I am disappointed. The shoe size was right, but that is its only advantage. The heel counter seems slightly lower than in other models, and in addition the thicker insole means that the heel is hardly held securely at all. The sole is so heavily rubberized around the entire perimeter that even after many kilometers it was impossible to break in the rubber at the flex point while walking. Because the shoe was hard to bend properly and at the same time held the heel poorly, I constantly had the impression that my foot was about to slip out of the shoe. After the next tens of kilometers, the rubber at the flex point softened a little, but then the area around the ankle became even looser. As a result, the heel stopped slipping because of the stiff rubber, but started slipping because of the overly loose area around it. I believe this could easily be avoided if the shoe had a slightly higher collar to hold the heel or a slightly thinner insole.
Lowa Zephyr GTX Low MK2 Shoes - Desert
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- technical data
- features and technologies
- Reviews
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Lowa Zephyr GTX Low MK2 Shoes - Desert
Desert tactical footwear engineered with a lightweight design. Constructed from a blend of tough suede leather and breathable Cordura, these shoes are ideal for both urban environments and off-road adventures.
Gore-Tex membrane, replaceable insole
Engineered with a breathable and waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, moisture from inside is allowed to escape while effectively blocking external water ingress. The insole, which can be replaced, ensures optimal dryness.
X-TRAC Military sole, Lowa Monowrap technology
Secure footing across various terrains is ensured by the cushioned rubber outsole featured in the Lowa X-TRAC Military. Its specially designed tread delivers excellent traction on different surfaces. Incorporation of Slip Resistance technology provides added safety, reducing the risk of slipping on wet and oily ground.
Advanced Lowa Monowrap technology empowers the Zephyr MK2 with outstanding foot support, delivering superior stabilization and effective impact protection.
Quick lacing system, toe and heel protection
Quick lacing is enabled by low-profile lace grommets. Extra layers of material at the toe and heel, together with an overmolded rubber sole section, enhance protection in these high-wear areas.
Main features
- Gore-Tex waterproof membrane
- Constructed from suede leather and Cordura
- Equipped with the X-TRAC Military outsole
- Features the Lowa Monowrap foot support system
- Insole is replaceable
- Incorporates Slip Resistance technology
- Outfitted with a quick lacing system
Militaria.pl is an authorized dealer of Lowa.
Lowa is one of the world's leading tactical and outdoor footwear brands, with more than 100 years of tradition. Its boots are characterized by high durability and a precise fit thanks to the use of advanced materials such as Cordura®, a waterproof Gore-Tex® membrane, and Vibram® soles resistant to intensive use. Production takes place in Europe in accordance with strict quality and environmental standards, and the company maintains ethical standards of cooperation within the Fair Wear Foundation. Lowa also offers the Professional line, among others for the uniformed services, intended for use in difficult field and tactical conditions.
| Shoe height | Low |
|---|---|
| Upper material | Nubuck/suede + synthetic |
| Membrane | Yes |
| Insulating lining | No |
| Mounting method | Lacing |
| Gender | Men's |
| Color/camouflage | Beige hue |
| Main color | Desert |
| Season | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Weight | 1010 g (size 42) |
| Brand | Lowa |
| EAN |
Cordura is a material woven from durable nylon fibers, developed by DuPont. The structure of the material provides lightness and abrasion resistance, as well as weather resistance. Due to its properties, Cordura is widely used in tactical equipment.
Gore-Tex is a thin membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), which features a microporous structure. Its structure makes it highly water- and wind-resistant, as well as breathable. The membrane's pores are 700 times larger than a molecule of water vapor, which allows it to efficiently wick moisture to the outside. Gore-Tex is widely used in the production of outdoor clothing and footwear.
X-Trac Military is a special type of outsole, which, thanks to its design and rubber construction, features anti-slip properties. It provides protection against slipping on slippery, wet and oily surfaces, while maintaining adequate grip.
Monowrap is a three-dimensional shoe sole construction technology developed by Lowa. The combination of an injection-molded polyurethane rubber frame along with an outsole and cushioning foam provides better stability and protection for the foot. The sole form absorbs shock and supports the natural movement of the foot when walking.
Slip Resistance is a technology used in the shoe's sole, which is highly slip-resistant thanks to its special design and rubber compound. It provides slip protection on slippery, wet and oily surfaces, as well as traction on varied surfaces.
Reviews with photos
Review summary
Number of reviews: 33
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Size: 42,5
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N... Review confirmed by purchase
Size: 43,5Very nice shoes. Amazing color. For me, they are comfortable. This is another pair of Lowa shoes that I own. Previously, I had the first version of these shoes and the sole was unpredictably slippery - according to the manufacturer, these have an improved sole. We’ll see. For now, I’ve only been walking on dry surfaces, so it’s hard to judge, but after several 20–30 km hikes, they are doing well.
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A... Review confirmed by purchase
Size: 42,5
Very good sneakers. At first, my heel moved slightly inside the shoe and I had the impression that I had unnecessarily chosen a size half a size too big. Later, however, I laced them using the heel lock method, which kept my heel stable and the problem disappeared. They also performed well on longer routes — everything works flawlessly. My foot does not get tired, and even on uneven ground it feels almost like walking on a smooth surface. While breaking the shoes in, I did not get any blisters; they are truly very comfortable. I definitely recommend them.
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S... Review confirmed by purchase
I definitely do not recommend them. Too many downsides for this price. First of all, they are not suitable for walking on rocky ground. The sole and insole are too thin, so you can feel even small stones through them. For tactical-trekking boots, this is a failure. These shoes are for people with wide feet. A narrow foot has too much space, which is uncomfortable when walking. Personally, I am not a fan of laces in this type of footwear. After tying, you don't know what to do next—cut them off or hide them inside the shoe. I consider the Quicklace lacing system to be much more practical. I have experience with Lowa and Salomon Coyote boots and the difference is huge, definitely in favor of Salomon.
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I am very satisfied, the shoes are extremely comfortable and show high quality, just as I expected. During heatwaves, my feet are only slightly warm, which I really like, because in other shoes I used to feel as if my feet were in an oven. On rocky ground, I don’t feel any discomfort; they are very comfortable and provide good grip – excellent for work where you have to stand and walk a lot. 10/10 – highly recommended.
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h... Review confirmed by purchase
This is my next pair of "Lowa", the second in the mk2 version, this time I went for the "short" ones. Personally, I think it is the most comfortable shoe I have tested so far. If you regularly impregnate the leather, it is a shoe for years. The only drawback with Lowa is that the sole wears out quite quickly (with daily use, sometimes 15 hours a day, after about 1.5-2 years, the tread is missing in critical areas).
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The sports shoes are very comfortable and durable, perfect for everyday use as well as outdoor activities or hiking. Thanks to their low-cut design, they offer greater freedom of movement while also stabilizing the foot well, which gives a sense of security. The GTX membrane effectively protects against getting wet, so you can wear them without worry in rain or on wet surfaces. The sole guarantees excellent grip and works well on various types of terrain. The shoes are made from high-quality materials and it’s clear they are carefully crafted, giving the impression of being solid and reliable. The black color is practical and goes with everything. The only drawback is the price – higher than average, but justified by the quality.
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J... Review confirmed by purchase
My fourth pair of 'Lowa' boots, gen. 2, has improved 'grip' compared to the older version. I use the boots intensively in the forest, fields, and open shooting ranges, and I have no complaints about them. For me, they are number one when it comes to quality and comfort.
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The shoes are quite expensive; it's hard to say if they are worth the price. They seem solid. They fit well on the foot, nice colors. Every year, footwear quality gets worse, but here we have an interesting option and maybe it's worth the risk.
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After years of using various Salomons from the Cross Hike and Speedcross series and occasionally several Merrell models, I decided to give these a try—and I was bitterly disappointed. Completely overrated footwear. Uncomfortable as hell! They are stiff, hard, heavy, and to make it worse, the right one painfully pressed on the base of my two smallest toes with the crease of the upper. Only after around a dozen walks (totaling about 35-40 km of suffering) could I walk in them without horrible pain. Still, it feels like having wooden clogs on your feet, especially compared with other trekking shoes. The sole barely works at all, and interestingly, you can feel every little stone you step on (totally absurd!). When walking off-road, every unevenness you step on gets transferred to your foot because this stiff sole simply doesn't adapt to the ground and instead transmits every bump straight to your foot. :( Another disadvantage of the sole—it slips on almost every wet surface: wet grass, a thin (a few mm) layer of mud, and even wet asphalt if it's not very porous. Not only do the tread elements not dig into the mud, they get clogged quickly, and even on hard surfaces they don't grip enough because the sole is... too hard. And then there’s water... And it's supposed to be GTX. I even bought the dedicated (same brand) impregnation spray. I impregnated totally new shoes (never worn). First walk off-road, with a few steps into wet grass for a few seconds, and 10 minutes later the shoes soaked through. After 40 minutes of walking—wet feet. :( The exact same thing happened to my wife’s shoes (same model, but Mid height). The only plus is the good hold on your foot, but you’ll get that in all good trekking or outdoor running shoes. I have no idea what these shoes are really for... For long walks—they’re too heavy, hard—uncomfortable. For wet terrain—not at all. For any dynamic use in urban areas—no, because they don’t grip well on hard surfaces either. For calm walking on dry pavement? Sure, but… for that use, you can buy much more comfortable and cheaper shoes. :) In summary—NOT RECOMMENDED! If you want comfortable shoes that protect against water and grip ANY terrain well, I recommend the ones I mentioned at the beginning. Stay away from LOWA, because it'll be a waste of money and constant frustration. If anyone from the store staff wants to verify me... Yes—I did return one pair I bought from you (I’d already bought the wife’s before), because it was too big and you didn't have a half size smaller. I got the right size at another store (incidentally, 50 PLN cheaper).
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Comfortable shoes, elegant design, nice color scheme. High quality workmanship. When choosing the shoe size, I followed the foot length in centimeters given in the size chart. A successful purchase.
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If you plan hiking in winter or on icy trails, the grip may be insufficient. Advantages: Stability, durability, protection, and waterproofing. Comfortable even on longer distances and under load.
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They are lightweight and comfortable from the very first kilometers. Extremely comfortable on the first day, no foot pain, but if you plan on hiking in winter or on icy paths, the grip may be insufficient.
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I have been using the MID version until now and I love it. The short ones are a bit different, you need to tie them often. My pair had a lot of white lines from markers, probably from production, on the left shoe. I’ll survive, I’ll get them dirty soon anyway. The breathability of the Zephyrs is present as long as you are on the move.
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Lowa as always - great shoes. Very comfortable and durable, they may seem stiff at first but after breaking in they're perfect. The sizing is similar to the MK1 version and a bit larger, so it's worth trying them on in person.
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