LOWA SKYTERRA Trail Shoe

Review by Erin Trail

LOWA has built a mid to long distance trail runner from their long standing mountain hiking boot heritage.  The SKYTERRA Trail Shoe is a great option for your long runs.

Details

• Midsole: Rocker-Shaped High Rebound DYNATYPE®
• Heel Drop: 6mm
• Stack Height: Heel 32.5mm; Ball 26.5
• Outsole: VIBRAM TRAC® ULTRA 2 w/Megagrip Rubber
• Lugs: 4.5 mm
• Weight: 11.9 oz. (340 g) for a US M9 / 9.7 oz. (275 g) for a US W8

Fit

I am typically a women’s size 9 for running shoes and require a special insole with a metatarsal pad for running.  I found that the LOWA SKYTERRA Trail Shoe ran VERY large.  I ordered a women’s 8.5 (a half size smaller) and found them pretty roomy in the toe box.  I am betting that a full size smaller (women’s size 8) would have been perfect.

The interior of the shoe is plenty roomy and had no issues accommodating my running insoles.  Due to the larger sizing and feel, I did need to lace the shoes up tighter than normal.  I usually also opt to use the outer lace option close to the shoe collar, as a heel lock.  I was unable to actually get the shoelaces through the hole as the opening was too small.   Even with the larger sizing and not being able to utilize heel lock laces, I didn’t notice much movement as I ran.  My feet didn’t slide around and my heel stayed in place without a lot of extra movement.

Function

I tested the LOWA SKYTERRA Trail Shoe on my usual trail running routes as well as on a gravel road when I was on vacation.  Testing surfaces varied from packed dirt, dirt with a slippery layer of grit, loose baby head rocks, and conglomerate sandstone.

The feel of the LOWA SKYTERRA Trail Shoe is firmer compared to most of the shoes that I test.  The supercritical foam did seem to almost “warm up” and soften a bit (or my feet got used to the firmer feel) as I got through my warmup and headed into the “work” part of my running workouts.  The start of the runs do feel a bit stodgy but after a while (usually when my warm up is over), the midsole begins to feel a bit snappy and responsive, in line with what I’d expect from a distance training shoe.

The overall feel of the shoe is on the stiff side, maybe a callback to LOWA’s boot roots.  The stiffness isn’t bad, it’s just different.  The fabric upper is constructed in a way where I suspect it will last a very long time.  Select parts of the fabric upper are coated with a durable material along the toe cap, the lace eyelets, and along the midsole, giving extra protection from fraying and tears.

The VIBRAM TRAC® ULTRA 2 w/Megagrip Rubber outsole provided secure footing on a wide variety of terrain.  I enjoyed the lug depth – 4.5 mm – giving me plenty of traction in sand and over rocks.  Even with the firm midsole and stiffer feeling upper, I didn’t have any issues with footing during my testing.  The shoes moved well on a wide variety of terrain with no instability or near-ankle twists.  There isn’t a ton of “trail feel” due to the firm midsole, but I’m the kind of runner that favors stability on lumpy terrain over feeling the bumps.

Closing Thoughts

The LOWA SKYTERRA Trail Shoe falls into the “old reliable” category of trail running shoes.  Durable and reliable, it’s a shoe that’s good over the long haul, for longer training days and even longer racing days where protection and grip are prioritized over lightness and a bouncy foot feel.

The LOWA SKYTERRA Trail Shoe is available for both men and women.  Sizing can be tricky, so try and find the shoe in person to find the fit that works for best for you.  I recommend sizing down a half to full size for the best fit.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke

Erin Trail on her mountain bike at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race

Erin Trail on her running at the World Tri Cross Triathlon World Championship race