Montana-based outdoor footwear brand Oboz has joined the B Corp community, reinforcing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
B Corps are for-profit organizations whose performance is measured across five impact areas: governance, workers, customers, community and the environment. Companies must document their positive impact to apply using the B Impact Assessment tool, and undergo an independent verification process every three years to achieve and maintain certification.

“Achieving B Corp certification is an incredible milestone and the culmination of our team’s hard work and ongoing collaborations across our entire network of suppliers and partners,” stated Amy Beck, Oboz Footwear president. “B Corp certification is another step in a long journey to becoming the best corporate and global citizen we can be.”

Founded in 2007, Oboz from its beginning has planted a tree for every pair of shoes sold and to date has planted over 5 million trees. The brand says it continues to not only be mindful of the environment through its materials and operations decisions, but has also made progress in its social and community related initiatives. Through partnerships with organizations such as Black Folks Camp Too, The Conservation Alliance, and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Oboz has worked to exact change on the greater good in its local, outdoor and greater communities.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved, and we know there is a lot of room for additional collaboration and impact,” stated Beck.  

Oboz has identified climate, circularity, and community as initial areas for improvement. In terms of climate and circularity, Oboz is focusing its attention on material choices and science-aligned targets and emission reductions within its operations and value chain. As for community, Oboz is working to expand its healthcare benefits offering and working to increase employee diversity among other community related goals.

Oboz’s certification comes simultaneously with the B Corp certification of its parent company, KMD Brands, and each of its sister brands, Rip Curl and Kathmandu, who received their certification and recertification respectively.