LOWA Boots Size Chart: UK, EU, US and Foot Length in mm for Men, Women and Kids

LOWA’s size information is split across several pages, and they do not all say the same thing in the same way. The UK page says LOWA sizes are UK sizes and recommends you start with your normal UK boot size. The US page says the general rule is to order the same size as your standard street shoe. The global chart ties both to a foot length in millimeters and then adds a detail most brands do not: US women’s sizes come in two columns, one for cemented construction and one for injected construction, half a size apart. This guide puts those charts side by side, explains the toe allowance LOWA already builds into them, covers the widths and fit categories LOWA publishes, and sets out a sensible way to choose between your street shoe size and the chart.

Street Shoe Size or Foot Length? What LOWA Actually Recommends

LOWA’s pages give two starting points, and they are compatible if you know how to read them. The US page says: order the same size LOWA boots as your standard street shoe size, and try boots on with the socks you plan to wear, in the afternoon when your feet are slightly swollen. The UK page says to start with your normal UK boot size, and to check the product’s own size recommendation. Both pages say that sizing is not standardized across brands and that LOWA cannot guarantee a size, since all feet are unique.

The foot length approach is the cleaner one if you do not know what you wear in street shoes, or if your street shoes are an unusual cut. Measure your foot while standing, find the closest foot length on the chart, and read across to your size. LOWA’s UK page says it is best to measure the length of your foot standing up. Because the tables already contain the toe allowance, a foot that measures 265 mm lands on UK 8, not on a bigger size. If the street shoe rule and the chart disagree by a half size, trust the chart for length and the fit category for width, then confirm by trying the boot on.

LOWA Men’s Size Chart (UK, EU, US, Foot Length in mm)

This is LOWA’s global size chart, men’s range, from foot length 247 mm to 324 mm. The EU to US pairs match the table on LOWA’s US size page. The US page also lists men’s sizes up to EU 52 and US 17, which are beyond the foot length chart we read, so they are not shown here. Note that EU 43 is skipped: the chart goes from EU 42.5 straight to 43.5, as published. For the general men’s scale, see our men’s shoe size chart.

Source: LOWA global size chart and LOWA US size page.

LOWA Women’s Size Chart: Cemented Construction

LOWA’s women’s chart has two US columns because women’s boots are built with two kinds of sole construction. The cemented column is the lower of the two. LOWA’s UK page names the categories behind this: for example, at 252 mm the US size is 8 for Trekking & Mountaineering and 8.5 for Hiking & Light Hiking. Check your boot’s category and construction on the product page before choosing a column. For the general women’s scale, see our women’s shoe size chart.

Source: LOWA global size chart. Women’s range, cemented construction column.

LOWA Women’s Size Chart: Injected Construction

The injected column is half a US size above the cemented column at every size on LOWA’s chart. LOWA’s US page says injected soles are used in its Hiking, All Terrain, Everyday, Cold Weather and Task Force boot categories, and tells you to use the “US Women (Injected Soles)” column for those. The foot length, UK and EU numbers are the same as in the cemented table.

Source: LOWA global size chart and LOWA US size page. Women’s range, injected construction column.

The 15 mm Toe Allowance Is Already in the Chart

This is a small statement on LOWA’s UK page with a big practical effect. LOWA recommends a gap between all your toes and the end of the footwear of 15 mm for adults and 12 mm for kids, and says its size tables already include it. In other words, the foot length column is your foot, and the size it points to is the boot that leaves 15 mm in front of your longest toe.

Two consequences. First, do not add another half size on top of the chart for room, unless you have a reason such as thick socks or a swollen foot. Second, if you are trying on boots and your toes are touching the front, the boot is too short by LOWA’s standard, and if you have far more than a finger’s width, it may be too long. On a descent, a boot that is too long lets the foot slide forward and can bruise toes, which is why a correct allowance matters in a hiking boot more than in a casual shoe.

LOWA Widths and Fit Categories

LOWA publishes two width systems, and it is useful to know which one you are reading.

The US size page gives letter widths by gender, and describes three lasts: narrow, standard and wide. The standard last suits medium-width feet and is used for most LOWA footwear. The narrow last has a smaller forefoot volume than a normal last and may suit slimmer feet. The wide last has greater forefoot volume, and LOWA suggests it may suit feet with conditions such as bunions, flat feet or fallen arches.

Source: LOWA US size page. Shown as published: men’s wide is E/EE, women’s wide is C.

The UK site takes a different approach, with a five step fit rating from “fits tight” to “fits broad,” based on real world user feedback and shown on individual product pages. It also has a Wide fit collection for men and women.

Source: LOWA UK fit recommendation page.

Use the fit category to decide on width and the chart to decide on length. A boot that fits tight at your length is not a half size too small. It is a narrower boot, and the answer may be a different model, not a bigger size.

Cemented vs Injected: Why Women’s US Sizes Differ by Half a Size

If you shop LOWA as a woman, this is the part that trips people up. The same foot length has two US women’s sizes, depending on how the sole is attached. At 252 mm, for example, a cemented boot is a US 8 and an injected boot is a US 8.5. The UK, EU and mm columns do not change.

The practical rule is to identify the construction before you pick a US size, and to remember that your EU size is the same either way. If a product page lists EU sizes, the EU number is the safer anchor, because it does not shift with construction. If a page lists only US sizes, check which column it uses. LOWA’s product pages that we read, for example the women’s Z-6S, show both columns in their size chart but do not say which construction the boot uses, so ask LOWA or the retailer if it is not stated.

LOWA Kids’ and Youth Sizes

LOWA’s chart runs down to 128 mm. Kids’ sizes use the K system, and the toe allowance is 12 mm instead of 15 mm.

Source: LOWA global size chart. K means kids’ sizes.

The chart continues into small adult and youth sizes in the US men’s/kids’ column:

Source: LOWA global size chart. These rows share foot lengths with the women’s chart.

Measure your child’s longer foot while standing, in the socks they will wear. For general kids’ conversions, see our kids’ shoe size chart and youth shoe size chart.

How to Try On LOWA Boots

LOWA’s pages recommend trying on in a store and say the same things in several places: in the afternoon, when feet are slightly swollen; with the socks you plan to wear; and on both feet. LOWA’s UK page also says it is best to measure foot length standing up, since your foot lengthens under load. LOWA also notes that feet change over time, typically getting wider and longer with age, so the size you wore a decade ago may no longer be right.

A few general checks apply to any hiking boot, and are our advice rather than LOWA’s. Lace the boot fully. Your heel should stay put when you walk uphill on a slope or ramp. Your toes should clear the front when you walk downhill. The widest part of your foot should sit at the widest part of the boot without pinching. If you hit two of these three, try the next model or fit category before changing size.

A Note on LOWA Insoles and Sizing

LOWA’s ATC insole page has a sizing instruction that is different from the boots. For women’s boots it says to size down a full size when ordering the insole, and for men’s boots it says to buy the same size as your boot, with a men’s 9 buying the insole in a 9. The reason is that the insole is unisex and sized on the men’s scale. If you swap in an aftermarket or replacement insole, check the maker’s sizing, and re-test your fit, because a thicker insole reduces volume in the boot.

Returns and Getting Help

LOWA’s UK page offers free returns if the fit is wrong, and suggests contacting LOWA or visiting a store to be measured if you are unsure. LOWA’s global size chart page links to a downloadable foot measurement guide, which we could not read. Check the current return terms at checkout, since they can vary by country and retailer.

Comparing LOWA With Other Boot Brands

LOWA is one of the brands that give a foot length, which makes comparison easy. If you wear Salomon, Merrell, KEEN or HOKA, convert through your foot length rather than the size number. Also compare toe allowances: a chart that already includes 15 mm will point you to a larger size than one that does not.

LOWA Sizing: Your Questions Answered

A Straightforward Way to Choose Your LOWA Size

With LOWA, choose length from the chart and width from the fit category. Measure your foot standing, read across to your size, remember that the toe allowance is already built in, and check the women’s construction column before ordering. If the street shoe rule and the chart disagree, try both sizes in the afternoon with your hiking socks.

More Hiking and Trail Size Guides

Sources

• LOWA global size chart
• LOWA US size chart
• LOWA UK fit recommendation
• LOWA Renegade EVO GTX Mid
• LOWA Z-6S GTX WS
• LOWA ATC insole