Aussie here. I have a dodgy, arthritic ankle (bad break many years ago). Wife & I are walking the Camino Frances from St Jean Pied du Port to Cape Finisterre from early April - June 2024 (roughly 800Km). It's long distance walking with very light packs (~10 -12 kg) over mostly very easy terrain. I bought a pair of Lowa Z-8s GTX because the support they give my ankle is unsurpassed. Durable, completely waterproof and nice & light. (Very quiet for stalking too). The closed loop lacing system is fast and great to use once you've tried it. The one and only negative - I have broad feet & the Z8-S is b-a-r-e-l-y wide enough. Lowa Australia refuses to import the wide version for me - which is a shame as it's readily available in the USA & Europe. There is also a Lowa Z-11S GTX Wide available in France - which might be the ultimate all-round stalking, bushwalking, 4WDing boot - though it uses lacing hooks rather than the closed loops.
By the way - I bought a pair of Tibet Wides first - and they are the best rough terrain boots I've ever owned. But I found them too heavy for long distances with a pack in very easy terrain. Sounds silly, but for mountain sambar hunting and multi-day bushwalking in the really steep & rough stuff with heavy packs - my Tibet Wides are unbeatable.
This will make you laugh - or maybe cringe - we are most definitely NOT sponsored and paid full-retail - The wife bought herself a pair of Mauria Evo GTX Wide Womens for the Camino. Her old Salomons were worn out, and based on the experience I've had from my Tibet Wides & Z8-S gtx's she got the Maurias. Had to take out a second mortgage but it's that important to get your boots right for long distance walks.
Totally agree mate .... best boots i’ve ever had and good value i rekon compared to some of the shite by other brands for more coin. Great to see a review by someone that has actually used something for a decent period of time. 🤟🏻👍🏻
Have you noticed the new LOWA Zephyr Mk2 GTX Hi ? I have a pair on order. I also have a pair of Z-6 Ns. I love the outsole (similar on the Zephyr Mk2), yet I prefer the snugger fit of the Zephyr models. Best regards from America.
@@GoodBlokesNZ I bought a pair of barefoot shoes last year and totally hated feeling every hard surface under my feet with no cushioning ! Walking one mile felt like three.
@@stevenroche9874 - yeah - which is one of the main things I love about them! :D Not for everyone, appreciate that. I have written a couple of articles on the website about the adaption - it's still going! goodblokes.nz/the-joys-and-benefits-of-wearing-barefoot-shoes-the-one-month-report/
Fantastic review, thanks for your insights and sharing. Also, about the laces, was this something that happened after a few years? Would you think this typical not something you wouldn’t expect from the wear that you gave them? Thanks again
@@ryansavel5705 oh. Most definitely then. I know re-treating the surface helps with them wetting out - it's definitely water getting in, not sweaty toes not drying out?
I'm considering these or the Z-8N You haven't talked me out of them! 👍 How old were they when they started delaminating? Do you glue them, and they keep coming open again? Cheers 🍻 🐕🇬🇧
Sorry, would have to go back and figure that out. Certainly at the point where I wasn't overly surprised or concerned they finally had. I didn't glue them, might do at some point - but also have a new pair on the way, so they might just get regulated to 'old boots'.
Aussie here. I have a dodgy, arthritic ankle (bad break many years ago). Wife & I are walking the Camino Frances from St Jean Pied du Port to Cape Finisterre from early April - June 2024 (roughly 800Km). It's long distance walking with very light packs (~10 -12 kg) over mostly very easy terrain. I bought a pair of Lowa Z-8s GTX because the support they give my ankle is unsurpassed. Durable, completely waterproof and nice & light. (Very quiet for stalking too). The closed loop lacing system is fast and great to use once you've tried it. The one and only negative - I have broad feet & the Z8-S is b-a-r-e-l-y wide enough. Lowa Australia refuses to import the wide version for me - which is a shame as it's readily available in the USA & Europe. There is also a Lowa Z-11S GTX Wide available in France - which might be the ultimate all-round stalking, bushwalking, 4WDing boot - though it uses lacing hooks rather than the closed loops.
By the way - I bought a pair of Tibet Wides first - and they are the best rough terrain boots I've ever owned. But I found them too heavy for long distances with a pack in very easy terrain. Sounds silly, but for mountain sambar hunting and multi-day bushwalking in the really steep & rough stuff with heavy packs - my Tibet Wides are unbeatable.
This will make you laugh - or maybe cringe - we are most definitely NOT sponsored and paid full-retail - The wife bought herself a pair of Mauria Evo GTX Wide Womens for the Camino. Her old Salomons were worn out, and based on the experience I've had from my Tibet Wides & Z8-S gtx's she got the Maurias. Had to take out a second mortgage but it's that important to get your boots right for long distance walks.
Odd. I am fairly sure the majority of the NZ boots are the wide profile. Might not be the case over there?
Totally agree mate .... best boots i’ve ever had and good value i rekon compared to some of the shite by other brands for more coin. Great to see a review by someone that has actually used something for a decent period of time. 🤟🏻👍🏻
Yeah. Though, it's also hourses for courses... I have had heavier boots, that were awesome - but over the top for what I needed them for.
For the shoes , get the Lowa Zephyr low cut ( and ive put a quick lace on them like the Salomon's ).
Yup. Actually been through a pair of those and looking to grab another soon!
LOWA makes the highest quality and BEST fitting boots in the world !
I agree!
Have you noticed the new LOWA Zephyr Mk2 GTX Hi ? I have a pair on order. I also have a pair of Z-6 Ns. I love the outsole (similar on the Zephyr Mk2), yet I prefer the snugger fit of the Zephyr models. Best regards from America.
I havn't. Ironically (?) I have totally shifted over to barefoot shoes!
@@GoodBlokesNZ I bought a pair of barefoot shoes last year and totally hated feeling every hard surface under my feet with no cushioning ! Walking one mile felt like three.
@@stevenroche9874 - yeah - which is one of the main things I love about them! :D
Not for everyone, appreciate that. I have written a couple of articles on the website about the adaption - it's still going!
goodblokes.nz/the-joys-and-benefits-of-wearing-barefoot-shoes-the-one-month-report/
What’s that dank drum and bass playing in the background mate?
It's actually stock music! Though I think they do release some stuff as well. I will see if I can hunt down the name.
@@GoodBlokesNZ mad, sounds more quality than stock music haha. Yeah cheers mate
So I’m assuming these would last for SEVERAL years if they’re more of a weekend-hiking boot.
Yeah. I would imagine so. They didn't get much of a break when I wore them!
Fantastic review, thanks for your insights and sharing. Also, about the laces, was this something that happened after a few years? Would you think this typical not something you wouldn’t expect from the wear that you gave them? Thanks again
After a few years - acceptable wear and tear. ;)
And easy enough to fix.
Did you end up preferring the Z8s or the Z8N more?
Apart from the material, both were basically identical in wearing.
@@GoodBlokesNZ did you find the N more durable with the nubuck leather or no difference?
Good Day! This boots are good for long distances at winter and mud?
Yes they are!
Hi thanks for the review. Can you comment a bit on the grip of their soles on wet floors?
@@blokenz Thanks
Never had an issue. Have a new pair of them now, never slowed me down - wet concrete for example?
Hello, what kind of jacket are you wearing, did you like it very much, where can I get the same one? what is the name of
Hah! I was actually just thinking this morning that I needed to look at grabbing another one! This is the Cali Combat Hoodie from All Skill No Luck.
@@GoodBlokesNZ Thank you very much) already looked)
You should review the zephyr mk2
I have found myself more headed towards the barefoot side of things now.
Three and a half years?! Ok I'm sold6
And another pair on the way!
What's the top green hoodie that you wearing!?!
That is the very cool All Skill No Luck Cali Combat Hoodie.
It’s....... horrible
Heya man. Each to their own! It's one of my favourites.
I have the same boots and i feel like the gore tex lining has lost its water proofing in the toe box area, should i call lowa about this?
How old are they?
@@GoodBlokesNZ 7 months
@@ryansavel5705 oh. Most definitely then. I know re-treating the surface helps with them wetting out - it's definitely water getting in, not sweaty toes not drying out?
@@GoodBlokesNZ no they arent, it takes a while. But ill call them thanks
I'm considering these or the Z-8N
You haven't talked me out of them! 👍
How old were they when they started delaminating?
Do you glue them, and they keep coming open again?
Cheers 🍻 🐕🇬🇧
Sorry, would have to go back and figure that out. Certainly at the point where I wasn't overly surprised or concerned they finally had. I didn't glue them, might do at some point - but also have a new pair on the way, so they might just get regulated to 'old boots'.
@@GoodBlokesNZ
That'll do!
Thank you sir.🐕👊
Are they good for hot weather?
I tend to wear them with light socks underneath and wear them through an NZ summer. Obviously hotter than lightweight shoes, but not a sweat pit. ;)
You can get the lowa zephyr which is a high mid boot in a non goretex version pretty much identical to the z-8s but lower
Lowa don’t resole the z series but do resole the elite desert boots ..... just buy a new pair .
Yup. Got my eyes on a black pair this time. ;)
How are gun rights in NZ atm? Can you still shoot at events like that? can you shoot in nature at all?
Yeah man. Good. Not much has changed.