Lowa Z-8S GTX Boot Review: Versatile Leather Boots for Hiking, Hunting and More!

Backcountry hiker and hunter Dan Pickar shares his experience with Lowa's new Z-8S GTX Boot. This hiking boot can tackle any task. It's breathable, supportive and designed to keep you going for miles. Pickar reviews his first five miles hiking in a brand new pair. No blisters and dry feet at the end of the day on his first day out with the Lowa Z-85 GTX boots.
Compare these to Lowa's R-8S GTX Patrol boots: • Lowa R-8S GTX Boot Rev...
Here's a review on another great pair of boots from Lowa: • Lowa Baldo GTX Boot Re...
Eastmans' breaks down how to clean and condition leather boots to make them last! • Leather Boot Cleaning ...
Catch up on all of our boot reviews here: • Hiking Boot Reviews
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[@samuelspiers4430]

These boots are no joke my favourite boots that I’ve ever worn, the breathability and water proof linings, I can stand in puddles without having any water trickle in, and after a long day my feet are kept perfectly dry. Amazing video as well!

[@migueles4834]

This is probably the best review I've come across ever of the Lowa's Z8S on KZbin. Great overall description of the boot's structure, its fixtures and fittings, and a great to-the-point , clear-cut, simple worded yet accurate explanation. Loved the natural environment and the specific rocky, semi-desert landscape you've picked for the location where to shoot the vid. I've even loved the presenters voice tone and enunciation and couldn't but smile when Dan says humorously "what you mean a cotton sock?". One thing I've only realized in this video is that in so many other reviews the boot's real size is not accurately appreciated - from my perspective anyway - due to a misleading sense of scale, as in, you don't get a real idea of what the boot will look like for real in terms of their dimension. Maybe it's because you guys shot the video with a permanent open landscape visible which adds to a more rigorous sense of scale due to the rock bed where the boot sits, contrasting with Dan's presence, the boot itself and the open backstage, and that to me has provided a great sense of scale and beauty of the boot. It's a really nice video comercially wise as well and you've made me wish I'd have a Lowa reseller around the corner to buy a pair. All in all, great work and a viewing pleasure. Keep it up guys, you've won a subscriber. Best regards from Portugal in southern Europe. PS - One quick question though: which model would you advise me to get for an overall versatile and reliable, high-quality, heavy-duty boot for lots of backcountry hiking, the Zephyr or the Z8s. ? Thanks.

[@tome013]

This is one of the best boots on the market!!!! 2 yrs Agghanistan, 2 yrs urban use and 2 yrs of hunting!!! Still in good shape!!!

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience with these Lowas.

[@rissardy]

Hi Tomas. In desert, are they to hot?

[@bigrobotkiller]

@@rissardy no they are not they breathe incredibly well after the first week of use, you forget you even have them on once you lace them up

[@davidblakeley1983]

Bought a pair with the latest Tactical Z outsole. Boot is phenomenal and DOES NOT slip on water soaked surfaces anymore. Excellent boot

[@apa7611]

Great review! Thank you Sir

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@alaingonzalez2575]

Thanks for the review. Just to share my own experience. I owned a pair of these used in my service in urban and tropical environment and in euro type woods. Great boots, by far the most comfy I had. Efficient waterproofing. Just 2 cons. The sole is a little slippery in wet conditions and tends to wear faster than vibram soles.

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you found the review helpful.

[@kaungsithusett9017]

I have the exact same problem (Z8N) there is little to no traction! These experimental soles do not work!

[@juztinking8813]

They are amazing boots but I noticed that they are super slippery too. I walk sometimes in the streets in winter in Canada and they are almost dangerous. You hit a patch of ice and you feel like you're standing on hockey pucks. Other than that, they are definitely the best boots I ever had. Super comfy and have a ton of support.

[@migueles4834]

Love this video review. All of it.

[@StuieStorm05]

How do you feel about these as winter boots? I'm mostly concerned about how good the waterproofing is, I would be using them in temps -5 to -25 (c) so varying levels of wetness, for 8 hours outside at a time. (I am looking for an uninsulated boot that I can use socks for warmth rather than an insulated boot)

[@dragonz_breath4072]

I love my lowa

[@davidblakeley1983]

For anyone here worried about slipping on wet surfaces, Lowa z-8s C's have a new outsole that no longer slips. Ive been testing extensively and no slips/falls have been happening, ev3n on soapy tile or wet smooth surfaces. You must have the Tactical Z Trac bottoms otherwise the slip issue will still be a problem. Excellent BOOTS

[@davidblakeley1983]

Yeah, they are better then the non "C". I haven't soaked them on the inside, but they dry fast enough on the outside.

[@paraAA82]

where did you tape this review? Looks like Arizona. Awesome video by the way and I love my Lowa boots!

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Thanks for the compliment! This video was shot in Wyoming.

[@vanheusen242]

Amazing video, very comprehensive and informative and also Amazing camera. What did you shoot this video with?

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@alexanderbendeliani5132]

Love them, got 4 pairs already, 2x Z-8s, Z-8n, and Z-6s. for every day use I prefer Z-6s, in army I'm using Z-8s and they work perfectly, Z-8n is more for the winter season as it's leather. Love them and will wear them probably every day for next few years. Until we'll get something new from Lowa for military.

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Glad you are enjoying them!

[@allenponce5223]

For the Z-8s what do you recommend for sizing? I wear 12 in everything even my Rockies but I'm not sure if I should go for the same size or a 13 since there is no 12 and a half. I'm saying this for comfort, wouldn't want any rubbing for a ruck march

[@alexanderbendeliani5132]

Thing is, every single brand have different sizes, I had plenty of boots before I was wearing US11 Magnums, US12 Rocky. US11.5 Altamas, and they all fit perfectly but I'm wearing US13 Lowa and same perfect fit. It's much better to find perfect size with millimeters. measure boots with perfect fit and find the size.

[@czowieknuz7507]

Is the sole of the Z8 shoe easily rubbed off? i heard a lot of bad stuff about sole in Lowa zephyr boots

[@alexanderbendeliani5132]

Człowiek Nuż So I already had both of them Zephyr and Z8s as well, Z8s soles are much better than Zephyrs one. I have to wear them in quite intense situations and they are still in perfect shape after nearly year of use. I just love those boots. got brand new one from my wife as a Christmas gift and I'm really happy

[@dagcavc3259]

thanks for your effort. The lowa is really good. leopard tank

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tamtommy6133]

Hey guys, thx for the review. I actually have one Z8 GTX brown. Great shoes over all. But the one thing i don't like at all is sole. It's not safe on rocky wet terrain at all. It's shame they didn't use Vibram sole as they do on most their models… Still one of my favorite . The Zephyr GTX are more for a daily use, town, hike, very confortable and lightweight but not as tough as the Z8 GTX.

[@dagcavc3259]

hi ; the base of the lowa is better than the vibram base. vibram not bad but lowa's rubber base is as good as vibram at least

[@tamtommy6133]

@@dagcavc3259 well I wish you are right but unfortunately you're not.Its not someone story or a point of view, but it's a fact, I have one Z8gtx and am telling you on wet hard or wet rocky terrain it's really slippy. If you have one, you must've find out. On any other terrain perfect grip.

[@dagcavc3259]

hi, There are 4 different vibranes. snow, climbing, rain mixed. The bottom of the lowa is higher than the average of all.

[@tamtommy6133]

@@dagcavc3259 i mean whats happening. Are you that stubborn to not understand what am saying? I know that lowa's soles are made in a hight quality but the Z8 slips a lot on flat wet or rocky wet terrain and that's a shame from LOWA... I mean what your problem to not understand that. Look for yourself, put on the Z8 and try it on rocky wet terrain and you'll find out on your own.

[@dagcavc3259]

I have a couple z_8, I have knowledge...... it cannot hold on a single base.4 kinds of vibran base even. knowledge and experience not stubborn. Anyway, good luck

[@AlexsEquipmentCorner]

Mine sadly broke at the back after 2.5 years of daily use but the 2nd pair is on the way

[@arturspipins7385]

Good Day! How this boots are in cold weather , snow and mud?

[@mackue8913]

Hey I’m looking for a good light weight winter boot that don’t make my feet sweat! I’m a mailman in MN.

[@bigrobotkiller]

Danner makes a awesome Coldwater boot thats water proof

[@user-ny4sv7ov6c]

What's the difference between 8S and 8N model?

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

These are the best hunting boots I own and I got kenetrek, Danner. Underarmour. Solomon

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I hope you found the review helpful 👍

[@juztinking8813]

The only drawback is that they have next to no grip at all in winter when walking. On ice, they are like walking on hockey pucks. I wouldn't use them in super low temperatures as they aren't winter boots, but they kept my feet warm in Canadian winter as an everyday boot. If LOWA could put a better sole, they would step up their game into a whole other category. Other than that, the support, the comfort and the fact that they breathe really well makes them the best boots I ever had.

[@UK-Blue]

🙄... The only thing that grips ice is metal spikes. But I get you in a way. They aren't the best grip on say.... wet rock. But they ate built to last a good while so by nature they will not be the best on wet rocks. For a good few years I bought many pairs of Inov8 trail running gortex... they do a sole that in my experience is the best grip ever! But by nature, they wear out fairly fast. But I would use them in full on uk winter with long waterproof socks and sometimes gaiters. Awesome footwear. Back to the LOWA, I'm loving mine! I'm just near the end of over 2 months exploring Scotland and very happy with them, after alterations to the lace system. See my channel! 👍👊

[@juztinking8813]

@@UK-Blue I had many different combat boots and most of them actually offered better traction on snow and ice. The LOWA soles are much more slippery than the other boots I had. That's my only complain about them but even then they aren't winter boots. With that being said they are still the best boots I ever had.

[@UK-Blue]

@@juztinking8813 They are awesome boots! ... Don't buy SCARPA! I Spent a small fortune on some about 5 years ago and got wet socks in wet grass. 😳 unbelievable! 👍👊

[@ahunt0182]

Thanks for very interesting video! I would like to know why you prefer cotton socks in the boots with gor-tex membrane, than recommended special socks? I'm like you wear cotton socks with similar boots when hunting or fishing. Just didn't try other type of socks advertised to wear with membrane boots and want to know the comparison features. Thanks.

[@danpickar5442]

I like cotton socks because my feet sweat easily and cotton is cool. They are also more comfortable than poly liner socks or other non-wool options. Of course they have limitations! I used cotton socks in this video just to tell the blister ability of these boots. The quickest way to get blisters is with cotton.

[@user-es7ij7fv7f]

this boots can be useful for snake protection. but rubber boots are better in riverside, bush, and forest.

[@exodus5089]

I normally wear a 9.5, are they true to size or do I need to size up??

[@EastmansHuntingJournals]

Exodus true to size, but we recommend trying them on if possible!

[@rogue_spirit]

You need to have some room for your toes i.e you can stretch them, espsecially in cold weather where constricted toes with bad circulation might develop frost bite (in a worst case scenario).

[@seabtahi]

how would you compare this to the Z-8N?

[@kaungsithusett9017]

Exact same boot. S is for suede, N is for nubuck (stiffer but more durable)

[@Texasbroski512]

Are these better than the lowa zephyr hi

[@skillet2331]

Dakota Valdes in my option I like these better. The Zephyr has more fabric on the boot compared to the Z8. The Z8 is a more leather based boot and in my opinion it’s more durable on the outside. That’s just me though aha

[@rogue_spirit]

Yeah the Z6/8 have a thicker leather for colder environments and a sturdier sole called "Cross Duty". Lowa says it's intended for fall-winter-spring use, while the Zephyr's are spring-summer-fall season's boots with a less sturdy "Cross II" sole mostly intended for regions with soft winters. You choose what suits your environment.

[@buciek]

Is that Dark Brown od Coyote?

[@azimut5226]

Coyote

[@patrickwoody2876]

Can you wear a Lowa Z8S in Army Uniforms?

[@KyleAdler]

These ones in particular are out of regs but Lowa also makes the R8S which is AR 670-1 compliant

[@patrickwoody2876]

@@KyleAdler what about the Zephyr’s?

[@KyleAdler]

@@patrickwoody2876 I think those are even further out of regs. I've heard of rangers in batt wearing them in the field only. In garrison is a definite no go

[@patrickwoody2876]

@@KyleAdler I was told it is Authorize

[@KyleAdler]

@@patrickwoody2876 listen to your CoC, not some stranger on the internet. If they say it's fine, then it's fine.

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

Great video thank you, but there's no such thing as a rubber nylon.

[@HowieDewitt7575]

Nice boots, I will just stick to my merrell's..

[@baraj062]

Skechers gibi esnek mi

[@s1alker564]

Lowa makes excellent kit. However I can never justify paying $300+ for a pair of boots that you can't resole.

[@DCoxMI]

S1alker if you work for the government or in the military, they offer a 30% discount

[@rogue_spirit]

They are much more cheaper on eBay, around $200 and even less especially with European sellers!

[@Angry-Lynx]

maybe for once something is more expensive in us than europe i freaking hope!!