Thread: New boots: LOWA Tibet or LOWA GTXs

I usually run the LOWA GTX bush boots which are absolutely fantastic. After a move south last year I decided I needed an alpine boot. I recently purchased some new tibets during Lowas 100 year sale & I’ve been really looking forward to my new mountain boots.

However they’re not as comfy as I thought. They’re giving me a few blisters and are a lot stiffer (which is by design I know) than I’m used to, causing me to slip a bit more on wet rocks and things rocks in the couple times I’ve been out over the past 3 trips

Do they wear in & get a little bit more malleable or do I just continue to use my GTXs in the mountains?

I can suggest playing with lacing and possibly a thicker gell innersole. When i wore out the innersole in mine I put in a set of those yellow and blue gell ones from the chemist shop (I see H & F has them now). Made a big differance for me, reduced the amount of foot movement. Mine are a touch too big as I could not get 1/2 sizes at the time.
Keep them well oiled and cleaned between trips.
Z

I use a well worn in pair of Lowa Tibets and they are pretty comfy and have never had any issues with blisters. I would just wear them more and I think you will find them OK assuming the sizing is correct

Try a sock liner. Bridgedale make them for their socks. Not a must have but I’ve never had a hot spot or blister since using them. Bulks out your foot a little if boot has a bit of space.

Yeah unlike most modern boots they definitely need running in & as ZQL said, a decent set of innersoles makes a world of difference ( the stock ones are complete shit ) & getting your laces right makes a huge difference

They are a very stiff n heavy weight hunting boot ( thats what they are designed as ) & thats why I brought my pair a few years back for South Island Tahr / Tops hunting but yes I was not Impressed when I first got mine, I actually left the tag on - ran clean thick hunting socks around the house & discovered that I'd gone a half size out ( it's a tricky thing with winter boots as you need to run thick or double socks sometimes but this can really fuk up the overall feel of the boot in the real world) I hated mine on their first few missions just to stiff n heavy & then I wore em on a Tahr ballot trip, holy fuk they came alive especially on scree & large rock slips, were awesome - great support n grip

My advice - lace up, decent innersoles, plenty of "Elephant Wax", put some decent K's in & you're be right.

Chur

Just had the same issue with a new pair of boots ( not tibets). Made up a extra inner sole out of 3mm Eva foam that goes under factory inner to tighten up the fit and use bridgedale liner socks.

Mine are bad on wet rocks also, Lowa but not the Tibet’s, when I’ve seen them in action they seem to be fine on the wet rocks, so I’m interested in this aspect also as I am looking at getting some also.

yep, not the most comfortable boot walking on a formed track, but start sidling around on uneven slopes and its like someone has been ahead of you and cut in a step for you on every step. So good for ankle and knee support.
Dare I say they can feel a bit like walking with a lump of wood attached to your feet. but you can stand up square and be stable on a side slope.
Z