Print This Page
from Telluride, CO on 11/11/2008
These are well made, great looking, excellent boots - just be warned that they run large. I ordered an 8 and they swim - the label lists a US 8 as a European 39 1/2, which is usually more like a 9.
from Hungary on 4/17/2008
I have wide feet, inherited tendency to bunions, operated on some 20 years. I am difficult to shoe, fitting comfortably into a Scholl 38, or British Clarks 5 1/2D. Nearly all shoemakers place the top seams in the wrong place for a wide or bunioned foot, putting pressure on veins and nerves.Also very few get it right at the achilles.
My Lowa is a renegade lady blue, 5 1/2. I did not need to break it in. I could barely believe it, as I was going on a trek in Nepal. I gave up attempting to walk in boots 2 yrs ago on the Spanish Camino, walking the length in 3 yr old Scholl gel active sandals. Over 30 years I have had to give away every boot I have ever bought, including Scarpas.
I hate my feet getting too hot, as I am a great one for running around in sandals as much as possible. I loathe the expected suffering of steaming hot feet over several hours every day, the possible subsequent blisters. I can never guage when a boot will "turn out right", where is the magical entry into the "comfort zone".
This is a superb boot. I do so wish other manufactures could take note, as I feel too few of us are consulted when shoes/boots or sandals are designed - that goes for Teva too - as to where they place the inner front straps! (something which the Australian Lizard seems to have got right!)
This boot was as if I wasn't wearing any. I willingly put my feet into them early every morning, and felt no need to get out of them the next opportune moment for relief. Its light weight is wonderful, giving good ankle support and good grip on fairly rough terrain. I felt no problem around the achilles, where most boots, designed for taller people cause problems, unless a generous dip is designed into it. The top seams of this boot did not aggravate my "modified" bunions, nor did any part press on nerves/veins.
I cannot think of anything negative to say, except that I am already in angst as to whether I will ever find such a good boot again.
I do not think that your firm can understand how much many of us suffer with our feet, and not because we have worn bad shoes. It becomes an incredible problem for those of us who in daily shoes would like something, practicle but feminine (which sometimes Clarks get right, but its last seasons shoes I feel are a disaster). Many of us also seek good sports shoes and boots for a variety of activities and although the market is saturated, there is little expertise in the impersonal godowns where many products are sold. (I bought mine on the perimeter of Budapest) - pure accident that I looked at the Lowa, as it had a generous drop in price as an "end of line".
Obviously I have not worn these boots in slush and mud. Before i wore them I did spray them. I also had small gaiters. But I had no problems in the rain, the grip remained good on rough terrain. I don't know how it would have performed in a deluge, as by then we were in shelter.
I would ask Lowa, not to give up on this design. It truly is a wonderful boot. I intend taking it back to Nepal for a longer trekk.
Truly written with many thanks.