Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot Review

Nearly every major hiking boot brand has its signature model, and for Lowa, it’s the Renegade GTX. We took the popular mid-height boot out backpacking and day hiking in Washington’s rugged Central and North Cascades. Loaded down with gear and traveling over sometimes questionable terrain, we came to appreciate its widespread appeal. The boot is comfortable and supportive, relatively light for what it is, and is available in an impressive range of sizes and widths for those with hard-to-fit feet. Below, we break down our experiences with the Renegade. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots.

Editor's note: This review covers the previous version of the Renegade. Lowa recently revised the design to an Evo version, with updates to the stitching and hardware, as well as changes to the midsole and outsole for added comfort and support. We are in the process of testing the newest version and will update this review with our thoughts once we do. For now, we updated this review on January 20, 2026, to ensure the accuracy of all prices and comparisons. All links go to the most recent Evo version of the Renegade, as the previous version is no longer sold. 
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Weight
• Traction
• Breathability
• Waterproofing
• Stability and Support
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Comfort

Outside of initially trying on the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid, my boots went directly from box to trail for a multi-day backpacking trip into Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness. While this isn’t an ideal way to break in any hiking footwear, the Renegade proved immediately comfortable. The feeling underfoot is just what I want out of a serious backpacking boot: enough stiffness for long uphill slogs with a soft collar for cinching the laces. The midsoles offer sufficient isolation from the trail, even with a loaded-down pack and lots of rock scrambling. And I didn’t come to appreciate this until later, but this is high praise for a boot: Once we arrived at our lakeside destination that evening, I didn’t even think to swap out the Renegade for a pair of camp shoes—I just loosened the laces.
 

Weight

Weighing 2 pounds 10 ounces on our scale in a men’s size 9 (listed weight is 2 lb. 9.6 oz.), the Lowa Renegade Mid GTX is midrange for this style of boot. This includes heavier models like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX (2 lb. 14 oz.), and slight weight savings in the Keen Targhee IV Mid WP (2 lb. 8.2 oz.). We still prefer a boot like the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (1 lb. 15 oz.) for fastpacking—but the Renegade’s weight is impressive considering the high levels of comfort and support.
 

Traction

The Lowa Renegade Mid GTX doesn’t disappoint with its excellent traction. Lowa uses Vibram for its outsoles, and the tread pattern balances stickiness on rock and roots with plenty of bite on hardpack, soft dirt, and snow. On a recent backpacking trip, the boot excelled while descending steep granite and loose, dusty trails. One area we haven’t tested the Renegade’s traction is mud, but we expect it to perform competitively there as well.
 

Breathability

Breathability is rarely a strong suit of a leather hiking boot, and especially not a waterproof model. But the Renegade gets a passing grade here, and the leather that covers the majority of the boot’s upper is thin enough that it doesn’t turn it into a sauna. The insole and lining do a decent job absorbing and dissipating moisture. It was hot on the trail, and we had plenty of sun exposure, but I didn’t sweat excessively or develop any hot spots or discomfort.
 

Waterproofing

The “GTX” in the name gives away the Renegade’s waterproof design. Gore-Tex is a mainstay on hiking boots $200 and up, and along with a solid leather upper and water-repellent coating, the boot hasn’t leaked a drop. The summer weather we tested these in hasn't afforded us our usual opportunities to hike in the wet Pacific Northwest, but we’ve given it a fair shake by crossing and standing in streams whenever possible. Even as the miles add up, the waterproofing is holding strong. The waterproof build and modest insulation from the Gore-Tex liner should also make the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid good for snowshoeing in mild temperatures.
 

Stability and Support

Additional stability and support are the main reasons to choose a tough boot like the Lowa Renegade Mid GTX. While it’s not overly stiff, the boot is more rigid underfoot than a lighter option like the Merrell Moab 3. The Renegade is a good choice for hauling a heavy load, and I’ve yet to roll an ankle despite multiple trips with a backpacking pack—or 40 pounds worth of baby carrier, child, and assorted gear. While the lacing system doesn’t secure your foot as well as Salomon’s Quest 4 GTX, the three sets of locking hooks tighten evenly, and the boot’s solid platform is easy to trust on technical and off-camber sections. If you prioritize a stable ride or appreciate the safety net of a sturdy boot, the Renegade is a great choice.
 

Build Quality and Durability

I’m not convinced the Renegade has the toughest build within the midweight market. Thus far, the boot has seen a mix of on- and off-trail use within the granite-filled Cascade Mountains of Washington. And while the upper materials are holding up well to abrasion and the tread hasn’t chipped away like some rubbers, a little separation is developing between the toe rubber and the leather upper on the right boot. To us, the issue seems to be that these two pieces meet halfway up the toe—unlike boots like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX that have a toe cap that extends all the way over the toes. The crack hasn’t expanded during subsequent trail time, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
 

Fit and Sizing

No one boot will suit all foot types, but the Renegade comes close. I got my typical men’s size 9 in a regular width and found it fits true to size. The heel is snug and stays securely in place—helped by the three sets of locking lace hooks—and the toe box is roomy enough for the toes to spread without getting mashed on long descents. What sets the Lowa Renegade apart are the available sizes, which range from 7.5 to 15 in men’s and 5 to 11 in women’s, along with narrow, regular, and wide widths. For those who struggle to get a good fit, the Renegade offers plenty of options. 
 

Other Versions of the Lowa Renegade

For this review, we tested the men’s Renegade GTX Mid, and the boot is also available in a women's model. The women's weighs 2 pounds 2 ounces and has the same feature set, albeit in different colors—you can see our full review here. Lowa also makes a low-top version that comes in at 2 pounds 0.4 ounces for the men's, plus the Renegade Warm GTX Boot, a winter-ready version with a beefed-up lining that combines Gore-Tex waterproofing with added insulation.

What We Like

• Very comfortable underfoot, along with great cushioning around the ankle.
• Stable and easy to trust on difficult trails and with a heavy pack.
• Available in a generous range of sizes and narrow, regular, and wide widths.

What We Don’t

• Potential durability concerns where the rubber toe cap meets the leather upper.
• The lacing system falls short of the Salomon Quest 4.
• No mesh (non-GTX) model available for those who frequently hike in warm and dry climates.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Lowa Renegade's closest competitor is the Salomon Quest 4 GTX, which is another great option for difficult day hikes and long backpacking trips. The Quest 4 is 4.4 ounces heavier than the Renegade Mid GTX, though we've found it easier to get a secure fit with Salomon's excellent lacing system. The Renegade offers a little better trail isolation when carrying a heavier pack, and the choice will likely come down to fit preferences. The Renegade has an edge here, with multiple widths compared to the Salomon's single-width option. 
 

Hikers looking for a lighter and cheaper option with excellent out-of-the-box comfort might appreciate the Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP. Weighing less than two pounds per pair (with over $100 in savings) compared to the Lowa Renegades, Merrell's budget-friendly boots are comfortable for day hikes and moderate backpacking, though the Renegade is superior for more challenging terrain. Finally, the Keen Targhee IV Mid WP is a comparable option, with a 1.4-ounce weight drop and $100 savings, though its stability and traction on steep/off-camber trails fall short of the Renegade.
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