Thread: LOWA BOOTS

Interesting reading. I’m going to buy a quality set of boots before next winter and was guna get Lowas but now not sure.

Any recommendations? Maybe Bestard or Meindl? Or a model of lowa that work well?

Sorry for the hijack.

Originally Posted by dvk-kp

Interesting reading. I’m going to buy a quality set of boots before next winter and was guna get Lowas but now not sure.

Any recommendations? Maybe Bestard or Meindl? Or a model of lowa that work well?

Sorry for the hijack.

I know alot of shepereds use Andrews and swear by them.
Anyone using Crispi boots

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My lowa z6s have also attributed to a few falls in the creek.

Yes, they were vibram. Slippery as on wet rock as claimed by others.

Recently bought a pair of Lowa Renegade GTX boots - feet were sore from previous Vasque boots that were half a size too big - so found a pair that seemed comfortable in the shop - run out model that was $100 off so seemed even better
Sadly - the tread pattern is quite busy - so they fill with clay and become very slippery in the bush. Looks like they are designed for dry rocky trails. Should have gone back to a smaller size Vasque as the tread pattern is much more open and the clay and mud clears easily.

Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

Yes, they were vibram. Slippery as on wet rock as claimed by others.

Just had a look at my Tibets. The soles are rubber, that dry grippy type like an old car tyre. I looked for a code on the sole but couldn't find one. There is however an 'R' in a circle just off from the yellow 'Vibram' name insert. The 'R' is on the left sole too and at a guess must mean that the sole is Rubber and not PU. The circled 'R' is very small - only about 3mm. Have a look at yours @Ingrid 51 and report.

Originally Posted by time out

Recently bought a pair of Lowa Renegade GTX boots - feet were sore from previous Vasque boots that were half a size too big - so found a pair that seemed comfortable in the shop - run out model that was $100 off so seemed even better
Sadly - the tread pattern is quite busy - so they fill with clay and become very slippery in the bush. Looks like they are designed for dry rocky trails. Should have gone back to a smaller size Vasque as the tread pattern is much more open and the clay and mud clears easily.

No - I made same mistake years back - they only good in the streets
I can get them 2nd hand from Uki for B-all but would sell them for hunters no way
Can buy them new for B-all too - or could did it for a few women
Are they still 400$ odd here ???
Crazy price

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Just had a look at my Tibets. The soles are rubber, that dry grippy type like an old car tyre. I looked for a code on the sole but couldn't find one. There is however an 'R' in a circle just off from the yellow 'Vibram' name insert. The 'R' is on the left sole too and at a guess must mean that the sole is Rubber and not PU. The circled 'R' is very small - only about 3mm. Have a look at yours @Ingrid 51 and report.

Pretty sure ALL Vibram tread sole have that little "R"
Looking at a few I got here all have it stamped on - Lowa - Meindl etc
Its the composite between the tread sole and the inner your foot sits on that is the problem
It's what starts the problems of pushing off the tread sole and rand etc

Talking to Josh James the other day and he made a valid point I had not thought of

Guys sitting around camp fire with boots near in the fire and/or leaving near fire to dry overnight etc - the heat and the moisture starts it off
Sounds a very feasible theory too - as been told by boot repairers and manufactures - humidity is the main course that starts the PU compound expanding and changing its structure state
He seen heaps of fancy boots tread peel

Originally Posted by Sarvo

Pretty sure ALL Vibram tread sole have that little "R"
Looking at a few I got here all have it stamped on - Lowa - Meindl etc
Its the composite between the tread sole and the inner your foot sits on that is the problem
It's what starts the problems of pushing off the tread sole and rand etc

Talking to Josh James the other day and he made a valid point I had not thought of

Guys sitting around camp fire with boots near in the fire and/or leaving near fire to dry overnight etc - the heat and the moisture starts it off
Sounds a very feasible theory too - as been told by boot repairers and manufactures - humidity is the main course that starts the PU compound expanding and changing its structure state
He seen heaps of fancy boots tread peel

Bugger, there goes that theory. But having problems with the mid sole doesn't make the boots slip on rocks ( within reason). As a rule I hate Vibrams and even resoled my fishing boots with rubber Eiger soles. My Tibets are soled with a really good rubber Vibram sole so they do make them, are the Lowa boots sold in NZ fitted with rubber or PU soles ? If PU are they advertised as being Rubber soles ??

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Just had a look at my Tibets. The soles are rubber, that dry grippy type like an old car tyre. I looked for a code on the sole but couldn't find one. There is however an 'R' in a circle just off from the yellow 'Vibram' name insert. The 'R' is on the left sole too and at a guess must mean that the sole is Rubber and not PU. The circled 'R' is very small - only about 3mm. Have a look at yours @Ingrid 51 and report.

I think the small r is for the registered trademark for Vibram. ® like this one.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Are they 'Vibram' soles?. I have seen a pair of Lowas that were 30 years old with genuine Lowa branded soles and the soles were still good. Most of the Vibrams are PU ( polyurethane) and not rubber. That is why they are slippery and why yours disintegrated.

Didnt want to be the first to say about the vibram soles.
Had a pair of (I think)Stony creek greywake with vibram soles. they like plastic.
My mate would laugh his ass off at my antics (dance moves) crossing streams etc.
Ended up canning out with a hind quarters on my back a couple of years ago and stuffed my shoulder.
Took a year to get better but will never be 100%.

Also the breakdown of PU soles is because of hydrolysis. It's a reaction to humidity with the PU. I have been told it happens even quicker when boots are not used very often.
https://www.safetyjogger.com/en/acad...oles-explained

Originally Posted by RUMPY

Also the breakdown of PU soles is because of hydrolysis. It's a reaction to humidity with the PU. I have been told it happens even quicker when boots are not used very often.
https://www.safetyjogger.com/en/acad...oles-explained

Shouldn't that be covered under the consumer's guarantee act?
If our climate trashes them why sell them?

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It happens to all PU soles worldwide I think. I also don't know why they use something that is known to fail.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Bugger, there goes that theory. But having problems with the mid sole doesn't make the boots slip on rocks ( within reason). As a rule I hate Vibrams and even resoled my fishing boots with rubber Eiger soles. My Tibets are soled with a really good rubber Vibram sole so they do make them, are the Lowa boots sold in NZ fitted with rubber or PU soles ? If PU are they advertised as being Rubber soles ??

Correct - nothing to do with that unless they peeling off then you have some fun flip flopping home
I have no proof - but ones that come out of Europe (all retails will say theirs do) have are more bendy/flexi/chewy feel to their Vibram tread.
Today - you cant tell where they from an sure cant believe any labels or promo tags etc today - even our highest ranking officials lies openly like its par for the course today.