Lowa Jannu Lo Hiking Shoe - Men's

I have used them on 5-days hiking (with some breaking done beforehand)and my feelings are somewhat controversial - sole is really very good and has really great traction (exactly as Ozzy said), leather lining is very comfy, but toe part is somewhat too narrow (at least for me) and contains excessive amount of stitching causing excessive pressure and rub on upper part of toes, especially on descends. As well toes area is not so well protected from impacts - I have injured my big toe by (unintentionally) hitting the stone. Hit was not so hard but toe is somewhat blue till now. My wife started that trip as well in Jannu Lo (Women) shoes but has to gave them up after first day due to unbearable pain in right ankle. Then we bought for her a pair of Meindl hiking shoes in the first shop sports gear shop that we found and next 4 days were trouble free.

I have used them on 5-days hiking (with some breaking done beforehand)and my feelings are somewhat controversial - sole is really very good and has really great traction (exactly as Ozzy said), leather lining is very comfy, but toe part is somewhat too narrow (at least for me) and contains excessive amount of stitching causing excessive pressure and rub on upper part of toes, especially on descends. As well toes area is not so well protected from impacts - I have injured my big toe by (unintentionally) hitting the stone. Hit was not so hard but toe is somewhat blue till now. My wife started that trip as well in Jannu Lo (Women) shoes but has to gave them up after first day due to unbearable pain in right ankle. Then we bought for her a pair of Meindl hiking shoes in the first shop sports gear shop that we found and next 4 days were trouble free.

I've used the Jannu Lo on very long Search & Rescue missions while carrying extremely large amounts of gear through the mountains, and they've been comfortable every step of the way. No slipping, no pain or blisters - the leather interior conforms to your foot after a decent break-in period. Lowas are the only boots I depend on in the field, and the Jannu is no exception.

After reading fien's neanderthal one-liner, I felt obligated to contribute a review. Look, if people like Wayne Gregory say this is the shoe they never hike without, you know it's a damn good shoe (that guy hikes about 6 days a week, no joke). The Jannu Lo wears like a boot: the vibram sole is very sturdy and the lugs give ridiculous traction. I was recently on a hike where we descended a very steep slope (about 70% grade) and others were sliding and tripping down. Not I: straight down, no slips. These things have *great* traction. After breaking them in for about 14 days, they wear like a dream. I use an after market insole and find that helps my medium/low volume foot avoid heel slippage. So, the bottom line is this: these are very comfortable, superbly constructed shoes that perform like heavy duty boots. 9 out of 10 times (even on three/four day trips) this is what I wear into the backcountry.

Quality is not as it was earlier times.

The Jannu Lo feels semi-tight at first but the padding is firm and requires some time to form to your feet. Once your feet are formed to these shoes you tighten the laces they have as much arch support as good quality backpacking boots. I will be taking them off (LO) when crossing water. They suprised me how the toe area is firm for kicking into whatever hard pack snow you run across. These soles do not flex like some others and remind me of great quality mountaineering boots as they have a rigid disposition. They do flex just the right amount for a 50 lb. pack, my feet did not get tired. Mine were made in Italy. Thumbs Up for the Quality