Lowa Renegade GTX (women’s) review: the backpacking boot to buy once
There is a reason the Lowa Renegade GTX has a cult following among people who actually carry weight into the backcountry. The women’s version is the boot you buy when day-hikers are not enough — a supportive, precisely-fitting, Gore-Tex backpacking boot that many women lace up for a decade and never look back.
The verdict
The backpacking boot to buy once. The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid is a supportive, nubuck-leather, Gore-Tex boot with a stabilizing frame and a grippy Vibram Evo outsole — stiffer and more protective than a trail boot, yet renowned for an out-of-the-box comfort unusual at this level. It carries a loaded pack over rough, rocky, root-strewn ground while keeping your feet supported, dry, and blister-free, and it is famously durable and resole-able. It costs more and is more boot than a casual day-hiker needs, but for a woman who carries weight into real terrain, it is the one that lasts.
What it does
This is a true backpacking boot, built for support and durability under load. The nubuck-leather upper resists abrasion and, with a Gore-Tex lining, stays waterproof while still breathing. Inside, Lowa’s Monowrap frame and stabilizing shank cradle the foot and resist the twisting and fatigue that a heavy pack and uneven ground inflict, while the Vibram Evo outsole grips confidently and edges on rock. The mid cut and firm-but-not-harsh flex protect your ankles and feet where a soft boot would let them roll or bruise. Built on a women’s-specific last with a secure heel and generous toe box, it is the footwear foundation for hard trips — pair it with a full clothing system, quality socks, and a well-fitted pack.
What verified buyers say
Experienced hikers and backpackers — many on their third or fourth pair — return to the same points:
- Support that lasts all day. Owners carrying packs praise how stable and fatigue-free their feet feel over long, rough miles.
- Comfortable with little break-in. The recurring surprise: a stiff, supportive boot that feels good almost immediately.
- Dry and durable. Reviewers report years of hard use, dry feet in wet conditions, and boots worth resoling rather than replacing.
- Precise fit. Many call it the best-fitting boot they have owned; some with very wide feet size up or choose the wide.
Worth knowing
This is more boot than many hikers need, and it is priced accordingly. For short, easy day hikes its stiffness and support are overkill — a lighter trail boot is more nimble and cheaper. Leather and Gore-Tex also run warmer than a mesh boot, so in genuine heat it is less airy. And while comfort out of the box is excellent, a supportive leather boot still rewards a few break-in miles before a big trip. Accept those trade-offs — weight, warmth, price — and you get a boot that carries a load over hard ground for years.
Who it is for
This is for the serious backpacker or heavy-pack hiker who wants support, waterproofing, and durability over rugged, consequential terrain, and will keep a boot for years. If you mostly hike lighter and on trails, the Merrell Moab 3 is the more comfortable, cooler, cheaper everyday choice; if you are just starting out, the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus is plenty. Whatever you hike in, build the rest of your kit with a layered clothing system.
Specs at a glance
Type: Gore-Tex backpacking mid boot · Upper: nubuck leather, GORE-TEX lined · Support: Monowrap frame + shank; Vibram Evo outsole · Fit: women’s last; wide option; resole-able · Best for: heavy loads & rugged terrain
The Verdict
The Lowa Renegade GTX is the backpacking boot to buy once: supportive, waterproof, precise, and durable enough to resole and keep, prized by women who carry weight into real terrain. It is warmer, heavier, and pricier than a trail boot — and worth it for the job. Hiking lighter on trails? The Merrell Moab 3 is the everyday pick. Just starting out? See the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus.
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