Top Hiking Shoe Gets GORE-TEX ‘Invisible Fit’ Update: Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX Review

It’s not often I seek out trails with puddles and creeks, but that’s what you do when testing out low-cut waterproof hiking shoes. It’s an important part of my search for a hybrid shoe that’s dialed for hikers, and not necessarily for ultra runners.

The Oboz Katabatic is a great example of a boot brand’s take on the hybrid hiking shoe, as opposed to a running brand’s take. The Katabatic prioritizes stability, protection, and cushioning over ultralight weight and minimalism.

This top-tier trail shoe has been popular for a few years. The (non-waterproof) Katabatic LT women’s version is included in GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Shoes for Women.

Previous waterproof Katabatic versions used Oboz’s proprietary B-Dry for waterproofing. The latest update to this shoe, the Katabatic LT GTX, foregoes B-Dry and uses a GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane bonded directly to the shoe’s upper, instead. It’s one of GORE’s latest technologies, and supposedly saves some weight and thickness in the upper.

I was curious how the updated Katabatic would perform on my local trails in Colorado. So, this summer, I got my hands on a pair and started seeking out wet singletrack to splash around on.

In short: The Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX ($170) hiking shoes are a hiking brand’s take on a hybrid shoe with a trail running feel. However, it doesn’t sacrifice support, protection, or comfort. If you’re on board with that philosophy and prefer a narrower heel, snug midfoot, and arch support, this could easily become your favorite hiking shoe.

Compare the Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX to other shoes on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Shoes and the Best Hiking Shoes for Women.

Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX Hiking Shoe Review

I hiked in the Katabatic LT Low GTX shoes for months, ranging from day hikes to a few low-mileage overnight trips in the Rocky Mountains. I wore them in a wide variety of terrain and mostly mild conditions. My first impression was that they felt like a trail running shoe. They were already broken in after my first long hike in them.

I found the Katabatic LT shoes nimble on quick exertions when speed-hiking up loose-rock climbs and technical terrain. There, the shoe’s secure fit, stable sole, rock plate, and toe guards all proved their worth. Unless you’re scrambling frequently, these shoes and tread will inspire a great deal of confidence and support on your hikes.

No, they aren’t as agile as a running shoe, and at the end of a long day-hike, the Katabatic can feel sluggish. But at 1 pound, 4.6 ounces, they’re competitive with most of the shoes on our guide to the Best Hiking Shoes. In fact, they’d be the second lightest on that list. However, compared to those shoes in our guide to the Best Running Shoes, they’d be the heaviest.

That’s the cost of its protective upper and big-chassis platform. The stiffness that helps propel you throughout the day may also convince your legs that these are best for day or overnight hikes.

Overall, these are very comfortable shoes. While traveling, I even wore them around town (with thicker socks) after I’d chafed my heels in some brand new and ill-fitting Vans. 

Waterproofing

GORE-TEX announced its Invisible Fit technology earlier in 2025. Instead of using a waterproof bootie that slides into the shoe like a sock, the Invisible Fit membrane is laminated directly to the shoe’s upper. That makes the fit more akin to a streamlined runner than a traditional GORE-TEX waterproof hiking shoe.

The Katabatic LT GTX was my go-to mountain hiker from a (surprisingly) rainy spring through fall monsoons. My testing of the low-cut shoe’s waterproof performance was conducted in shallow stream crossings, mud puddles, and sections of unmelted snow on the trails. That said, walking through some dewy grasses here and there, the shoes kept my feet dry, too. The waterproofing is top-notch.

Hikers who spend more time in wetter environments or go for longer hikes may enjoy the added support and coverage of the mid-height Katabatic LT GTX shoes. 

Even in the dry heat of summer, I had no issues with sweaty feet when wearing light socks. The GORE-TEX Invisible Fit seems to breathe as well as the brand claims.

Fit

I have duck feet, so shoes with thinner heels and a wide foot box fit me best. The Oboz Katabatic GTX hits that mark. It has a snug heel, slightly tight midfoot, and a toe box that is just roomy enough.

The collar and lacing both help with a secure fit. The heel stayed put on long inclined ascents, which is where some competing hiker shoes give me trouble. One occasional issue I experienced, usually on long descents, was my foot sliding into the forefoot and feeling a bit cramped by the relatively low volume there.

I had a habit of hastily lacing these too tightly, which is easy because the midfoot barely needs help to fit snug. I’ll say that what feels a tad too tight before leaving the house works itself out on the trail.

Once I took the time to loosen the laces all the way down and really pay attention to how I laced them up, I found just the right fit. Just leave a little wiggle room. Which reminds me, the shoe’s padded tongue helps against lace burn and stays in place.

Cushioned & Rigid Soles

Part of the shoe’s cushion and support comes from the O FIT Insoles, which accentuate the deep heel and provide arch support with EVA foam. The insoles also have denser pockets of cushioning under the heel and forefoot for a bit of squish on harder steps — and surely over the course of a hike, which was more subtle. A wicking top layer on the insole seems like a plus, too.

The Katabatic has a healthy amount of energy return, which I wasn’t expecting. They are springy, for sure. Some of that is in the insole, but there’s also some bounce from the outsole. Much of the shoe’s stability comes from the rugged upper and the platform of the outsole. It can feel stiff when compared to running-brand hiking shoes, but it’s still more relaxed than any hiking boot.

Oboz uses its own Trail Tread rubber compound that has some give, which helps with comfort and confident footing on rocky trails (wet or dry). The multi-directional lugs performed well on various dry surfaces and terrain, shedding mud effectively.

However, the tread showed its limits on wet roots and already slick rocks during creek crossings — admittedly setting it up for failure in some cases. Overall, the traction offers confidence on nearly all stable surfaces. Just exercise caution on the really slippery ones.

Durability

These shoes have clocked dozens of miles, most of which were on fairly clear trails. They got a dusty patina and scuffs, but otherwise have avoided any signs of failure in the upper or seams that would compromise the waterproof membrane, much less the shoe itself. I don’t see the construction as a concern.

Oboz Katabatic LT GTX: Who Are They For?

I think the Katabatic LT GTX is a bit of a niche shoe due to its middle-ground appeal, however warranted. I suspect that younger and ultralight hikers may scoff at the weight, whereas older and more traditional hikers may appreciate the stability and surefootedness in a lighter-than-boot package.

Oboz positions these shoes for day hikes and fast and light overnights. I found the cushioning and stability to be more than enough for such missions, though they may feel heavy after long days. I’m sure there are plenty of ultralight packers who would be happy to wear these for a 3- to 5-day backpacking trip.

I’d recommend these to anyone who pared down to a HOKA Speedgoat or Merrell Moab and found they wanted something more substantial and protective on their feet. Similarly, these would serve as a middle ground for anyone who has hesitated to leave traditional hiking boots for running shoes. I’d also recommend it for anyone who has found the fit of other popular hiking shoes to be too roomy in the heel.

The low-top Katabatic LT GTX version makes sense for anyone who regularly hikes in wet environments. For those in drier climates, the waterproof aspect will still protect your feet from spring or fall mud, shallow water crossings, and is breathable enough to wear on warmer hikes in more arid climates.