How to Choose Hiking Boots

For over 25 years, hikers have loved the comfort of these leather LOWA boots. They're great for day hikes and shorter backpacking trips. GORE-TEX keeps your feet dry while Vibram® outsoles lend grip.
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Imported.
View the Lowa Renegade Product LineView all Lowa Men's Backpacking BootsBest Use | Hiking Backpacking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX waterproof/breathable membrane |
Upper | Heinen terracare nubuck leather |
Midsole | Double-injection DuraPU/DynaPU |
Support | MONOWRAP frame |
Outsole | Vibram Rene Trac rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 2 lbs. 9.6 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 15 | |
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U.S. Men's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 15 |
U.S. Women's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | |||||||||
UK | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 14 |
EU | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 48.5 | 49.5 |
Wide = E/EE; Narrow = C; Medium = D
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First let me say that I am 6'0 and weigh 250. I have been in construction since 1980. Good foot wear is a must. 30 years ago waterproof redwings were my go to boot. My feet stayed dry for at least a year but that is also when the heal was worn out of level causing back and hip pain. I was satisfied with getting a year out of the boot. About 20 years ago that particular style red wing was discontinued. I have tried all the main brand high dollar waterproof work boots during the last 20 years. The results were all very disappointing. Wet feet and prematurely worn boots about every time. Three years ago while shopping at our local J&H Outdoor shop I tried a pair of these in size 13. It took a bit to break in as my little toe on the right foot stayed slightly irritated for the first few weeks. It wasn't a deal breaker. Soon after this period they felt like they were a part of my foot. 3 years later they are in great shape and still bone dry. Even the original boot laces are in good shape. The wear on the sole is minimal even on my heals. I really didn't need another pair but I decided to in case the new tariffs cause the price of these to increase. I was thrilled to find these here because I got a huge membership discount that resulted in a $50.00 savings. I am happy with the product and I am always happy to be a part of the REI family. Thanks Lowa and REI!
I purchased these boots just over two months ago and have worn them almost every day since then for both hiking, backpacking, and work. I was greatly impressed with both the quality of the leather and feel of the laces. These boots almost never come untied. However, despite buying the wide version of the boots, I noticed that my toes frequently felt like they were being pushed together and often got sore after a few hours. This continued for about a month after first buying the boots. I wouldn't even say I have particularly large feet, I think these boots just run very narrow. Further, I've noticed that the tread on the boots is already wearing thin, particularly on the ball of the foot area. The tread is about half as prominent as when I had first bought the boots. I'll likely have to replace them by the end of summer at this rate. Very disappointed for the price. I'm approximately 210 pounds, for reference. Your milage with these boots may vary if you're lighter and\or not using them every day.
I have purchased this particular style and brand of boot for my husband for over a decade. Never had any issues til now. He has only had them for a month and only worn them around town. Unfortunately the quality of manufacturing was poor this time and the eyelet hook for the laces just came out while taking a normal walk. Thankfully not out hiking! I have sent them back for a refund but sure makes me hesitant to reorder this style and in particular the brand
No idea why others reviewed this boot so highly, maybe they just didn't use it long enough before reviewing. For me the front rand separated at around mile 150 and side stitching disintegrated on BOTH boots at about mile 250. I had to do emergency sewing on the trail. More side stitching disintegrated at around mile 300 and not waterproofed any more. They are now in the trash heap at mile 350. I really think boots costing $250+ should last longer!
Words nearly fail me, for how pleased I am with the performance of these boots. I walked a couple of miles on sidewalk, to figure out how the laces worked. Tighten the ankles for the downhills, leave the foot no more than snug. Then took an 8-mile hike on a rocky trail in the Blue Ridge. Maybe not the smartest thing to do, with that little break-in for a leather boot. But ... Results: No blisters. Next day, no sore feet. Better, no sore hip or knee joints. I don't think I've ever gone mountain hiking with so little resulting pain. Anyway, I'm a 66-year-old man, just returning to hiking. I'm not the type to buy fancy camping gear. These shoes were well worth the money.
I have been hiking the Rocky mountains, 14ers to the AT on the East Coast and have had a lot of boots over the 35yrs of hiking. I have found these boots to be very comfortable for my feet, and great on rocky terrain. They are proving to be a great all around all weather hiker. But with any boot, I will always encourage you to go to a store and have your feet measured, add better insoles, and then try on the boots. Add a half size so that when trying on the new boots with new and better insoles than what comes with the boot, you'll want that extra half size. Why measure your feet? Because as you age your feet will expand and by around age 50, most people's feet have "grown an approximate one size bigger". Happy trails!!!
About to buy a second pair after my last ones gave up the ghost after 10+ years!
LOWA quality like usual. I’ve been using LOWA since @1999 and the quality seems to continue. I sized UP a 1/2 size to 10.5 but my sizing can vary by manufacturer 9-10, 42-44. I have a slightly wide foot. Fit is perfect for a stiff Solid shoe (normally size up) verses a mesh flexible which can fit much smaller due to stretch. This is a cool-cold weather boot so some extra air @toes is warmer. So far, it’s stiff & feels durable & should last a long time.
I have purchased a pair of mens' Renegades every year for about the last ten years at several REI stores in southern California. Unfortunately, over the last two years this boot has had a persistent defect. I thought the problem would have been corrected with the re-design (the Evo), but it has not. I just ordered a pair online in the Espresso/Seaweed color since it is not stocked at REI stores. The right boot is significantly wider and and a little longer than the left boot. I returned the pair to my REI store in Santa Barbara and received a refund. The store manager agreed that the boots are two different widths just by looking at them, and pledged to contact the buyer. I then tried on a pair in the store of the gray/blue color, and they were also mis-matched in width. All the other pairs I looked at in other sizes were also had this width disparity. This is clearly a problem starting in the factory. I contacted the Lowa warranty department, and they were rude and dismissive, and failed to acknowledge the problem even though I sent them a photo of the mis-matched boots. Unless your right foot is wider and longer than your left, do not buy these shoes!
I’m a 76 year old confirmed Lowa fan. But they only last for 20 years before the soles fall off. This, my third pair, should last me through my remaining hiking years.