Lowa Renegade Ice GTX winter boots compared to Lowa Camino GTX boots
I have worn Lowa Camino GTX boots for years but just bought a pair of Lowa Renegade Ice GTX boots specifically for a China in Winter birding tour that will include much time sitting outside in cold hides and feeding stations. The Renegade Ice is a lightweight but warm, winter boot, with Gore-tex Partelana insulation, which is 80% polyester and 20% wool. The lining looks and feels like the lining in fleece-lined slippers. In addition, the Renegade Ice is more than an inch taller than the Camino, and the lowest water entry point on the tongue is an inch higher on the Renegade than on the Camino. There are three lace hooks per side above the ankle on the Renegade Ice but only two on the Camino.However, the Camino is a much more serious hiking boot than the Renegade Ice, with substantial polyurethane wedges below the ball of the foot and heel that are missing from the Renegade Ice. The Camino’s Vibram sole is also thicker than the Vibram Arctic Grip sole of the Renegade Ice. Despite it’s smaller size and lack of winter insulation, the Camino is heavier than the Renegade Ice. Both boots are described as moderately stiff by Lowa, although the Camino feels slightly more flexible to me.I wear size US 14 / UK 13 / EU 48.5. One Renegade Ice boot with lace and removable insole weighs 784g or 1 lb 11.6 oz. In comparison, one Camino boot with lace and insole weighs 1026g or 2 lb 4.2 oz. The Renegade Ice boot is 9¾” high, and the lowest water entry point on the tongue is 7½” from the ground. The Camino is 8⅜” high, and the lowest water entry point on the tongue is 6½” from the ground.As in the case of all Gore-tex boots, Gore-tex will refund your full purchase price plus tax and shipping if the boots leak at any time before they wear out. A pair of Lowa Camino GTX boots leaked long after the seller’s return date, but Gore-tex quickly sent me a full refund after I followed the instructions on their website and mailed them the boots.My Lowa Renegade Ice GTX boots were made in Slovakia, and my latest Lowa Camino GTX boots were made in Italy. Lowa Camino GTX boots are also made in Germany.