Repost - IR - Lowa Tiago Gtx Mid Boots - Mike Mosack

Larry, 
Apparently, you were assigned as monitor, but it was after I had posted my IR. Here it is again, as I cannot locate it through Yahoo.
Mike Mosack

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/TESTS/IR%20-%20Lowa%20Tiago%20GTX%20Mid-cut%20boots%20-%20Mike%20Mosack/ 


LOWA TIAGO GTX MID-CUT BOOTS
TEST SERIES BY MIKE MOSACK
IR
April 23, 2016

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Mike Mosack
EMAIL: mosack(at)earthlink(dot)net
AGE: 52
LOCATION: San Diego, CA USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
WEIGHT: 240 lb (109.00 kg)
SHOE SIZE Men's US 14 (49 EU)

I've been backpacking for over 30 years, doing day trips, weekenders and week-long or longer trips throughout the year. I backpack in all climates and seasons, from summer desert trips to Spring/Winter camping in Michigan, California and Grand Canyon, Arizona. I rely on my equipment constantly. I prefer to go lighter when possible and I am always trying new items. Quality and reliability of items are paramount to me over price and weight.


INITIAL REPORT
             
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

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Manufacturer: Lowa Boots, LLC                     <<IMAGE GOES HERE. ALT TEXT = "IMAGE 1"  IMAGE CAPTION = "Image from mfg website">>
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Manufacturer's Website: <<HYPERLINK GOES HERE - "http://www.lowaboots.com" LINK TEXT = "www.lowaboots.com">>
MSRP: US $175.00
Listed Weight: 34.5 oz (980 g) details not listed
Measured Weight: 1 lb 5.8 oz or 21.8 oz (618 g) weight is for one boot
Other details:
Warrantee: The manufacturer offers a warrantee that looks pretty standard and is for 12 months from the date of purchase. Specific information is available on the manufacturer's website.

These boots are available in three color options, which are Espresso/Rust (shown), Black/Gray, and Anthracite/Lime. The boots I am testing are Espresso/Rust in Men's US size 14 (EU 49).
This product is imported and made in Europe
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The Lowa Tiago GTX® Mid-cut Boot has a split-leather fabric upper with a GORE-TEX® waterproof lining. The manufacturer states that the boot has a climate control footbed over a DuraPU® with MONOWRAP® Frame midsole. Specific information regarding features on these or other Lowa products can be found on the manufacturer's website and by clicking "Details that Matter". Per the manufacturer's website, MONOWRAP® is described as "frame technology, for boots that are lighter and more supportive than ever." "Dual Density PU (polyurethane) HEEL COUNTER adds heel stability" and "PU MONOWRAP® Frame and Integrated PU Midsole deliver outstanding shock absorption; are more durable, long-lasting and eco-friendly than other midsole materials."
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The boots have a full-length medium stabilizer and it is wrapped by a Lowa Multicross outsole. This boot was manufactured to replace Lowa's "multi-functional Tempest GTX® Mid, with a fresh athletic design and a focus on comfort and versatile fit."
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The sole has an aggressive tread pattern that appears it is designed for traction while easily allowing debris to clear away from the lugs.

The lacing design has a partial speed-lacing hook system.
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INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

When I pulled the boots out of the box, I noted that they feel like they are solidly constructed and I could not locate any manufacturing flaws.  The boots are good looking and free of any defects. The boots have a pull tab located on the heel to ease in pulling the boots on.
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I also noted that the lacing system has 3 pairs of hooks at the top half of the uppers for speed-lacing. Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of the hooks to secure laces. Historically, I have a lot of issues where the hooks catch my pant leg, catch other hooks or the laces on my other foot, or fail to properly hold the lace securely during a hike. Therefore, I am very interested in seeing how these boots will perform for me in the upcoming 4 months.
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The boot's uppers feel and appear well padded and the tongue is as well. I noticed that there is no small centering loop on the tongue for the laces to be routed through to aid in keeping the tongue centered across the top of the foot. This is kind of odd to me for a mid-cut boot, so this is a missing feature I'll have to see if I'm even going to miss or have an issue with.

The tread design on the bottom of the boots are an aggressive looking pattern with lugs that are deep enough to appear that they will easily self-clean mud, snow, and sand away while walking. The bottom sole is also constructed from a singular piece of rubber. I prefer this instead of those boots and shoes that have two or more piece construction. I feel that the singular piece should be less-likely to separate. I am looking forward to watching this to see how the boots survive.
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The removable insoles, feel as if they are kind of a minimalistic design and construction. There is a molded heel cup and slight rise for the instep, but the bottom looks like a singular felt covering.

TRYING IT OUT

Putting on the boots and walking around the house, I noted that while the length fits fine, these boots are not the wide-version, and the normal-width feels a little tight to me. The boots are brand new so we'll see how they feel as they get broken in. I have a normal width foot, but I do prefer to wear a wide to enable my feet to open up as I roll my feet through a step.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Step by step boot care instructions are provided with the product on a multi-language booklet and can also be found on the manufacturer's website, by clicking "Details that Matter".  Perusing the instructions showed that the procedures for caring for these boots are not really any different from any other similar leather hiking boots.

SUMMARY

The boots appear to be a quality item with solid construction. They fit fine (heel to toe), although I'll need a little time to ensure proper break-in as they feel a little tight in width. There is a pull tab on the heel to ease in pulling on the boot, but it seems to be kind of small and mounted almost halfway down the rear of the boot. This seems as if it is a design after-thought and not user-friendly. There is no tongue-mounted centering lace loop either. These features I am accustomed to with similar boots, so I'll be watching to see if they will even be a factor. The tread is of a singular piece of molded rubber which should aid in reducing the possibility of separation.
I am a little concerned that the insoles might be the least desirable aspect of these boots. Good thing I'll spend the next 4 months testing these boots. I hope to learn the good and bad and will report on what I find. So far, I am excited to try these out.

I would like to thank Lowa and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product. Please check back in approximately 2 months for my Field Report.



This report was created with the BGT Report Generator.
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