[SHOT Show 2020] New LOWA Boots for 2020
Russ Chastain 02.05.20
![[SHOT Show 2020] New LOWA Boots for 2020](/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/lowa-z-8s-gtx.jpg "[SHOT Show 2020] New LOWA Boots for 2020")
At the 2020 SHOT Show, I made my usual stop at the LOWA Boots booth. I don’t even know when it began, but I’ve visited them many times and have reviewed a number of LOWA boots and shoes over the years… in fact, I just received some new LOWAs which I plan to use during spring turkey season.
At the Show, we looked at 5 new made-in-Europe boots and one new shoe; here’s a rundown in no particular order. I particularly liked the locking lace loops on certain models. This lets you snug the boot around your foot while leaving the shaft more relaxed around your ankle.
Camino GTX FG
This is a new full-grain leather version of the Camino GTX boot. Has the LOWA Flex lacing system and X-lacing, with the tongue stud to keep the tongue where it belongs. Waterproof and resoleable.
The VIBRAM® AppTrail outsole provides superb stability and support when carrying heavier loads or traveling over tough terrain.
- Sizes: 7-12, 13, 14
- Color: Dark Brown
- Upper: Full Grain Leather
- Lining: GORE-TEX
- Insole: Climate Control
- Midsole: DuraPU® w/ SPS System
- Outsole: VIBRAM® Apptrail
- Stabilizer: Trekking Medium
- Weight: 1550 grams / 3.42 pounds per pair
- MSRP: $335
R-8S Thermo GTX
R-8S Thermo GTX is a cold-weather boot designed to keep you warm and prevent slipping on ice while providing the strong support of a hard midsole. Locking lace loops allow you to use different tensions between foot and ankle (this should be a really nice feature). Waterproof with an 8-inch shaft.
PU MONOWRAP® frame delivers superb lateral stability and long-lasting underfoot support.
- Sizes: 7-13, 14
- Color: Dark Brown
- Upper: Split Leather
- Lining: GORE-TEX Performance Comfort – Tech Performance
- Insulation: PrimaLoft® 400g
- Insole: ATC
- Midsole: DuraPU®
- Outsole: VIBRAM® Arctic Grip
- Stabilizer: Hard
- Weight: 1270 grams / 2.8 pounds per pair
- MSRP: $300
R-8S Patrol GTX
R-8S Patrol GTX omits the insulation and uses a different sole than the Thermo version above, but is a bit heavier. It retains the locking lace system, so you can snug up your foot without smashing your ankle. The shaft remains at 8 inches, it has the PU MONOWRAP® frame for stability, and of course it’s still waterproof. Patrol is also available in more sizes — up to 15.
The new LOWA Patrol outsole features 5mm deep lugs for excellent traction on dirt and mud.
- Sizes: 7.5-12, 13, 14, 15
- Color: Dark Brown
- Upper: Split Leather
- Lining: GORE-TEX Carbon
- Insole: ATC
- Midsole: DuraPU®
- Outsole: LOWA® Patrol
- Stabilizer: Hard
- Weight: 1316 grams / 2.9 pounds per pair
- MSRP: $275
Renegade II N GTX HI
This new Renegade (I reviewed an earlier, shorter version here) is a tall 8-inch boot to give you more ankle protection/support. It has the same PU MONOWRAP® frame and hard stabilizer of the R-8S models, but lacks the locking lace system; instead, it has “speed hooks” on the shaft, which are always handy for easy on/off. Waterproof.
A new 8” high version of the Renegade GTX Mid, a perennial favorite among early season hunters who want comfort and walkability for long days in the woods & fields.
- Sizes: 7-13, 14
- Color: Dark Brown
- Upper: Mubock Leather
- Lining: GORE-TEX
- Insole: ATC
- Midsole: DuraPU®
- Outsole: LOWA® Patrol
- Stabilizer: Hard
- Weight: 1270 grams / 2.8 pounds per pair
- MSRP: $275
Z-8S GTX
The Z-8S GTX is the boot I will be trying out this spring during turkey season. This is another 8″ shaft boot, and they say it combines walking comfort with support and protection — the perfect combination for miles of walking chasing down gobblers on our hilly and sometimes rocky property. And although I don’t plan to rappel after any thunder chickens, they say the “PU MONOWRAP® construction provides instep protection against rope abrasion” just in case I do.
Mine are Dark Brown. So far I’ve only worn them once during a night on the town (SO fashionable with black jeans), and they felt fine & looked good doing it.
Z-8S combines the walking comfort of a hiking boot with the support and protection of a hard duty, backpacking boot.
- Sizes: 7.5-13, 14, 15, 16 (size range varies by color)
- Color: Dark Brown, Desert, Coyote Op
- Upper: Split Leather & Fabric
- Lining: GORE-TEX
- Insole: ATC
- Midsole: Double Injection DuraPU®
- Outsole: LOWA Cross Duty
- Stabilizer: Mountain Hunting Hard
- Weight: 1450 grams / 3.2 pounds per pair
- MSRP: $340
Explorer GTX Lo
I would call the Explorer GTX Lo a shoe rather than a boot because it lacks any sort of ankle support/protection, but from the ankle down it’s built like a LOWA boot. Available in men’s and women’s sizes, this waterproof athletic trekking shoe has a softer sole for added flex. This style reminds me of my LOWA Maddox Lo GTX TF shoes which I even wore all over the SHOT Show.
This trail shoe blends the best of classic trekking performance with modern comfort technology.
- Mens sizes: 7-12, 13, 14
- Womens sizes (WS version): 5-10.5
- Color: Olive/Grey or Anthracite/Lime (mens)
- Colors: Anthracite/Mint or Navy/Lilac (womens)
- Upper: Split Leather/Fabric
- Lining: GORE-TEX
- Insole: Climate Control
- Midsole: DynaPU®+
- Outsole: VIBRAM® Rock Trac® w/ MegaGrip Rubber Compound
- Stabilizer: Trekking Soft
- Weight: 980 grams / 2.16 pounds per pair (mens)
- MSRP: $200
