Lightweight isn't a word that you associate with Lowa boots all that often. The company has always skewed more towards durability and support, rather than courting those hikers and backpackers who are looking to go fast and light on the trail. That has changed somewhat in recent years, as the footwear manufacturer has introduced some newer models that are a bit more svelte, at least by Lowa standards. Thankfully, those efforts have been successful in bringing lighter boots and shoes to the market, without compromising boot maker's decades-long tradition of creating shoes that are as tough and rugged as they are performant. So it was with that in mind that I was eager to test out the Lowa Alpine SL GTX mountaineering boot, which looks to take the brand in new directions in terms of weight and capabilities.
When I was asked to test the Alpine SL GTX, I knew that I was getting my hands on one of Lowa's newest mountaineering boots, which was enough to get be excited long before they ever arrived at my front door. But when I took them out of the box, I thought there had to be a mistake. These boots were much lighter than I expected, tipping the scales at 550 grams (1.2 pounds) each. That probably seems like a lot for someone who hits the trail in running shoes or light hikers, but for an alpine boot, that is indeed quite lightweight. Fortunately, there was no mistake and this boot lives up to the hype. It is a fully-featured, fully-capable, high altitude boot that is comfortable to wear and yet still manages to continue the Lowa legacy of creating very durable footwear for use in the outdoors.
To create this boot, Lowa collaborated with alpinist David Göttler, who is amongst the best and most experienced mountaineers in the world. Göttler has summited multiple 8000-meter peaks, including Gasherbrum II, Dhaulagiri, and Lhotse. He has also climbed Fitz Roy in Patagonia, Nuptse in Nepal, and has made winter ascents on the Eiger, Grand Jorasses and the Matterhorn, amongst numerous other major expeditions. In short, he's a guy who knows his way around the mountains and brings some perspective on how our footwear should perform there. His goal in working with Lowa was to create a lightweight trainer/acclimatization boot for use at high altitude. Those efforts resulted in the Alpine SL GTX.
But to make this innovative boot possible, Lowa had t get creative. The company designed a new fabric that it calls Lowa Reptex, which is made from a poly-urethane derived material that has been engineered to mimic the scales of a reptile. This not only gives the boot its unique look and feel, bit also provides a durable, abrasion-resistant upper that is extremely lightweight too. It has the added benefit of feeling more flexible and supportive on your foot as well.
As you would expect, the Alpine SL GTX comes equipped with all of the components you need for use in the mountains. That includes a waterproof lining courtesy of Gore-Tex and an outsole made by Vibram. Both of which help to give this boot a high level of performance, with the Gore-Tex liner keeping feet warm and dry, while still nicely venting excess heat. Meanwhile, the outsole is the Vibram Alp Trac SL, which was specifically built for Lowa. It offers surprisingly agile climbing on the vertical, excellent stability on a variety of surfaces, and the ability to shed excess mud, dirt, and snow from the tread.
While these third-party materials help give the Alpine SL GTX added capabilities, as is typical with Lowa the boot is more than the sum of its parts. Reading the spec sheet for the boot, you'll see things listed like a "Synthetic/Microfiber" upper, an EVA midsole, and "Mountaineering Hard" stabilizers. That, in addition to the Gore-Tex liner and Vibram sole, all come together to create high-performance footwear. But it is Lowa's meticulous design and construction that help those jumble of parts to come together in a seamless fashion. The result is a boot that is built to last and can take you into the most rugged terrain imaginable, short of scaling an 8000-meter peak.
In the field, the Alpine SL GTX performs even better than the spec sheet would lead you to believe. While a bit stiff out of the box, they break in relatively quickly, providing a high level of support in all the right places. And while I'm the first one to admit that every boot and shoe feels different on each individual's foot, I found these boots to be extremely comfortable, particularly for something designed for use in alpine environments. Their lightweight allows you to remain quick and agile throughout your climb and reduces fatigue after a long day on the trail. The boots are also as durable as you would expect from Lowa, shrugging off any manner of threats, including the occasional scuffing from rocks and crampons.
As you can probably tell, I'm super-impressed with what the Lowa Alpine SL GTX brings to the table. It is remarkably lightweight and athletic for a boot built for the mountains. That level of performance doesn't come cheap however, with this boot priced at $440. That is more expensive than what most people are willing to pay for a pair of boots, but then again the Alpine SL GTX isn't mean for most people. This is a shoe that is overkill for day hiking and backpacking, but is instead meant for epic mountaineering ventures that are as demanding on the climber as they are the gear that he or she is using. For those people, this boot is worth every penny, and then some.
For more information on the Lowa Alpine SL GTX, click here.