Lowa Megacamp

[Ogden]

Some experience with the latest Lowa Megacamp (bought September 2010): The eyelets/hooks were not waterproof. No Lining on the inner side of the hooks. No water protection from the middle eyelet/hook upwards. And an uncomfortable amount of water breaking in. I know, how to seal it, but the quality was worth a complaint.
I contacted Lowa, and the service department manager said that's correct, only the GoreTex-version was waterproof. I complained about the quality and had a very unprofessional kind of "ohhh, I know what I am talking about, I want to go on the Mount McKinley next year"-mail-dialogue. And "All Doublestitched boots are uncomfortable" (!)
So, last pair of Lowa for me. The quality is not really convincing. And the communication didn't feel like talking with experts.

 

[nigel heffernan]

I just looked at the boots advertised and they say, Taller, 10 inch, specialty boot with sturdy ankle shaft for extra support in difficult terrain. Idea for dry climates.

* PU midsole for cushioning and comfortable walking.
* Crampon compatible Vibram Tsavo outsole.
* Glove leather lining.
* Sturdy, water-repellent full grain leather uppers.
For 360$ id expect them to be waterproof ask for your money back and if they dont, report them for false advertising

 

[Barn Owl]

Are these the same as the 'Supercamp' boot as advertised in UK?

Water resistant is not the same as waterproof in advertising spiel.

I was thinking of getting these as a summer boot because there was no goretex, therefore being better for breathability but water resistant enough for rain, wet grass and puddles.

My combat gtx boots have been excellent as have my Lowa Tibet gtx.

 

[Ogden]

Megacamp is the higher version of the Supercamp. I think in the UK they sell a Supercamp with Cambrelle Lining.

 

[johnboy]

I just looked at the boots advertised and they say, Taller, 10 inch, specialty boot with sturdy ankle shaft for extra support in difficult terrain. Idea for dry climates.

* PU midsole for cushioning and comfortable walking.
* Crampon compatible Vibram Tsavo outsole.
* Glove leather lining.
* Sturdy, water-repellent full grain leather uppers.
For 360$ id expect them to be waterproof ask for your money back and if they dont, report them for false advertising

It's not 'false' advertising. TBH

Ideal for Dry Climates... Is giving you some idea of the level of 'waterproofness' of the boot.
They also claim 'water repellant' leather as Barn Owl Says Water Repellant is not the same as waterproof...

I've got a couple of pairs of Lowa's Mtn Boot GTX and Desert Elite.

The Mtn Boot GTX's are highly water repellant but even with a full GTX lining water will find it's way in. Its just the nature of footwear. The Desert Elites are not waterproof in any way.

Both boots are very well constructed and I find em comfortable with a minimal break in period.

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a 100% waterproof leather boot. It's just a case of how long it takes water to get into the boot.

 

[oetzi]

I just looked at the boots advertised and they say, . Idea for dry climates.


* Glove leather lining.
* Sturdy, water-repellent full grain leather uppers.
For 360$ id expect them to be waterproof ask for your money back and if they dont, report them for false advertising

So...
leather on the outside
leather inside, too
"ideal for drier climate"
But not waterproof as expected?
And what, pray, has the price to do with waterproof or not?

Ogden: He, who can read and think, defiinitley has an advantage.

"And the communication didn't feel like talking with experts."
On either side?
Was für ein Spacko!

 

[Ogden]

So...
leather on the outside
leather inside, too
"ideal for drier climate"
But not waterproof as expected?
And what, pray, has the price to do with waterproof or not?

Ogden: He, who can read and think, defiinitley has an advantage.

"And the communication didn't feel like talking with experts."
On either side?
Was für ein Spacko!

Actually I didn't expect the boot to be waterproof. A full leather boot should make 8 - 10 cm of water for a short time without a problem. If you cross a river with three or four steps for example. In case there is no lining behind the rivet, the rivet itself has to be kind of 'water-repellant'. But the Megacamp rivets are of very low quality (sorry, if my description is nonsense - not a native speaker). When I walk in a river, I feel the water (on the skin!)about one second after I stepped in the water. And I wear thick Devold Hunting Socks. The amount of water leaking through the rivets is far too high. If they use these rivets, a thin lining would be very nice. This wouldn't make it waterproof, but ok for a river. The reason I mention all this: many army boots (full leather) have this kind of thin leather lining on the inner side of the rivets (in opposition to jungle boots etc.). It is not unusual. Lowa spared another 7 cm of lining. Or didn't stretch the budget by using these rivets.
And I didn't intend to give them back, I know what I bought. And I know how to fix it.
The Lowa manager was unnecessarily arrogant. And he didn't know some fabrics (which occured in our mail-chat), but insisted on his judgement. Just a personal impression, but it didn't feel good.

 

[drliamski]

And prey tell how are you going to fix it?? A I just ordered a pair!

 

[Ogden]

A leather stripe sewn from the inside on (or 'over'? or 'on top'? - sorry, not a native speaker) the rivets. Tightly sewn (around each rivet, and you may wax or seamseal the thread). The leather gets wet, but you stop the cascade. A good shoemaker will do it.