Lowa Nabucco GTX Mid
First Impressions
Lowa – based in Germany – is the only European manufacturer in our test that actually makes their boots in region. The company builds the Nabucco GTX Mid in Slovakia and out of the box, you can see and feel the quality workmanship. The Nabucco GTX Mid also looks surprisingly sleek for an insulated boot. In fact, it’s about 10% narrower and shorter than the Ecco Dhaka GTX Mid also covered in this report.
Features
Out of the box, the Lowa Nabucco GTX Mid is impressive. The high-quality leather upper resists scuffing and the Cordura nylon collar and gusseted tongue deliver excellent padding, comfort and weather proofing. The interior Gore-Tex bootie further prevents moisture penetration and keeps the boot from overheating. And the fleece lining throughout the boot’s interior does a nice job of keeping warmth in.
Specs
Upper: Split leather and Cordura nylon, fleece lining
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex
Sole: Proprietary rubber with textile inserts for added grip
Weight: 2.9 lbs
The sole of the Nabucco GTX Mid employs a proprietary soft rubber with a rubberized textile insert in the heavy, hexagonal lugs. These round inserts remind me of shock cord cut in half exposing the elastic fibers to the elements. When these come in contact with rain and snow slicked ground, these inserts were designed to act as shock absorbers and improve grip, according to the company’s website.
I found that the sole overall did a great job and gripped very well in the snow. On ice, however, we found no improvement over more traditional outsole materials.
Fit
Slipping into the Nabucco GTX Mid is like sliding into a German sports car. No frills, no extraneous padding, just firm support that delivers solid contact with the ground. You don’t feel isolated from terra firma as you might feel in other winter boots, nor do you feel like there’s a lack of underfoot support. Frankly, the Nabucco GTX Mid gets the fit just right.
Final Verdict
The Lowa Nabucco GTX Mid delivers exceptional winter boot performance. The quality construction and innovative rubber outsole provide protection and solid grip. And its sleekness make the boot a real standout in the category.