Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes: The Pairs We Actually Use & Trust

There is a lot to consider when it comes to finding the best waterproof hiking shoes for your needs. Whether robust ankle support is a given for you may depend on the type of hiking you intend to do (or want to do later down the line).

The breathability will very much depend on what kind of temperatures you find yourself and the level of waterproofing itself will be determined by what kind of terrain you’ll encounter.

There’s also price – as you can see, waterproof hiking shoes vary in price a lot! So, we’ve broken down what you need to consider when choosing the right waterproof trail shoes for you.

Type and Style

When looking at the type and style, there are a variety of different things to consider. You’ll generally see walking and hiking shoes offered as a low hiking shoe (more like a trainer) or as a a mid (a hybrid between a shoe and a boot). 

You’ll also find trail runners which are a hybrid between a hiking shoe and what you’d usually use for running except they generally have a slightly softer sole that is better suited to the trail rather than pavement. Deciding which variant is right for you will really depend on what you plan to do on the trail.

For example, if you know you’re going to be trying to cover terrain that is very high altitude, alpine etc, you might be better served with a more traditional hiking boot, but if you’re looking for something more all-round and for generalized hiking, waterproof hiking shoes will be better served for you.

If you are someone that doesn’t always feel the steadiest on the trail, you may be better opting for a mid or full shoe with better support. If you are quite sure of your footing, or are into ultralight backpacking or fastpacking, then good waterproof hiking shoes with strong support in the heel, such as the Danner 2650 will suit you well – they’re some of most comfortable waterproof walking shoes you’ll find.

Price

As you’ll see, the prices of hiking shoes vary a lot across the board. Where you’re seeing shoes offering high end and cutting-edge design with state of the art materials and well known brands like Gore-Tex, you can expect to pay more.

It’s about looking at, firstly, the budget you have to spend, but secondly, what is going to get you the best return on investment. If you’re going to be hiking a lot and know that a pair of comfortable waterproof shoes will fit the bill for most of what you’ll be doing, opting for some of the more high-end models in our roundup would likely be best suited for you.

If you know you’re likely to need something different for summer hiking than you will in winter, even as a waterproof version, then it may be better going for something in the middle.

That said, they do not have to cost the earth and there are numerous shoes in this line up that offer great technical spec at a more reasonable price point. Such as the Adidas Terrex AX4 and the The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack. 

Traction

If you’ve been thinking ‘should I get waterproof hiking shoes as an upgrade from trainers?’ when we think about traction, this is where you’re going to see the biggest improvement and where comfortable, water-resistant shoes come into their own.

More casual footwear can be great, but it can never really take on shoes that are intended for hiking when it comes to harder terrain, loose gravel and slippery surfaces. On a lot of the hiking shoes out there, you’ll see that Vibram is the go-to name – they’re well known for their mid to deep thread which provides secure grip on the trail.

You’ll also see relative newcomers on the outdoor footwear scene from tyre brands like Continental, who partner with Adidas Terrex on their line. There are also numerous brands who handle their soles and traction in house – for example, Salomon.

They work with their in house ‘Contagrip’ which, in our tests is just as robust as you’d likely find with Vibram or Continental. If you’re looking at a hiking shoe from a well-known, reputable brand, you can be sure that the traction you’ll be getting from the soles of your shoes will stand up to heavy usage.

Breathability

If you’re looking for the best breathable hiking shoes, and you also want them to be waterproof, you will always need to make some concessions. There is, at present, no way to create a fully breathable pair of hiking shoes that is waterproof.

The reason for this is because a fully waterproof material and membrane is never going to wick moisture away from the skin (or socks) as well as a shoe that is made pretty much entirely of mesh.

However, some of the more advanced, GTX hiking shoes (Gore-Tex) out there do a good job of getting the balance right. Looking at the absolute breathability and the absolute waterproofing balance on the shoes you decide to buy should be determined by where you will use your hiking shoes the most.

If you are going to be wearing them mostly in the desert, where it is unlikely to rain very much for example, then going for more breathable options will be the best call.

If you know you’re likely to experience all weathers and types of condition, or if this may change quite quickly, opting for something that get the balance will be better.

Ankle Support

The market has moved on a lot, and many hikers now favor a hiking shoe over a more traditional, heavy weight boot. This gives you a more flexible, agile feel on the trail. Provided you feel relatively sure on your feet, these may well be the only waterproof hiking sneakers you need.

This is one of the things that makes a pair of fit for purpose hiking shoes sit out against just having a pair of runners or tennis shoes. In terms of ankle support, there are various models that, even though they outrightly don’t have a lot of ankle support, actually offer something quite special. For example, the Danner Trail 2650’s have a rubberised plate on the outer heel of the shoe which keeps the foot in place making you feel more secure.

Arch Support

Most hiking shoes out on the market today will be offered with a gentle to slightly raised arch support. Those that come with a slightly different arch support will likely offer a more padded insole which may improve shock absorption from the ground.

Generally, most people will be ok with the arch support offered with most hiking shoes on the market, but if you find that you could benefit from a little bit of extra support, you may find that replacing the manufacturer insoles with insoles bought specifically from the pharmacy or online may improve your experience.

You will generally find that the best waterproof hiking shoes will be more comfortable when worn on the trail than tennis shoes or similar, more for their sole and overall comfort than the arch support offered by the insoles.

Fit

As a general rule, most of the hiking shoes we’ve reviewed are good for those with average width feet and those with slightly wider feet, with only a couple being trickier and suitable for narrower feet. When looking at fit, it’s a good idea to know how your feet feel in shoes before you buy.

Do you generally like a toe post that is a little wider, or do you prefer it when the toe post narrows in? This will help you determine which will be the best for you. That said, you should always think in terms of your socks, and what kind of terrains you’ll be using your lightweight waterproof shoes in.

If you find that they’re a little too snug, you should return them immediately and go for a larger size – they likely will never wear in on the trail and being decisive at the start can save you a lot of money on non-returnable shoes once worn. If they’re running a little big, then if it’s only slightly, try insoles. We also wrote a guide on how lacing your shoes for your particular foot shape can make all the difference that you can read here.

Onto the question of men’s and women’s specific shoes. Is there really a difference? One of the main reasons we’ve divided the shoes up above like we have is because most manufacturers are still offering a specific shoe for different genders.

Most of them are available as unisex options too. Upon testing, we genuinely don’t see that much of a difference between the two, except the size ranges – you’ll generally find that men’s sizes are offered much larger and sometimes with a wider fit. If there are further differences, then they really are marginal.

So, if you’re someone who needs a wider fit or a larger option, go with what works. We’d be happy to see the outdoors industry moving towards more unisex styles without the need for so much variance!

Materials

There are a whole range of materials used when it comes to good waterproof walking shoes. These vary a lot depending on how much you are prepared to spend and range from high end tech materials to more entry level or basic designs.

You’ll typically find mesh sections fitted to waterproof hiking shoes and this helps tremendously with breathability – something that used to be a problem before the advent of more modern technology.

Traditionally, most hiking shoes were made from either leather or suede (or a combination) but many brands are now opting in favor of synthetic materials. Not only is this great because you can pack in some mighty technical gains, but you can also remove the need for animal based materials too (though if you’re looking for a vegan hiking shoe, be sure to check out the manufacturers specs to see what glue is used).

Generally, we’ve found no real difference in our testing between synthetic materials and animal based materials. Of course, leather is well known, but it isn’t the be all and end all now.

When it comes to waterproofing, you’ll likely find Gore-Tex or a similar type technology used on the top waterproof shoes. This allows the manufacturer to create a breathable fabric membrane within their shoes. Whatever materials are used can have a significant impact on weight too, with synthetic options generally being the lightest.

Appearance

Appearance is such a personal thing when it comes to light waterproof hiking shoes. What you think is stunning, someone else might think is overkill. What you might see as boring, someone else might see as practical and hard wearing.

Generally, hiking shoes have come a long way in design and now, some manufacturers, such as Adidas Terrex and Danner, amongst others are offering options for great lightweight hiking shoes that get the balance between technical specs and being desirable to look at.

It is important to keep in mind that their looks may not last forever though – whilst it is possible to clean your hiking shoes (and you should if you want to have them last as long as possible) you may find that some areas can’t be cleaned as easily and do not look so good after a lot of wear and tear.

Generally, the more high spec the materials used, the more likely you are to have a hiking shoe that stays looking as good as it can for as long as it can as this will help to ward off any rips or scrapes that can tarnish their look.

Durability

The best walking and hiking shoes use strong, well tested materials which have a proven track record of standing the test of time. This only continues to improve – and whilst a hiking shoe may seem a little flimsy on first look, you’ll realize very quickly that it’s incredibly durable.

However, durability is of course very subjective and it’s very difficult to plan for anything and everything that may happen to it in its lifespan. You can’t really predict what might happen down the line! That said, we’ve made sure that all of the hiking shoes we’ve recommended have been rigorously tested for durability amongst harsh conditions.

If you know you’re going to be hiking in very demanding terrain, opting for a model with more robust material and less mesh with a heavier thread sole may be a good option for you. Whereas if you know your shoes are going to get less of a beating, walking/hiking shoes with more mesh and a lighter feel may be more suitable with no concerns for durability.

Weight

The weight of your waterproof walking sneakers is by far one of the most important considerations, and you should be thinking about how you intend to use them.

In times gone by, you’d be right in thinking that waterproof hiking shoes were much heavier, but now, thanks to improvements in technologies and the competition many outdoor brands have against each other, you’re seeing these offered at absolutely astounding weights.

The weight you carry on your feet makes a big difference to the overall fatigue you’ll feel – this has been scientifically proven (the weight on your feet is x5). All of the shoes we’ve recommended above are light, but some more so than others, and this is generally down to the amount of mesh used in the upper for breathability. Mesh is generally a lighter material.

Even with modern developments aside, the heavier shoes out there will always be the one with more substantial waterproofing, or at least for now. So, take note of where you plan to hike and we’d advise getting the lightest shoes you can get away with for purpose.

Insoles

If you have never had problems with your feet, there’s a fairly strong chance that the insoles that come with your waterproof walking shoes are going to be more than fit for purpose. In all our testing, the insoles offered by most brands really don’t differ that much.

Whilst they may make claims about them, there really isn’t a lot in it. We genuinely feel that what makes the most difference in terms of comfort is the sole and upper of the shoe. However, if you find your hiking shoes are running just a tiny bit too big, a good pair of insoles can make a big difference in the snug feeling of the fit.

Likewise, it’s worth knowing that if you need specialist support and have been recommended to wear specific insoles that pretty much any of the shoes, we’ve recommended can switch up the insoles. Of course, insoles do wear down over time, so if you’ve had your shoes for a couple of years and they feel less comfortable than they once did, it’s worth changing the insoles to give them a new lease of life.

Break-in Period

One of our most important testing criteria was comfort, so all the recommendations above are for products that offer some of the most comfortable waterproof hiking shoes you’ll find. However great your new hiking shoes feel straight out of the box, you should never just wear them straight out on the trail.

Even more so if that trail is going to be a long distance one. You need to have them broken in before you attempt anything longer than a mile or two and be confident that there are no rubbing points or areas of concern.

This can easily be the difference between enjoying, and even completing, your hike or not. We’d recommend that you try them out locally for a while first and wear them as much as possible to get a real feel for how they are. Make sure that any sore, rubbing spots have been rectified first.

Lacing System

Most of the waterproof walking shoes that we’ve recommended come with a similar, or standard lacing system that you’ll be very well used to.

There is a lot you can do yourself to fine tune the feeling and fit of your shoes by looking at the lacing system. We wrote a whole article on how you can do this – looking at some of the most common foot concerns and shapes and the lacing patterns you can do to achieve a bespoke fit. Read the guide to relacing your shoes here.

Toe Protection

If you find that you bump your toes quite a bit on rocks and branches on the trail, then you should be thinking about the level of toe protection that you get with the waterproof walking shoes you decide to buy.

It maybe goes without saying, but as with the advent of more nimble and lightweight hiking shoes has come a decrease in ankle protection, so has there been a decline in toe protection. This is likely because of the weight reduction that can be achieved by removing heavier materials that were often used for toe protection in the past.

If this is a point of concern, you want to look for shoes that have a better rubberized toe and less focused on mesh around the toe. Something like the Danner Trail 2650 would work really well here. 

Hiking Shoes v Hiking Boots

Whether you go for a hiking shoe or a hiking boot is going to be a personal decision. Some people still prefer the added ankle support of a hiking boot, whereas others prefer the lightweight feel and quick movement you get from light waterproof shoes.

We’re still divided here, based on personal preference and how we like to feel on the trail, as to which is the best. If you know you are likely to roll your ankle more, then opting for boots may be the best option for you. If you know that you’re a lot surer footed and want the lightweight feel you can get from a shoe, then go for that. We see the difference between hiking boots and hiking shoes becoming less and less obvious with more hybrid models than ever.