Review Date
April 17, 2003

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Colin (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Las Cruces

Price Paid:  $120.00 at REI

Summary:
Bought these boots in summer of 2000. *Great* fit for my medium-width and low arch foot, no break-in period, and great stability for a light-weight boot (<3lbs for size 8). However, horrible waterproofness (like sponges! really!) and durability. I used the shoes mostly on 2-3 day backpacks, day hikes, and climbing approach shoes. After one year, the seams along the heel began to tear (way too many seams! but maybe that's how they get the glove-like fit). After a few threads were loose the whole heel seemed to unravel & 9 mo. later the boot's support is too poor to day hike in.

I'm looking for another light-medium weight boot to hike the John Muir trail in this year, but don't think the Tanarks will make it. Should I try the Lowa Tibet GTX? (a bit heavier weight and hopefully can last 210 miles).

Customer Service:
I just found out they have a 1 year warranty which seems good. I like my boots to last 2 years, though.

Similar Products Used:
Hi Tec cheapys (surprisingly good for the price), La Sportiva Makalu (for mountaineering), One Sport Morraine (torture chambers), Vasque mid-weight hikers (had duribility issues with these, too).

Review Date
November 2, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Edward Duggan(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Olive, NY, US

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
My experience with the Tanark boot has been disappointing in the extreme. Although I enjoy the leather lining, which is extremely comfortable, and like the fact that Lowa do a 12 1/2, I have had two pairs of boots fail in short order. I'm a pretty serious hiker (multi-day really, rather than day -- most weeks I hike two or three days in the mountains) but these boots have not been subjected to extremes. Both failed just as they were getting nicely broken in, which is infuriating. The first pair started to have the rand chip deeply (on one boot only, so clearly a manufacturing defect). Lowa were good about taking them back and sent me a new pair, slightly updated model. I broke these in slowly, as I was out of commission for a month with health problems. I noticed yesterday that a sewn-on guard (not, I would think, even necessary) on the inside of the heel has split all the way along where sewn. This creates a pocket for debris, mold, damp and will not do. I will have to call Lowa Monday and complain. At this point, I don't want another pair -- I need a reliable boot and although these are deft on the trail once broken, in I can't have a boot that's going to disintegrate mid-trip. I'm actually disgusted and I'm probably going to break down and buy a pair of Limmer Standards for more money than I can afford. They, of course, have a longer break-in period, but I'm dismayed at the way so many boots like the Lowa Tanarks are being churned out without consideration of durability. A good boot is a tool and should not need frequent replacement (nor, obviously, should it fall apart shortly after purchase). I really, really wanted to like these boots, which have a lot going for them, but I cannot recommend them.

Customer Service:
Adequate

Similar Products Used:
Various and sundry boots inc Vasue, etc.

Review Date
July 6, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Desey(Unregistered User) ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Sierra Trading Post

Summary:
My foot is a major pain to fit. Lowa's are finally the show for me... it took me many pairs and alot of $$$ to figure this out. Therefore, these are the boots I want to be buried in. If Lowa ever stops making these I will have to quit hiking. I also own a pair of Lowa Scouts, which are just too built up for me. I usually travel with under 30lbs, and the Tanarks are perfect for me. Have been on EXTRMEMLY tough trails in the Grand Canyon, Like the Taner, and these puppies did great..

Have I said enough!!!1

Customer Service:
awsome.... had to ask how to figure out what size my Scouts were when the tag had worn out... they totally helped me out

Similar Products Used:
Vasque, Montrail, Asolo, Merrell....etc..

Review Date
July 6, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: erd(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $129.00 at Direct from Lowa on

Summary:
The following review was written after four mountain hikes averaging about ten miles, carrying a light (20# approx) pack. Three of these hikes were fairly hard bushwhacks. I feel this is enough use to get a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of the boot.

The Tanark breaks in quickly and is a comfortable, close-fitting boot suitable for (up to) a medium foot. A big plus for me is that it is available in a 12 1/2: so many boot lines skip from 12 to 13. I added Superfeet insoles as those supplied seemed of negligible orthotic quality, but that's true with most manufacturers. The leather lining is extremely comfortable and the overall breathability is far better than that generally found in equivalent Goretex-lined boots.

On the negative side, I have already noticed a couple of chips from the soft exposed midsole, which seems to be one area of vulnerability. I have already found some loose fibers where two fabrics are seamed in the ankle panels and I have also found a bit of broken stitching in one of the side heel reinforcing guards. I would agree with the reviewer on this site who treated the seams on his Tanarks to strengthen them -- I think the large amount of exposed stitching a potential weakness in these boots. In addition, the low gusset is a problem (and an odd design choice), though gaiters help minimize leakage. Still, at the price paid, I'm generally pleased. The boot handles well on awkward, irregular terrain and the soles seem reasonably "sticky" and facilitate ledge ascents. It will be interesting to see how these boots fare on an imminent Adirondack hiking and backpacking jaunt. Based on the wear already noticed, I question whether I will still be wearing these in (say) two years, but that's OK given the price and the fact that I hike somewhat more than the average user.

Customer Service:
Not used as yet

Similar Products Used:
Vasque, several pairs: generally disappointing, but that's another story. Various and sundry boots previous to that.

Review Date
January 17, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: chris(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Los Angeles

Price Paid:  $160.00 at REI

Summary:
Have had these about 7mos. with heavy use on and off trail carrying 30#, average. I wonder how many seasons/resoles I will get out of them but in spite of the minuses I would buy them again. They are comfortable and supportive.
GOOD:The narrow last works well for my foot. These seem to me to be cut a bit like converse tennis shoes, narrow and long. They wrap the foot at it's widest point just before the toes. Since the rand is not too large the leather can stretch a bit. They have broken in nicely in this area. I haven't blistered at all in them. I think not only the ventilation system helps but also the fact that they are leather lined. They seem light and flexible enough and still provide plenty of torsional stability.
BAD: Footbed seems hard, went with Softsole inserts to counter this.
I did, as always with new shoes, Seam Grip some of the far too many exposed seams. This more to prevent the sort of wear mentioned already than to waterproof them. I just had to have a bit of stitching gone over along the laces, cost 5.00 or so at the local shoe repair joint. The vibram sole they are using could be a bit "stickier" and seems to be wearing a bit quickly. I had to Freesole seperating rands on both shoes soon after I started using them. Haven't met many of these glued up shoes that didn't suffer from this problem to some extent or other.

Similar Products Used:
Vasque (vasquely over-rated), Montrail, Garmont