LOWA Renegade GTX LO Hiking Boots

Because I’m generally a fair weather hiker, I often head out into the wilderness in my waterproof sandals and don’t usually have to worry about keeping my feet warm. But when I need a little extra protection in cooler climes, I admit that I’ve become a little attached to LOWA hiking boots.

This new addiction is probably because lately I’ve been hiking in some pretty spectacular places with unpredictable weather. Think: Bhutan’s Himalayas; the Oregon coast in winter; the North Shore of Kauai.

And, earlier this year, I spent 5 weeks traveling in Asia, hiking through diverse conditions including the hilltribe villages of Northern Vietnam (very warm but dusty) as well as in Bhutan (sometimes cool). Though I often travel with only one pair of shoes, given the variety of weather on this trip, I chose to bring a second pair. So, in addition to my sport sandals, I brought the LOWA Renegade GTX LO hiking boots.

Available on Amazon for $125

First, I have to fess up that these were not broken in prior to that trip (going against golden rule #1 in travel) but I developed no blisters or other issues as a result. Phew.

Beyond my golden rule faux pas, I coveted these for other reasons…

• They kept my feet warm in the cool weather and clean on dusty trails.

• They were very comfortable. This boot, LOWA’s most popular, is made from patented light materials so I never felt weighed down by them, like I might with other light hikers.

• They’re compact enough that when I did pack them in my luggage, they didn’t take up a bunch of room.

• They have a Gore-Tex lining which protected my feet from getting wet in puddles and wet grass.

As a traveler, the most important factor for me when I choose what I pack is the weight and amount of space an item takes up. The LOWA Renegades? Not a lot. That’s the biggest reason that these will surely be with me when I go trekking in Eastern Bhutan in October!

Available on Amazon for $125

Wander On!