The LOWA Innovo GTX Mid caught my eye when it first came out last year. It's a LOWA, so you know it's a quality hiking boot. But it's tough to place exactly what kind of hiking boot it is. LOWA calls it a "lightweight" hiking boot with an "athletic modern" build. But it also has a supportive frame and ankle collars that suggest something beefier. So, is it a casual hiking boot, an athletic hiking boot, or a supportive one? Curious, I picked up a pair and tested it for a couple of months in Albuquerque's Sandia Mountains. My LOWA Innovo GTX Mid review gives you the low-down on this boot's support, weight, fit, comfort, weather protection, traction, and overall value.
Men's LOWA Innovo GTX Mid
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Women's LOWA Innovo GTX Mid
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LOWA Innovo GTX Mid Review
My LOWA Innovo GTX Mid review follows from a half-dozen test hikes in Spring, 2025. I broke in my boots at Bear Canyon Arroyo and the lower Domingo Baca trail, tackled the moderate terrain of 3 Guns Springs and Embudito Canyon, and tested the Innovo's limits on 11-12 mile trails up to the South Sandia Crest (4000 feet of elevation gain). My test hikes delibately spanned different terrain and difficulty levels to figure out where this boot works best—and where it potentially comes up short.
You can trust my reviews because they're totally independent. This site doesn't publish sponsored posts and doesn't have any advertisers to please. Plus, I know my stuff. I test hiking footwear more than 1,000 miles per year and previously managed footwear at a hiking and backpacking shop. My personal hiking experience and 5+ years of professional experience in the outdoor gear industry set my reviews apart from other sites.
Testing the LOWA Innovo Mid GTX at South Sandia Crest
Support
The Innovo GTX Mid offers good (not great) ankle support and better foot support than most hiking boots I've reviewed. With three eyelets above the ankle bone, the boots' ankle collars run higher than most mid-cuts. However, those collars are soft and flexible—better for comfort than support.
Still, I appreciated that taller cut since I tested the Innovo while recovering from a high ankle sprain. My weakened ankle didn't roll over on any of my test hikes, even though I hiked plenty of rocky trails and side hills that put plenty of pressure on my ankles.
The boot is also pretty stiff underfoot, which provides good foot support and lateral stability. It takes some elbow grease to get my boots to flex a little at the foot's natural flex point. Plus, LOWA's polyurethane support frame adds even more stability down low. Overall, stability and support are some of this boot's better qualities.
Weight
My pair of the Innovo GTX Mid (men's size 13) weighs exactly 3 pounds on my kitchen scale. That's basically the same weight as my LOWA Renegades, so it's misleading to call this a "lightweight" hiking boot. It's a midweight—and a relatively heavy one at that— since it's not primarily built for backpackers.
Weight-wise, it's hard for me to pinpoint who this boot is for? It's too heavy for the fast-and-light niche with a more casual build than true backpacking boots with similar weights. LOWA recommends it for day hikes and short backpacking trips. That makes some sense, but this boot has an unconventional ratio of support to weight, at least by US standards.
Women's LOWA Innovo GTX Mid
Fit
The LOWA Innovo GTX Mid runs true to size length-wise with a narrow to standard width. Wide-footed hikers will probably struggle to get a good fit. I sized up 1.5 sizes from my everyday shoe size to get enough width for my moderately wide feet. Even then, the boots were barely wide enough and had less volume than I needed in the toes (even with a way-too-long fit). Hikers with narrow to standard-sized feet should be able to get a good fit by sizing up a 1/2 size or full size.
Firmer soles can be comfortable on tougher, rockier trails
Comfort
Comfort has a lot to do with fit, your hiking style, and your personal preferences. As noted above, you're more likely to get a comfortable fit if you don't have wide feet (like me). If you prefer a firmer, less flexible hiking boot, you'll probably find the LOWA Innovo comfortable. The polyurethane midsoles are more durable and environmentally responsible than typical EVA midsoles but not as light and cushy as most hiking boots I've tested and reviewed.
Fast-and-light hikers will find this boot too heavy and rigid, and casual hikers will probably find this boot's "modern athletic" build to be stiffer and less cushioned than expected. As an experienced hiker, I realize that stiffer, firmer hiking boots can take some heat off your feet on tougher hikes. That being said, my hiking feet were a little cranky toward the end of a tough, 12-mile slog with 4000 feet of up and down. Overall, this boot's fit and feel favor experienced hikers with narrower feet who don't prefer more flexible and cushioned footwear.
Testing the LOWA Innovo GTX Mid above 10,000 ft
Weather Protection
The LOWA Innovo GTX Mid offers dependable weather protection for alpine conditions. The waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane stretches above the ankle bone, backing up the weather-resistant leather and synthetic uppers. I tested my pair in 4-inch snow on the Domingo Baca trail and trickles of spring snowmelt in Embudito Canyon. My feet stayed dry—though those conditions admittedly weren't all that wet. Based on my extensive experience with LOWA and with GORE-TEX, I wouldn't hesitate to wear these waterproof hiking boots in snow, rain, and unpredictable alpine weather. Weather protection is another plus.
The lug pattern on the LOWA Innovo GTX Mid
Traction
LOWA opted for its own propietary rubber outsoles for the Innovo GTX Mid. So far, I've liked this tread on sand, scree, light snow, gravel, rough rock, and smooth rock. The rubber is relatively soft, increasing friction on rock. Moderately deep channels between lugs provide some purchase on muddy and snowy trails. I noticed the deep heel brakes helping on steep ascents, which is where most serious falls occur. My test hikes spanned the spectrum of mountain terrain, and the Innovo's traction hasn't shown any serious weaknesses.
Based on early wear patterns, I don't expect this relatively soft rubber to last as long as Vibram outsoles. However, I trust this tread on the types of terrain that have given me the most traction troubles: solid rock and steep descents.
Value
With a MSRP of $225, the Innovo isn't cheap. Made in Europe, LOWAS cost more due to their quality and US trade agreements with the European Union. On the plus side, the Innovo GTX Mid costs $30-40 less than the LOWA Renegade and $24 less than the Scarpa Rush TRK, a similar hiking boot I've tested and reviewed. In my opinion, the price matches the quality—there's value here if this hiking boot fits your feet and matches your hiking style.
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Men's LOWA Innovo GTX Mid
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Women's LOWA Innovo GTX Mid
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LOWA Innovo GTX Mid: Pros and Cons
Before buying the LOWA Innovo, it's worth comparing its pros and cons with what you want from your hiking boots:
Should hikers buy the LOWA Innovo GTX Mid?
The LOWA Innovo GTX Mid is a reasonable option for seasoned hikers who want something less substantial than a full-scale trekking boot for their mountain day hikes and short backpacking trips. Its stability, foot support, weather protection, and traction are all mountain-worthy. However, it's stiffer and heavier than the hiking boots most men and women buy for day hiking. Plus, its slightly narrow fit and firmer midsoles may not feel comfortable unless your feet run smaller and you're accustomed to sturdy, less flexible hiking footwear. Overall, I don't recommend the Innovo for fast and light hikers or casual day hikers. But if this boot fits you well, it's a good match for serious day hikes and shorter backpacking trips in mountainous terrain.
If my LOWA Innovo GTX Mid review has convinced you to buy this premium hiking boot, please consider purchasing it through the affiliate links above. That keeps this site afloat—and gives me a few dollars back for the thousands of unpaid hours I've devoted to testing and reviewing hiking footwear.
If this isn't a good fit for your feet or your hikes, please browse my recommendations for the best hiking boots. If you were expecting the Innovo GTX Mid to be lighter, please see the lightweight hiking boots I recommend. The boots on that list run 12 ounces to 1 pound lighter than the Innovo. You can also browse all of Hiking Feet's hiking boot & shoe reviews for my other first-hand recommendations.
