person standing on rock wearing the LOWA Amplux 2

Review

LOWA Amplux 2 Review

Publication date: 28 Jul 2025

GearHiking shoes

The LOWA Amplux 2 is a trail shoe built for fast hiking and longer days on the trail. It’s light, cushioned, and structured enough to handle uneven terrain without slowing you down. I wore them on the GR221 in Mallorca. It’s a trail that mixes sun, stone, and long mileage, which meant I needed a shoe that was up to the task.

As a photographer, I need to be able to jump around and be flexible to capture the moment. What stood out most was how easy they were to wear. Not a shoe you think about once it’s on, which is what I need. The tread on the Amplux is something unique to LOWA. I’ve worn quite a few pairs of trail runners in the last couple of years, and these have stood up to the test. While others may slip a bit if I’m balancing for a photo, these ones feel like super glue on the ground. I’m able to go where I want (within reason, of course) without fear of falling.

Jochem de Jong profile picture
Editor

Jochem de Jong

Jochem de Jong is a Dutch photographer and the technical guy behind this website. With his passion for photography and design he makes sure that every page on this website looks perfect. The last years Jochem hiked 20+ long-distance trails, mainly in Europe from the Coast to Coast in England to mountain hut trekkings in the Dolomites. Most of the photos on this website Jochem shot on the trails.

Besides hiking, Jochem loves Italy and most of all the dreamy countryside of Tuscany which at one day, he hopes to run a small B&B besides his work as a photographer.

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person standing on rock wearing the LOWA Amplux 2Testing the Amplux 2

Mallorca’s GR221 throws a lot of repetitive terrain at you. It’s not technical, but it’s consistent in how rough it feels underfoot. The famous stone paths of the trail have eroded a bit over the years, meaning it can be a bit of an ankle-breaker at times. Over days of walking, that kind of trail wears you down. The Amplux 2 helped take the edge off. The cushioning did its job, enough so that I didn’t feel every rock through the sole.

They stayed light on long days. I never felt like I was dragging my feet, even when fully loaded with not only my normal gear, but with all of the camera equipment I bring on each trail, too. The grip held on most surfaces, including dry stone and light gravel. It’s not a mountain shoe, but it felt reliable for dry trails and general hiking.

close up of the LOWA Amplux 2 hiking shoe
under sole of the LOWA amplux 2

On hot days, they breathed well. My socks stayed dry and I didn’t overheat. There’s no waterproofing, but for hot, dry routes like the GR221, that helped more than it hurt. They dried quickly after early-morning wet grass.

The fit was mostly good. They ran a little narrow in the toe box, which could be a problem if you have a wider foot. I didn’t get any hotspots or blisters, but I did notice the tightness by the end of longer days.

Lowa shoeAbout LOWA

LOWA has been making footwear in Europe since 1923. They still manufacture most of their shoes in Germany, keeping a close eye on quality and material sourcing. They focus on long-lasting gear, not fast turnover. A lot of their models are repairable or resoleable, and they use leather from European suppliers with traceable practices. It’s a brand that values slow, durable production.

About the Amplux 2

The Amplux 2 is built with synthetic mesh for breathability and weight savings. It was developed with the LOWA TRAIL RACERS team and uses LOWA’s own DYNAEVA midsole, which provides a mix of rebound and cushion. The outsole is designed for trails rather than technical terrain, with lugs that handle gravel, stone, and light dirt.

The shoe fits snugly, especially through the midfoot and forefoot, and the heel cup held firm without slipping. I also liked that the tongue stayed in place across full days of movement.

There’s no waterproof membrane here. That keeps the weight low and helps the shoe dry fast if it does get wet. It’s a warm-weather shoe, and it performs best in those conditions. The toebox has some protection, but it’s not reinforced like in heavier models.

The shoe packs well. It doesn’t take up much space and doesn’t add unnecessary grams to your kit. It feels more like a trail runner than a boot, but it still gives a bit more underfoot protection.

person tying his lowa shoes

Specifications

LOWA Amplux 2
Weight 667g
Heel spring 6mm
Lining Textline lining
Midsoles LOWA DYNAEVA
Outsoles LOWA TRAC OUTSOLE

pro's

Lightweight and breathable

Good cushioning for long, rocky days

Fast-drying for warm-weather trails

Solid grip for dry conditions

con's

Narrow fit in the toebox

No waterproofing

Limited protection for sharp terrain

Not ideal for cold or wet climates

Conclusion

The LOWA Amplux 2 is an easy pick for hot weather hiking on dry trails. It handled the loose rock and long mileage of the GR221 without any issues. If you’re looking for something that bridges trail runners and hiking shoes, and don’t need waterproofing, this one fits the bill.

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