Avoiding Pitfalls: Why I Do Not Recommend LOWA Zephyr

Special Reminder: Please take your trash when camping outdoors.

Ren Wo Xing Outdoor Leisure Supplies (Qiyi Road Flagship Store)

Although various “outdoor wear//style bloggers” are promoting how great these tactical boots are, they are definitely not designed as a professional shoe for outdoor sports!

Next, let’s discuss the differences between tactical boots and hiking shoes, using LOWA’s own comparison (as there are practical differences despite similar designs) and will not mention the similarities.

1️⃣: Lace Lock (Fully Enclosed/Half Enclosed) 🪖 First, let’s talk about the MK2 tactical boots, which feature a fully enclosed lace lock. The fully enclosed application environment includes running, climbing, crawling, rappelling, and in various combat environments, the enclosed lace lock keeps the soldier’s shoes securely tightened, preventing them from coming off and protecting the ankles from injury. Even the new models can hide excess laces within the tongue (to prevent snagging during activities). These are standard designs for many military and tactical boots, which military enthusiasts understand, so I won’t list the various tactical brands here.

🥾 Hiking boots/trekking shoes have half-enclosed open lace locks; don’t underestimate this design. All hiking boots on the market (including mountaineering boots) use an open lace lock design.

Application environment: hiking, all seasons, all terrains. The three open lace locks can be quickly adjusted to the appropriate height of the lace binding according to different terrains and temperatures (for regular gentle mountain paths and grasslands in summer, you can lower the binding to speed up heat dissipation).

For technical routes, rocky slopes, wading, winter, and rainy seasons, you can tie the laces high to increase warmth and enhance ankle protection. If the shoes are waterproof and breathable, they can still be worn in summer, opening the ankle laces without causing stuffiness.

Another important point: if you get injured outdoors, the open lace locks allow for quick and easy removal for emergency treatment.

2️⃣: Sole (Wear Resistance/Traction) Any professional hiking boots, aside from the standard Gore-Tex, must have a Vibram sole! The Vibram sole is recognized as the ideal sole choice in the outdoor world, on par with Gore-Tex as a material. It ensures that the shoe maintains effective traction and slip resistance even after prolonged wear during hikes.

If you carefully observe the depth of the grooves on the soles of the two LOWA shoes in the above images, you can judge their traction performance.

👌Conclusion: LOWA tactical boots are only suitable for simple light hiking, short-distance, and training. If you have climbing, heavy loads, crossing, or intense hiking, LOWA’s tactical boots’ soles cannot withstand it. The first choice should be Vibram; you can choose LOWA’s professional hiking boots. 💡 If you have a certain distance and intensity on the route, you must choose shoes that are a half or full size larger, as your feet will swell~

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Ren Wo Xing Outdoor Store：Opposite the entrance of the underground parking lot at the north of Huayuan Street, Qiyi South Road 13037006006

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★