The Lars Lo is a great deal for a low rain boot. It's not too awkward looking, and it comes up high enough to keep out precip without constricting the ankle. They're easy to get on and off and feature reliable traction. But we couldn't give this boot any awards because we have two qualms with the boot, both of which have to do with the grey stripe on the side. We wish this midsole layer weren't so spongy (because you can feel whatever you're walking on) and we wish it weren't light grey (because it messes up the otherwise svelte aesthetic).
Performance Comparison
Water Resistance
The Larslo boots are water-resistant up their 6.125" shaft. You can wear them in up to 6 inches of water - but if you do you'll almost certainly get splashed (or worse). They keep the rain out, but we've even jumped in shallow puddles with these boots and gotten some water inside.
If you're a puddle-jumper or you need to be in deeper water regularly, you'll be better served by any of the higher boots. But if these are for just around town, the Larslo boots are a great height.
Getting a little too close to the edge for comfort...
Comfort
We like how cushioned the Larslo are — they feature a softer footbed and are generally softer underfoot than any of the other shoes in the test — but this comes at a cost. A more flexible cushioned shoe is less rigid, which means we could easily feel the ground underfoot. This is fine if you're spending a lot of time on hard flat surfaces, but when we got on rocks, roots, and broken concrete, we felt all these materials through the boot.
This is one of the most flexible boots in the test, and after long days on rough terrain, we can feel the difference. We wish they were just a little stiffer because then they might have edged out the highly rated Bogs Carson, but as of now, we only recommend these boots if you're not planning on getting out of the city with them.
We could definitely feel rough terrain through the sole of this less-than-sleek boot.
They have a somewhat cushioned insole, but nothing special - and it will probably pack out after a few months of use (it's already starting to show wear), so we'd recommend looking into a supplemental option.
Traction
Perhaps due to the Larslo's spongy issues, these boots feel like they do a solid job sticking onto slippery surfaces. For instance, when we stood on wet rocks, we could feel the boot conform around the substrate (which cost them points in the comfort category) and stuck better than we had expected.
However, they didn't feature the huge lugs of the beefier boots, so they weren't the most grippy boots in the test. Rest assured, if you wear these in the city, you won't be slipping unless you're on black ice, and then no rain boot will save you.
They were a little slippery on wet wood, but so was everything else
Warmth
The Larslo boots are slightly insulated and did relatively well in our cold-water immersion tests, but they still aren't heavily insulated enough for long days outside in the snow.
They'd probably be ideal between 25 to 55 ° F. Anything warmer, and depending on how hot your feet run, you'll probably be uncomfortable (we were). And anything colder, and you'll probably feel the cold seeping in after a bit (though thicker socks might let you stay out longer).
They're great for cold mornings!
Ease of Use
In the ease of use category, the Larslo does well compared to the other low boots in the test. While it might sound like nitpicking, the circumference of the Larslo's collar is larger (12.75") and has a more elasticky collar. This makes a real difference when it comes to slipping them on and off.
We had to work to get other low boots on, while the Larslo is a lot more manageable, though it's still not as easy to get on as the higher boots (with circumferences of 15"+).
Style
When we asked our style consultants, the Larslo boots were consistently runners-up to almost all the other low boots, and it's for one grey reason. Why are there grey midsole stripe on the side of the boot? In our opinion, it's a bit offputting and draws attention to the boots. We tended to appreciate more subtle styles that don't draw attention. Other low boots don't even look like rain boots, but the Larslo's grey stripe gives them away immediately.
Without the stripe, they'd be almost as pretty as these flowers
Fit
These size 13 boots fit our size 12 feet like gloves (in a good way). They've got around 1/4" of forward and back wiggle and minimal extra room width wise for our D width feet. We can fit a thicker sock on, but that's pushing it just a little bit.
These boots are perfect for little chores around the house on wet days
Value
These boots are on the affordable side. If you need it for vigorous use (farming or construction), we urge you to spend a bit more and get a more protective, higher option, but if it's just for around town (and you don't mind the grey stripe), we recommend these for the price. We are partial to the looks of the snazzier boots, but they all cost more than twice the price and aren't twice as good (though we think they look better).
Conclusion
We enjoyed testing these boots out, and would highly recommend them if you're in the market for an affordably priced low top boot for around-town use! Just don't expect them to protect you like high rain boots and we're sure you'll like them.
