Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/773724
The waterproof is a great advantage of those boots. Both swampy places, as well as streams did not result in wet feet as it may be the case with some competi- tive models. I used them extensively, but they did not soak ever once. But still, for a mountain trail, I would take boots that are slightly more flexible. I also wore those boots in summer conditions and in a heated car. They did well. The membrane with wool- en socks provide good comfort and feet don't sweat. Hot July and August allowed me to develop a positive opinion on the membrane. It works. However, boots are wide, so the user must bear that in mind before driving a car. As I have already mentioned, I would not call those boots universal, but driving a car for a long distance was not a problem, my feet did not overheat. LOWA Task Force Z-6S Mid GTX are one of the more reliable boots I have worn so far. Unluckily, I wish they were more universal. Zephyrs, for instance, are very soft or even "slipper-like" – I personally don't mind that, but I have heard negative opinions on that feature. I guess that because of that LOWA wanted to create a stiffer footwear, which was achieved at the expense of the comfort of everyday use. Captain ameriCa reviewS I have received LOWA Task Force Z-6S Mid GTX for testing several months ago, it was still summer. To be honest, I did not wear them every day, but still used them intensively at the shooting range and in the city. The review below is rather a description of impressions after using boots with a new membrane, since it is difficult to check durability of the construc- tion and resistance to wear after such a short period. At first glance, the tested boots seem very durable. It is, unfortunately, resembled by their weight. A pair of LOWA Task Force Z-6S Mid GTX weighs about 1330 grams, so quite a lot. The design is really something and it distinguishes that footwear from products of the competition. It catches the eye and is very "futur- istic" – it will most certainly find as much enthusiasts as opponents, but, still, one just cannot pass by those boots indifferently. For me, it is a plus, since they do not look like "another" tactical boots. I tested that footwear mainly under summer condi- tions, which means at higher temperatures. As for the socks, I used those breathable ones provided by the producer, as well as light hiking socks made by Salomon and merino wool socks by Icebreaker and Devold. Initially, I was quite skeptical towards the idea of boots with Gore-Tex that might be worn in summer without cooking user's feet alive. However, after the last several weeks I might state that LOWA Task Force Z-6S Mid GTX, compared to other boots with a standard Gore-Tex membrane, the Z-6 pro- vided noticeably better thermal comfort. We must remember one thing – even when we use the best socks, after several hours of physical activity at tem- perature of 30+ Celsius degrees, our feet will not be dry, but it most certainly won't be as sweaty as in the case of footwear with a standard membrane. I tested that with a couple of pairs of Salomons that I have and LOWA boots definitely have better breathability. www.fragoutmag.com