In 1923, LOWA was founded in Jetzendorf, Bavaria, southern Germany, by a shoemaker named Johann Wagner. This master craftsman only worked during the day and spent his evenings immersed in the joy of creating music. As a result, he could only make a few pairs of shoes each day, but each one was of exceptional quality. Soon, these shoes became well-known across Germany, forming the foundation of the original LOWA footwear. Fifteen years later, the shoemaker’s son took over the business and built LOWA into the globally renowned, leading brand in outdoor footwear that it is today. Although 90 years have passed, the master shoemaker’s exquisite craftsmanship has been faithfully preserved, and the sincerity and precision of handcrafting have become the enduring hallmark of LOWA’s shoe-making philosophy.
LOWA’s headquarters is located in the town of Jetzendorf, north of Munich, Germany, and its employees largely come from Bavaria’s handicraft manufacturing industry. Here, LOWA produces a large number of boots and shoes for mountaineering, hiking, backpacking, and long-distance trekking. In Slovakia, just a few hours’ drive from Jetzendorf, LOWA has set up an ATC (All-Terrain Collection) production line. The highly skilled manufacturing team in Slovakia guarantees LOWA’s quality, while the short distance facilitates efficient quality control.
In 2005, LOWA officially entered the Chinese market. Its top-tier shoe materials and Germany’s traditional, meticulous craftsmanship have gained increasing recognition among Chinese consumers. To further meet the diverse purchasing needs of different domestic markets, LOWA began to expand its product line to suit various environments. Today, LOWA has become a leading force in China’s outdoor footwear market, occupying a dominant position.
As one of the world’s earliest and most important footwear manufacturers, for 90 years, LOWA has insisted on handcrafting its shoes. Senior artisans maintain a spirit of excellence in every detail and manufacturing process, ensuring that every pair of LOWA shoes possesses a distinguished and superior quality. Beyond its relentless pursuit of quality, LOWA also places great emphasis on combining traditional shoemaking techniques with modern materials and innovative technologies, giving its products a more contemporary character. More than ten patented technologies — including the SPS Walking Guarantee System, the Foot Climate Control System, and the globally unique C4 Tongue System — create LOWA’s world-leading foot comfort system, delivering unparalleled comfort and durability. These ensure that no matter where you go, you can enjoy the premium experience of technology-enhanced footsteps. LOWA’s dedication to quality and continuous technological innovation has earned it the Gold Gear Award from the American outdoor magazine FLSH ALASKA, and its outstanding quality has been incorporated into German national standards, solidifying its leadership position in the global outdoor footwear field.
Brand Features
(1) Exceptional Quality, Comprehensive Technical Assurance
LOWA uses the best components and cutting-edge technologies, taking the time needed to perfect every pair of shoes. The globally unique C4 Tongue System, asymmetric structure, SPS Walking Guarantee System, and other technologies provide LOWA footwear with unmatched comfort and durability. The latest inner lining technologies effectively reduce wrinkles inside the boots, ensuring superior foot comfort. The patented AWP technology offers enhanced support for walking. LOWA not only maximizes the potential of classic, time-tested technologies but also continuously brings revolutionary developments to outdoor footwear design and production.
(2) Outstanding Comfort
LOWA shoes are world-renowned for their comfort. Over the past two decades, we have collected and analyzed data from millions of different feet. This ensures our designs accommodate various foot types. LOWA is the only company in the world capable of offering a full range of slim and narrow footwear options.
(3) A Model of European Handcrafted Excellence
In Italy, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and other countries, over a thousand European footwear artisans craft HIGH-QUALITY LOWA shoes.
(4) Quality Rooted in Meticulous Attention to Detail
Meticulous attention to every detail ensures the exceptional quality of every pair of LOWA shoes. For 90 years, LOWA’s senior artisans have approached each manufacturing process with the Germans’ renowned precision, scrutinizing every aspect of product quality. It is this commitment to perfection that makes LOWA the top choice for champions in international outdoor sports competitions.
(5) World-Class Technical Collaborations
LOWA partners with the world-class sole supplier Vibram to ensure outstanding stability and performance of the outsoles.
LOWA uses the globally renowned Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex XCR waterproof and breathable membranes to keep feet dry in any environment.
(6) Premium Products Through Rigorous Testing
LOWA collaborates with GORE and other authoritative testing institutions to rigorously test every pair of LOWA shoes, ensuring they are comfortable and durable.
(7) Exceptional Craftsmanship, Recognized by German National Standards
LOWA’s proudly exceptional quality has been incorporated into German national standards.
(8) Features of Women's Footwear
Female feet are characterized by: narrower heels; a wider forefoot proportion; higher arches making the top of the instep a sensitive area; thinner calves and Achilles tendons; and overall slimmer feet compared to males.Addressing these characteristics, we have developed LOWA women’s shoes specifically designed for the female foot and leg shape. Their features include:
· C4 Filled Tongue (ensures comfort on the top of the foot);
· Flexible soles that make walking and trekking more effortless; women-specific lasts feature narrower heels, higher arches, and wider ball areas
· Comfortable cuffs and guards effectively protect the Achilles tendon and ankle; glove-leather tongue with extra padding ensures maximum comfort
· Soft leather used on the angled section around the ankle