Lowa Uplander Boots

The Uplanders are an all leather/suede boot with a Gore-Tex lining and the ubiquitous Vibram sole but where many boots look alike in these terms, they certainly stand out in several areas. The 10” height and lightweight build said `summer boot` to me from the start and the Vialta” sole from Vibram certainly looked thinner and less aggressive than on a winter-type design. The upper too shows a lower rand flowing into the sole with less direct rigidity than some but assurances of bi-injection special performance certainly sounded exciting.

LEAP OF FAITH

The black lower sole blends to a lighter grey section before rising into the mid brown leather boot with a suede-like texture. Around the lower leg, cordura aids breathability with a soft 1” tall cuff at the shin. The tongue joins both sides together up to 2” from its peak with the Gore-Tex/ Cambrelle lining surrounding the foot up to this height. The leather tongue is soft and flexible and its upper trim matches the softer leather Achilles patch at the heel of the boot.

My first trip away with the Lowa involved minimalist travel and lightweight airline flying/packing so I was watching the grams from the start. My size 11/45 Uplanders tipped the scales at 750 grams per boot so drew the short straw for rushed lightweight preparation. I had the chance to wear them around and about for a couple of days prior to eaving but with conditions on the trip unknown, something about them gave me an immediate leap of faith to trust their performance!

NICE AND TIGHT

Lacing is through five pairs of lower eyelets with four speed hooks above. Lacing is a little easier than I expected as the soft feel of the boot was deceptive in still offering reasonable stiffness to wrap them in place. Tension settled evenly with no tight spots. Setting out in the boot was immediately refreshing, after a winter in high leg, stiff, heavy footwear the lightweight nature of the Uplanders certainly puts a spring in your step more akin to a training shoe. Driving was no problem as ankle flexibility was reassured but not like wearing ski-boots and the edges of the soles, being smoothly contoured, didn’t snag.

This feel continued stalking through light bramble and scrub in dry woodland, the delicate sole giving a quiet foot-fall and tactile feel. The sole never dragged brambles onto its edges and stalking progression was appreciably quiet. When it came to awkward footings or positional shots requiring kneeling, the flexibility, especially in the toe area shone through, they just had the `slipper feel`. Breathability was unquestionably excellent with no signs of any water intrusion or damage to either upper or sole in nine months. Flexibility in the toe can lead to separation of the outer and lining membrane in some boots but NOT here!

I have been wearing the Uplanders on and off since June 2013 and they have certainly fallen directly into no.1 spot for uncertain conditions, travel plans or driving needs and they live in my `go-bag` as they can be thrown on and relied upon in any circumstances.