Lowa Renegade GTX vs Salomon Quest 4 GTX

The two boots at a glance

The table uses the amazon.co.uk listings for the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid and the Salomon Quest 4 GTX. Some listing fields conflict with each other, which is common on Amazon; those are flagged below the table.

Note:The Quest 4 listing describes the boot as low top, and the Renegade listing describes it as unlined despite Gore-Tex. Both look like listing errors, so check photos and the makers' own pages.

Leather against leather and fabric

The Renegade's upper is listed as leather, the traditional material for a long-lived walking boot. Leather takes wax well, resists abrasion on rock and heather and keeps water out for longer in sustained rain when kept treated. It does need cleaning and feeding, and it is a little slower to dry.

The Quest 4 combines leather with polyester. The fabric panels save weight and help the boot feel lighter and more flexible, while the leather adds protection at wear points. A mixed upper dries faster than full leather but usually wears sooner where fabric meets rock.

Our leather vs fabric walking boots article goes deeper into this trade-off.

Fit and feel

The Renegade is known for a classic, fairly precise fit with a well-held heel. Lowa sells Ws (women's) and Wide versions, which is a real advantage if you have broad feet. The Quest has a more athletic, sporty fit typical of Salomon, with a close heel and a supportive midfoot; it can feel narrow for wider feet.

Underfoot, the Quest 4 listing states moderate to high cushioning and a supportive arch type, which many walkers find comfortable on long hard tracks. The Renegade feels firmer and more traditional.

Fit varies with foot shape, so try both with walking socks. Our walking boots for wide feet guide lists wide-fit options.

Which suits which walking

The Renegade is a true all-rounder for British walking: lowland paths, moorland, fell tracks and day walks in all seasons. It is a sensible first good boot and a dependable single pair.

The Quest 4 is aimed at longer days and trekking with a pack, where its cushioning and structure help. It also suits walkers who like a sporty feel. Neither listing states a B rating, so neither should be used with crampons without checking the maker's guidance.

Our guide to the best walking boots for UK hills includes both boots alongside other all-rounders, and Salomon hiking boots compared places the Quest within Salomon's range.

Compare more all-round walking boots →

The newer versions

Both boots have newer versions on sale. The Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid is listed with a leather upper, Gore-Tex and a fabric lining. The Salomon Quest 5 GTX is listed as a high-top, waterproof boot with a leather and synthetic upper. If you liked an earlier version, try the new one on before ordering, because updates can change the fit.

Older versions often remain on sale while stock lasts, and sizes and colours can vary between listings, so check the model name carefully.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Lowa Renegade good for hill walking? It is widely used for UK hill walking on paths and moorland. For winter mountains with crampons, look at stiffer, rated boots.

Is the Salomon Quest 4 waterproof? It has a Gore-Tex membrane according to the listing, although one field says water resistant. Check Salomon's own description.

Which is lighter? Neither listing gives a clear per-boot or per-pair weight, so compare on the makers' websites.

Do they need breaking in? The Quest needs very little. The leather Renegade benefits from a few short walks first; see how to break in walking boots.