The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid is one of the top-scoring models when it comes to stability. Lacing system falls a little short of the Salomon Quest 4. I tested the womens Renegade GTX Mid for this review, and the boot is also sold in a mens model for the same price. In the end, the Renegade offers very similar performance for around 4 ounces less per pair, which is why we give it the slight edge in our hiking boot round-up. The all-leather look of the Renegade is a timeless classic. 11 oz.) I even continued to wear the Renegades at camp and reached for them right away each morning when crawling out of my tent, which speaks volumes to their overall comfort. However, the Zodiacs approach shoe-like traction and stability in a relatively light build (2 lbs. This includes boots like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX (2 lbs. The leather that covers the majority of the boots upper is thin enough that it doesnt turn it into a sauna, and the insole and lining do a decent job absorbing and dissipating moisture. Overall, this hiking boot handles rough and smooth, wet and dry trails well. Loaded down with gear and traveling over sometimes questionable terrain, we came to appreciate its widespread appeal. I did slip once while hiking over marble-sized rocks, but any shoe likely would have suffered the same fate, and my brief slide was easily controlled and did not result in a rolled ankle. Breathability rarely is a strong suit of a leather hiking bootand we certainly didnt mind the cool feeling of an alpine stream surrounding the shoe as we were testing the waterproofingbut the Renegade gets a passing grade here. While its not overly stiff by any meansit was comfortable enough to wear without any break-in periodthe boot is noticeably more rigid underfoot than a lightweight shoe like the Merrell Moab 2. If you want something lighter and more modern for less intensive day hikes and minimalist backpacking trips, Salomon's X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is one of the most popular designs on the market and for good reason. After putting well over 120 miles on the Lowa Renegade GTX, including over 40 miles of backpacking with a full pack, the boots are almost no worse for wear. The middle locking eyelet is small and hard to get to and doesn't lock tight on the factory laces. Finally, if you have particularly high- or low-volume feet, Lowa also offers the boots in dedicated wide and narrow variations, which means most people should be able to find a good all-around fit. If youre thinking about buying gear that weve reviewed on Switchback Travel, you can help support us in the process. As expected from the tough and burly design, the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid is a decidedly stable and supportive boot.
), but youll sacrifice a good amount of stability and protection on truly rough and rugged terrain. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal Salomons hiking boot lineup is undeniably extensive, and their Cross Hike Mid GTX slots in as a lightweight design that merges running shoe-like agility with ankle-height protection. No mesh (non-GTX) model available for those who frequently hike in warm and dry climates. ), but that may have been an anomaly. Gore-Tex is a mainstay on hiking boots $200 and up, and along with a solid leather upper and water-repellent coating, the boot hasnt leaked a drop. Both are excellent bootsthey finish towards the top in ourhiking boot round-upbut the deciding factor may come down to fit: The Salomons are somewhat low-volume and only offered in a single width, while the Renegades are available in narrow, regular, and wide sizes. The GTX in the name gives away the Renegades waterproof design. Interestingly, the only model that does away with the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane is Lowas LL (leather-lined) Mid, but we wish there were a more mesh-heavy option for warm and dry climates. For more involved objectives with a heavy pack, wed stick with the Lowa. GearLab is reader-supported. Overkill for shorter day hikes on well-maintained trails. 7.4 oz. How can we improve GearLab? To be sure, they do look a little worn: The leather upper has absorbed some mud and grit, and the boots have a few noticeable scuff marks. Alternatively, if you anticipate doing most of your hiking in fair and warm summer conditions, it may be worth opting for a non-waterproof boot or shoe instead. The Vibram rubber outsoles are also unscathed and still look surprisingly new despite the abuse Ive put them through on rough and rocky terrain. The outsole is comprised of premium Vibram rubber (their EVO compound) with deep, aggressive lugs that are widely spaced with horizontal ridges running widthwise along the heel for added grip while descending. Below we break down the best rain Lowa Renegade GTX Mid (Men's) Price Comparison, http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=10248&pw=52463&url=https%3A//www.re, http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=10060&pw=52463&url=https%3A//www.ba, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MPPV6O/?tag=20sbt-20. If you're looking for something a little more performance-focused, Scarpas Zodiac Plus GTX is a more technical alternative to the Lowa Renegade. They kept my feet dry on many wet trails rife with mud, puddles, and drenched foliage in the Pacific Northwest, and the same held true in Patagonia during shallow water crossings. I do wish the Renegade had a locking eyelet like what you get with the Salomon Quest 4 GTX to allow me to tighten up the ankle while leaving the forefoot loose, but it didnt have a major impact on support. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Read more about us. No ads. Theyre not the lightest or most agile option for well-maintained trails, but the tough leather build, stable feel, and well-cushioned midsole were a great match for our more demanding objectives. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, were acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. Thanks and we appreciate your support! The forefoot of the Renegade has a substantial rocker, or upward curve, which is noticeable during the push-off bit of each step. Quality and confidence-inspiring build, including a premium Gore-Tex membrane, tacky Vibram outsole, and reasonably hardwearing construction. Outside of initially trying on the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid, my boots went directly from the box to the trail for a multi-day backpacking trip into Washingtons Alpine Lakes Wilderness. We also found that the Renegade offers a little better trail isolation when carrying a heavier pack, but we do prefer the Quests fit that can be secured tightly around the ankle for fantastic support. More than others, the Renegade's longevity will benefit from both Seam Grip and leather treatment. 10 oz. Highly comfortable and supportive for high-mileage hiking and backpacking over rough ground, and the leather upper broke in nicely after just a couple outings. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots Running on varied and challenging trails is a welcome break from the monotony of pounding pavement (or even worse, the belt of atreadmill). Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Sizing up to a 9 did the trick, with just enough room both length- and widthwise when paired with midweight merino wool socks. Additionally, the laces popped right out of the top hook eyelets more than once when hiking steeply uphill. In the end, the Asolos stiff construction and thick build are a nice match for uses like light mountaineering and navigating tricky, off-trail terrain with a heavy pack, but the boot is overkill for most casual backpacking outings. We suspect a big part of the Renegades popularity is its excellent fit. We took the popular mid-height boot out backpacking and day hiking in Washingtons rugged Central and North Cascades. But thus far, my women's pair is holding up admirably, and I expect it to fare well for many seasons to come. The Lowa Renegade is a solid hiking boot for carrying large packs into rugged terrain. In the end, the Renegade did feel a little clunky whenever I quickened my pace to light jog to pass slower hikers on the trails in Patagonia. I still consider the Salomon Quest 4 GTX to be the more comfortable all-around design, but the Renegade isnt very far behind. the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Top-level hiking boot performance, excels in all metrics, Best choice for rock and snow travel, durable, breathes well, Expensive, not as great for hot and dry climates, Wider fit, not the best lace locking system, price, Less durable than heavier models, thin sole, Heavy for their height, feet get especially sweaty, The gold standard of what a great hiking boot should be, and we heartily recommend it for those seeking the best possible performance on and off the trail, For rocky alpine approaches and moderate snow travel, this model is a lightweight mountain boot disguised as a hiking boot, This mid-top hiking boot is ridiculously lightweight, though it offers excellent stability and traction for fast and light objectives, This affordable boot is super comfortable right out of the box and has the durability to go the distance. Just click on any of the seller links above, and if you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the transaction. 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. 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. In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. The Renegades were one of only a couple of pairs of boots we reviewed to come with an extra set of laces, and the ones supplied here are identical to the ones that come factory laced. But there's a reason the X Ultra 4 is ranked so highly in our hiking boot articles: It provides a hard-to-beat combination of weight and on-trail performance for everything from day hiking to lightweight backpacking. Before bringing the boots to Patagonia for testing, I wore them on the steep and often-sloppy trails at home in the Pacific Northwest rainforest and gained confidence in their ability to grip on everything from packed dirt to thick mud and slick rocks. As I mentioned above, I would prefer a locking eyelet like you get with the Salomon Quest 4 to dial in the fit at the ankle while leaving the forefoot loose, but thats far from a deal-breaker. The trail felt sloppy and precarious, but I had no close calls when jumping down the steps on loose rocks. The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. Like the Renegade, the Vasque features a waterproof Gore-Tex lining and Vibram outsole. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. 15 oz. Thanks and we appreciate your support! In this category, Salomons Quest 4 GTX is another popular option and surpasses the Renegade in a few key areas. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The Salomon is a noticeable step down in both support and stability with no eyelet at the top of the collar, and the lightweight build is much more prone to breaking down over time. Additionally, the PU midsole is decently firm but still well-cushioned for isolating my feet from harsh impacts, and the padding continues around the ankle and heel to really lock things in place. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. But this is a known downside to waterproof footwear, and the Renegade performed about as expected in terms of drying time. Im always hesitant when wearing new hiking boots, but the Renegade quickly became easy to trust over a wide variety of surfaces. Below we break down our experiences with the Renegade. ), the Lowa Renegade undercuts much of its midweight competition. The Lowa Renegades Gore-Tex membrane and tough leather upper do detract from overall breathability. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews.
The Renegade is a few ounces lighter than heavier models, but still provided robust prevention against ankle injuries on and off the trail.
No one boot will be ideal for all foot types, but the Renegade gets pretty darn close. In testing the Oboz boots, however, we found that they felt much heavier and clunkier than their 2-pound-0.4-ounce weight would suggest, and the in-house B-Dry waterproofing membrane runs warmer than the Lowas Gore-Tex design. The Quest has a higher listed weight at 2 pounds 5.7 ounces, but its simply hard to beat in terms of stability and protection on technical terrain. This boot is comfortable and form-fitting out of the box. Further, the midsoles offer sufficient isolation from the trail even with a loaded down pack and lots of hiking and scrambling over rock. This is a very classic style of hiking boot, with a full leather upper and a waterproof/breathable membrane. But this is a boot that is built to last, and it can pay off to not have to replace your hiking gear often.
alternative to the St. Elias mentioned above. Available in a big range of sizes and narrow, regular, and wide widths. But the integrity has not been compromised, and all of the smaller detailsfrom the stitching to the rubber randare holding up well with no issues. It is one the easiest ways to get outdoors for people of all experience levels, and simply put, any time spent on the trail has a way of soothing the Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. To us, the issue seems to be that these two pieces meet halfway up the toeunlike boots like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX that have a toe cap that extends all the way over the toes. Sold in a wide variety of colorways and sizes, including dedicated wide and narrow models. At 1 pound 8 ounces, the Cross Hike is around 7 ounces lighter than the Renegade while offering excellent all-around comfort in a noticeably agile and sprightly design. Price: $245Weight: 1 lb. 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. We also give the nod to the Salomon in terms of comfort and durability: The Quest has a more performance-oriented fit and uses thicker materials throughout. 15.6 oz.) Further, the boot offers ample stability for high-mileage backpacking while still retaining enough flexibility for shorter and less intensive day hikes. Below I break down my experiences with the Renegade GTX Mid. Again, the boots are too stiff and rigid for shorter day hikes on easy trails, but theyre well-equipped for this kind of rough and demanding travel with a heavy load. The ankle collar is both supportive and comfortable during foot flexion. The lugs on this Vibram sole grip well in wet and dry conditions. In the end, the fit ended up being snug but not overly tight, which was great for maximizing security and stability on the trail. Compared to the womens version, the mens Renegade GTX Mid is a little heavier at 2 pounds 7.2 ounces per pair and sold in different colorways, but the overall construction and feature set are identical (for more, see our in-depth review of the mens Renegade). 14.2 oz. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our articleon the best womens hiking boots. Testing the Lowas weight on our own scale. If you want to shave weight and dont mind sacrificing ankle support, the Renegade GTX is made in a low-top version ($230) that comes in at 2 pounds 4.7 ounces. Unsurprisingly, the Renegade did soak through and grow heavy with moisture when submerged above the collar in deeper rivers during our multi-day backpacking trip, and I ended up hiking with sloshing water and soggy feet until I had a chance to take them off and dry them out. For those that struggle to get a good fit, the Renegade is one of the best options weve seen. The boots run a little small, and I ended up having to go up by a half size to get a good all-around fit. For reference, Salomons Quest 4 GTX is the standard bearer in this category and weighs 2 pounds 5.7 ounces, while Scarpas similarly intentioned Zodiac Plus GTX is 2 pounds 0.1 ounces. And many will appreciate the modern and sleek appearance of the Cross Hike, which is a far cry from the Renegades fairly dated-looking leather construction. On the flip side, the Renegade has a sturdier and more planted feel and comes in a wider variety of sizes and widths, which may be the deciding factor for those with hard-to-fit feet. ), Vasque St. Elias GTX (2 lbs. It's competitively light at 1 pound 10.1 ounces with a very athletic feel to match, and the boot still holds its own in terms of stability andprotection. However, in testing, we found that the Vasque had a fairly heavy and clunky feel on the trail, and the wider lugs didnt grip particularly well on softer surfaces. Weighing 2 pounds 10 ounces on our scale in a mens size 9 (the listed weight is 2 lbs. We quite like this boot, but the lacing system disappointed us. We've done the homework for you on men's hiking boots Why should I buy a pair of hiking boots when the Should You Buy the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid? We also prefer the Salomons lacing system over the Renegades, including locking eyelets that secure the heel in place and allow you to tailor the fit at the forefoot and ankle. If you prioritize a stable ride or like the safety net that comes with a sturdy boot, the Renegade is a great choice. Soft and supportive, the Renegade gives us comfort on the trails and off. But once I had a few miles under my belt, the leather became noticeably softer and nicely conformed to my foot. And I didnt come to appreciate this until later, but this is high praise for a boot: Once we arrived at our lakeside destination that evening, I didnt even think to swap out the Renegade for a pair of camp shoes (I just loosened the laces a little bit). The cost of the product is the same to you but this helps us continue to test and write about outdoor gear. Let us know! Better yet, trail running is an immensely easy sport to get into. The forefoot has a whole lot of seams where the different panels of leather come together. Nearly every major hiking boot brand has its signature model, and for Lowa, its the Renegade GTX. You do lose some ankle support when carrying a heavy pack or traversing rocky trails Merrells original Moab reached legendary status, and the current 2 carries on the tradition. Shifting to the lightweight and budget end of the spectrum, two longtime favorites are the Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP ($145; 2 lbs. Unless you plan to add light mountaineering to the mix, we think the Lowa is the more approachable and well-rounded option in the midweight category. Our feet always stayed dry in these boots. The great summer weather hasnt afforded us our usual opportunities to hike in the wet Pacific Northwest, but weve given it a fair shake by crossing and standing in streams whenever possible. (womens)Waterproof: Yes (Gore-Tex)What we like: Great support, stability, and comfort for covering long distances with a full pack.What we dont: Overkill for shorter outings on well-maintained trails.See the Women's Renegade GTX Mid See the Men's Renegade GTX Mid. Womens models are available in the same variations, including the womens Renegade GTX Mid, but in different colorways and with slightly lower weights (see our in-depth review of the womens boot here). Stable and easy to trust on difficult trails and with a heavy pack. Lowas Renegade GTX Mid has been a mainstay in the hiking boot market for years and remains well-loved for its excellent overall performance for demanding backpacking objectives. This product is relatively lightweight for having a completely leather upper. Depending on the seller, most products ship free in the United States on orders of $50 or more. Hikers and backpackers fall on both ends of the spectrum: some prefer the unparalleled breathability of non-waterproof footwear, while others Lowa Renegade GTX Mid (Women's) Price Comparison, Salomon Cross Hike Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review, Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Boot Review, https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-7, https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=b5770911-39dc-46ac-ba0f-b. Another boot often considered alongside the Lowa Renegade is Asolos Fugitive GTX. Very comfortable underfoot along with great cushioning around the ankle. Got feedback? This can be especially handy if you prefer to use a two-lace technique when lacing up. Its worth noting that my pair of womens size 9s checked in considerably heavier on my scale (2 lbs. 4 oz.) To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots. These boots are comfortable for day hikes and shorter backpacking trips, but we consider the Renegade the far superior option when carrying a loaded-down backpacking pack or hiking over dicey or steep terrain. 0.1 oz.) The cost of the product is the same to you but this helps us continue to test and write about outdoor gear. 15 oz. Price: $245Weight: 2 lbs. 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. 7 oz. Four pieces of leather make up the forefoot flex point, and these three seams will wear in rough terrain. By far, its closest competitor is the Salomon Quest 4 GTX, which is another great option for difficult day hikes and long backpacking trips. Traction is another highlight, with deep, multi-direction lugs that bite well into everything from thick mud to packed dirt. The Lowa feels solid rather than flexible and lightand we still prefer a boot like the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX (1 lb. At six inches, this boot has an average flood height compared to other midweight hikers, but perhaps the best Gore-Tex liner. What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider? Like the Renegade, the Bridger is nicely cushioned and protective underfoot with good all-around stability and support for longer backpacking missions. It's worth noting that the Renegade's leather upper is a little thinner than some competitors, including the Salomon Quest 4 and Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX. 2.8 oz.). For reference, I wore the boots on a few local hikes before bringing them to Argentina for testing, and it did take a few outings for them to loosen up and soften. What sets the Lowa Renegade GTX Midapart is its available sizes, which range from 7.5 to 16 in mens and 5.5 to 11 in womens, along with narrow, regular, and wide widths.
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