Second pair around, really well with these shoes indeed. - Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo Hiking Shoe - Men's

Like the title reads; this is my second pair. After three or four years of primarily using these as a totally (Totally!) bombproof cycle-cross shoe; and with a good bit of conventional wear mixed in there (They are leather = clean them up; brush on some mink-oil; and ta-da! Instant leather class to wear to a business meeting/family gathering/etc.) and hiking; they finally began to show their age.

They are made in Slovakia; I like that because it is not a 3rd world hecl hole; and Lowa itself is out of Germany. It means A LOT to me that my purchase is being produced by adults, as in people that have homes and families just like most of us do. YMMV; I have no problem paying more for an item that is produced by a fairly waged group of employees.

I have not had a single stitch come loose. I own two pairs of mid-quarters, and this pair of low quarters. That says a lot about the quality. And excuse my language; I beat the heck out of my my feet via rocks, old school toe straps on teethy pedals, and about anywhere in Colorado (rocks, rocks, more rocks).

What did wear after putting them on and off ???? 2,000+ times? The felt around the cuff. That is NO big deal. They still do great; probably replaced more due to wanting to have a second pair ready as compared to actually wore out type of issue.

I've never had the Gore-tex lining fail me; I certainly don't pass time in the water; but with a 100+ low water stream crossings and good old fashioned walk across the puddle type of city activities; zero wet foot or damp spot incidents. High marks for the liner indeed.

I've never had hot feet into the 90's ; and ok; around 45 degrees I do put on my mid-quarters if I go riding. Then again; if you are mistaking these for an actual winter hiking shoe; well; uhh; no. These are not your freezing cold gear item.

Bought a pair of the mid-quarters for my five year old. Soles on the things (all of them) stick like glue. I'm talking Star Trek level "Magnetic Boots" grade of stiction and traction. Few things beat being able to walk up a rock face as compared to having to lay low and crawl. The tack of the sole is a wonder in itself.

OK, gotta close sooner or later - do they cost a bit? YES! I mean, if you want to get some $19.95 shoes to save money; by all means, do so; and then replace them when they fall apart after IDK, 5-10 wearings. Or worse yet; when you slip and slide all over some mud ice water snow etc. Dollar cost averaged; these shoes are an excellent investment ; the per day price of ownership is about a third of what it would cost to buy a less costly (or cheap) item of similar appearance (it is easy to make a shoe look good).

I and my kid; five pairs of Lowa's between us. Excellent purchases all of them; I'm very grateful I decided to give these seemingly costly shoes a try some four or five years ago. Highly recommended.

*****I am not being paid for my prose, nor compensated in any way for my prose. My words are my words. Period.*****