User Review: Lowa Banff
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Rating: 
Materials: Nubuk Leather water proof, no GTX, but with moisture control
Use: casual, hiking, backpacking
Break-in Period: Very Short
Weight: close to 4 lbs supposedly, but don't feel heavy
Price Paid: $121
Hurray! Never ever tried the boots on and they fit great with a pair of medium to heavy hiking socks. I am 6'1" and 200lbs. I have a 12D to 12 1/2 D foot for many of my boots and shoes but usually have to go up to 13D to get a shoe that fits or is available. Heard these shoes ran 1/2 size large so was a little worried ordering a 13 D, especially since my heel is more of a B-C size. It's the exact same length as my new Columbia diamond peak hiking boots and Mack steel toe work boots. The slight extra room in the toe box prevents my big toe from rubbing on the side, but the outside of the foot rests firmly, but nicely, on the outside of the foot. I have a low to medium arch but the boot still feels good, and probably good enough for someone with a medium to slightly higher arch. High arch people may want to buy a high arch insert.
I have not yet hiked in them, but testing them in the neighborhood up and down steep slopes and cross slopes, and brisk walking did not fatigue/hurt my feet like the Vasque Wastach. Of course both pairs of Vasque Wasatches I got were defective and poor quality. Maybe because Vasque is now made in China?
Waterproof test passed also, and also should breath better than a Gore-tex boot. 12 1/2 D may be perfect but these 13D's seem fine.
Solid boot. Comfortable right out of the box possibly do to the extra 1/2 size I had to get. No excessive heel pressure at all, and yet does not slip much. And all that sole and built in footbed technology stuff they proclaim (SPS, c4 tongue, etc.) seems to work. Very supportive all around. Easy to tie the feet up nice and snug. The removable insert is pretty basic and nothing to write home about. The sole has less tread rubber than I prefer, but really grabs well. The flat non-tread sole rubber is roughed up (not smooth like other boots) which should provide some extra traction on sharp wet roots and rocks.
The soft leather inside the entire boot is awesome.
I have only recently gotten these from Zappos.com so I have not hiked in them yet, but testing them around the area up/down/sideways along steep slopes has shown them to work extremely well. Zappos price matching got me an incredible deal on the these boots, and their free/no shipping charge return policy encouraged me to buy thee boots and try them.
Great backpacking boot. Very firm soles/midsoles and supportive. Quality/supportive seamless leather upper. Good looking and comfortable enough to also wear casually too. Don't feel very heavy either, although supposed to be heavier than some other hiking/backpacking boots. Comes up a little higher above the ankle up on the back of the leg than some other hiking boots and mid hikers I have tried, which I like.
I have heard it also comes in narrow and wide widths, but that the wide withs have more volume, but same footbed size as medium requiring more break in of the leather and the 360 degree rubber rand protector. The shoe felt pretty true to length, volume, and width sizing for me.
Where to Buy
Buy Online We found the Banff at 3 online stores:
| Store | Product Description | Price |
 Backcountry.com 3 purchase options: | Banff Backpacking Boot - Men's | $199.71 | Buy Now |
| Banff Backpacking Boot - Men's | $234.95 | Buy Now | |
| Banff Backpacking Boot - Women's | $234.95 | Buy Now |
 REI 2 purchase options: | Banff Hiking Boots - Men's | $235.00 | Buy Now |
| Banff Hiking Boots - Women's | $235.00 | Buy Now |
 RockCreek 2 purchase options: | Banff Lady 'S' Boot (Women's) | $149.95 | Buy Now |
| Banff 'S' Boot (Men's) | $184.95 | Buy Now |
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