March 27, 2024

Lowa hiking boots: good brawny boot brand

LOWA is one of the best brands for traditional hiking and backpacking boots. You'll find LOWA hiking boots on the feet of many hikers, backpackers, hunters, and soldiers around the world. That's because this German brand has a strong reputation for making brawny boots that can handle heavier weights and harder trails. My LOWA brand review lets you know why Lowa is considered a good brand and which LOWA hiking boots might be your best options.

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LOWA brand review

LOWA is a German brand that's been making premium outdoor footwear since 1923. The Italian-based Tecnica Group acquired Lowa in 1993; however, the brand has remained based in Germany. LOWA hiking boots are made in Europe with factories in Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Made in the EU, LOWA boots are known for their durability and overall build quality. 

LOWA boots generally run true to size to slightly small. They're not as narrow as some European brands, but hikers and backpackers still may need to size up more than normal in LOWA. The best-selling LOWA Renegade is available in narrow, regular, and wide sizes. 

Why buy LOWA hiking boots?

LOWA is a good brand for hiking and backpacking boots with excellent ankle support, weather protection, and durability. It's best known for the LOWA Renegade— a hall-of-fame backpacking boot. However, the brand recently has branched out with some lighter hiking boots and a new line of trail running shoes for mountainous terrain.


Here are the brand's key selling points:

Support 

LOWA hiking boots usually have excellent foot and ankle support. Based near the Alps, they're made for mountain pursuits—not casual walks. Most LOWAs feel firm underfoot with limited flex, durable TPU midsoles, and sturdy outsoles for hiking harder terrain and carrying heavier packs. 

High quality materials 

LOWA hiking boots mostly feature high quality leather uppers and third-party upgrades, such as Vibram outsoles and GORE-TEX waterproofing. LOWAs also feature TPU midsoles. TPU is more durable and more expensive than the softer EVA foam that most brands use— and not as hard on the environment. The brand is known for better durability and build quality than many brands. 

Made in Europe

LOWA has a good reputation for German quality and corporate responsibility. Most outdoor companies have outsourced their production to Asian countries for lower labor costs and fewer regulations. LOWA hiking boots are produced under the European Union's strict manufacturing, environmental, and labor regulations.

Is LOWA a good hiking brand?

LOWA is a good brand for hikers who care more about support and durability than they care about price or weight savings. Hiking and backpacking boots are the brand's bread and butter. However, LOWA just released its first line of trail running shoes, and one of them is a surprisingly good hiking shoe. 

best LOWA hiking boots

The best LOWA hiking boot is the Renegade—the brand's best seller and the first hiking boot named to Backpacker Magazine's Gear Hall of Fame. The Innox Pro GTX is LOWA's best lightweight hiking boot for more casual hikes. 

Lowa Renegade GTX: best backpacking boot

Main Benefits:

  • Support
    Significant foot and ankle support to protect lower bodies 
  • Weather protection
    Leather uppers + GORE-TEX membranes = weather protection
  • Available in multiple widths
    Lowa offers this perennial best seller in narrow, regular, and wide
  • time tested
    a best-selling backpacking boot for 25 years running

The LOWA Renegade is a classic backpacking boot (that's also fine for day hiking but a bit on the heavy side). At a time when most brands are going lightweight, the Renegade unapologetically rocks brown leather and classic midweight support. This Hall of Famer's mid-cut, leather ankle collars supply good ankle support, and the boot's sturdy midsoles and outsoles also add stability and support. LOWA's TPU midsoles are firmer and more durable than the EVA midsoles of most hiking boots; however, that also means they're not as cushioned as some hiking boots. The Renegade's price reflects its premium Vibram outsoles, GORE-TEX membranes, and overall quality. As a perennial best seller, the LOWA Renegade is available in narrow, standard, and wide sizes.

Best Fit

available in narrow, regular, and wide sizes


Best Match

 backpackers,

brown leather boot fans 


Lowa Innox Pro: best lightweight hiking boot

Main Benefits:

  • lightweight
    more of a sneaker-like build for fast or casual hikes
  • mid-cut ankle support
    one of the few lightweight hiking boots with supportive ankle collars
  • GORE-TEX
    durable and breathable waterproofing in "GTX" models
  • fresh looks
    not as drab as Lowa's durable, functional leather boots 

The Innox Pro is LOWA's best lightweight hiking boot (see my full review). Compared to the best-selling Renegade, the LOWA Innox Pro is lighter with thinner soles and more flex underfoot. That makes the Innox Pro a better match for fastpacking, casual day hiking, or outdoor lifestyle wear— not harder hikes or backpacking trips. At the same time, this high-cut still offers more ankle support than most lightweight/casual hikers. Tech-wise, the Innox Pro GTX features a GORE-TEX membrane for premium waterproofing and Dyna PU midsoles for durable cushioning. As far as fit goes, the Innox seems to run small. Hikers with wide feet may be able to wear them by sizing up a full size over their normal hiking size.

Best Fit

standard fit (runs small)


Best Match

 day hikes, trail to town


Is LOWA a good brand for hiking shoes?

LOWA is a better brand for hiking boots than hiking shoes. The brand's best hiking shoe is a brand new trail running shoe, the LOWA Fortux. It's proof that LOWA may be more than just a brawny boot brand. 

Lowa Fortux: best trail running shoe for hiking

Main Benefits:

  • lightweight
    impressively light for its level of support
  • good stability and support
    excellent support/torsional rigidity for a trail runner 
  • well cushioned
    plenty of firm cushioning for comfort and trail feel
  • aggressive traction for steep terrain
    v-shaped climbing and braking lugs 
  • roomy fit
    more room in the toes/forefoot than most LOWAs 

LOWA and lightweight usually don't go together. But the brand new LOWA Fortux is a trail running shoe that's both lightweight and supportive, making it a sneaky-good hiking shoe. Made for long distance running, the Fortux features a relatively tall stack of firm cushioning, which absorbs plenty of shock without losing trail feel. It also features aggressive tread that's designed to dig into soft and loose sediments on steep ascents and descents. For me, the LOWA Fortux is a do-almost-anything trail runner—one that could appeal to a wide range of hikers since it's both lightweight and supportive, cushy yet sturdy. This is an impressive debut for LOWA in the trail runner market (see my full review). 

Pros & Cons: Lowa Hiking Boots

LOWA is a good brand, but it's not for everybody. Here's a quick look at the brands pros vs cons:

Pros:

  • stability and support
  • quality leather uppers
  • waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX
  • Vibram outsoles 
  • durability

Cons:

  • expensive 
  • not as cushioned as many hiking boots
  • dated aesthetics
  • better for backpackers than day hikers

Conclusion:

LOWA hiking boots score high marks for durability, quality, and environmental sustainability. But they are expensive, thanks to their overall build quality and tariffs on EU products. It's a good brand for traditional hikers and backpackers. 


Best Fit

standard fits:

Most Lowas run a little snug, but not as narrow as most European brands

Best Match

 backpackers,

serious day hikers

brown leather boot fans 


LOWA hiking boots: yes or no?

I hope this LOWA brand review has helped you decide if LOWA hiking boots might work for your feet, your budget, and your hiking style. The LOWA Renegade is a perennial best-seller, and the brand new LOWA Fortux trail running shoe should impress many fast-and-light hikers who normally wouldn't consider a brand best-known for its brawny boots. 

If Lowa isn't a good fit or match for you, no problem. Please check out Hiking Feet's brand reviews or my recommendations for the best hiking boots, best hiking shoes, and best trail runners for hikers. There’s a good chance that your next favorite hiking boot or hiking shoe is lurking somewhere on this website.

If this review did help you pick out a pair of LOWAs, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission from the retailer (at no cost to you) if make a purchase after clicking on those links. That’s how this site stays afloat. So if this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. Thanks!

Happy hiking!

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Hi, I'm Jory, and I created Hiking Feet to help recreational hikers and backpackers find the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes for their feet and their hikes. My professional recommendations and reviews stem from my extensive hiking experience (10,000+ miles in the past ten years) and my outdoor industry experience— where I'm a "Gearhead" and Copywriter for Backcountry, a certified brand expert, and the former footwear manager at a hiking and backpacking specialty shop. 


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