Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Review | Are These Hiking Boots Worth It?

In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2025. The Renegade has been around for over 10 years now, these are time tested hiking boots that definitely live up to the hype.

For this review, I have put in over 60 miles into testing my own personal pair of  Lowa Renegade. I'm very familiar with how they feel and perform on the trails. I'll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.

I'll be sharing my critical opinion with 11 years of experience as a trail guide and experienced hiker.

Should you buy the Lowa Renegade Mid GTX?

Buy if 

• You are a serious hiker looking for a time tested hiking boot

• You prioritize comfort and fit

• You are willing to invest into an extreme quality hiking boot

• You want a dedicated backpacking boot

DON'T Buy if 

• You are an amateur hiker, hiking <3 miles each trip

• You aren’t willing to spend a decent amount of money on a hiking boot

Lowa Renegade Mid Pros and Cons 

 Pros

• Crafted with quality durable materials

• Central Locking Mechanism For Secure Tying

• Great Traction With Vibram Megagrip

• Outstanding support

Cons 

• Tight Fit Around Top Of Foot

• Breathability

• Weight

Lowa Renegade Price 

At the time of this writing, the Lowa Renegade Mid is priced at $220 retail, but I have found some great deals on Amazon for as low as $165 brand new.

Order the Lowa Renegade Mid GTX for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Lowa Renegade GTX Mid (Amazon)

Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂

Lowa Renegade Mid Comfort: 7/10 

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid hiking boots prioritize comfort and fit, providing a range of sizes from narrow to wide to ensure an optimal fit for most wearers. These boots are praised for their out-of-the-box usability, which enables immediate enjoyment on trails without delay.

The midsole is crafted with PU foam which I found to be moderately comfortable. The toe box has more than acceptable room, no areas of deep compression or complications with hot spots.

What separates the Lowa Renegade from most hiking boots is the shock absorption properties. The midsole also contains DynaPU Shock Absorbing Zones , which are areas of extra padding where you are putting the most stress on your footbed. I will say, I didn’t notice any joint pain, or foot fatigue while testing which makes them excellent backpacking boots. 

Personally, other boots do not offer the super supportive nature of the Renegade and still boast the agile nature they offer.

With increasing use, these versatile mid-weight boots adapt even better to one’s feet, ensuring extended periods of comfortable wear on various terrains.

Weight

Weighing at 1.2 pds the Renegade is definitely a “midweight” hiking boot. As a frame of reference, the Oboz Bridger weigh in at 19oz , which is a comparable midweight hiking boot.  

Nevertheless, the added heft ensures a robust and solid foundation that is essential when shouldering heavy loads over extended treks.

The boot still manages to surpass many of its midweight counterparts through well-rounded performance despite carrying extra weight.

Traction: 8.5/10

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid excels in providing remarkable traction on trail, adeptly handling both even and rugged terrain. The traction I experienced while encountering technical terrain cannot be understated, that's why this is such a serious backpacking boot.

With a Vibram Evo outsole known for excellent hold and lasting durability, this boot has a tread pattern that is optimized to enhance contact across different terrains. 5mm thicker lugs contribute to reliable footing on softer ground while various lug shapes improve adherence to any type of wet or dry terrain you may be on.

The aggressive rocker design at the front of the sole ensures dependable traction where other hiking boots may fall short. I tested the Renegade in the snow, and I must say they really held up well making them an ideal winter hiking boot. 

Overall, The Lowa Renegade holds great grip and traction while blazing through the trails. The rockered design is a standout feature that all hikers should test out.  

Overall Protection 4/5 

The Lowa Renegade boasts great overall protection. Crafted from Nubuck leather, the leather is nice and stiff acting as a protective armor from the elements. 

Unfortunately, there is not a protective rubber toe cap most hiking boots possess. This puts you at risk for sharp objects piercing through your boots in the front. While the leather itself is tough, it’s not enough to withstand sharp rocks. 

The heel itself has a protective rubber mechanism, an industry standard. The ankle spans high, protecting you from ankle sprains, especially with the specialized lacing system. Other than the toe cap, the Renegade is a nice rugged hiking boot that will keep you protected from the elements. 

Water Resistance 5/5 

The Lowa Renegade  Mid is renowned for its waterproof capabilities. This boot features a GORE-TEX lining that ensures your feet stay dry, even when submerged in water. 

Numerous users have testified to the boots’ ability to remain watertight during intense exposure to moisture, underlining their exceptional waterproof performance. These boots easily passed our 10 minute submersion test, as well as staying dry while trekking in the snow.

Nevertheless, the breathability of the Renegade GTX  could be improved. Its solid leather upper hinders air circulation within the boot, which may render it uncomfortable for use in the summer. The tough leather does not feature any mesh pockets like the Hoka Ancapa, to help ventilate the boots. 

While the Gore-Tex component guarantees no water penetration, consider the breathability when looking at these boots, if that’s an important feature to you.

Does The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Fit Well?

The Renegade GTX Mid fit well without the need to size up or down. I tested a men's 10.5 and only had one gripe. The area where the bottom of the tongue meets the boot is a little too tight. I felt this went away after about 10 miles of breaking the boots in.

The back of the heel didn’t feature any hot spots or blistering. I felt the lacing system of the Renegade was second to none. The first rung is placed strategically further back than the top two rungs.

This allows for a nice tight fit on the front of the ankle, also locking the heel. Therefore, I didn’t have to use any special lacing techniques with this boot. 

Lowa Renegade Fit  4.5 / 5 

Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Stability & Support 4.5/5

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid excels in delivering stability and support. Utilizing the Monowrap frame technology, the boot reinforces your footing and stability on rugged trails or when carrying a heavy pack during hiking adventures.

Lowa always prides themselves on creating hiking boots with excellent torsional stability. The same goes for the Renegade model, the stiff outsole combined with the robust leather creates one of the most stable hiking boots on the market by far. 

The reinforced nylon shank further increases stability while on trail, giving you a nice wide base while hiking. The Lowa Renegade is on the top of the list for best stability/support of a hiking boot I have tested to date. 

Durability 8/10

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid boasts an above average durability rating. This hiking boot, with no doubt, is made from quality materials. 

One issue is the fact that the Renegade has so many stitching seams. This seems a little unnecessary which will eventually lead to easier wear, as there are too many joints of the boot creating stress risers. 

Otherwise after extensive use over several months, there are no instances of tread wear, delamination, or problems with the stitching (thus far) - all signs pointing towards a well-constructed boot.

The resilience of these boots is highlighted by an expected outsole lifespan ranging from 250 to 500 miles – quite remarkable among hiking footwear in this range. Although, the multiple seams in the leather will not outlast the outsole. 

Is the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid worth it? 

There is no doubt the Lowa Renegade is a pricey hiking boot, asking $165 for a hiking boot is an investment in your hiking experience, not just another boot. 

Nevertheless, avid hikers tackling tough terrain may find that its exemplary comfort, supportiveness and long-lasting build justify the expense. It stands out for its exceptional ankle support and resistance to water, making it adaptable for a range of hiking pursuits.

I recommend this hiking boot to anyone looking for a long-lasting, comfortable, rugged hiking boot. 

The strengths of the Lowa Renegade are the excellent performance, second to none stability, and traction.

The drawbacks to consider is the fact that there are more comfortable, and year-round options out there such as the Salomon X Ultra 4  Mid GTX or Hoka Anacapa 2 but some do come with a higher price tag. 

Value: 4.5/5 

Scoring Breakdown 

Comfort: 7 / 10 

Traction: 8.5 / 10

Overall Protection: 4 / 5

Waterproofness: 5 / 5

Stability & Support: 4.5 / 5

Fit: 4.5 / 5

Durability: 8 / 10

Value: 4.5 / 5

Total: 46 / 55

 Our Rating: 8.3 / 10 

At the time of this writing, the Lowa Renegade Mid is priced at $220 retail, but I have found some great deals on Amazon for as low as $165 brand new.

Order the Lowa Renegade Mid GTX for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Lowa Renegade GTX Mid (Amazon)

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid boots suitable for hot weather hiking?

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid, with its robust leather upper and Gore-Tex lining, are not the best for hot weather hiking. They are designed for durability rather than ventilation. 

What is the expected lifespan of the Lowa Renegade?

There have been reports of users still hiking with the Lowa Renegade after 500 miles. 

How do the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid boots perform in wet conditions?

The Lowa Renegade GTX, featuring a Gore-Tex lining, excels in keeping feet dry by offering outstanding waterproof capabilities even during wet conditions. As you can see, a lot of our testing was performed in the snow.

What are some lighter alternatives to the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid boots?

If you’re looking for a hiking boot that offers waterproof capabilities in a design that’s more lightweight, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof presents itself as an excellent alternative to the Lowa Renegade boots. Another great lightweight option is the Hoka Anacapa 2 or Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR 2. 

How We Tested and Our Methodology 

I personally tested the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid for over 25 hiking miles now, with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.

Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Lowa Renegade performance accurately in real-world conditions. 

We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.

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Adventure Awaits,

Tyler