Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo Review

I bought the Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo hiking shoes in late 2025. Although they’re marketed as speed hiking shoes, I actually bought them with a broader purpose in mind. Just like my previous Lowa Innox GTX Lo and Lowa Renegade GTX Lo shoes, I wanted a pair of shoes that would work equally well on hiking trails and for everyday use.

Over the last nine months I’ve worn the Maddox almost daily. I’ve used them on muddy forest trails in Denmark, rocky paths in Crete, mountain trails during our summer holiday in Slovenia, and countless everyday walks at home. I also wore them throughout the Danish winter, sometimes even in snow. Besides that, I spent many hours carrying my son in an Osprey Poco child carrier during hot summer hikes where the combination of lightweight footwear and good support becomes especially important. Below is what I learned about the Lowa Maddox shoes.

Lowa Maddox Pro GTX hiking boots are suitable for:

• Hiking
• Speed hiking
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Everyday use

The Basics

The Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo is primarily designed for speed hiking, but in my experience it’s much more versatile than that. It’s equally suitable for travelling, everyday wear and long walks around town.

Compared to the Lowa Renegade GTX Lo, the Maddox immediately feels lighter and more agile. Interestingly, the actual weight difference between the two shoes is surprisingly small, but the flexible synthetic upper gives the Maddox a much less bulky feel. It simply feels more athletic on the foot, while still providing the excellent support and stability that Lowa’s PU midsoles are known for.

The shoe actually reminds me much more of the Lowa Innox than the Renegade. Both have a lightweight synthetic construction and a very athletic feel. The Maddox is, however, slightly less padded around the tongue and heel, making it feel a little more streamlined. It is also a few grams lighter and, in my opinion, available in more attractive color options, which makes it easier to wear as an everyday shoe.

The first time I put the Maddox on, my immediate impression was that I was wearing a slightly heavier running shoe, but with far better stability. The PU midsole gives the shoe a level of support that’s uncommon in lightweight hiking footwear.

Another nice detail is that, like several premium Lowa models, the Maddox is manufactured in Slovakia, where Lowa produces many of its higher-end hiking shoes.

Comfort and Support

Before I started using the shoes, I was actually a little concerned about the relatively thin padding. Especially around the tongue and heel they looked less cushioned than my previous hiking shoes.

Fortunately, those concerns disappeared after my very first hike.

The Maddox is simply an incredibly comfortable shoe. It wraps securely around the foot without creating pressure points, and despite the athletic fit it never felt restrictive. The lightweight construction also contributes significantly to the overall comfort. Even after long days of sightseeing, travelling or hiking, my feet never felt overly fatigued.

One feature that deserves special mention is the lacing system. My Renegade shoes had a tendency for the laces to slowly loosen during hikes, forcing me to stop and retie them. The Maddox is the complete opposite. The laces stay exactly where I tighten them and provide one of the most secure fits I’ve experienced in a hiking shoe.

The PU midsole is another highlight. While many lightweight hiking shoes use softer EVA foam, the Maddox retains the stability and durability that polyurethane midsoles are known for. The sole is moderately stiff, which proved particularly beneficial on rocky trails and while carrying my son in the Poco backpack. The additional rigidity reduces calf fatigue during long ascents and provides excellent support on uneven terrain.

Overall, these are among the most comfortable hiking shoes I’ve owned. They somehow manage to combine the comfort of lightweight footwear with the support normally associated with much heavier hiking shoes.

Traction

Unlike the Renegade, the Maddox doesn’t use a Vibram outsole. Initially I was a little skeptical because I’ve generally had excellent experiences with Vibram outsoles. Fortunately, my concerns proved unnecessary.

The traction is very good on both dry and wet terrain. On rocky trails in both Crete and Slovenia I felt completely confident, even when the rocks were damp. The outsole grips surprisingly well and inspires plenty of confidence on technical terrain.

The only situation where I noticed its limitations was deep mud. The lugs aren’t particularly aggressive, so they don’t clear sticky mud as efficiently as deeper hiking boot outsoles. They still perform perfectly well on ordinary forest trails, but if your hikes frequently involve thick mud you’ll occasionally notice some slipping.

For the mixed terrain most hikers encounter, however, I have absolutely no complaints.

Breathability and Waterproofness

Looking at the shoe, I expected outstanding breathability. The synthetic upper is exceptionally thin and lightweight. In practice, though, the Gore-Tex membrane becomes the limiting factor.

The Maddox is certainly breathable, but I wouldn’t say it’s noticeably more breathable than my older Lowa Innox despite the thinner upper. Gore-Tex inevitably reduces airflow, and that’s something you’ll notice regardless of how lightweight the upper materials are.

That said, the breathability is still perfectly adequate. I wore these shoes during temperatures reaching 35°C while hiking in Slovenia, sometimes carrying my son for several hours, and never felt excessively uncomfortable. My feet certainly became warm, but not to a degree that bothered me.

Waterproofness has been excellent. I haven’t intentionally submerged the shoes, but I’ve worn them in heavy rain, wet grass, muddy trails and snowy conditions without ever coming home with wet feet.

Sizing

Compared to both the Lowa Renegade and Lowa Innox, the Maddox has a noticeably narrower fit and also runs slightly smaller.

My Innox and Renegade shoes were in size 43½, so I initially ordered the Maddox in the same size. It quickly became obvious that it was too small, and I ended up exchanging it for EU 44, which fits perfectly. Coincidentally, EU 44 is also the size I wear in my Salewa hiking boots.

If you’re between sizes, I would recommend trying the Maddox one size larger.

Photos

Lowa Renegade vs Innox vs Maddox

The Lowa Renegade GTX Lo is the most robust of the three. It features durable nubuck leather uppers, a Vibram outsole and a wider fit. It’s an outstanding all-round hiking shoe, especially if you frequently hike on rocky terrain or carry heavier loads. Although the Renegade weighs almost the same as the Maddox, it feels noticeably more substantial on the foot. The leather upper is stiffer and less flexible than the Maddox’s synthetic construction, giving it a more traditional hiking shoe feel. The leather also gets dirty surprisingly quickly and requires considerably more maintenance to keep looking good. In terms of fit, the renegade is perfect for wide feet.

The Lowa Innox GTX Lo and Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo are much closer competitors. Both are lightweight speed-hiking shoes with synthetic uppers, excellent PU midsoles and outstanding comfort. The Maddox feels slightly more streamlined with less padding around the tongue and heel, weighs a few grams less and is available in more attractive colour options. The Innox feels a little softer and more cushioned.

In terms of hiking performance, I honestly don’t think there’s a clear winner between the Innox and Maddox. Both are excellent lightweight hiking shoes with outstanding stability thanks to their PU midsoles. Choosing between them mostly comes down to personal preference and which fit or design you prefer.

Verdict

The Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo has exceeded my expectations.

Its greatest strengths are the incredibly low weight, excellent stability and outstanding versatility. It feels almost like wearing a stable running shoe, yet it provides enough support for rocky trails, long hikes and even carrying a child carrier over demanding terrain.

The lacing system is among the best I’ve used, the rear pull loop makes the shoes easy to put on and convenient to hang up for drying, and the modern design means I never hesitate to wear them for everyday activities or travelling.

After nine months of use across Denmark, Crete and Slovenia, it’s honestly difficult to find anything negative to say. The only minor criticism is that the breathability isn’t quite as exceptional as the very thin upper initially suggests and that they are a bit pricey.

If you’re looking for a lightweight hiking shoe that combines the comfort of athletic footwear with the stability of a proper hiking shoe, the Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo is one of the best options I’ve used.

If you have any questions about this product, drop me a line in the comments below.