Review: Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes

Lightweight and multifunctional outdoor shoes that don’t compromise on style or comfort.

With multifunctionality at the forefront of their design, the Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Shoe provides a hybrid solution for anyone looking for a one-pair-does-all adventure shoe. From strolling and city touring, to day hiking and nordic walking, this super comfy, ultra-lightweight and effortlessly casual shoe accurately brands itself as “lifestyle meets outdoor”.

Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes: The stats

Features of the Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes

Uppers

The combination of 80% Nubuck leather and 20% natural and synthetic fabrics ensure that the shoe upper is not only robust, durable and open-pored (great for ventilation and moisture management), but also designed to facilitate optimal warming whilst maintaining extreme comfort. The smooth-looking upper can remain untreated, or be oiled, depending on your desired look.

The Gore-Tex membrane, delivering optimal waterproofing, windproofing and breathability all in one, guarantees weather protection, even in pouring rain and heavy snow. Water does not penetrate the shoe and any internal moisture production can be released through billions of pores in the Gore-Tex membrane.

Using a technically demanding injection process, the soles of the Locarno’s is bonded to the upper, creating obvious cushioning and all-day comfort.

Outsole

Aimed to provide good traction both on and off the trail, the LOWA rubber outsole is made from an optimised rubber compound. The sole itself is branded as a self-cleaning LOWA® HYBRID TRAC®, claiming that it “demonstrates its true strengths during ascents and descents”.

Midsole

The ultra-lightweight foam padded LOWA DynaPU polyurethane midsole, using the LOWA-MONOWRAP frame, provides excellent cradling support and cushioning. This is thanks to its ability to spring back to its original form, mile after mile.

The winning pairing of both the outsole and midsole ensure that the shoe remains comfortable and flexible whilst maintaining natural and supportive rolling properties all day long.

Laces

The laces are looped Ghillie-style, which make the laces sit on top of the tongue (rather than pushing the tongue down on-top of your foot as in the through-hole eyelet design). This lace system works effectively at keeping the laces done up tightly all day without loosening or slacking.

Toe

There’s a subtly rounded and roomy toe with a solid bumper of rubber at the front of the shoe. Coupled with the reinforced double layer of leather over the top of the toe, the toe area provides ample protection and support when both ascending and descending, as well as kicking along rockier terrain.

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Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes review

I have a tricky shaped body. Tricky feet, tricky head size, and a very tricky waist to hip size ratio! Hence, I’m constantly on the search for clothing and footwear that not only fits me well and is comfortable, but also looks and feels great. This is no small task and one that I often push aside with disheartened failure after hours and hours of looking.

My most recent search has been for a replacement of my current all-round shoes that can switch seamlessly between hiking and exploring, nipping to the shops on a wet day, and strolling through the dunes in mid-summer. In short, a shoe that I can wear the majority of the time, but feel physically and aesthetically great in too. My current shoes mainly come up short on the aesthetics front, feeling too clumpy and ‘outdoorsy’ with jeans or shorts. They also lose points on comfort when worn on longer walks.

I was naturally drawn to the Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes because of their comfort credentials coupled with their looks. I was also interested to learn more about their ‘Lifestyle Meets Outdoors’ tagline and whether these shoes could actually live up to this ambitious claim.

Comfort and fit

Size-wise I sit somewhere between a UK 5 (38) and a UK 5.5 (39) and always opt for the latter for outdoor shoes. The 5.5 fit me perfectly without being too roomy. They are snug yet spacious without movement or give internally, and instantly comfortable straight out of the box. From the first wear I’ve had zero rubbing and zero pressure spots on my toes or heels. With the effective lacing system holding the comfy plump padding around my ankle perfectly in place, the shoe constantly remains where it should be without any rise or slipping up and down.

I wear these shoes in all weathers and am delighted with their sweat management properties. They keep my feet ultra warm and dry on wet chilly windy days as well as crisply dry and cool on hotter walks.

Specifically designed with women’s feet in mind, the instep height and the ball area have been altered on the Locarno GTX shoe creating the ultimate perfect fit. The almost sneaker-like padded sole gives great bounce-back comfort to the shoe without sacrificing its lightweight nature or supportive properties. Additionally, the shoes feel super light and effortless to move in whilst fitting like a glove. I’m delighted with this shoe from a comfort and fit perspective.

Durability

When shopping in this price bracket, it’s so important to me that the gear I buy lasts. And not just for a season. I want the product to be both functionally durable and timeless in design too. Despite their lightweight quality and weight (700g per pair), the Lowa Locarno GTX shoe feels made to last. All the finishes are very high quality. The stitching is extra thick and robust. The reinforced double layers of leather are well-placed and solidly finished and the rubber toe cover does an excellent job at protecting both your precious toes and the shoe material above it.

However, the upper material hasn’t worn as well as I would have hoped. It’s still in excellent condition functionally, but has started to look slightly kinked/creased with some small scuffs over time. This is nothing that regular use of a good care product can’t address, and to be expected of any heavily-used outdoor shoe, so I would recommend reading the website for help and advice on product care and maintenance and stick to the suggested products and regime.

Style

What particularly appealed to me about the style and design of these shoes was their simple and slimline sneaker-like look that took the emphasis away from ‘outdoor walking’ and placed it more on ‘casual day to day’ with outdoor credentials. I don’t like owning multiple pairs of shoes when I know there are options out there that theoretically tick all boxes in one product. This shoe does exactly that; it delivers comfort, support and robustness for long trail walks whilst looking like a day-to-day casual shoe that can be worn with almost anything and still look and feel good.

Versatility

Good for everyday use about town as well as in lots of different outdoor scenarios, the Lowa Locarno definitely fulfils its brief as a multifunctional shoe, neatly and accurately living up to its ‘lifestyle meets outdoors’ tagline. Where possible I will always opt for a casual shoe that is waterproof, as living in Cornwall often means wet grass, rain or soggy beach conditions throughout the year. I use these shoes for almost all of my walking needs apart from very long distances where I would always choose my more rigid and ankle-supporting hiking boots. I find myself frequently reaching for the Lowa Locarno’s now above my regular comfy sneakers or pumps when heading out the door in the daytime, whether actively or socially.

Materials

Lowa has a strong environmentally focused ethos running through its company. This includes maintaining production in Europe which lowers transport costs and emissions between its production facilities and primary European markets. Lowa also provides and encourages the use of excellent product maintenance. Plus, you’ll find reuse and repair information on their website, making sustainability and durability the heart of their footwear designs. Unlike other brands, where it can be nigh on impossible to get straight forward and quick information about getting kit repaired, Lowa’s website provides a wealth of easily accessible and super informative links, including a very worthwhile read on ‘Wellness for Shoes’.

What I love the most about the Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes

Almost everything!

• Simplicity – straightforward laces for super quick faff-free on and offs
• Comfort – the sole cushioning and support, and the cosy foot hugging ankle padding.
• Low weight – fab for space-efficient weekend packing.
• Aesthetics – a perfect blend of slimline and feminine, casual and sporty.

What I don’t love so much about the Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes

The Locarno’s provide really excellent sticky grip on anything dry. However, they come up a little short as soon as there’s any moisture on the ground. They are not great in the wet; I’ve slipped on a wet rocky path a couple of times. But even on just a damp pavement I’ve noticed that the grip feels somewhat reduced. For someone who loves to rock hop around the beach rock pools or charge up and down the rocky coast path at speed, I don’t feel greatly confident in these shoes unless the ground is perfectly dry.

Also, for my personal style preference, I would choose the more sporty and casual navy instead of the simple more outdoorsy and practical grey next time.

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Verdict

These shoes are perfect for anyone looking for a single multifunctional shoe to take away on trips and adventures, or as their day-to-day go-to pair of comfy walking shoes that cover most walking-based activities brilliantly.

Call me vain, but I place a lot of importance on feeling and looking good in the outdoor clothing I buy, especially if I’m spending good money on it too. This shoe works perfectly for me in this regard, as well as being a really neat shoe that packs a powerful punch on the fit and comfort front. It’s so lightweight to pack and wear, and simple and straightforward to slip on and off throughout the day. It has succeeded in replacing my previous walking shoe, and has also achieved full-marks for fulfilling its claim of ‘lifestyle meets outdoors’.

Coming in at around £165 per pair, this price bracket is fairly standard if not on the high side for a multifunctional walking shoe. Unlike previous shoes I’ve owned, I’d happily pay this again and again for the Lowa Locarno GTX Lo Ws Hiking Shoes.

Was my most recent quest for a stylish and comfortable multi-functional walking shoe successful? Most definitely, despite the slightly reduced grip in the wet. I’m happy to accept this compromise in exchange for all the other positives this shoe delivers. Lowa shoes may have just become a mainstay in my wardrobe for years to come.

Find the latest price at:
Lowa | Cotswold Outdoor

Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.

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