LOWA Renegade GTX Mid review

We recommend the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid as an excellent choice for: 

• Hikers who need a warm and waterproof boot that can slosh through water, mud, and even light snow
• Backpackers who prioritize stability and want a boot to navigate difficult terrains while laden with a heavy pack
• Those who want a comfy boot with lots of ankle support that's ready for adventure right out of the box
• Style-minded individuals in the market for an all-leather boot with a timeless vintage vibe that will look good around town

While it may seem like a minor detail, the lacing system was a niggling annoyance that plagued our test hikes. We found that the laces wouldn't keep tightly cinched and would frequently pop out of the top hook eyelets, especially during descents. The Salomon Quest 4 GTX, on the other hand, provides a better lockdown that stayed nice and tight throughout our test hikes. 

Our flex test reveals the Renegade GTX Mid to be extremely stiff compared to the average boot. While this contributes to its stable and supportive ride, it did give us some pause when ascending steeper inclines. For a more flexible alternative more conducive to scrambling, we recommend checking out the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX.

With a retail price of $240, the Renegade GTX Mid isn't as friendly on the wallet as it is on the foot. For a more reasonably priced alternative that can also handle long backpacking adventures, we recommend checking out the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid. 

Using our caliper, we measured the Renegade GTX Mid's stack to be 37.8 mm high at the heel. This isn't far off the average for hiking boots and leaves us with plenty of foam and rubber underfoot to protect our heels from impact whether we are out for a quick jaunt or a long thru-hike. 

While being perched atop over 3 cm of platform sounds unstable at first, the Renegade GTX Mid's dual injection MonoWrap frame means that the midsole cradles our foot within the midsole. This not only feels great underfoot but greatly enhances our sense of underfoot support and stability. More on that later. 

At 20.6 mm thick according to our caliper measurements, the Renegade GTX Mid's forefoot stack falls just short of our current lab average.

This is still a fair amount of material underfoot to dampen impact and protect us from underfoot hazards while still keeping us nicely grounded as we toe off. 

The Renegade GTX Mid's offset is much more drastic than the average hiking boot at 17.2 mm. As such, the boot offers an extreme mix of cushioning and ground feel with an elevated and well-protected heel versus a more grounded forefoot. 

While this may sound odd and unnatural, we quickly got used to the smooth transitions from landings almost entirely devoid of impact to a more intuitive sense of the trail below as we pushed off during our test hikes.

For hikers interested in a boot that offers a more parallel-to-the-ground experience; we recommend the (almost) zero-drop Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2.

Pressing our durometer against the main portion of PU foam at the heel yields a reading of 25.6 HA. This is about average for hiking boots and isn't too soft underfoot nor does it feel like walking on a brick.

Rather, it sits in the middle and feels quite balanced as it cushions our landings without compressing too dramatically under our weight. This is excellent, especially when laden with a heavy pack, as we don't have to waste any energy adjusting our balance on a squishy midsole as we ascend and descend uneven terrains. 

To measure the effects of cold conditions on the midsole, we took another durometer reading of the foam after leaving the boot in our freezer for twenty minutes. With a result only 8.3% firmer than at room temperature, the Renegade GTX Mid proves to be much more resilient to frigid weather than the average hiking boot. This means that the cushioning should feel consistent whether we're out for a brisk hike on a breezy spring morning or staving off frostbite as we conquer the tundra. 

We measured the insole to be 4.5 mm thick. While this isn't quite as thick as average, it still provides us with a soft enough footbed to sink into during testing. 

Having retrieved a gel mold of the boot's interiors, we were able to compare the fit of this LOWA boot to the other hiking boots we tested.

Measuring the mold in its widest part (between the pinkie and the big toe), our caliper returned an above-average width of 95.8 mm which makes the Renegade GTX Mid a bit more accommodating than the typical medium-width boot.

While this might be a little too roomy for hikers with narrow feet, LOWA got them covered by offering a narrow version of the boot as well. Meanwhile, wide-footed hikers can either go for the medium width or opt for the wide version.

However, the boot tapers quite significantly towards the front, narrowing to a below-average width of 68.8 mm in the big toe area. Even though we didn't find it critically pointy for our medium-sized feet, it can be restricting for some hikers who may prefer the boot's wider version instead.

On a positive note, the boot's toebox height is not limited and shows an above-average reading of 28.4 mm. It didn't cause any hot spots or poor circulation on our end.

The Renegade GTX Mid's standout quality is its extremely stable ride that had us feeling as surefooted as mountain goats when schlepping heavy packs over difficult trails. 

A prominent feature of the Renegade GTX Mid is its Monowrap design wherein the midsole has raised sections of foam that form sidewalls at the medial and lateral sides of the boot. This feature serves to cradle our foot within the midsole rather than perching us above it and mitigates the risk of rolling our ankle.

This, in conjunction with the rigid nylon shank embedded within the midsole, lends the boot a high level of torsional rigidity which means that we could barely get it to budge in our hands during our manual assessment. This earns it the highest score of 5 out of 5 on our subjective scale which means that the boot's base stays nice and level no matter how uneven the paths we traipse along are. 

The heel counter is moderately stiff in the face of our manual manipulations, leading us to give it a middle-of-the-road score of 3 out of 5. This is a nice mix of support and comfort as the boot does have a good amount of structure at the rearfoot that locks us in place while still allowing for some natural lateral movements of our heel. 

The midsole is a little shy of our current lab average at the forefoot, measuring 110.6 mm wide according to our caliper. This isn't too narrow by any means and still leaves us with more than enough of a platform to land on and push off of while testing the boot. 

Back at the heel, the midsole is narrower than average by a greater margin at only 84.8 mm wide, though this too wasn't an issue during our test hikes. It actually made it easier to traverse rocky ascents a little more easily without getting caught in gaps. 

We secured the Renegade GTX Mid in our flexibility testing machine and found that it takes as much as 38.4N of force to torque the boot by 30 degrees. That is more force than it takes an average hiking boot. This is, no doubt, due to the aforementioned shank which seems to be as rigid as a carbon plate despite being made of TPU.

While this may seem uncomfortable on paper, having such a stiff boot ends up being quite beneficial during longer hikes or backpacking trips. This is because it prevents our foot from wrapping around obstacles we come across on the trail and limits foot flexion as we transition from heel to toe.

Not only does this protect us from injury but it also delays the onset of foot fatigue which, in turn, keeps us going longer. Furthermore, the shank acts as a low-key rock-plate that further protects us when traversing rocky or graveled trails. 

The only time this level of stiffness proved to be an obstacle was whenever we found ourselves needing to scramble up steeper ascents and struggled to get good purchase at certain angles. The La Sportiva Raptor II Mid GTX is a more flexible alternative that might be better suited for those frequent scramblers. 

Despite being marketed as a lightweight boot, the Renegade GTX Mid is significantly heavier than our current lab average at 21.1 oz (597g). That said, it's not overly burdensome underfoot, with the added heft giving us a sensation of a strong and sturdy base that feels ready to haul heavy packs over great distances. 

Gore-Tex lined boots tend to perform poorly in our smoke test and the Renegade GTX Mid is no exception. Not a wisp of smoke is able to filter through the solid leather upper, thus earning the boot a 1 out of 5 in this assessment. This is a good indicator of the boot's ability to resist water, though it does mean that the Renegade GTX Mid doesn't vent heat whatsoever. 

The Keen Voyageur Mid, on the other hand, breezes through this test which is unsurprising for a boot made with desert hiking in mind.  

Inspecting a cross-section of its upper further confirms the boot's well-insulated nature as it opaquely blocks any light from shining through. As such, it's safe to say that the Renegade GTX Mid is a toasty three-season boot that isn't well-suited for sweltering summer excursions. On the flip side though, it's the perfect companion for cooler hikes where keeping our feet warm and dry is the priority. 

Apart from the waterproof Gore-Tex lining, the Renegade Mid GTX's upper is made almost entirely of patches of sold nubuck leather without any pores to promote airflow through the boot.

As far as waterproofing goes, the Renegade GTX Mid might as well be bulletproof. Not a drop of water made it into the boot as we splashed across streams and waded through riverbeds. 

What's more, the grippy Vibram outsole was just as effective when submerged as it is on dry land!

Full-grain nubuck leather is known to be a hardy material so we went in our Dremel test with high hopes for the Renegade GTX Mid. We even made things tougher for the boot by taking aim at the seam line which is the most vulnerable part of the toebox. Spoiler alert; we were right to be optimistic. 

After contending with our tool's abrasive element spinning at 5K RPM for twelve seconds, the leather itself was left with a barely noticeable scuff. The seams did take the brunt of the damage, as expected, but still held on by a thread in certain parts. This still earns the Renegade GTX Mid a perfect 5 out of 5 for toebox durability. As such, we had no issues going off-trail on more rugged terrains without worrying about damaging this tank of a boot or our fragile foot nestled safely within. 

That said, the many seams found throughout the boot's upper construction are certainly the Renegade GTX Mid's most vulnerable areas that prevent it from being totally bullet-proof in terms of durability against the elements. 

Next, we turn our attention to another part of the boot susceptible to heavy wear and tear; the heel collar. 

Beyond menacing the lining material and tearing it slightly, our tool wasn't really able to inflict any damage on the heel padding, thus earning the Renegade GTX Mid a respectable 4 out of 5 in this assessment. We, therefore, don't expect the boot's rearfoot comfort and lockdown to be compromised over its normal lifespan. 

The Renegade GTX Mid utilizes a Vibram Evo outsole which registers a hardness of 86.3 HC according to our durometer readings. This is on par with our current lab average which gives us no real cause for concern regarding its durability, especially considering the brand's reputation for producing high-quality rubber compounds that are usually as sturdy as they are grippy. 

To test that last claim, we fired up our Dremel to 10K RPM for its final foray against the Renegade GTX Mid. The immediate flurry of dust kicked up by the tool made us question our confidence coming into this assessment. 

Using a tire tread gauge to measure the damage left in the wake of the twenty-two-second test, we were somewhat surprised to find that we had shaved off 0.9 mm from the outsole. This isn't terrible necessarily as it puts the outsole within range of our current lab average in this test, though we did have higher expectations from the Vibram Evo compound. That said, the boot should last the expected 500 - 1000 miles of use depending on terrain. 

At 2.2 mm thick according to our caliper measurements, the Renegade GTX Mid's outsole falls just short of our current lab average. That said, with the aggressive lugs below, this gives us no cause for concern as we still have plenty of material to wear through. 

At 5.1 mm according to our caliper measurements, the Renegade GTX Mid's lugs are thicker than our current lab average. This allows us to really dig into softer surfaces like dirt or mud for secure footing during our test hikes. 

Furthermore, the multi-shaped and multi-directional lugs form a tread pattern which, in tandem with the grippy Vibram compound, gave us a great sense of adhesion to any surface, whether dry or wet. 

The Renegade GTX Mid doesn't feature any reflective elements on its upper. Therefore, we recommend using additional high-vis gear when hiking along dimly lit country roads at night. 

As is typically the case with waterproof boots, the Renegade GTX Mid's tongue is fully gusseted on both sides. This not only helps prevent water from seeping in but also ensures that our feet are safe from any kicked-up bits of debris or grit that might enter the boot. 

Proudly emblazoned with the Renegade moniker is a nylon strap at the heel that serves as a handy finger loop to assist with sliding the boot on. 

The insole is fully removable, so replacing it in favor of an aftermarket alternative or a custom orthotic for added support is possible if necessary.