Salomon Quest vs LOWA Renegade: Which Fits Ankle Support Better?

What each boot actually is

You'll still see this matchup written as "Quest 4 vs Renegade" online. Both boots have moved on since then: Salomon's current version is the Quest 5 GTX, which replaced the Quest 4, and LOWA's is the Renegade EVO GTX Mid, which LOWA calls the next generation of its original Renegade. This page compares the boots currently sold under those names.

Both are leather-and-GORE-TEX, high-top boots aimed at hikers who want ankle coverage on rough or loaded trail, rather than a lightweight day-hiking shoe.

Which trail each one is built for

Salomon positions the Quest 5 specifically around rolled ankles on rough trails, built on its 4D Advanced Chassis for lateral support underfoot. LOWA frames the Renegade EVO more broadly, as an all-round support boot, with the Wide option aimed squarely at men who've struggled to find a mid that fits. If your main problem is a history of rolling the same ankle on technical ground, the Quest's framing matches that directly. If you want one dependable boot for mixed trail conditions and need room in the forefoot, the Renegade's wider stance and broader positioning fit better.

Ankle support and lockdown

The Quest 5 is built around Salomon's 4D Advanced Chassis and a sensiFIT upper for a locked-in wrap around the midfoot and ankle. The Renegade EVO uses a double-injection DuraPU/DynaPU midsole with a Vibram Rene Trac outsole, which LOWA markets as carrying over the comfort and fit of the original Renegade with "strategic updates." Neither published spec sheet states a cuff height, so we can't compare the actual inches of coverage.

It's worth being honest about what a taller cuff can and can't do here. Research reviewed by Cleveland Clinic found no significant difference in sprain rates between high-top and low-top footwear in controlled trials, and pointed to ankle strength and balance work as at least as important as boot height. Both of these boots can help with a stable platform and a locked-down fit; neither one is a guarantee against rolling an ankle. For the full picture, see our ranked picks for ankle support, which includes both of these boots alongside the rest of the field.

Width and fit

This is the clearest practical difference between them. The Renegade EVO is sold in men's Medium and Wide, plus a women's (WS) Medium. The Quest 5 GTX is listed on Zappos in men's D - Medium only, with no wide option. If a wide forefoot is part of what's driving your search, that alone may decide it.

Weight and durability

A direct weight comparison isn't fully possible: Zappos lists the Quest 5 GTX at "1 lb" without stating a size or basis, while LOWA publishes the Renegade EVO at 590 g for a single men's shoe (485 g for the women's WS version). Both use a GORE-TEX membrane rather than an in-house waterproofing layer, and neither brand publishes a shaft height or drop for these models.

On construction, the Quest 5's upper is built around Salomon's sensiFIT system, which wraps support panels from the sole up through the lacing rather than relying purely on a stiff leather shell. The Renegade EVO uses a double-injection DuraPU/DynaPU midsole, which LOWA says keeps the comfort and fit of the original Renegade while updating the cushioning underneath. Neither product page states a warranty term, so we can't compare coverage; check the current listing before you buy if that matters to you. If you're carrying a heavier pack and durability under load matters as much as ankle coverage, see our picks for heavy packs for boots built specifically around that job.

Who should skip both

Skip both if you want a lighter, lower-cut option instead of a full high-top boot, or if you're also weighing Salomon's own lighter mid against the Quest. Salomon X Ultra vs Salomon Quest compares the Quest against Salomon's more agile X Ultra 5 Mid GTX. And if neither of these two fits your width or budget, the full ranked list at best hiking boots for ankle support covers the rest of the field.