My review is based on more than 100 miles of first-hand hiking experience in the updated Renegade EVO. But it's also helpful to spell out the material differences between the old LOWA Renegade GTX and the new LOWA Renegade EVO GTX. The new Renegade EVO has
Most of these changes are admittedly subtle—an evolution (not a revolution) for LOWA's signature hiking boot. But my first-hand testing showed these were positive changes for this hall of fame hiking and backpacking boot.
Testing the updated LOWA Renegade EVO GTX in New Mexico's Jemez Mountains
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LOWA Renegade EVO GTX Review
I tested and reviewed the updated LOWA Renegade EVO GTX in late summer and fall, 2025. Since this is a serious boot made for backpacking and difficult day hiking, my test hikes emphasized 10-15 mile hikes with 2500-4700 feet of vertical, including Mt. Wheeler (12+ miles, 4650 ft), La Luz (9 miles, 4000+ ft), South Sandia Crest (12+ miles, 4000+ feet), and a 12-mile loop off the Sandia Crest Trail. (The US government shutdown cancelled three backpacking trips on public lands where I had hoped to test the Renegade EVO with more pack weight.) By design, my test hikes included steep scree slopes, slick rock, weathered granite, woods, desert, and high alpine trails. Those varied conditions let me evaluate this boot's support, weight, fit, comfort, traction, weather protection, and overall value.
As always, Hiking Feet's reviews are 100% original and independent (not sponsored by brands or marketing/PR agencies). They're based on my extensive hiking experience (nearly 17,000 miles since 2011) and my outdoor industry experience, where I've been a footwear manager at a hiking shop and outdoor gear expert for a billion dollar retailer.
12-mile test hike in the Sandias wearing the LOWA Renegade EVO GTX
SUPPORT
Support remains the strong suit for the LOWA Renegade EVO GTX. Like its predecessor, it's a burly, midweight hiking boot built for backpacking and tough, all-day hikes. When I tested this brute on steep and rocky trails, I had no ankle issues. My feet and ankles felt well protected on relatively tough terrain, on trail and off trail.
This boot's strong ankle support comes from the its moderately stiff build and substantial ankle collars. Renegades also feature a TPU MONOWRAP frame outside the boot that helps stabilize your heel and increase lateral support. If you carry extra weight on your back, have a history of ankle problems, or mostly hike difficult terrain, the Renegade EVO is one of my top hiking boot recommendations for you.
The LOWA Renegade EVO weighs a few ounces more than most of the mid-weight hiking boots I've tested and reviewed.
WEIGHT
The trade-off of all that foot and ankle protection is weight. My pair of the Renegade EVO (men's 13-wide) weighs a whisker under 3 pounds. In my size, that's respectable for a backpacking but heavier than the typical dayhiking boot. This isn't the boot to buy if you prioritize weight savings. It's the boot you buy if foot and ankle support are your priorities.
The Renegade EVO kept my feet fresh on a difficult, 12-mile test hike
COMFORT
Comfort has a lot to do with fit, hiking style, and personal preferences. If you're after a stiffer, more supportive hiking boot, you may find this sturdy hiking boot comforting, especially if you regularly hike all-day or backpack for several days in a row. My feet appreciated this boot's backbone on my test hikes—most of which were 12-14-mile slogs up and down some significant mountains. Experienced hikers understand that stiffer, more supportive hiking boots are often more comfortable on big hikes than lightweight hiking boots or trail running shoes because they absorb more shock and abuse.
At the same time, this performance-oriented hiking boot may feel too stiff for some hikers, especially beginners. LOWA's PU midsoles are more durable and supportive than the cheaper EVA foam in most hiking boots. However, that also means that LOWAs aren't as cushy as most hiking boots. Plus, some hikers might balk at the extra weight. This is one hiking boot where I add Superfeet insoles to upgrade the comfort.
The LOWA Renegade EVO is available in narrow, standard, and wide widths
FIT
In my experience LOWA hiking boots run small—and I say that as someone who's personally owned 7-8 pairs of them. Like most European brands, LOWA's standard size fits a little narrow by U.S. standards, especially in the forefoot. The LOWA Renegade EVO remedies this a bit because it's the rare hiking boot that's available in narrow, standard, and wide sizes. My everyday shoe size is a men's 11.5, and I have moderately wide feet. My best fit in the LOWA Renegade EVO GTX is a 13-wide.
If you have wide feet, I recommend sizing up at least one full size—on top of ordering the wide. Don't rule out the wide if you have more standard-sized feet, either. You might like the slight boost in toe room.
My Mt Wheeler test hike included shaded trail stretches with 7 inches of snow
WEATHER PROTECTION
Weather protection is another plus for the updated LOWA Renegade EVO. A couple of my test hikes included easy river crossings and early season snow (up to 7 inches). As expected, the Renegade's one-two punch of nubuck leather uppers paired with a GORE-TEX membrane kept out the moisture while maintaining adequate breathability (moisture vapor transfer). This gels with my previous pairs of Renegades, which have also done well in wet weather and winter snows.
More broadly, I've had the best luck with leather hiking boots and waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX over the years. If you like to hike in nasty conditions, the Renegades weather protection matches its foot and ankle protection.
TRACTION
Most of the Renegade EVO's updates were relatively minor, but I documented a clear increase in traction with the 2025 version's Vibram outsoles. I've actually taken two of the hardest falls of my life while backpacking in the old Renegade GTX—a wipeout in the mud on the Loyalsock Trail and a painful biff in wet rocks on the Allegheny Front Trail (both in Pennsylvania).
Fortunately, the new Renegade EVO GTX has Vibram soles with more aggressive lugs than its predecessor. So far, I've hiked slip-free through 100 miles of desert, scree, mud, water crossings, slick rock, and weathered granite switchbacks. The improved outsoles feature more aggressive climbing lugs up front and a more aggressive heel brake and braking lugs in the heel—a great combination for steep slopes with loose sediment. This might cost this boot slightly in grip on solid rock. But I didn't detect that on my test hikes (which included some smooth granite slabs in the canyons near my Albuquerque home).
VALUE
Price is the biggest downside of the LOWA Renegade EVO GTX. For four decades, Renegades have given hikers and backpackers above average performance at an above average price. While most brands exported their manufacturing to Asia, LOWA has chosen to produce their boots in Europe under the EU's strict quality and environmental standards—which makes them more expensive. However, Trump's tariffs have jacked up its prices much higher—which obviously isn't LOWA's fault.
Lucky for you, many outdoor retailers are struggling right now, so you may be able to score discounts on these from REI or Backcountry.
Men's LOWA Renegade EVO
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Women's LOWA Renegade EVO
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LOWA RENEGADE EVO GTX REVIEW: PROS VS CONS
The LOWA Renegade EVO GTX is a stellar hiking and backpacking boot for certain types of feet and certain hiking styles—and a poor fit and poor match for others. Compare this boot's pros and cons can help you decide if it makes sense for your feet and your hikes (or not).
SHOULD YOU BUY THE LOWA RENEGADE EVO GTX?
You should strongly consider buying the updated—and upgraded—LOWA Renegade EVO GTX if you're after a supportive and protective hiking boot for hardcore day hikes and multiday backpacking excursions. There's a reason why the Renegade is alive and well after 30 years. But it's not the best pick for men and women who place more of a premium on weight savings or price than on foot and ankle support. It's also worth calling out the improved traction on the EVO which I appreciate since I took some messy and painful falls while backpacking in the older Renegades. If you can stomach the elevated price (or can score it on sale), it's a safe, time-tested pick for more serious hikers and backpackers.
Love it or leave it? LOWA Renegade EVO GTX
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Happy Hiking!
Men's LOWA Renegade EVO
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Women's LOWA Renegade EVO
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