These are the best boots you could buy. They are worth every cent, and will last for years. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a quality.

Bought a pair of lowa banff's for my tree planting job in bc. This job is hiking 10-11 hours a day with a 60lb load on clear cut/logged blocks - up over under jumping from log to log etc with full bag ups of seedlings about 50-60lbs.these boots performed flawlessly. Comfy from day one of the season until the last day. Tree planting will wreck any boot not worthy of itself. Screefing, stomping kicking stuff out of the way all day and these boots are ready for another season no problem.I give these boots 5/5 stars no problemif you are looking at these boots for tree planting dont hesitate they out lasted alot of other 'top' brands such as scarpa and la sportiva no problem and no i wasn't a low baller i am a high baller over 2k almost everyday.the one downside is once they are wet they stay wet for a day or two when in bush camp which can be annoying.

Great boots but too heavy.After a day of use my knees were very sore and i had to return them.Never had this problem before.Backcounrty was good about the return tho.

These boots are of the best quality. I broke these in with about 30 miles. I treated them with Nikwax waterproofing and I found out how waterproof they are. On a 5 day backpacking trip in the Andes, the first couple of days were very wet. The feet stayed dry the whole time even when a wrong step dunked a boot up to the ankle, no moisture inside. The Banff has a leather lining and is very soft and molds right to the foot. The lacing system is great and I could get a very snug fit without cutting off any circulation. The Banff does'nt use a lot of high tech materials like some others trying to push some mechanical sounding suspension system it just uses very fine grade leather and traditional engineering. These are a little heavy but they are durable and you can carry a good amount of weight because these are not hikers they are for backpacking. Comfort is number one for me and I have not been let down by these even after a couple of hundred miles. True to size also, and Lowa runs for narrow feet.

Too bad Lowa discontinued the Tanark. Perfect comfort, perfect balance, in really rough terrain for me @ 200 lbs. I don't like the Banff. Too heavy, awkward, and not that comfortable either. Can't Lowa bring the Tanark back? I had 4 pairs over the years. Best hiking boot ever! Their earlier one's lasted longer. The later one's had stitching too low on the sides and the rocks and grit just ate them up. The earlier Tanarks didn't have this problem.

I can't figure why Lowa discontinued the tanark. It was plenty rugged for a two hundred pound guy in really rough terrain, but a couple of years before they discontinued it they changed the stitching and the rocks just ate it up, so they fell apart before the rest of the boot did. Their previous Tanarks did not have thus problem.
Now they've come out with the Banff which I suppose is to replace the Tanark. No way. The Banff is too heavy and too clumsy.

These boots are really nice. My feet sweat alot in goretex boots, but these leather lined boots really vent well (sweaty feet contribute to blisters).
The leather lining conforms to your feet after about 15 miles. They are plenty supportive for rough trail backpacking. Used these in the Canadian Rockies for a week (both hiking and backpacking) and my feet never got tired or sore. I love these boots.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am not in the sports apparel or boot business. Neither is anyone in my family. I am an attorney of long standing; and quite discerning in my purchasing…of anything. And, I am generally loathe to praise a company for doing that which it is supposed to be doing; e.g. making a quality product and even coming close to the "puffing language" found in their advertising. This, therefore, is a rare occasion. I recently went looking for a comfortable hiking boot with the support I wanted. I wanted the support, but they had to be the kind of boot that still felt good after a long day’s hike. I am so very happy to say that I found MORE than what I was looking for in the Lowa Scout. It is absolutely a fantastic boot. It provides the support I need in heavy rock, yet is so comfortable that I often wear it around town on a Saturday while I am running errands in the city. I find myself reaching for my Scouts more and more often. I can only give Lowa my highest praises. (As a matter of fact, I like them so much, I'm seriously considering buying "a pair for church" and one for "work" -- as they used to say "down on the farm". Whoever designed these boots was really thinking. Goodbye Vasque (what @#%*! happened their boot sizing?? Will they go the way of Gerry??); hello Lowa. My hat is off to you all at Lowa. Well done! Very well done, indeed!

These boots are simply fantastic. I have had them for 1+ months and did some winter hikes in New Mexico. They need no walking-in time and are as comfortable as trainers within minutes of wearing them. However, they also give you great stability when walking in snow and ice. Plus they are warm when you need them to be. Lowa realy hit the jackpot when they created them. Size is true to numbering. Only pity was that BackcountryStore did not have them in the right size for my wife. In short a high quality boot for the right price. Highly recommended

I have very wide feet. Sadly the Lowa boots were too narrow. We Americans just do not fit into European shoes.

These are easily the best hiking boots I have ever owned. Breaking them in took only a couple short hikes and they are far more comfortable than other models I have tried. Backcountrystore.com got them to me in record time as well. Thanks for the good shopping experience.

Like the boots. Haven't taken them more than a couple miles yet, but they seem to be stable, sturdy, waterproof, etc. I was surprised that I didn't get blisters hiking in new boots.

Reviews and advice were right on. After waterproofing them and putting in Superfeet insoles; I first wore them on a 3 mile hike in the Grand Canyon. Then I wore them on a 12 mile and 2 six mile hikes in the GC. They feel great, like a custom boot. When asked how they feel; I say "Like slippers. They fit better than the boots I have been wearing for 2 years."

Bad ankles and plantar fascitus in both feet were putting a definite crimp in my hiking trips. My Lowa Banff's did a great job of locking in the heel and holding my feet in a secure position. I was able to do a wilderness trail hike at Grand Canyon (Tanner trail) with a heavy pack/extra water without a single blister, and I didn't roll my ankles once despite the rockslide scrambles. Boots are heavy but the protection and sense of security are worth it. Worth my money to be able to get back on the trail.

This is a great boot at a great price! After about 20 or so hours (reviewing posts on different boots over about a 2 month period), I settled on what I wanted in a boot. 1) mid to heavy-weight all leather construction (both inside and out) backpacking boot with as minimal seams as possible—maximum breathability with maximum water protection; 2) no insulation—good for hot or cold weather (always use thick socks, but vary the material for insulation quality); 3) no Gore-Tex—again, maximum breathability; 4) Vibram sole with rubber toe rand—the standard for traction and durability; and 5) fully replaceable insole—does any off the shelf boot come with a great off the shelf in-sole (that is, off the shelf for less than $200)? One thing I've learned in my 40+ years is that a great pair of insoles can really make or break all but the worst of shoes.

Lowa's Banff matched the above and can't be beat. I've had them for about 2 weeks now and wear them everywhere. They are stiff, but are slowly working towards perfection. The all-leather liners feel smooth to my fingers, but hey—my fingers aren't in the boot all day either! I purposely purchased a half size up to accommodate a thick sock—the right choice. The boot doesn't seem too narrow, but is just a bit tight with my thickest combo sock. I wear it most of the time for the break-in period. I put on a few layers of waterproofing on them right from the start, and so far no problems; but hey it's winter time and not much water around.

Lastly, I didn't mention looks in my desired characteristics. To be honest, didn't much care because I expect that most of the time they'll be covered with the elements (mud, grass stains, horse ****, etc); but for those interested, I get a lot of good comments from others on how they look.

Bottom line: Very satisfied so far!

I really like my boots from Lowa. I wear boots full time all seasons and have had trouble finding boots that are tough enough for the job. Many heavy boots are becoming so expensive and hard to find. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase online through here and hope when these boots wear out that I can find another with the same quality and price.

I like Lowa boots, ever since I bought a pair of Lowa renegade mid-hiking boots several years ago. They required literally no breaking in. My new Banff backpacking boots are not yet quite so comfortable, being more robust for heavier ground, but they are well on the way and should last for years.

...what I want in a hiking boot. They are sturdy, breathable, and they grip. Couldn't be happier with a boot unless they scratched my back. Great under a heavy pack.

I'm very satisfied with these boots! I have put about 70 miles on them, so far; they are comfortable, provide excellent support, are heavy duty and were just what I was looking for.

These boots are so stiff, I was in pain every time I wore them. I tried to break them in, but every time I did I got blisters. I'm thin and have bony feet, so feet with some meat on them might fare better. For the quality of the boot, the insole is flimsy. Be sure to install a quality insole. I bought the wides, but their idea of wide is just more volume. Not a good fit for wide feet. I had to send them back.

I bought these boots a few months ago and have completed a few day hikes as well as a 5 day hike with a 50lb backpack. I am definately happy with them and I will highly recommend them. With proper treatment they are completely waterproof. I have also been extremely happy with the service from Backcountry.com.

The Lowa Banff certainly appears to be a quality made boot, but I can't get them to properly fit. I wear a 12 medium and even the 12 wide is uncomfortable in the toe box. I tried the 11.5 medium, the 11.5 wide the 12 medium and they were all too small. I tried a 13 medium and my heel rose right out of the boot. I purchased the 12 wide figuring that must be the proper fit, it's not. When I torque the boot down enough to keep my heels from rising the circulation in my foot becomes restricted and I get hot spots on my small toes. I changed to a heavier sock with a sock liner and thought I found a good combination until I used the Banff's for an 8 mile mountain hike. My toes blistered and entire foot was one big Hot Spot. I made a very bad purchase. REI doesn't even sell them online anymore, so I assume they had numerous returns. If they fit, you're lucky. Mine Banff's are headed for Goodwill.

First off, the morning after i recieved these boots i took them out on a 12 mile day hike. Bad Idea. After about a week and a half of nursing the lovely blisters i got, i tried them out again. This time i didn't let the buyers euphoria take over and used them properly. I did an 8 miler and a short 4 miler with my lady friend. (You know, right socks, right insoles, proper tempo, etc...) They are properly broken in now and after the addition of the green superfeet insoles i don't want to take them off. If the soles didn't wear out so quickly on pavement I wouldn't. Also a note of importance, If you have thin feet these are the boots for you. Also don't buy these if you are a girly man and don't like stiff boots and don't mind going through some discomfort to get them just right.

I really like my Lowa's. Yes, they are stiff, and maybe a tad heavy, but they offer super protection and support. I have worn mine for backpacking heavy loads, day hikes, bowhunting, and general knock around.

The breathe pretty well, and no they aren't water proof. Water resistant is a stretch as well.

I am on my second sole in mine, and they are holding up well. I did replace the insoles with the heat moldable kind, and liked them better afterwards.

Top quality construction. Much lighter than my old pair and when coupled with custom orthotics really secures my foot in place. Very comfortable to wear for hours on end. Small break-in period. Great choice for a beefy person (>210lbs)

These are nice boots. I got alot of miles out of a pair of Vasque Sojourners. The Lowas could be improved upon with a more substantial , padded tongue, which the Vasques hit right on the money. The padded tongue on the Vasques really made a diff. Other than that, can't beat these for comfort and craftsmanship.

I've had these for over a year now and I'm still happy. I do most of my hiking in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah--very steep&lots of loose scree. The Banff has a solid feel under foot and the ankle support I need on the way down. Still 100% waterproof after a year. My only complaint is that the metal Lowa insignia has broken off one boot after a year's use and the rubber could come a little higher up the toe-box to protect better from scuffing on sharp rocks. I have no real complaints on fit or performance though.

i was very impressed with the boot, straight out of the box. No seams in the soft leather interior of the boot, Wow! i wore for a day and they great the only down side is that they are backing boots with a lot of extra padding which makes them bigger and heavier then i was used to. But despite that i would have kept them had i been able to stabilize my heel from moving, no matter how tight the heel slipped and i fore saw blister and even put in an insert but then they didn't fit right,so i returned them. I recommend them if they fit your feet.

These are my second pair of Lowa Backpacking boots. The first pair lasted 6 years and had to be retired, so I replaced them with a new pair of the Banffs. So far I've put about 30 days in the backcountry of Utah on my new pair and I've got two complaints: 1) The ankles on the Banffs are just a wee bit too high and cause some minor discomfort; 2) they take forever to dry out, and can stay a bit heavy. Other than that, they are sturdy, well made and comfortable.

I used it for 2 week in the Canadian Rockies in late August and they didn't leak a drop even after crossing countless streams. They're really hard to dry though if you get water in the top. I had the unfortunate luck of snow on my last day, my feet were frozen but these aren't intended for snow so I can't complain. Worth the high cost, if they ever wear out (which I doubt) I would buy it again.

This is a moderately heavy duty backpacking boot, best for medium to heavy loads. Once broken in, the boots are incredibly comfortable. I do think, however, that these boots do need to be broken in. Since they are all leather, the fit seems to comform well to the boot.

They are completely waterproof if treated, notwithstanding any reviews to the contrary. I much prefer the breathability that comes without a gore tex liner.

I've had these boots for about 9 months and could not really be happier with them.

The only nit I would pick is with the lack of quality insole. Small point, as I use custom arch supports anyway and recommend getting Superfeet or something of that nature anyway.

I wanted a pair of boots that would handle a 45+ lb backpack, waterproofing is important, but breathability too, so I thought this type of boot may help. On their own website states that the leather is water repellent: (Water-repellent 2.5MM thick seamless Nubuck leather (one piece) upper), semi true, but right at the seams where the tongue meets the leather at those seams water pours in! I treated the whole boot with what the manufacturer recommended (Granger's) but water still got in, the leather lining did not prevented my hill from sliding, even if I tight the shoe laces with in turn just made my toes numb, to to the point that my whole foot was sore in the first braking-in walk, I thought that maybe they need more time to loosen up, so I did, the next trip to Dolly Sods WV., with a 52 lb pack they did supported the weight but the palm of my feet was raw, it did feel like waling bare feet on the trail. I invested on a pair of Super Feet inserts, that just gave me a nice blister on my arch, After a day of rest the boof felt a little better without a load,I would trade all that leather lining for a better padding and other cushioning in the inner sole. My last thought is that this pair of boots "Germany Made" is ok, for hiking but not for Backpacking, drier terrains and not for the bogs and creeks, they do need a longer break-in period if your feet can handle it.