So I buy my first pair of boots that are Top-Notch 1.5 years ago.. I loved these boots until both shanks started squeeking. Well, apparently now they are ruined. I am calling Lowa to see what they can do for me since this is out of the 1 year warranty period. *********************** This is a follow-up to my review I called Lowa to find that my Monoflex is broken. Apparently I should not be wearing these boots for outdoor yard work because a "squat" flexes the Monoflex 90 degrees which is what cracked it. They told me to buy work boots for that kind of stuff. (Note to self: Do not squat while Camping anymore). Since the boots are out of warranty, they did nothing except offer me $40 off a new Pair of Scout 2 boots. Lowa recommends NikWax only on boots. So, now I have a pair of expensive, squeaky boots. Sigh.

Customer Service

I feel I was lied to by the dealer (Nevin at Diamond Brand) because he said this was the last pair of boots I would ever buy (other than replacing soles once in a while)

Similar Products Used:

My wife has a pair of Skarpa's they were bought the same day and they are still kicking..

These boots rock! I bought the 2001 model now replaced by the ScoutII on Clearance. I wanted a lighter pair of boots than my Moraine ATs for Rough trail use, but carrying less than the 60lbs I usually carry with the ATs. These fit the bill just great. They are finely made German boots, leather lined, with nice leather and Vibram soles. These boots required very little breakin time and the leather lining is very comfortable. German boots tend to be higher volume than most Italian boots. I got my best fit with superfeet inserts and a bulky sock like Smartwool Expedition Trekkers. If you can find the old model on clearance, you will be fortunate indeed. German boots tend to have little padding, so make sure you get a good fit and a proper flex point. I do recommend a good insert. Toe room is usually a little better than Italian boots if you have a wider foot.

Customer Service

The people at Travel Country Outdoors were excellent. I did not need Customer Service, but they followed up after the sale to see how I liked my boots. I would definitely buy there again.

Similar Products Used:

Montrail, Scarpa, Meindel

These are great boots. Comfortable right out of the box. Unfortunately they are no longer offered by Lowa. I got mine on closeout. Great boot and great price.

These boots are amazing! I got them to go on my Outward Bound Trip and they worked fantastic. I gave them minimum break in and I got only one blister all 18 days that we were backpacking with 60+ pound packs. They held up well climbing mountains and gave plenty of traction even in some nasty scree and lose dirt. I never felt that I had to worry about my feet in these boots. When other people in my patrol were getting blisters I wasn't thinking about my feet and only about my surroundings, and how great eastern Utah is. The leather lining is great and really molds to your foot well. I would reccomend these boots to anybody looking for a comfortable pair of backpacking boots.

Similar Products Used:

Montrail, Scarpa, Technica, Asolo

These are serious, heavy boots intended for multi-day backpacking trips. The break-in period wasn't bad after I replaced the footbeds with some Superfeet. Even with the Superfeet footbeds ($30 at REI), these boots still don't have much cushion to them. My toes start going numb after about 3 miles from pressure on the balls of my feet. I'm thinking of giving up on these and going with something like Lowa's Tempest Lo's.

I do like that they handle moisture well (they breathe well), and to me they seem like they're well made. I just wish they had some cushion.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

None

Reading the three prior reviews, I can't believe that they're reviewing the same boot! I purchased the Scouts for a 2 week trek in Nepal. They are very well made, very durable and performed excellently. They're a bit wide for me, so I had to wear 2 pairs of terri-loop socks to fill them up. I also bought a beefy insert which filled up the boot a bit and also added more support. My feet are narrow, so I've generally had more luck with Italian boots like Asolo. However, I just found a Lowa boot model that's made in Italy - the Tanark - its lighter than the Scout, but fits me perfectly.

I bought these boots to last a long time. Unfortunately, my feet can't stand them for anything longer than a three mile walk. They felt fine in the store, but after a lengthy break in period, my feet were still screaming on a lengthy backpacking trip in Tennessee. It may have been a flex point problem, but I need a new pair of boots, because these didn't do it for me. They do hold up well to abuse, and they are very waterproof, even without a gore-tex liner. We had three dozen stream crossings, and I was the only one with dry feet at the end of the day.

3 for value IF THEY FIT YOUR FOOT! Be absolutely sure. Walk around the store for hours if need be.

2 stars for their toughness, traction, and waterproofing. 3 Points deducted for comfort.

Similar Products Used:

Columbia Trail Grinder
North Face (model?)

A great boot...but. Comfortable, short break in, great support, all around good boot. Unfortunately, under relatively light wear, I went through 2 pairs in just over a year. On both, the sole and the rand seperated from the boot. That's awfully pathetic for a $200 pair of boots. The shop thought it was just a fluke, but after the second pair, I gave up and went to a pair of Scarpas - which have held up a lot better under much heavier use.

Similar Products Used:

Scarpa SL, assorted cheap boots, Asolo heavy backpacking boots...

I think that I looked at almost every boot out there by a major manufacturer. I wanted something that would last for a long time while taking a good beating (with no steel shank). Also, it had to be water-proof. I settled on the Gore-tex version of the Scout, which is now called the Sarek GTX (I believe).

What a perfect boot!!!! It has the ideal ankle support and position-not too high, not too low. The lacing is fast and easy; great sole; and an all-round wonderful fit. They are very comfortable and breath excellently.

Thank you Lowa for such a high quality product.

(This boot is built for people with narrower feet.)

Similar Products Used:

None