Lowa Innox Evo Low Shoe Review
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First Impressions of The Lowa Innox Evo Lo
Let’s just say that I am super stoked to put these Lowa Innox Evo to the test. I have numerous mountain trips and adventures planned for the late summer and fall. These lightweight hiking shoes fall into Lowa’s ‘Speed Hiking” category which is a perfect classification and description. I like to mix it up when it comes to my athletic passions and outdoor adventures. Running seems to rise above the rest, and I probably average anywhere from 20 to 50 miles per week depending on the training cycle. As I have ventured deeper and higher into the mountains, this passion has been transferred into trail running. And not just any trails, but a mission to peak bag and claim Colorado’s famous Fourteeners. Here is where these Lowa Innox Evo’s will be put to the test.
Upper of The Lowa Innox Evo Lo
The lining has a breathable Quick-drying polyester to efficiently dry your feet with air flow. I crossed a few streams on my treks, and wasn’t too concerned with some splatter and a temporary wet foot. They dried fairly quickly. I wouldn’t go slogging through snowfields and hours of rain, but the occasional shower is not a problem And the ‘Lo’ aspect of the shoe does speak to me. The stability factor does have to be considered, but many high top hikers don’t work well for me. I have had my fair share of ankle benders, and although it might seem obvious that more support would be beneficial, it actually has the opposite effect. Continued trail use has strengthened my ankles and provided some nice elasticity to absorb some awkward landings. Hence, the Lowa Innox Evo Lo are a good candidate!
The upper is clean and the lacing stretches and works nicely with the shape of your foot.
Midsole
The official technical lingo is that it has a Dual density midsole constructed from DynaPU with a MONOWRAP Frame. That translates into a simply designed one piece midsole that is super flexible to really help you absorb the terrain. The footbed is constructed with climate control in mind to keep your feet dry.
Lowa has added a new foam that will last longer with great cushioning material for extra comfort.
Profile shot showing the monowrap frame. As well as a definite low ankle cut.
Outsole of The Lowa Innox Evo Lo
Constructed from a lightweight Enduro Evo, these guys are really light. I have numerous hiking boots and trail running shoes, and these would compete well in the running category.
Here’s what I want from a hiking shoe; Grip. It rises above other features to allow me to go up and down with confidence. As I get above the tree line in high alpine conditions, it is a rocky mess, and jumping from boulder to boulder is quite common. With good grip and a variety of tread patterns these Innox Evo Lo were a welcome companion as I pretended to dance like a mountain goat.
Harder compressed EVO in the center for a longer life, and save you from sharper rocks.
Performance
I have used plenty of trail running shoes to reach the top of 25 fourteeners that fall within the Class 1 and Class 2 range. The trail running shoes I’ve used are comfortable, but I quickly shred or wear down the sole, obviously affecting the durability and lifespan. Running is all relative depending on your fitness, technical climbing, and angle of ascent. The trouble is when you start to hit the more challenging class 3 climbs, the going gets much tougher. You encounter large bouldering, a bit of scrambling through couloirs, climbing over steep rocks, and traversing over narrow ledges with exposure that are not for the faint of heart. One wrong step and you die. Grip, comfort, and durability are a necessity at this point.
Envious of the goats and their ability to scale near vertical walls.
At a mere 710 grams, these Lowa Innox Evo Lo’s are truly a delight to take on a variety of trails from easy up to some technical advanced terrain. I even ran many downhill sections, and did not experience any sliding or hot spots.
The Lowa Innox Evo Lo became my go-to all around shoe around our Airstream Camping site. Super comfortable and it was like wearing comfy slippers.
Technical Specifications
- UPPER: Seamless Synthetic
- LINING: Breathable Quick-drying Polyester
- FOOTBED: Climate Control
- MIDSOLE: DynaPU® with MONOWRAP® Frame
- OUTSOLE: Enduro Evo
- STABILIZER: 3/4 length, Medium
- WEIGHT: 710 grams
Final Thoughts on The Lowa Evo Innox Lo
They come in a handful of colors, but for the most part they are slightly muted with nothing overly flashy about them. Which is fine by me. With good use, mud, dirt, trail wear, and rock scuffs usually nullify colorful highlights anyway. If you want an all around option for your outdoor adventures, the Lowa Evo Innox Lo is a top contender. Foot fitting, breathable, and lightweight with a solid bottom sole to protect your feet will allow you to tackle most hiking trails. I even wore them on a more technical rock scrambling hike, and appreciated the grip. At $145 these are at a medium price point, but the quality and comfort will be well worth it.
For more information and purchase please visit: www.moosejaw.com/lowaboots.
MSRP: $145
