Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Review

The Lowa Renegade GTX is a classic hiking boot design. With exceptional ankle support and stability as well as water resistance, we like these boots for their superior performance when traveling in really uneven terrain or when carrying a heavy backpack. Those who desire the added support of a real boot will appreciate what these have to offer.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

This boot is comfortable and form-fitting out of the box. The felt and foam insole feels nice underfoot, and the tailored leather upper is more form-fitting on the foot than other midweight hikers we tested. The forefoot of the Renegade has a substantial rocker, or upward curve, which is noticeable during the push-off bit of each step.

The ankle collar is both supportive and comfortable during foot flexion. Four lower eyelets, one central lock, and two upper hook eyelets comprise the lacing system. We quite like this boot, but the lacing system disappointed us. The middle locking eyelet is small and hard to get to and doesn't lock tight on the factory laces. Additionally, the laces popped right out of the top hook eyelets more than once when hiking steeply uphill. After comparing the eyelets and laces of the Renegade to other boots, we found that replacing the supplied laces with a slightly larger and stiffer lace worked much better.

This boot has a reputation for comfort, and with wide sizes available, your chances of finding the right fit are good.

Support

The Renegade GTX Mid is one of the top-scoring models regarding stability. One of the most important aspects of a good hiking boot, we were impressed by the support that we received from this boot. The full-length nylon shank makes it feel pretty burly and helps it maintain stability in rough and uneven terrain. This boot is also one of the tallest that we reviewed, and this additional height, combined with the ability to lace all the way up to the top of the cuff, secures the ankle in place with still allowing a range of motion from front to back while higher ankle support panels give extra stability where it's needed most.

The polyurethane Monowrap Frame midsole design reduces weight and, combined with the full-length nylon shank, creates excellent torsional stability. The Renegade is a few ounces lighter than heavier models but still provides robust prevention against ankle injuries on and off the trail.

Traction

Overall, this hiking boot handles rough and smooth, wet and dry trails well. The aggressively rockered front sole stuck to rock slabs well, and it was great in the mud, gravel, and scree. If we had to complain, we would say these aren't ideal for scrambling but will do in a pinch.

Water Resistance

At 6 inches, this boot has an average flood height compared to other midweight hikers, but perhaps the best Gore-Tex liner. Lowa has patented the durable, comfortable design. Our feet always stayed dry in these boots. Although the leather rand absorbed water out of the box, water continued to bead off the rest of the upper throughout the entire testing period.

This is a very classic style of hiking boot, with a full leather upper and a waterproof/breathable membrane. Something to keep note of is the fact that even though the leather comes from the manufacturer with an applied treatment to keep it from becoming inundated, periodic maintenance of the leather in the form of cleaning and applying a waterproofing agent such as Nikwax will keep the material shedding water and help the Gore-Tex continue to work as it is supposed to.

Weight

This product is relatively lightweight for having a completely leather upper. It might fit a niche in between; more stable, water-resistant, and durable than lightweights, but not as durable as most midweight models.

Durability

Several pieces of leather are used on each side of this boot to create a form-fitting upper, making for lots of seams. Four pieces of leather make up the forefoot flex point, and these three seams will wear in rough terrain. More than others, the longevity of the Renegade will benefit from both Seam Grip and leather treatment. The Vibram Evo soles showed no signs of wear after multiple backpacking trips and day hikes.

Should You Buy the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid?

The Renegade is a solid hiking boot for carrying a large pack into rugged terrain. The additional support and water resistance that this boot provides lends itself to longer treks, though even day hikers can find that it offers comfort and stability. It's a heavy boot, but keep in mind that heavy and well-made can often equate to added durability. If you're hard on your boots, this could be a worthy investment.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?