occasional conditioning to prevent drying or cracking over time, especially with frequent winter use.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Oboz Bridger 10-Inch Insulated Boot’s Freeze Guard insulation is made with 100% post-consumer recycled materials. None of the other materials in this boot incorporate recycled content. In 2025, 64% of Oboz’s models featured at least 20% environmentally preferred materials by weight, which the brand defines as recycled, responsibly sourced, or bio-based. Oboz uses materials certified to the Global Recycled Standard or Recycled Claims Standard across its products, including recycled fabrics, insulations, laces, midsoles, outsoles, and more.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The Bridger is treated with a PFAS-free durable water repellent. Oboz prohibits PFAS in its products and uses only non-fluorinated durable water-repellent treatments.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Oboz Bridger 10-Inch Insulated Boot features a PFAS-free B-Dry waterproof membrane. Oboz uses only PFAS-free waterproof membrane materials.

The membranes of certain waterproof products, including rain jackets, ski jackets, ski bibs, hardshells, and hiking footwear, commonly contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

There are no Bluesign-approved materials in the Bridger. Oboz isn’t a Bluesign System Partner and doesn’t use Bluesign-approved materials in its products.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

The Oboz Bridger 10-Inch Insulated Boot is made with leather from suppliers certified to Leather Working Group standards. Oboz sources all its leather from Gold-rated, Leather Working Group-certified suppliers.

Companies typically source responsible leather from suppliers that meet the Leather Working Group Standards (LWG). LWG is a third-party non-profit organization that assesses the environmental impact of leather manufacturers and ensures compliance with its standards. This includes assessing water and energy use, waste and chemical management, air and noise emissions, traceability, health and safety, and the use of restricted substances. The LWG also gives tanneries ratings (bronze, silver, and gold), which we take into account when making our ratings.

In 2023, Oboz became a certified B Corporation, meeting social, environmental, and governance standards set by the nonprofit B Lab. Certification is based on the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates a company’s performance across areas such as governance, worker treatment, community impact, and environmental practices. Companies must score at least 80 out of 200 points and undergo a verification process that includes documentation review, site visits, and public complaint evaluation. The assessment also considers employee engagement, worker feedback, and workplace conditions.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Oboz uses shoeboxes and inserts made with at least 90% Forest Stewardship Council Mix-certified paper or other recycled materials. When Oboz uses plastic inserts, they are either 100% recycled or 50% bio-based. Lastly, the brand’s shipping cartons contain at least 85% recycled content.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Oboz doesn’t operate resale or recycling programs for used shoes.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Oboz’s parent company, KMD Brands, tracks its greenhouse gas emissions using the Higg Index. The company aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 47% and Scope 3 emissions by 28% (all relative to its 2019 baseline) by 2030. The Science Based Targets Initiative verified these goals in 2023. In 2025, KMD Brands reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 27% and Scope 3 emissions by 22% compared to its baseline.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

KMD Brands publishes an annual impact report detailing its sustainability initiatives and progress across its subsidiaries, including Oboz. The report includes some information on Oboz, but features fewer specific details than those we’ve seen from other brands.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.