Lowa Brand Collection

Tradition & Innovation Since 1923

Since 1923, LOWA has earned a reputation for crafting premium outdoor boots and shoes that blend outstanding quality and fit through innovative design and proprietary technology.

1923

A Bavarian cobbler named Lorenz Wagner founds LOWA and begins making heavy work brogues for his neighbors in the small village of Jetzendorf. He and his brothers help support the company with their side business, the Wagner Orchestra.

1930

LOWA outgrows its original cobbler’s shop and opens its first factory. The groundwork is laid for success as they develop Alpine boots for the mountain infantry as well as with lace-up ski boots. Sepp Lederer begins in the company as an apprentice.

1946

LOWA resumes consumer footwear manufacturing and invests heavily in new machinery and personnel. Production booms in mountain boots, ski boots and street shoes.

1963

Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Everest, does so in a pair of LOWA mountaineering boots.

1968

LOWA becomes the official gear sponsor of the German ski team.

1970

LOWA pioneers breakthrough manufacturing processes such as PU injection molding and product innovations such as the first vulcanized rubber soles.

1982

LOWA introduces the Trekker, which sets a new standard for hiking boot fit and performance.

2000

LOWA reaches a huge milestone, selling 1 million pairs of boots in a year. Davo Karnicar, wearing LOWA Struktura AT boots, becomes the first man to complete an uninterrupted ski descent of Everest.

2003

LOWA marks its 80th anniversary. The company has become the largest employer in the Jetzendorf area, with over 250 employees at its headquarters.

2008

LOWA is awarded prestigious ISO 9001:2008 status for highest quality manufacturing processes and is audited every year thereafter to maintain this status.

2010

LOWA passes its next milestone, selling over 2 million pairs in one year.

2011

LOWA athlete Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner summits K2 and becomes the first woman to summit all 14 eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen or high-altitude porters.

2013

LOWA marks its 90th anniversary with Bergfest, a mountain festival in Bavaria.

Today

LOWA is the market leader in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, producing close to three million pairs of shoes a year and celebrating 102 years manufacturing top boots and shoes

Lowa have been manufacturing footwear for the military and police with top quality shoes and boots making them one of the most popular brands to choose