Lowa MK2 GTX Combat Boots - Black

I bought these shoes and I am absolutely satisfied with them – they are one of the best tactical shoe models I have ever worn! From the beginning, I was impressed by the quality of workmanship and materials used – the upper is made of very durable full-grain leather, and the sturdy, rubberized toe and heel caps give the impression that the shoes will really handle tough terrain conditions and heavy use.

m... Review confirmed by purchase

100%

14.01.2026

Review for model:

I was pleasantly impressed by the quality of the materials and the way they were made, hoping they will last a long time. I chose the size according to the footbed sketch, but they turned out to be about 10mm larger. Considering that I will wear them in winter and use thick socks, they fit well. The foot sits comfortably, so I can go on long hikes without discomfort. I had two days with snow and unusually cold weather, and I wore them at work out of curiosity. I felt very stable. Indeed, after a few days of use, they mold better to the foot.

I... Review confirmed by purchase

40%

12.01.2026

Review for model:

In the summer they are hot, and in the winter cold. The sole of the shoe was made of rubber that wore out after six months. It was the same with the Lowa Zephyr GTX models after a year of use. Magnum boots, used for 9 years, have only minimal signs of wear on the sole. Lowa won't last even 2 years.

p... Review confirmed by purchase

100%

25.12.2025

Review for model:

The shoes are very comfortable. They seem heavier than they actually are. The shoe sole works great. I don't recommend long walks without breaking in the shoes first. I have wide feet, and after a one-and-a-half-hour first walk, I thought my foot would fall off, but after breaking them in, they are very comfortable. You just need to lace them up properly.

I've been using them for 7-8 months, the boots are comfortable and waterproof but wear out very quickly, the brown color has disappeared from the inside and I'm worried they might start leaking there soon, but for now they haven’t. I received them with a torn loop for the elastic at the upper part, but I didn't complain because that's a minor issue. After two months, the rubber toe guard started to come off, but for now, it’s only slightly torn. On the plus side, as mentioned above, they are comfortable and still waterproof for now. At +33 degrees, I had no problem walking 10-30 km, and at 0 degrees they’re okay, though it depends on the sock. After about 30-40 km marches in the mountains I had no blisters, chafing, or abrasions. The sole is very good for mountain trails; there was no problem with grip even in the rain, and on ice it was slippery—just like any other boots, no difference. Overall, the boots are good, I recommend them, but 4 stars because after 7-8 months of intensive use they already look as if they are 5 years old, if not worse.

I bought the Lowa Combat Boot MK2 GTX boots a year and a half ago. These boots performed very well in field conditions with almost daily use. After a few months of wearing, I bought another pair of these boots for a change. I have 2 pairs and, when possible, I alternate them every other day to dry them better. These are some of the best boots for rainy and cold weather (fall-winter-spring) and also work well for not-so-hot summer days. Over a few years in the armed forces, I’ve realized that boots for wet and cold weather should meet certain criteria. The Lowa Combat Boot MK2 GTX boots meet these criteria: 1. Smooth leather. For cold and wet weather, footwear made from smooth (full grain) leather is better than nubuck or suede. I used shoe cream on the smooth leather and it absorbs less water. At night, when it gets colder, rain or wet snow doesn't soak in as much, the leather doesn't freeze, and it doesn’t crack. Also, a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane may wear out over time and could start letting in water, but smooth leather adds extra water protection. Boots made from smooth leather are also easier to clean from mud than suede ones. 2. Waterproof, breathable membrane (like Gore-Tex or something similar). For fall-winter-spring, it's best to get boots with a membrane. For summer, it's better to wear boots without a membrane so they breathe better, don't make your feet sweaty, and dry faster. 3. Height of 8 inches (20 cm). You often have to run through mud, snow, grass, bushes, sand, and trenches—if boots are only 6 inches high (15 cm), all kinds of stuff gets inside the shoe. 4. Metal lace eyelets. Metal eyelets don’t tear on barbed wire or broken glass on the ground, unlike fabric ones. If the boots use metal hooks instead of eyelets, the hooks can snag on branches or laces, etc. Boots with metal eyelets are faster to put on in an emergency or to quickly step outside without tying the laces. 5. Toe protection (a plastic or rubber cap). 6. Not slippery. Compared to others, they are not slippery on packed snow, ice or wet rocks. 7. Comfortable. The sole is soft and comfortable. 8. Minimum number of seams, which is a positive feature for field conditions—fewer places where they can tear. A few more thoughts: For winter, it's better to get boots half or one size larger than summer boots to allow for two merino wool socks or a single thick one. This way, your foot isn’t squeezed and there’s good blood circulation. If the boot presses your foot, it gets colder in winter. As for insulation in winter boots, personally I prefer boots without insulation. Insulation absorbs sweat from your foot and takes longer to dry, and sometimes in combat conditions there’s nowhere to dry for long periods. Insulation can also pick up bad odors. I wear one or two pairs of socks (depending on outdoor temperature) with non-insulated boots. Socks can be taken off and dried faster than boots with insulation.

Shoes tested in field conditions: forest, mud, snow, and swamp. Comfortable and lightweight, most importantly waterproof. In winter, they are not cold, at least when wearing winter socks. They look nice and even cleaning is not too bad.

Boots tested in field conditions: in the forest, mud, snow, and swamp. Comfortable and lightweight, most importantly waterproof. In winter, they are not cold, at least with winter socks. They look nice, and cleaning is not too bad.

I bought the Lowa Combat Boot MK2 GTX boots a year and a half ago. These boots have proven themselves very well in field conditions with almost daily use. After a few months of wearing, I bought another pair of these boots as a spare. I own 2 pairs of footwear and, if possible, swap them every other day so that they dry better. These are some of the best boots for rainy and cold weather (autumn-winter-spring) and they are also good for not too hot summer. Over several years in the defense forces, I have realized that boots for wet and cold weather must have the following criteria. And the Lowa Combat Boot MK2 GTX meets these criteria: 1. Smooth leather. For cold and wet weather, footwear with smooth (full grain) leather is better, rather than nubuck or suede. I treated the smooth leather with shoe cream and the leather absorbed less water. And at night, when it gets colder, rain or wet snow does not soak the leather as much and it doesn’t freeze, and the leather does not crack. Also, the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane may eventually wear out and let water in, whereas smooth leather adds water resistance. Boots made from smooth leather are easier to clean from mud than boots made from suede leather. 2. Waterproof, breathable membrane (Gore-Tex or similar). For autumn-winter-spring it is better to get footwear with a membrane (Gore-Tex). For summer, it's better to get footwear without a membrane, so they breathe better, don't make your feet sweat, and dry faster. 3. Height of 8 inches (20 cm). You have to run through mud, snow, grass, bushes, sand, trenches, and anywhere, and if the boots are low (6 inches, 15 cm), all kinds of debris gets inside the boot. 4. Metal eyelets-loops for laces. Because metal eyelets-loops will not tear on barbed wire or glass or debris on the ground, unlike fabric ones. If there are metal hooks instead of eyelets, the hooks can get caught on branches and laces, etc. Also, boots with metal eyelets-loops are faster to put on during an alarm or to quickly slip your foot in and run out the door or from the bunker outside without tying your laces. 5. Toe protection (rubber or plastic overlay). 6. Not slippery. Comparatively not slippery on packed snow and ice and wet rocks. 7. Comfortable. Soft and comfortable sole. 8. Minimum seams is a positive thing for field conditions. Fewer places where they can tear. A few more thoughts: For winter, it is better to take a half or one size larger than summer. So that you can wear two merino wool socks or one thicker merino wool sock. And so your foot is not compressed and circulation in the foot is not hindered. If the footwear is too tight, your feet get colder in winter. As for insulation in winter footwear — personally, I prefer boots without insulation. Because the insulation absorbs sweat and dries longer. And in combat conditions, sometimes there is nowhere to dry them well. Also, insulation acquires a bad odor. I wear 1 or 2 socks (depending on the outside temperature) in boots without insulation. And socks are easier and quicker to dry than boots with insulation.

Great shoes, very stiff, I am very satisfied with them. They've already been with me in the mountains, where they performed excellently, though it's definitely good to break them in beforehand.

Solid shoes made of good quality leather. I have been using them for about a year now and nothing has happened. My feet don't sweat even in very hot weather. They are quite stiff. The lacing system works very well. The soles are quite hard. For comfort, you need to use soft insoles. The original insole is quite hard.

Great boots; I use them in the Territorial Defense Forces instead of the MON-issued ones, they don't soak through, much more comfortable (though the new MON ones can also be decent, but it depends on your foot) – overall expensive, but I recommend.

I've used them for 7 months. The shoes are phenomenal. Whether it's -12°C or +10°C, it makes no difference. I've been with them in the mountains, forests, even in water up to 2/3 of the shoe. They performed. The leather is truly resistant to abrasions. The laces are like gold to me: soaked, dirty, pulled, and nothing happens to them. After cleaning, they look like new. After 28 hours, my foot is healthy. Marching 15 km in the mountains is no problem. Winter and early spring camping is no issue. I honestly recommend them to anyone active outdoors.

The shoes are very comfortable. They seem heavier than they actually are. The sole works brilliantly. I don't recommend long marches without breaking them in first. I have a wide foot and after an hour and a half of the first walk I thought my foot would fall off, but after breaking them in they're very comfortable. You just have to lace them well.

The first pair was terrible, grade 3 maybe 4 category. The shoes are comfortable, but you have to fit and lace them up well, just adjust them for yourself. I don't know how they'll hold up after prolonged use. LoWa Zephir turned out to be weak even though they weren't used in tough conditions. I'm losing trust in the Lowa brand, and Militaria could check the goods you send to clients better. If these don't work out, Lowa won't get a third chance.