The new LOWA BREACHER GTX MID, here in Brown, is a worthy replacement for the long-serving LOWA Mountain Boot GTX model writes Bob Morrison.
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Over the last few months, as and when my recent health issues (now well on the road to resolution) allowed me to, I have been wearing my new LOWA BREACHER GTX combat boots as much as possible in varied conditions over different terrain types. Back in May I wore these boots, which I reckon would fit in the UK MoD ‘Combat High Liability’ category, during my coverage of Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE (part of STEADFAST DEFENDER) earlier this year in the Baltic States.
[© Bob Morrison]
As is often typical of this part of the world at that time of the year, weather conditions varied from cold and stormy to warm and sunny over just 36 hours with the thermometer registering from just above 0°C inland at dawn to around 23° on the coast the next afternoon. Terrain covered during the exercise ranged from from wet grass and mud on the rough airstrip at Nurmsi used for the Joint Forcible Entry parachute insertion phase to taxiways and hardstanding used for the Rapid Air Land phase on the disused Soviet-era airfield at Kiltsi, with a few hundred kilometres of driving also thrown in for good measure. Back here in the UK, when able to get out and about while recuperating over what laughingly passed for summer, I wore the BREACHERS on sand, shingle, mud and tarmac without any issues.
The BREACHER, which is available in both Gore-Tex (GTX) and non-membrane versions, is a mid-height (190mm external) board lasted combat boot with cemented sole unit allowing it to be resoled rather than discarded when the tread inevitably wears down with prolonged use. The sole used is the Vanguard pattern from VIBRAM, the midsole is 100% polyurethane for cushioning, the uppers are primarily made from 2.0 to 2.2mm thick full grain leather with breathable CORDURA used for the tongue and lower outside panel, and the lacing system is two-zone with a locking lace eyelet at the fourth position of seven. Ankles are protected by PORON padding and there are protective anti-scuff panels at toe and heel. The shaped cushioned insoles supplied as standard are both comfortable and washable, and though in due course I will probably replace these with my preferred brand of orthopaedic insoles most users will probably find them to be totally fit for purpose.
In my opinion the fine detail of these boots has been designed very much with the wearer in mind as not only are there pull tapes at both heel and tongue to ensure rapid and positive donning in a hurry, but there is also a lace tape on the tongue to ensure it stays central; these are little points which do not add a fortune to material costs but by helping ensure the foot is properly positioned in the boot they can make a lot of difference to those tackling tough terrain and/or carrying heavy loads. Additionally, the lace lock and two-zone lacing ensures the foot can be snugly and securely laced in while the boot above the ankle can be loosened off or tightened for comfort when tackling different tasks and/or terrain.
I opted for the GTX model rather than the non-membrane version as I prefer not having to worry about leather protection to keep my feet dry in the wet. The membrane laminate sock used in this boot is the four-layer moderately insulated GORE-TEX Performance Comfort Footwear version, which I have been wearing for a decade now and get on well with, but if you prefer a non-membrane boot the BREACHER is also available in this form. A Nubuck leather and textile version, the LOWA Breacher N Mid, is also available in Brown or Coyote for those deploying to warmer climes.
In conclusion I reckon the LOWA BREACHER GTX is a worthy successor to the LOWA MOUNTAIN GTX, a boot model I have worn for over two decades starting with the original white leather collar version. Although these won’t be the only boots I take with me on temperate weather field assignments ~ being a ‘belt & braces’ type I always ensure I have two pairs of boots ~ I suspect they will be on my feet a fair bit because they are both comfortable and functional.
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