User Review: Lowa Renegade II GTX Mid

Lowa Renegade II GTX Mid
Above: The current Renegade II GTX Mid, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 28, 2005 by mario

Rating:
Materials: nubak, cordura, gore-tex
Use: urban street walking, urban winter shoes
Break-in Period: none
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Price Paid: USD 118

Bottom line: comfortable urban boot. Shines in the urban streets, useless on any real trails. Stay close to home with your Renegade II, otherwise you will be sorry.

Pros:
- a good boot for urban warior, during fall and winter days, at least in NYC, Boston and anywhere in Northeast where snow and rain is a problem.
- very good waterproofing
- it's comfortable and fits well. It does not have a boot like look anymore (if that is positive for you).
- good vibram sole for light urban activity
- good ankle support on flat surfaces (but do you need ankle support on flat a flat surface)
- no break-in necessary
- and that's about it.

Cons:
- too much forefoot flex
- no toe or heel rand
- ZERO torsional support
- you can feel the smallest piece of rock or roots through the sole
- you cannot even carry a lightweight (15-20lb) daypack with it. You get foot pain instantly
- soft leather blows out on trails very easily
- price USD 170. REALLY OVERPRICED.

This is my second pair of Lowa Renegades. To me, the Renegade II has been redesigned to fit the urban lifestyle. It's not an outdoors boot anymore. It's comfortable and light, but it cannot handle the smallest of challenges of a day hike on real hiking trails, and I am not talking about rugged trails. Anything little rocky or muddy and Renegade II caves in. This is dissapointing for a boot that originally costs USD 170.

I tried to use it for summer hiking in the Upstate NY, PA, MA and Vermont areas. The boots were not too hot and had a good fit, but, they have too much flex in the forefoot and have almost no lateral/torsonal support. So, the boots allowed a lot of foot movement while walking hilly terrains. Mind it, I only hiked on maintained trails. I WOULD NOT TAKE IT OUT ON A HIKE EVER AGAIN.

Now, I use the Renegade at my office. it looks fine with a pair of Khakis. Not too dorky. I have also found an outdoor use for it. It can be a good pair of shoes for mountain/trail biking.

FINALLY Lowa's all purpose all terrain advertisement for this boot is really a false advertisement. If you need a all terrain all purpose boot from lowa go with LOWA Arko GTX, though overpriced they are realatively better.

GO outdoors and enjoy the abandance.