Review: Lowa Zephyr GTX Mid

I've reviewed dozens of hiking boots over the years, but few have performed so well on the trail-or fit so well right out of the box-as the Lowa Zephyr GTX Mid. I got them early enough to test a variety of conditions, from snowy streets to dusty trails and everything in between; the Zephyr passed every test with flying colors. I prefer a super-lightweight boot that doesn't require a long break-in, and this boot definitely met that requirement-I went over nine miles on day two with nary a hotspot. The Gore-Tex liner kept my feet dry in wet grass and stream crossings, and the traction was stellar on all surfaces. My foot did slip forward a bit on steep downhills, but not enough to crush my toes. Available at Schnee's Boots & Shoes in Bozeman and Timber Trails in Livingston. $185; lowaboots.com.