The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker

Table Of Contents

(Runner-Up) Best Overall Hiking Boot

  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 60% 60%
  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 60% 60%

Price: $240

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.9lb (1.31kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

Width Options: Narrow, Regular, Wide

Waterproof Lining: Gore-Tex

Upper: Nubuck Leather

Shank: Full-length Nylon Shank

Midsole: DuraPU Monowrap Frame

Sole: Vibram Evo

Warranty: 1yr

Sizes: 7.5-15 US

Color Options: 12

What We Like: Out-of-the-box comfort, excellent traction, and several color options

What We Don’t: Pricey, potential durability issues at the seams

In 2018 the Renegade GTX Mid was inducted into Backpacker Magazine’s Hall of Fame, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has worn them. These midweight hiker/backpacking boots are an excellent choice for multi-day and extended backpacking, and they’re proof positive of the old adage that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” As the Renegade GTX Mids approach their 24th birthday, it’s clear that these iconic boots still haven’t aged a day. At $240, they certainly aren’t the cheapest boots you can buy, but they are an excellent value all the same. It’s no surprise that Lowa’s top-selling boot has developed a dedicated fanbase of repeat customers. They came in at a close second to the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX for Best Overall Hiking Boot.

We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!

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  • Comfort 90% 90%
  • Stability 90% 90%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 50% 50%
  • Water Resistance 80% 80%
  • Durability 80% 80%

Pros

Durable and comfortable with incredible grip

Cons

A bit heavy and overly stiff

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 3.3lb (1.5kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker
  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 60% 60%
  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 60% 60%

Pros

Out-of-the-box comfort, excellent traction, and several color options

Cons

Pricey, potential durability issues at the seams

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.9lb (1.31kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 60% 60%
  • Stability 50% 50%
  • Traction 60% 60%
  • Weight 100% 100%
  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 60% 60%

Pros

Ultralight, well priced, excels at waterproofing and breathability

Cons

Lacing system could be more elegant, minimal ankle support, and questionable durability

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 1.77lb (0.8kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

The Best Hiking Boots: Keen Targhee III Mid - Gear Hacker
  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 70% 70%
  • Weight 70% 70%
  • Water Resistance 60% 60%
  • Durability 80% 80%

Pros

Light, comfortable, and durable at a great price

Cons

Lacking in breathability, could offer slightly more stability

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.38lb (1.08kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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  • Comfort 100% 100%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 60% 60%
  • Weight 60% 60%
  • Water Resistance 60% 60%
  • Durability 90% 90%

Pros

Incredibly comfortable, high stability, and great waterproofing

Cons

Traction and lace system could be slightly better

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.45lb (1.11kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 70% 70%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 70% 70%
  • Water Resistance 80% 80%
  • Durability 70% 70%

Pros

Versatile and breathable with high stability

Cons

Pricey, not ideal for those with narrow feet

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.65lb (1.2kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Durability 80% 80%

Pros

Immediate comfort, lightweight, top-notch waterproofing and breathability

Cons

A bit pricey, could use a boost in durability and stability

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.48lb (1.12kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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  • Comfort 90% 90%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 80% 80%
  • Water Resistance 70% 70%
  • Durability 70% 70%

Pros

Light and comfortable at a reasonable price point

Cons

Upper could be taller, more rigid, and more durable

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.28lb (1.03kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 60% 60%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 90% 90%
  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 70% 70%

Pros

Nimble and durable with great traction

Cons

Lacks arch support and does not accommodate wider feet

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.1lb (0.95kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 60% 60%
  • Weight 70% 70%
  • Water Resistance 30% 30%
  • Durability 70% 70%

Pros

Excellent price, breathability, and comfort

Cons

No waterproofing, the durability and traction could be better

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.41lb (1.09kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 60% 60%
  • Traction 70% 70%
  • Weight 70% 70%
  • Water Resistance 60% 60%
  • Durability 70% 70%

Pros

Good comfort-to-weight ratio, well-priced, superior toe protection

Cons

Could use more ankle stability and breathability

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.37lb (1.07kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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  • Stability 60% 60%
  • Traction 60% 60%
  • Weight 80% 80%
  • Water Resistance 60% 60%
  • Durability 60% 60%

Pros

Comfortable, economical, and lightweight

Cons

Could use improvements with durability, stability, and waterproofing

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.25lb (1.02kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 70% 70%
  • Weight 70% 70%
  • Water Resistance 70% 70%
  • Durability 60% 60%

Pros

Very comfortable and light, with an impressive lacing system

Cons

Could be more stable and durable, traction could be more aggressive

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.4lb (1.08kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 40% 40%
  • Water Resistance 80% 80%
  • Durability 90% 90%

Pros

Stylish, comfortable, and incredibly tough

Cons

Heavy and expensive, the classic design could use some high-tech upgrades

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 3.5lb (1.59kg)

Boot Type: Heavyweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Water Resistance 60% 60%
  • Durability 90% 90%

Pros

Durable from top to bottom while still being light

Cons

Require break-in time, outsole could be more flexible

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.37lb (1.07kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 60% 60%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 70% 70%
  • Weight 60% 60%
  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 80% 80%

Pros

Durable and waterproof with a unique comfort profile beloved by some hikers

Cons

Heavy and expensive with less than ideal ankle support and stiff midsole

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 3.12lb (1.42kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

Founded in 1923 by Bavarian cobbler Lorenz Wagner, Lowa has been fashioning footwear for nearly a century. They produced the first pair of Renegade GTX Mids in 1997, which remains one of the world’s most popular outdoor boots. Today, Lowa is the official boot sponsor of the American Hiking Guides Association (AHGA) and produces nearly 3 million pairs of shoes annually.

 

In 2018, the Renegade GTX Mid was inducted into Backpacker Magazine’s Hall of Fame, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has worn them. These $240 midweight hiker/backpacking boots are an excellent choice for multi-day and extended backpacking, and they’re proof positive of the old adage that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” They came in at a close second to the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX for Best Overall Hiking Boot.

The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker

Comfort & Weight

The Renegade should meet your comfort standards right out of the box thanks to a combination of the nubuck leather upper with Cordura nylon ankle bands and an insole made of foam and felt. The midsole of the Renegade is composed of an external polyurethane Monowrap frame, which promotes lateral stability without adding excessive weight. The alpine lacing system is derby cut with four metal eyelets at the bottom, followed by a wider-set central lock and two hook eyelets at the top. Unfortunately, the hook eyelets have a tendency to slip off in our experience. This can be resolved with a set of thicker laces, but it’s still an annoying extra expense. Underneath the laces, you will find a padded and gusseted tongue to block trail debris from getting inside your boot while also relieving lace pressure.

The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker
A pair of men’s size 11 boots weigh around 2.9 lbs (1.31 kg), which is on the heavier end compared to some of the other boots in our review. However, this still leaves them lighter than the highly-rated Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTXs, which clock in at more than 3 lbs. It’s also a very decent weight when one considers the amount of heavy leather utilized to fabricate these boots.
The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker

Traction & Stability

The outsole of the Renegade GTX Mid is Vibram Evo rubber, which is known for its excellent traction on mixed terrain. Along with being nice and sticky when traversing roots and rocks, the tread pattern excels over hardpack and soft dirt alike. There are also braking lugs on the front to assist traction when going up – or downhill.

The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker

As previously mentioned, the nubuck leather upper features Cordura nylon ankle bands that promote comfort and flexibility. There’s also a full-length nylon shank for extra support and performance when the terrain gets more demanding. To top it all off, the Renegade GTX Mids have one of the highest collar heights in our review.

The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker

Water Resistance & Durability

The Renegades sport a Gore-Tex waterproof lining that is further reinforced by the water-repellent nubuck leather uppers; the flood height on these boots is roughly 6 inches. Breathability is achieved with polyester linings that wick away moisture.

 

The overall durability of these boots is slightly questionable, both at the bottom and the top. At the bottom, the toe cap could be extended slightly higher to reduce wear on the fabric above it. Higher up, several seams in the leather could prove vulnerable with extended use; however, this can be rectified with regular applications of Seam Grip.

The Best Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Gear Hacker

Styles & Sizes

In terms of color options, you’d be hard-pressed to find a boot with more variety than the Renegade GTX Mids. The 12 available colors include:

      • Sepia
      • Stone/Espresso
      • Deep Black
      • Anthracite / Steel Blue
      • Basil
      • Espresso
      • Olive/Mustard
      • Dark Gray / Navy
      • Beige
      • Slate
      • Graphite / Light Gray
      • Black/Olive

Sizes run from 7.5-15 US, and these boots come with a 1-year warranty. Best of all, there are narrow- and wide-fit options available.

The Bottom Line

As the Renegade GTX Mids approach their 24th birthday, it’s clear that these iconic boots still haven’t aged a day. At $240, they certainly aren’t the cheapest boots you can buy, but they are an excellent value all the same. It’s no surprise that Lowa’s top-selling boot has developed a dedicated fanbase of repeat customers (hopefully, with a few years in between concurrent purchases).

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We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!