Comfort and Support
Oboz spent some serious time and effort in creating a shape that has a snug, secure fit in the heel, arch and toebox. The standout feature of this shoe is the balance that it strikes between a close fit without feeling too tight. As a result, this shoe takes the cake for Most Comfortable light hiker.

The dual density EVA midsole and high quality footbed provided much needed comfort for a hike that could otherwise easily induce foot fatigue. The downside: Having the shape and feel of a running shoe means minimal stability, and compared to others in the test (see Garmont, Lowa), and I experienced more ankle rolling on loose rocks than a more structured boot.

Materials & Construction
The upper materials also showed some visible wear and tear after just this one hike (there is no toe rand and the nubuck is abrasion-prone), so this shoe more appropriate for established trails.

Waterproofing/Breathability
An impressive and note-worthy feature is how breathable the shoe felt in the crushing heat. While the rest of my body was sweating, my feet remained conspicuously dry. Oboz uses a proprietary waterproof membrane, and compared to shoes that incorporate more well-known membranes, I found the Mystic Mid to be significantly less likely to cause sweat build-up and blistering.

Target Consumer
In a nutshell, the Mystic Mid could be your go-to shoe for on-trail day hikes with very light or no pack weight. Especially if you have a narrower foot, this shoe gives you a lot of quality for the price.