While I am now happily settled in the great state of Nebraska, I also enjoyed living in Germany for several years. The lifestyle is so different there – more eco-friendly, more outdoors, more natural, more efficient, more exact. All of this came back to me when I checked out Lowa Boots (www.lowaboots.com).
Lowa boots are made in Germany under their uber-strict manufacturing, environmental, and labor regulations. They make use of lightweight materials supported by a monowrap construction around the base of the boot to provide supreme stability, providing needed strength and desired lightness. You can see and feel this monowrap climbing up from the sole of the boot, around the toe box, and up around the sides all the way to the heel. This results in the right amount of support at exactly the right locations. In addition, Lowa has chosen to upgrade from the standard, but good, EVA midsoles to the exceptional polyurethane midsoles. In true German fashion, the use of polyurethane is more expensive, but much longer lasting. Better value and fewer worn out boots in the landfill! Lowa also uses the tried-and-true GORE-TEX liner, which allows for a smooth, comfortable fit for your foot. The Germans, ever tuned in to details, have addressed every part of their boots to ensure a near-perfect boot!
Lowa Boots also offer:
- Climate Control System
- Supination/Pronation Support Technology
- Heel Truss on select Mountaineering boots
- Flex uppers
- Special to-the-toe lacing
- Anatomically-contoured tongue
- I-Core carbon insert for flex and stability
I own the Lowa Renegade GTX Mids for women. The first thing I noticed when I took them out of the box was how lightweight they were. Some boots are chunky and heavy, leaving you wondering how you will lift your foot, step after plodding step, up a mountain or across a field. Not the Lowa Renegades. Before I even tried them on, I knew I would never get to that point, even after several strenuous miles. Next, I slid my feet into the Renegades. They slipped right on. I know that sounds pretty basic, but we all know this is not a given. There is no struggle to get these boots on. Lacing is a cinch. Cushioned ridges allow the tongue to settle in place without exerting pressure on the foot. This holds the foot in closely, while reducing strain across the toes and the tops of your feet.
These features all add up to a COMFORTABLE day in the field, even on the first day of wearing them. It’s as if the boots come already broken-in. I am eagerly waiting the summer months when I have time to head out of town for some R & R (by that, I mean hiking). I am planning a trip up through the Badlands of South Dakota and a quick visit to Mt. Rushmore. South Dakota offers tremendous opportunities to hike and I look forward to trying out my Lowa Renegades on mountain trails. After that, I will test them out in the Rockies of Colorado. Those hikes will be the true test and I have no doubt they will pass with flying colors. Until then, I’ll wear the Lowa Boots on Girl Scout and Cub Scout hikes here in Nebraska with my kiddos. Either way, on a walk in the prairie or a hike up Harney Peak, I am sure to have happy feet.
Lowa offers boots for hiking, speed hiking, trekking, mountaineering, and rock climbing. To learn more about Lowa Boots and where to find them, check out www.lowaboots.com.
Lowa Renegade GTX Mids for Women
Sizes: US 5.5 – 11
Weight per pair: 1.90 lbs
Suggested retail price: $225.00
