PMCI - JULY 2015

All in all the Zephyr GTX has everything I look for in a
lightweight boot, but the performance has shocked me
very pleasantly indeed. The new boots arrived about two
weeks before this years IWA show in Germany. I try to
travel with just hand luggage so boots are always worn
on the plane. The show is vast and it’s more than possible
to be covering quite literally miles a day, so the correct
footwear choice is paramount.
I’d been wearing the Zephyrs on and off in the run up
to the show, and they’d given me enough confidence to
take the leap of faith and take them to Germany, and in
no way did they disappoint! Wearing them almost straight
out of the box for four full 0630 to 2130 working days left
me with no blisters or pressure points, no overly tired feet
and a massive respect for the design team at Lowa!
I’ve continued to wear them on an almost daily basis to
date, and have now subjected them to some pretty foul
conditions; in all situations they have performed admirably.
The LOWA Zephyr GTX is also now available in a slightly
darker coloured Coyote Tan version for use with UK MTP
or multicam coloured types of uniform and clothing, but I
have to say that given the sporty look of them they look
pretty sharp with a pair of tan cargos or even jeans too!
You’ll find Lowa boots stocked by all serious tactical
retailers; coming in at the £130 mark in the UK they are
realistically priced, and sizes range from UK 6.5 to 13. I’m
a tad over size 9 and the 9.5 fits me perfectly. If you’re in
the market for a lightweight boot then I’d most thoroughly
recommend you try a pair of Zephyrs; I’m certain they will
continue to perform for some considerable time!
For more technical information and to find stockists
of the Lowa Zephyr GTX, along with all the other models
in the Task Force Collection, please pay a visit to www.
lowamilitaryboots.com.
You can also walk about on snowy roads and not worry
about your feet freezing off. And because of the way the
Gore-Tex functions, these boots are very breathable so
your feet don’t over heat.
Dan: “There’s almost no break-in period. I pretty much
have no arches in my feet, and wasn’t sure at first how
long it would take to get used to the boots. Since each
boot has an OrthoLite sockliner (which is removable) that
offers a nice cushioned area, I didn’t really have to deal
with a breaking-in period. These are so comfortable that
I literally use them as my daily footwear at work or on
the way home.”
GEAR ON TEST
SALOMON QUEST 4D GTX
TESTER: ‘BEARDY’ BILL THOMAS (MILITARY VERSION)
TESTER: DAN ‘MOUNTAIN MAN’ EASTES (CIVILLIAN VERSION)
Salomon are no newcomers to the
performance footwear market, in fact
they’ve been making mountain and
snow sports boots since 1947! They’ve
always been about development, quality,
craftsmanship and performance and their
latest models show every bit of their
undoubted class. It’s rare that two of us
quite independently arrive at the same point in terms of
review products, but this is definitely a case of a genuine
team recommendation!
Details and specifications, apart from colour, are pretty
much identical for the civilian and newly released “forces”
version of the Quest. The seam-sealed Gore-Tex membrane
bootie gives your feet plenty of protection from water,
mud, and snow. You can literally stand in a puddle for hours
and not worry about your feet getting wet and soggy.
These boots have amazing traction. The outsoles are
Salomons’ own Contagrip, which provides some serious
traction on pretty much any wet or dry surface. And you
don’t have to worry about scuffing up any floors, because
the outsoles are non-marking. The overall quality and use
of the materials used on these boots is incredibly high.
Rubber, leather, Gore-Tex, nylon; these boots use
pmcimagazine.com