Best for everyday trail walking

776g (m), 620g (w)

Plusses: Lightweight, agile and versatile
Minuses: Can be a tight fit, minimal protection, expensive

Features: This is described as a lightweight hiking shoe for ‘fast and light’ outdoor activities. It uses a textile and microfibre upper backed by a waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex lining. There’s an injected PU midsole, soft stabiliser and ‘monowrap stability frame’. It all adds up to a reasonably supportive yet light shoe.

Fit: For the first time in many years of using Lowa footwear, I found the sizing to be a bit off. The UK8.5 had too much length, so I dropped to UK8. I have an unusual foot shape – broad with a high arch – and the shoe is low volume, unlike many Lowa boots that are built on a wide last.

Comfort: This is a light shoe and has a minimal design that lacks a plush padded collar and tongue. But due to their light weight and the midsole construction, they offer all-day in-use comfort.

In use: These shoes became my daily ‘go-to’ because they are light, agile and can handle a variety of terrain. I’ve walked several hundred kilometres in them and they have held up well, with only a slightly worn sole at the heel and ingrained dirt marking the upper. 

They’re designed to support walkers carrying up to a 5kg pack, so I didn’t use them on anything too arduous. They are responsive, allowing me to walk slowly one moment and to pick up my pace and bound down a slope the next. 

The Lowa outsole is grippy and sharp-edged. I found grip was excellent, whether on a metalled surface, wet and rooty tracks or when striding over slick grass at my local reserve.

Over time, the tightness of the fit was not an issue, though the lacing frequently came undone when walking in the wet.

Value: Lowa handmakes its footwear in various European countries and is considered a premium brand. But the Innox Evo feels expensive for the kind of trips they can be used for.

Verdict: It’s a delight to wear light and agile footwear. They’re a good option for the serious daywalker who likes to move fast.