LOWA launched its first trail running shoes in 2023. Out of their inaugural three trail runners, the Fortux is the best option for hikers. Like Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider, the Fortux is an anatomical wonder—super light yet stacked at the same time. My Lowa Fortux review offers a hiker's perspective on this brand new trail runner, based on my personal experience testing in on some of Pennsylvania's award-winning trails.
Lowa Fortux Review
This is an independent, first-hand review of the new Lowa Fortux trail running shoe. LOWA provided me with a free pair through my day job as a thank you for volunteering some time to help out one of their reps. Importantly, this is not a sponsored post—all the views are my own, based on a series of test hikes I completed in the Pennsylvania Appalachians between July to October, 2023. (I'm still wearing them a year later since I like them.) Since Hiking Feet is a site focused on hikers, my review evaluates the Lowa Fortux as a hiking shoe, not a running shoe.
Support
Hikers often lose considerable support by switching from a hiking shoe to a trail running shoe. By trail runner standards, however, the Fortux is surprisingly supportive. It's a relatively stiff shoe from heel to toe with just some subtle bend at the foot's natural flex point. That should fight foot fatigue and take some pressure off hikers' feet on hard or uneven terrain. There's also good torsional rigidity, which adds ankle stability to prevent feet from rolling over on roots or roots.
The Fortux is probably the most supportive trail running shoe that I own. It edges the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor in support, even though it's 6 ounces lighter per pair. In fact, the Lowa Fortux more or less matches the support of many true hiking shoes—in spite of its light weight.
weight savings
The new LOWA Fortux clearly falls within the lightweight category among the best trail running shoes for hikers. My men's size 12 weighs 12 ounces per shoe. That's less than an ounce heavier that the lightest trail runners I use for hiking, the Topo Althetic Ultraventure Pro. Per pair, that's approximately 12 ounces lighter than the average hiking shoe. If you're looking for weight savings, the Lowa Fortux is definitely an option for you.
women's Lowa Fortux trail running shoe
Fit
The Fortux has the roomiest fit out of LOWA's first three trail running shoes. It fits true to size, length-wise, with a wider fit than most Lowas. I often wear a 12-wide for hiking or larger (most European brands). However, I get a snug yet acceptable fit in the regular size 12. That touch of extra room is there to accommodate swelling on long runs and to give runners and hikers a little more toe room.
Comfort
The Fortux is an interesting shoe, comfort-wise. On one hand, there's a moderately large stack height (31.5/ 25.5mm), which straddles the unofficial border between moderate and maximum cushion. That should please plenty of hikers who prefer more cushioning—especially since trail runners often trim cushion to cut weight. On the other hand, it still has a relatively stiff build, which appeals to hikers on the other end of the spectrum.
Usually, runners need to choose either "float" or "feel"—but the LOWA Fortux gives me both. It mixes extra cushioning with plenty of trail feel, so hikers can enjoy softer landings as well as more precise foot placement on tricky terrain. That means its feel could potentially work for very different kinds of hikers.
weather protection
Most hikers choose non-waterproof trail running shoes for their added breathabilty and ventilation and quicker drying times. So I followed suit. This shoe's micromesh uppers and TPU overlays shouldn't absorb too much water and should dry relatively quickly. If you do want a waterproof trail shoe, the Fortux GTX features GORE-TEX—reliable and breathable waterproofing.
traction
AGGRESSIVE
The traction on the Lowa Fortux is quite aggressive with V-shaped climbing and braking lugs designed to dig into soft or loose surfaces. Similar to the Contragrip outsoles on the popular Salomon X Ultra 4 hiking shoes, this tread is a better match for mud, gravel, and scree than solid rock. On my test hikes, I've often passed other hikers on steep descents on slick gravel, thanks to that aggressive lugging. (2024 update: Now that I've moved to New Mexico, I know that this tread is also clutch on desert crust and weathered granite.) This is yet another potential plus for hikers who hike moderate to difficult trails with varying terrain.
Value
AVERAGE.
The Lowa Fortux has debuted with a MSRP of $160. At a time when the trail runner market is blowing up, that's a pretty typical price for the best trail running shoes for hiking. It's too early to judge this shoe's durability. However, LOWA has a strong reputation for build quality, and this shoe's relatively sturdy build suggests that it might outlast some of the other trail runners I recommend. Overall, this price seems fair.
Lowa Fortux: Pros vs. Cons
The pros obviously outnumber the cons in my review of the new LOWA Fortux trail running shoe:
Conclusion:
The new LOWA Fortux defies simple categorization—in a good way. This shoe's anatomy is both supportive and lightweight, boasting both stability and agility, float and feel, weight savings and a sturdy base. It's as close to a do-it-all trail running shoe that I've ever tested. Based on my test hikes, I'm happy to recommend the LOWA Fortux to speed hikers and serious hikers who mostly hike moderate to difficult terrain that requires support and more aggressive traction.
best fit
standard to
moderately wide feet
best match
serious hikers
If you're feeling LOWA's first trail running shoe for hikers, I don't blame you. I was pleasantly surprised how well the LOWA Fortux has performed across my test hikes. Few, if any, trail runners can deliver so much support at such a light weight or mix that much cushioning with that much trail feel. Based on my personal experience, I added the Fortux to my list of the best trail running shoes for hiking. If the Fortux fits you—and you're a serious hikers—this shoe slays.
I've been hiking in these for the last few months. I've taken them up Munro-style peaks so 900M plus rocky mountains often with narrow trails and very wet conditions. I'm using them with waterproof socks and I have a collection of Lowa shoes and boots to compare them with. Explorers, Cadins, Caminos, Ticams, Toros. I've been a Lowa buyer for years but I had to look elsewhere for trail runners until this year. What I didn't expect to find was a trail runner I want to wear for almost every run & hike.
I've found the traction of the shoes to be much better than Contagrip and similar to Vibram megagrip on wet rock. I've done a bit of scrambling with them and I felt confident in their performance. They are the only maximalist cushion shoes I would consider on a via-ferrata for instance as they have an optimum level of terrain feel while having excellent rebound and cushioning. They are not Hoka-soft and the rebound is consistent if not as noticeable as their carbon-plated cousins the Amplux, or the overt rebound of the double-plated Hoka Tecton X2. I'd like a little more rebound but it's not a deal-breaker. Comfort, fit and heel fixation are top notch. I can hike and run in these all day long without a blister or aggravation of my plantar fasciitis.
The durability is very good so far. They exceed the other trail running brands I've tried and deliver the kind of quality Lowa are known for. The rock protection is impressive for such a light shoe and there are no obvious signs of wear. Given the durability and build quality, I believe they are very good value for the money. In my view they much better than "average value" in their market segment. Prices have increased in the last 2 years and in my experience these Lowas are better made than expensive competitors from Hoka or ON. Lowa are always going to be a premium brand and I think these are keenly priced to establish a foothold (pardon pun) in trail running.
I understand Lowa are launching an even tougher Fortux GTX model next year with waterproofing, different overlays & a speed lacing system. I intend to buy a pair as soon as they become available. Just my > 2c on the topic!
Thanks, Shane. I’m glad these have worked out for you. I agree–it’s an impressive shoe, especially considering that it’s part of Lowa’s first batch of trail runners.
Thanks Jory. I think that if someone is on the fence about using trail runners for hiking, these or the Brooks Cascadia are possibly the shoes to try. Perhaps the La Sportiva Ultra Raptors but they're too narrow for a lot of people, me included.
I love your site by the way. It's been very helpful in identifying hiking shoes & boots to try over the years.
I’m with you, Shane, if you’re looking for the trail running shoes that come the closest to a true hiking shoe, my short list would be those three trail runners–plus the Salomon XA Pro. Incidently, La Sportiva will be re-classifying the Ultra Raptor as a hiking shoe in 2024 (not a trail running shoe). I couldn’t wear it, either, until they released it in a wide (and I sized up 1+ sizes). I’m glad you love this site!