Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/739629
LOWA Task Force Innox footwear is a development version of analogous boots build for the hiking market – original Innox Lo and Innox Mid speedhiking boots were designed with goal to reduce weight and increase breathability without loosing of stability and durabil- ity. The tactical variants in different color theme share the same design features. They are dedicated for short and aggressive direct action scenarios in high- ly dynamic environment. But as we all know, usual- ly before you go to crash and bang things and bad guys you have to spend many hours in the cramped car waiting for the green light. So comfy boots are must. The Innox seems to be an ultimate match of the required features and even lighter Zephyr could be made. DESIGN People who have already used Zephyrs (check your feet NOW!), at first glance, will find the similarities in design of Innox – they are, more or less, of the same height (about 14 cm at the back of the upper and about 16 cm at the highest point so, to guesstimate, 6 inch). Boots have hiking-like design and look pret- ty lightweight. In contrast to other boots in the Task Force lineup, the Innox have almost fully synthetic construction – in this model, the manufacturer did not use natural leather anywhere. The upper has been sewn from nylon fabric with characteristic structure that resembles the pattern of a honeycomb (the structure comes from the hollow microfiber in- side). From the inside, boots are lined with soft mesh and 1.5 to 2 mm thick microfiber has been applied between them. The microfiber provides stability and does not restrict air circulation. The wide gusseted tongue is also padded with mi- crofiber and provides protection against sand or gravel getting inside the boot. Overstitching, seen outside the boot, as well as plas- tic elements are not just designer's fancy, who want- ed Innox to stand out of the crowd. They has been designed entirely on purpose and these are parts of MonoWrap frame known from models like Z6 or Zephyr. In case of Innox, the MonoWrap frame is slightly simplified, skeletonized version but still pro- vides required stability on the move. Instead of the usually used rubber cap, the boots in toes area has been reinforced against damage with a Velour strap – it is the necessary minimum in this part of shoes. At the back, near the Achilles tendon, there is a flat nylon webbing loop that helps in taking the boot of and putting it on. Below the loop, there is another enforcement. LOWA Task Force Innox footwear is also available in a full-year version, with GORE-TEX Extended Comfort breathable membrane making them completely wa- terproof yet breathable. LACING SYSTEM The lacing system of Innox boots is simple but ef- fective - it is based on five pairs of nylon webbing loops and two pairs of closed grommets made from a light allot, through which polypropylene laces are FOOTWEAR