When it comes to hiking and mountaineering shoes, I prefer an all-terrain shoe that has the capability of keeping my ankles unbroken, while keeping my feet cool and comfortable. This requires a special build of shoe that protects the foot from the outside, but allows for a breathable experience on the inside. The outer fabric must be strong, typically Gore-Tex, and the tread must be thick and dynamically designed to allow for optimum traction. Because if you’ve ever spent hours upon hours trekking through forests, through wetlands and over mountains, then you know what I’m talking about. A shoe is meant to get you safely from point-A to point-B, but the problem that a lot of economy shoes have is that they either don’t properly protect the foot or they aren’t built well enough to withstand the elements. And if you’re without either, at any point, you will encounter some serious problems; from moisture issues to a slew of physical injuries.
Whenever anyone asks me of my favorite outdoor shoe and boot makers, I typically answer Garmont or Hanwag, among other brands, but more recently, I’ve had the chance to try out the famous LOWA brand, made in Europe, and have to list them up there among the top brands. Why? Because LOWA produces high quality shoes, with all the right features. I’ve recently tested their Sesto GTX LO All-Terrain shoe, which compliments my above list of must-have features.
The Sesto GTXs are low-cut shoes that offer a lot of versatility, movement and comfort, while also keeping true to their all-terrain label, with its impressive tread and breathable fabric and design. Starting from the inside out, the Sesto GTXs are fitted with a mesh top that allows for optimum breathability, keeping your foot cool and dry, even in some of the worst conditions. The foot padding is thin but soft, and shaped to fit the arches of the foot, which gives the user a comfortable fit. The outside and top of the shoe is covered in a thick Gore-Tex material, along with leather and an intricate mesh that all works together to keep moisture out. Overall, the build of the shoe is strong, but is still capable of form fitting, unlike some Garmont shoes.
The Sesto GTXs are low-cut shoes that offer a lot of versatility, movement and comfort, while also keeping true to their all-terrain label, with its impressive tread and breathable fabric and design. Starting from the inside out, the Sesto GTXs are fitted with a mesh top that allows for optimum breathability, keeping your foot cool and dry, even in some of the worst conditions. The foot padding is thin but soft, and shaped to fit the arches of the foot, which gives the user a comfortable fit. The outside and top of the shoe is covered in a thick Gore-Tex material, along with leather and an intricate mesh that all works together to keep moisture out. Overall, the build of the shoe is strong, but is still capable of form fitting, unlike some Garmont shoes.
The top of the tongue on the Sesto GTX LOs are soft enough to allow for a form fit, and the rest is a thinner mesh, which is an important feature for comfort and safety over longevity. The toe is strong but not like a steel toe, and the heel is a molded rubber that flows seamlessly into the bottom tread. The tread is probably the best feature, besides the breathable insides of the LOWA Sesto shoe, which is mainly due to its unique pattern and thick, strong rubber build. The tread is very high quality and will give you fantastic grip when trekking over rock and up cliffsides. Overall, I found the Sesto GTX Lo All-Terrain shoe by LOWA to be one of the best, and one of my goto footwear for outdoor treks. I couldn’t really find anything to criticize, as they’re well-made, feel great, look great, and they get you from point-A to point-B safely.
If you would like to learn more about LOWA Footwear, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
If you would like to learn more about LOWA Footwear, click here.
Article written & Photos by Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen
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