(Runner-Up) Best Overall Hiking Boot

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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