• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop
Footwear

Cross any terrain with Lowa footwear

January 13, 2019 by Vincent Sylvain Leave a Comment

Cross Any Terrain with Lowa footwear

For years, Lowa has built a reputation as one of the finest boot maker on the market – be it for the hiking enthusiast, alpine professional, or soldier, their product seems to rise to the top of many shopping lists. I recently got a pair of their new Innox GTX Mid from their Task Force military line. The boot itself is a “tactical” version of the civilian Innox, which bears resemblance to their successful Renegade GTX. Much like the Z-8S GTX and Elite Desert, the Innox GTX are well crafted and thought out. They incorporate a genuine GORE-TEX lining throughout the boot to keep your feet dry and healthy for whatever activity you pursue. The Innox, at 920 g, are 200 g lighter than the already light Zephyr.

The Innox TF weigh about half of what my issued boots weight. Using a Speedlace system on the upper part of the boots makes it easier to tie and get the boots as tight as you need them. The outsole is Lowa’s own PU mix which they call NXT. Along with the MONOWRAP 1 TPU stabilizer, they are made to minimize boot torsion and offer maximum cushioning.

I decided to put the Lowa Innox TF through their paces right away with a rather great challenge. I went hiking the Bonds in New Hampshire. To those unfamiliar with these mountains, the round trip is 32 kilometers (20 miles) varying from forested area to rocky ridgelines. I would have a 60-liter pack loaded with water, food, spare clothing and shelter. Not that heavy but still heavy considering the distance I would have to cover and in some places a very steep incline. I was prepared, but knew my legs would feel it.

Cross Any Terrain with Lowa footwear

On the way to the top, I covered roughly 3 miles of flat terrain to get to the foot of the mountains. So far, the boots were really great, soft, offered plenty of grip, and waterproof (a few stream crossing). Then the climb began. I had more than 4 miles of climbing to get to the top of Zealand mountain and later the Guyot campground. Right away, what I found great on the flat terrain, was not so great in the climb.

The softness of the boot meant my ankles shifted from side to side. I was lacking the support I have in my Renegade and old Terrano boots. This is to be expected with a synthetic boot as opposed to leather type boots. Still, they performed very well for a boot that might not have been designed for mountainous terrain with heavy loads.

Later on the trip I would abandon my 60L pack at the campsite and move to Mt Bond and Bondcliff with only my Warrior Assault System pack. The boots were awesome and really stood out for this type of use. With light pack these are the perfect boots for a day hike of around 10 kilometers. Again, I went from forested areas with remains of snow to rocky ridgeline and up to Bondcliff.

Cross Any Terrain with Lowa footwear

Overall, I really enjoyed my first long outing in these boots. I did a couple ruck marches on my own to test the boots on even ground with a load around 50 pounds. They feel like running shoes. I’ve worn these all day long and avoided fatigue to my feet and lower back. If you are looking for a great all around boot, offering stability, grip and overall comfort, this boot is for you. If you are looking for more of a boot dedicated to the mountains with heavy load carrying, don’t worry, Lowa has got you covered with their Mountain Boot GTX CH PT.

Lowa Innox GTX Mid TF Specs

  • Colors: Coyote or Black
  • Sizes Available: US 7.5 – 12, 13, 14
  • Weight: 920 grams
  • Upper Material: Synthetic
  • Outsole Material: LOWA NXT
  • Fit and Sizing: Regular “sporty” sizing. Along the lines of a running shoe
  • MSRP: $215
  • Application: Lightweight combat boot
  • Pros: Lightweight, fair priced, plenty of cushioning
  • Cons: The upper feels soft with heavy rucksack on mountainous terrain.


Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Avatar

About Vincent Sylvain

Primary Sidebar

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

Find Us on Facebook

The Loadout Room

Recent Comments

  • berniyin on Gear in the Wild: Astronaut uncovers relic aboard the International Space Station
  • berniyin on Gear in the Wild: The right gear for chemical attacks (or for when you forget your gym bag in the trunk)
  • berniyin on Gear in the Wild: Divers work to recover bodies of lost WWII bomber crew

Tags

9mm AIR FORCE SPECIAL OPERATIONS AR-15 arms guide CCW concealed carry defense EDC Erik Meisner everyday carry firearms fitness GBGuns gear Glock Guns Handgun Headline loadout room LONG TAB MARSOC Military Navy Seal pistol preparation preparedness PT PT PREP Rex Nanorum Rifle Selection self defense sfas Shooting socom SOF SOF PT sofrep Special Operations SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES Survival TAG thearmsguide Training US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES

Latest From SOFREP

War Stories

You Would Be Amazed at What We Do and Eat in Special Forces Survival Training

SOF

Remembering Pat Tillman, Ranger & NFL Player, Who Was Killed by Friendly Fire

Security

Israel Pounds Syrian Missile Site After It Fires at Israeli F-16

Special Operations

For Decades, US Special Operations Units Copied the British, but Now the Tables Are Turning

© Copyright 2021 SOFREP Media Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers