Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > LOWA Lynnox Lowcut Trail Shoes > Test Report by Marina Batzke

LOWA LYNNOX GTX LO WS
TEST SERIES BY MARINA BATZKE
LONG-TERM REPORT
October 21, 2019

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

I converted from day hiking and car camping to backpacking in 2013. My backpacking trips are one or two weekend excursions per month in Southern California. The locations range from Joshua Tree National Park desert areas in the cooler months to mountainous elevations in the summer months. I always hike with a group and like the gear talk in camp. While I am looking for ways to lighten my pack, I am not an ultra-lighter: I like sleeping in a tent with a sleeping bag on a comfortable pad. In January 2017, I added snowshoeing to my winter activities.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: LOWA Boots, LLC.
Year of Manufacture: 2019
Country of Origin: Slovakia
Manufacturer's Website: http://lowaboots.com
MSRP: US$195.00
Listed Weight: 1.65 lb per pair (750 g)
Measured Weight of US 8.5 EU 40 received: 1.46 lb per pair (660 g)
Other details:
12 available Sizes from 5.5 to 11 in half-size increments
3 Color Combinations: Blue/Rose. Wine Red/Mandarine. Black/Nude.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

LOWA's Lynnox GTX Lo are low-cut all-terrain sport women's shoes. When I pulled the two shoes out of the shoebox that they had arrived in, they felt super light in my hands. I received what LOWA calls the Blue/Rose colored shoes in size US 8.5.

The Lynnox GTX Lo's upper fabric is blue colored with a light blue box pattern. I only see the rose color used for the name LOWA on each shoe's outside. On each fabric side, the shoe has five diagonal plastic stripes. Going further down, next comes a midsole line of dark blue, followed by light grey. The outsole is near-white colored with widely spaced lugs that shall provide better traction on loose terrain. The toe box is dark grey polyurethane.

Top right shoe outside, bottom left inside

The shoe's upper material is seamless synthetic, made of a single-section fabric to avoid stitching that could cause friction and irritation. When I slide my fingers along the heel cup on the inside of the shoes, sure enough there is no seam that could cause shaving or a blister.

The shoe laces are round yarn-type. Each shoe lace is guided through one front fabric loop with the tradename GORE-TEX embroidered and next through four fabric eyelets on each side. The top hole is not a fabric eyelet but a hard-plastic hole. The tongue is sewn-in up to the second eyelet.

The shoe lining is GORE-TEX Invisible Fit Technology that bonds the GORE-TEX membrane directly to the upper.

The Lynnox GTX Lo has a MONOWRAP Stability Frame that envelopes the foot and provides support. The midsole is a double injection DynaPU [polyurethane foam] with shock absorbing zones. The outsole is LOWA Trail Trac rubber. LOWA describes this new Lynnox as having an outsole with deeper, more widely-spaced lugs which shall provide improved traction on loose terrain.

top and bottom view

left insole upper, right bottom view

The Lynnox GTX Lo has an 0.39 in = 10 mm heel drop. The heel-to-toe drop is the difference in shoe height where my foot rests from the heel to toe. Trail runners for rugged trails often have an 0.31 - 0.39 in = 8 to 10 mm heel drop.

The ATC Climate Control Footbed insole is not glued in but I can pull it out to remove dirt and to air out the shoe.

LOWA describes the Lynnox GTX Lo as waterproof, windproof and breathable.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

100% vegan. The LOWA Lynnox GTX Lo are not resoleable.

Inside the shoe box that the shoes arrived in, there was a 16-page brochure with product care tips in German, English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Chinese and Italian. The care tips are not specifically written for these all-terrain sport shoes but for outdoor and trekking boots in general: many points relate to leather footwear.

I summarize for my synthetic fabric shoes that I shall always air them out after use and allow them to dry by removing the insoles, even during multi-day trips. Should the shoes be soiled heavily, I shall clean them with a brush and with warm water, if available.

Attached to the right shoe was a GORE-TEX hang-tag, guaranteeing to keep my feet dry.
Also attached was a small Quality Booklet that explains the uppers of the Lynnox is textile and other materials, the lining is textile, the insole cover is textile and finally the outsole is rubber. This small booklet again gives the Care Instructions in seven languages. It also lists the LOWA locations around the world. The booklet also explains how I can become a member of LOWA FOOTPRINT, a portal for outdoor enthusiasts.

WARRANTY:
LOWA boots are warranted to be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of 12 months from the date of purchase.

TRYING IT OUT

I received the Blue/Rose colored shoes in size: UK 6.5; EU 40; US 8.5; Japan 252. I put on my summer hiking socks and slipped my feet into the shoes. In the back, the shoes have a fabric loop that allows me to pull the shoe over my heel. This loop is well-sized and allows me to easily slide in a finger.

I tightened the shoe laces and the shoes felt too big. When I lift my big toe, it does not even reach into the dark-grey toe box. I walked around a little inside my home but I could not get a good feel for the shoes. Since they are too big, my foot lacks full support. I will reach out to the manufacturer for consultation on proper shoe sizing.

notice my big toe to left of toe box

SUMMARY

The LOWA Lynnox GTX Lo are a lightweight all-terrain sport shoe designed specifically for women.

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Yosemite National Park, California, USA
4 day/ 3 night backpack: 15 mi (24 km)
Elevation: 8560 - 10200 ft (2600 - 3100 m)
Muddy trails. Plenty of snow remnants on ground.
Temperature: 68 - 36 F (20 - 2 C)

Mt. Pinos - Sawmill Mtn - Grouse, Los Padres National Forest, USA
2 day/ 1 night backpack: 11 mi (18 km)
Elevation: 8500 - 8850 ft (2590 - 2700 m)
Good trail conditions: mostly forest floor, few rocks.
Temperature: 75 - 57 F (24 - 14 C)

San Jacinto, Southern California, USA
2 day/ 1 night backpack: 11 mi (18 km)
Elevation: 8500 - 10800 ft (2590 - 3300 m)
Extremely rocky, uneven trail conditions.
Temperature: 67 - 57 F (19 - 14 C)

Cooper Canyon Falls, San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, USA
2 day/ 1 night backpack: 10 mi (16 km)
Elevation: 5700 - 6400 ft (1740 - 1950 m)
Mostly rocky trail, sometimes forest floor trail.
Temperature: 80 - 50 F (27 - 10 C)

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

I received the Size 8 (EUR 39) LOWA Lynnox shoes just two days ahead of my longer Yosemite backpacking trip. I tried the shoes on with a pair of blister-resistant socks that I already own: the size 8 Lynnox fit and I wore them around the office for two days to get used to them. One of our Yosemite backpacking trip leaders alerted us the day before our trip that we would encounter plenty of snow to hike on and have bustling creeks to cross from all the snow melt, compared to crossing just a trickle in dry years. I therefore took along an additional pair of hiking boots to complement the LOWA Lynnox in case conditions exceeded what they were intended for.

We started from Tuolumne Meadows, encountered rather muddy trails and had to move up North facing slopes with a lot of snow. I wore the other boots with their tall height of 7 in (17.8 cm) from sole bottom to top of scree collar to avoid getting snow or mud into my boots. I changed into the Lynnox trail runners for a creek crossing, about twenty feet (6 m) distance through freezing cold water. On the other creek side, I stuck the Lynnox into a plastic bag and attached it to my pack outside. We had to cautiously scale up the snow fields to the pass, make it across the 10200 ft (3100 m) snowy high point and were happy that the south facing slopes were mostly snow-free. Here the water was gargling down the slopes and in many spots the trail was either muddy and up to a foot (30 cm) under water.

Once in camp, I took the insole out of the LOWA Lynnox and displayed both the shoes and insoles to the afternoon sun to air-dry. While closely handling the Lynnox, I noticed that on the right shoe, the sole showed a 0.39 in (1 cm) long opening. The spot did not show any scrapes or scratches to think this was caused by a rock. This is a manufacturer's defect in my opinion.

see hole

The next morning, the Lynnox were dry and I wore them on our 3 mi (5 km) day hike to a nearby lake. For the hike back to Tuolumne Meadows, a repeat of the muddy trails and up - then down the pass with all the snow, I again wore the other high boots.

My next backpack was on mostly forest floor, smooth trail surface with only occasionally rocks. I noticed that the Lynnox shoe laces are somewhat slippery. After a couple of miles of hiking, my foot seemed to move inside the Lynnox. I had to re-tighten the shoe laces, really pulling the shoe laces up and closing them with a double-knot. I have a rather projecting, high bone on both foot insteps and the more I tighten the shoe laces to prevent my foot from moving inside the shoe, the more pressure I apply to the projecting bone. I also noticed that the shoe tongues seem to shift to the side. When I put the Lynnox on and each time I re-tighten the shoe laces, I position the tongues straight up. After some hiking distance when I look at the shoes again, the tongues have shifted to the side. It seems the tongues are not sewn in correctly.

shoe tongues shift to the side

Aug 18 Left Tongue noticeably shifted

Aug 18 red circle shows hole - front lugs quite worn

My next two backpacks were on truly rocky, uneven trails. I had to carefully watch my steps. When I now prepared for my Field Report, I noticed how worn away the lugs are particularly in the front section of the shoe soles. I guesstimate approximately 47 mi (76 km) of hiking. For this distance, the wear is extreme.

On the positive side, the LOWA Lynnox are breathable. I never have moist socks. I usually do not carry camp shoes. The low-cut Lynnox and their breathability make it easy to wear the shoes all day hiking and into the evening in camp until bedtime.

SUMMARY

The LOWA Lynnox GTX Lo are lightweight trail shoes for women.

LIKES:
lightweight
breathable

DISLIKES:
0.39 in (1 cm) slash at sole after just the shortest use time
slippery shoe laces don't maintain their hold
shoe tongues shift to the side
front lugs show extreme wear after approx. 47 mi (76 km)

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Mt. Pinos, Los Padres National Forest, California, USA
1 day Navigation outing: 4 mi (6 km)
Elevation: 8300 ft (2530 m)
Mostly off-trail on forest floor
Temperature: 60 - 40 F (16 - 4 C)

Henninger Flats, Angeles National Forest, USA
2 day/ 1 night backpack: 6 mi (10 km)
Elevation: 1900 - 2600 ft (580 - 800 m)
Gravel fire road
Temperature: 66 - 55 F (19 - 13 C)

Inyo National Forest, California, USA
3 days of dayhikes: 22 mi (35 km)
Elevation: 9850 - 10300 ft (3000 - 3140 m)
On trail; surfaces ranging from forest floor to sticks & stones
Temperature: 68 - 50 F (20 - 10 C)

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

In addition to the before mentioned outings, I have worn the LOWA Lynnox GTX Lo shoes on afternoon hikes in the local hills and on evening workouts walking from home to the beach.

The LOWA Lynnox are lightweight and generally comfortable to wear. The two years before this test, I had worn ankle-high leather hiking boots. So it was quite a switch for me from ankle-high foot-hugging boots to low-cut, lightweight trailrunners. Throughout this 4-month test phase, I had about five split-second concerns where it flashed through my mind that I am about to twist my foot. Yet each time I caught myself and I stayed injury-free throughout the test phase.

I have successfully walked through shallow water with the LOWA Lynnox. During the recent trip to Inyo National Forest, I had several creeks to cross and while stepping on rocks, water gushed along the sides of the shoes: my feet stayed dry. The water did not reach into the shoe lace opening but just along the sides of the shoes. The shoe upper looked wet but my socks were dry.

creek crossing

LOWA Lynnox after 4 months

Throughout the test period, I did not get any blisters, yet I want to mention that I cannot remember the last time I got a blister as my feet generally do not blister. Even after a longer hike, my socks were never moist when I pulled the shoes off at the end of a hiking day. So the LOWA Lynnox breathe well.

A few things I do not like that much about the shoes:
The shoe laces are slippery. When I put on the shoes at the trailhead, I pull the laces really tight and close them with a double knot. 15 - 30 minutes into the hike, the shoes seem to be loosening, as if the slippery laces give. I have to re-tighten the laces or my feet start to shift in the shoes. On a couple of occasions, a shoe lace came loose, maybe because my double-knot was not firm or tight enough.

The tongues on both the left and the right shoe shift. Predominantly the left shoe tongue shifts to the left just minutes into a hike. At that time, the softer mesh center is shifted that far to the left that the firm edge of the tongue pokes into my foot.

Lug sole showing excessive wear

See the lug that fell off

The rubber soles are showing heavy wear. I even found a piece of rubber lug on the entryway floor. I only started wearing the LOWA Lynnox in early July and now in October, the rubber soles look pretty worn.

SUMMARY

The LOWA Lynnox GTX Lo are lightweight, water resistant trailrunners for women.

LIKES:
lightweight
breathable
kept my socks dry in shallow water

DISLIKES:
0.39 in (1 cm) slash at sole after just the shortest use time
slippery shoe laces don't maintain their hold
shoe tongues shift to the side
lug soles show extreme wear after approx. 90 mi (145 km)

Thank you to LOWA and BackpackGearTest.org for this testing opportunity. This concludes this test series.

Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > LOWA Lynnox Lowcut Trail Shoes > Test Report by Marina Batzke