How we test hiking shoes
What we initially do is buy all the hiking shoes we are going to test. We get our funds from our own wallets, without accepting any donation from anyone, especially from the brands. This way, we get to be more entitled to our honest opinions, and we avoid any unfairness.
The next thing we perform is wear testing. Yes, every waterproof hiking shoe we test goes into our feet. We take them to different trails and streams, to fully test the shoes' capacity in different aspects, such as grip, water tightness, durability, and more.
Lastly, we cut the hiking shoes in half. This, along with our tests is done in our independent lab. We measure the shoes' different parameters, from permeability to durability and anything in between!
Best waterproof hiking shoes overall
Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX
80
Good!
What makes it the best?
Make way for the champion of grippy hiking shoes, the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX. With its unbeatable waterproofing and excellent stability, this shoe is the perfect multi-tasker and we keep it at hand for demanding trails.
Our feet coasted over rocks, roots and muddy trails with no problem, so we took the shoe into the lab to crunch the numbers. Our caliper measured 4.5 mm lugs on the Contragrip sole. This is about average for hiking shoes, but what really adds to the superior grip is the shoe’s flexibility. We bent the shoe to 90°, measuring the force taken to do so with a force gauge. The gauge measured 37.1 HA - that’s 31% more flexible than the average hiking shoe! What this means in practice is that our feet could bend and flex over tricky terrain, maximizing the surface area of our foot in contact with the ground.
Salomon’s Active Support System really struts its stuff when the going gets rough. The quick lacing system locks our feet snugly into the shoe. The laces attach to a plastic shank in the midsole, keeping our ankles from rolling on technical terrain. In the lab, we tested the stiffness of the heel and awarded it a 5/5, the stiffest rating possible. This translates to a firm heel hold and increased stability on rocky trails.
The GoreTex waterproofing is amongst the best we’ve seen, and we could even splash through streams and deep puddles without getting wet feet.
The heel collar is a lot higher than previous versions of Salomon’s X Ultra line, so we don’t recommend it to hikers who like a low-riding shoe.
Pros
- Instant comfort
- Impeccable waterproofing
- Very lightweight
- Exceptional grip
- Excellent support and lockdown
- Stable platform
- Roomy toebox
Cons
- Quicklace is not for everyone
- Too-high collar
Full review of Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX
Waterproof hiking shoes with the best cushioning
Hoka Anacapa Low GTX
82
Good!
What makes it the best?
When a hiking shoe feels like a running shoe, and not any running shoe but a seriously comfortable one, it has to be crowned as the hiking shoe with the best cushioning! Plus, it's day-one comfort that comes in an insanely rugged package.
When we cut Acanapa Low GTX in half in our lab, we say layers, padding, cushioning. No wonder the comfort level is 10/10. When we pressed the durometer against the midsole, it measured 23.3 HA. The average for hiking shoes is 30.7 HA. Because the lower durometer readings mean softer materials, this makes the Anacapa Low GTX 31.8% softer than the average hiking shoe!
This cushioning and overall comfort levels are so badass that the shoe got a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
We took this shoe to some very challenging hikes and could not notice signs of wear and tear. Our tests have confirmed this - the outsole is harder than the average and the toebox is our standard now. We compare all the other shoes to this one when trying to destroy the upper with a Dremmel. It got the rating of 5 out of 5 meaning it is the most durable. And its waterproofness is just what we need for wet weather hiking that ends in dry socks!
Keep in mind that the numbers stated by the brand do not match the lab measurements. Starting with stack heights, Hoka said 28/22 mm while we measured 36.0/25.5 mm at the heel/forefoot. This also gives us a different heel drop, Hoka said 6 mm, we measured 10.5 mm. Given the significance of these differences, hikers should be aware of them and look for alternatives if this high drop is not what they are looking for.
Pros
- Mind-blowing cushioning
- Podiatrist-approved sole
- Excellent grip
- Top-notch waterproofing
- Lightweight
- Out-of-the-box comfort
- Roomy toebox
- Well-made
- Contains recycled materials
Cons
- GTX version only
- Pricier than average
- Weird-looking heel
Full review of Hoka Anacapa Low GTX
Waterproof hiking shoes with the best stability
Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX
86
Great!
What makes it the best?
Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX is a hiking shoe embodiment of stability. After all our hikes and lab tests, we gave it the highest ratings for: lateral stability, torsional rigidity, waterproofness, and overall secure feel.
The level of stability that this hiking shoe offers should be called hiking-boot level. When we tried twisting it with our hands, we realized it's almost impossible to do so. This torsional rigidity is one of the reasons why we felt so stable when hiking even over more technical terrain. We gave the Swift R3 GTX the highest score on this test 5/5, because it really is: the stiffest.
Looking inside the shoe, we found another reason for this stability. The heel counter got 4/5 on the stiffness test and, for sure, we felt how it snuggly hugs our heel area and allows no unwanted lateral movements.
All the terrains that we covered with no slips now make sense: with a caliper, we measured the thickness of the lugs. They sit at 4.4 mm. The average is 4.3 mm, so it's not big difference but, thanks to the softer-than-average rubber, lugs are sticky and did not disappoint.
The waterproof membrane works wonders. We checked it out under the microscope in the lab and it is so tightly woven, no wonder no water gets inside easily! However, it's also no wonder for why no air circulates through the upper. This is a warm shoe and we don't recommend it for summer days.
Pros
- Boot-like stability
- Highly durable and protective
- Lightweight for what it offers
- Excellent waterproofing
- Breathable for a GTX shoe
- Generously cushioned
- Very secure foothold
- Top-notch grip with deep lugs
Cons
- Stuffy for summer
- Can be too stiff (even stiffer in cold)
- Break-in needed
Full review of Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX
Waterproof hiking shoes with the best comfort
Merrell Moab 3 GTX
83
Good!
What makes it the best?
A very padded and gusseted tongue, padded heel counter, cushioned footbed, and overall waterproofness and protectiveness are packed in a day-one-comfort hiking shoe called Merrell Moab 3 GTX. And that's why we found this shoe to be the most comfortable waterproof hiking shoe out there.
Although it has a Gore-Tex membrane, the Moab 3 GTX is not stiff. In the lab, we performed a flexibility test by bending the shoe to 90 degrees. Our force gauge measured 30.2N. Hiking shoes, on average, need a force of 36.4N to get bent to 90 degrees. This makes the Moab 3 GTX 20.5% more flexible! This flexibility improves comfort so much because it allows for more natural foot movement.
Let's not forget about the padding on the heel counter! Or the tongue - it's remarkable, at 14.6 mm thickness, the tongue is 3.2 mm thicker than the average one. It's soft and it allowed us to tighten the laces as much as we needed without even a trace of a lace bite!
And it's not that just the Gore-Tex works, it's the lugs as well. Hiking when it's raining proved to be a good exercise because we could focus on our training and form rather than worry about slips and ankle turns. Lugs are 4.8 mm deep and their bite is as versatile as it gets.
We can't have it all. That's why we don't recommend the Moab 3 GTX to hikers who prefer lightweight hiking shoes. Weighing 15.94 oz (452g), it falls on the heavier side because it is significantly heavier than the average hiking shoe that sits at 13.93 oz (395g).
Pros
- Superb day-one comfort
- Brilliant surface adhesion
- Supportive like a work shoe
- Fantastic cushioning underfoot
- Remarkably durable
- A-grade waterproofing
- Sheds mud quite well
- Protective toe box
- Incredible overall quality
Cons
- Heavy for a low-top
- Subpar breathability
- Its shoelaces unravel often
Full review of Merrell Moab 3 GTX
Best lightweight waterproof hiking shoes
Merrell Moab Speed GTX
79
Decent!
What makes it the best?
The Merrell Moab Speed GTX stands out from the crowd as the best lightweight waterproof hiking shoe. Weighing in far below average, there’s nothing clunky about this shoe. Impeccably waterproof yet still breathable, its stellar grip bites into soft, muddy trails making it our go-to hiking shoe for rainy days.
Weighing in at 12.1 oz (343g), the Merrell Moab Speed GTX is 1.8 oz (50g) lighter than the average waterproof hiking shoe. We notice it most on our long hikes when our legs are still fresh at the end of the day.
The Gore-Tex passed our stream tests with flying colors - not a drop of water made it through the membrane. Yet despite its watertight pedigree, our feet don’t overheat on hot days. We pumped smoke into the shoe to test for breathability, and the Merrell Moab Speed GTX performed better than we expected. The mesh tongue works as a chimney to let air flow in and out of the toe box, and we awarded it 3/5 for breathability when most waterproof shoes score a low 1/5.
Muddy trails, wet rock, and rocky ascents present no problem for this shoe. Its 4 mm lugs shed mud well, offering stability even in the most challenging conditions. The outsole is on the softer side of average, with our durometer clocking 84.5 HC compared to the average 86.1 HC, which serves to increase our grip on hard surfaces.
It is unusually stiff for such a lightweight shoe. With such a solidly constructed upper, it put up a lot of resistance in our flexibility tests. Pushing it to 90° with a force gauge, it registered 54N - far more rigid than the average of 36.4N. We don’t recommend it to hikers who want a natural feeling, flexible hiking shoe.
Pros
- Plush on day one
- Watertight
- Sticky
- Featherweight
- Stabilizing
- Incredibly supportive
- Propelling
Cons
- Unflattering heel fit
- Frail outsole
Full review of Merrell Moab Speed GTX
Best wide toe box waterpoof hiking shoes
KEEN Targhee II
85
Great!
What makes it the best?
Sporting the KEEN Targhee II in the wilderness is like hiking in a bubble – defended against external factors. And, in this case, when we say external factors, we mean water, mud, and jagged rocks and pathways. Its incredible waterproofing, protection, and traction are all housed within an accommodating hiking shoe.
If there is one thing we learned in our creek crossings, it’s that our feet are a non-splash zone in KEEN Targhee II. Its waterproofing technology is not a hoax and we bear witness. Walking on all sorts of terrain also posed no difficulty. We attribute this to the consistently reliable grip of Targhee II.
Wide feet and foot swelling after prolonged hikes? Targhee II says ‘no problem’ with its very commodious toe area. We discovered it has enough space for even the toes of wide footers to wiggle and to wear socks.
Unfortunately, we can only describe our first few adventures with this shoe to be lacking in comfort due to its rigidness but it’s nothing a break-in period can’t fix. If this doesn’t sound like something you want to do, we advise searching for comfortable hiking shoes from day one.
Pros
- True to size
- Roomy toebox
- Waterproof
- Impressively durable
- Grippy outsole
Cons
- Loose fit
- Rigid feel
- Break-in period needed
Full review of KEEN Targhee II
Features of waterproof hiking shoes
Waterproof hiking shoes are, as their name suggests, hiking shoes with an additional feature: being waterproof. These features set waterproof shoes apart from the rest:
- Waterproof. They should keep your feet dry by keeping water on the outer side. This is accomplished by using special fabrics or membranes that guarantee a certain level of waterproofness. You should always look for a “Waterproof” sign or check online for the waterproof levels of the materials used.
- Breathable. Hiking shoes can be both waterproof and breathable. This is not only a good-to-have, but a must. This is possible because completely waterproof hiking shoes don’t exist. If they did, you wouldn’t want to use them because they would not be breathable AT ALL. This feature helps the sweat to leave the shoe, so you can say goodbye to the wet, sweaty feet.
- Waterproof hiking shoes cost and weigh more than the non-waterproof hiking shoes. This is because waterproof technologies are involved. These technologies might add some weight to the shoe, so brands try really hard to make the shoes both waterproof and light as much as possible. It comes with a price, literally.
On average, waterproof hiking shoes cost $34 more and weigh 39g more than non-waterproof hiking shoes.
However, if this is your first time shopping for hiking shoes, there are recommended steps to go through, to ensure you’ve found the best possible fit.
4 things to pay attention to when buying hiking shoes
If you’re looking for your first hiking shoe, this chapter is for you and it will guide you to the process of finding your perfect fit. Also, if you want to learn more about hiking shoes, we’ve covered them in great detail in our guide on hiking shoes.
- Duration of your hiking trip
Water hiking shoes aren’t made for long multi-day hiking trips with heavy backpacks and demanding terrain. However, you can use them on your short hikes - whether it’s a 200meter creek crossing or canyon-exploring that lasts a whole day. Keep in mind that, the longer the water hike, the better support you need. This means you should look for more stability features and cushioning.
- Weight of your backpack
Same rule applies as for the duration of your hiking trip. We bring heavier backpacks on longer hikes. Water hiking shoes aren’t meant to support you in these adventures completely, only up to a degree. That’s why, if possible, change your hiking shoes, use the regular ones while you’re on (dry) land. If you know you’ll be carrying a heavier backpack, look for stability features and cushioning. Read specifications of the midsole and check if they allow for the type of adventure you’ve been planning.
- Your arch type
Depending on your arch type, your feet might need different stability features. High arches usually ask for neutral shoes but medium and low arches require stability shoes. We’ve covered this in-depth in the next chapter.
- How the shoe fits
To make sure you choose the good-fitting shoe, follow these steps:
1. Go shopping in the afternoon. Your feet are swollen then, which happens regularly on hikes
2. Try the shoe on and check for pressure points. The shoe should feel snug, but not restricting.
3. Use the ramp and walk up and down. Crossing water is rarely monotonous, usually the terrain is dynamic with a lot of obstacles, ups and downs. Your heel should not rise more than a ¼ of an inch. Your toes should not hit the front of the shoe when going downhill.
Arch type and stability features
Knowing your arch type is essential for choosing the adequate shoe type. Neutral and stability hiking shoes offer different levels of arch support.
Shoe wear test
Quick self-test: Look at your used hiking shoe pair. Is the outsole more worn on the outer side or on the inner side? The infographic below elaborates on both.
Wet test
Here is one more DIY test to discover your arch type and it’s called a wet test.
Step into a bowl of water with your bare feet, then step on a piece of paper with your wet feet, wait a couple of seconds, and step off. Now find your footprint type in the image below.
If you feel your feet need more attention, consult a podiatrist. They look at your barefoot movement, pronation, tibia rotation, and heel deviation to get the complete picture of your feet.
Waterproof membrane limits
When you’re looking for waterproof hiking shoes, you can see which membrane was used to make them waterproof. Every membrane is described with a hydrostatic head, measured in millimeters. It’s a measure of how waterproof a fabric is. Below you can see how the hydrostatic head changes with weather conditions the membrane is made for.
What this number actually tells us is how high you can fill a tube with inner dimensions of 1’’x1’’ with water when put over a piece of certain fabric, before water begins to leak through. The higher the number in mm, the more waterproof the fabric.
Additionally, these fabrics won’t last forever in given conditions. Sometimes it’s minutes before you feel them soaking in, sometimes hours.
Waterproof, water-repellent, and water-resistant: explanation
You decided to buy waterproof hiking shoes. This comparison was created for you to completely understand other notes (water-resistant and water-repellent) you might see in shoe specifications. Maybe you even realize water-repellent hiking shoes will do the job for your planned hiking adventures.
| Water-resistant | Water-repellent | Waterproof | |
| General characteristics | a tightly woven fabric that is naturally capable of resisting water upon contact | fabric treated with durable water-repellent (DWR) or hydrophobic chemicals | - fabric treated with DWR - have waterproofing membranes like Gore-Tex and OutDry - have seam-sealed construction for extra protection |
| Water protection level | low water protection | moderate water protection | high water protection |
| Water pressure resistance | 0-5000 mm (no pressure or moisture) | 6000-10000 mm (light pressure) | 10000-20000 mm (high to very high pressure) |
| Weather conditions best used in | light rain shower and dry snow | light rain and average snow | moderate to heavy rain and average to wet snow |
GORE-TEX membrane testing process
The most commonly used membrane in waterproof hiking shoes is, by far, Gore-Tex membrane. Their hiking-shoe testing seems bulletproof. Only shoes that pass all 4 tests are cleared for production.
1. The walking simulator
Hiking shoes are placed on realistic foot forms and put in a water bath. There, they need to endure for up to hundreds of hundreds of steps. Shoe passes the test if moisture sensors on the foot form don’t register moisture.
2. The centrifugal tester
Waterproof footwear is filled with water and spun at high speeds. This forces water through even the smallest of holes which reveals leaks. Shoe doesn’t pass the test if leaks are discovered.
3. The wicking test
Materials in the upper must be non-wicking so that water can’t be transported into the shoe or boot over the GORE-TEX lining. Everything is tested: from the leather and foam to stitching and laces.
4. The comfort test
This test measures the breathability of the whole hiking shoe construction, from the lining through to the outer material, ensuring that everything works together to deliver climate comfort for all intended activities.
How to clean waterproof hiking shoes
Always check the label for washing instructions. These are general advice:
- If possible, remove the insole. You can wash it separately.
- Shake out rocks, dirt, debris out of your shoe.
- Wash the exterior of your shoe with lukewarm water and a cloth or brush.
- Let the shoe dry naturally.
- If the shoe got wet on the inside, you can use convection-style boot dryers (if approved by the manufacturer) or place old newspapers inside and change them occasionally. They will soak in the moisture.
- Don’t use spray coatings on your hiking shoes, unless advised by the manufacturer. The market is filled with shoe coatings that come in spray cans and offer a protective water repellent coating on the surface of the shoes. Make sure to consult the manufacturer before using these, because they might make your shoes less breathable.
Which shoes will always keep my feet dry?
Even with waterproof hiking shoes, your feet might get wet. You can submerge your shoes into a stream or a river, or rain showers can be so heavy that the waterproof membrane can’t hold the water outside anymore. Additionally, you can also wet your feet when water gets there from the inside: thanks to rain or water sliding down the trouser legs or skin on your legs.
How do I prevent water from entering my shoes?
Gaiters can be a life-saver! The chances of water appearing in your shoe from the inside (rain trickles down your legs) are greater in hiking shoes than hiking boots. That’s why you can buy waterproof gaiters as well - they are lightweight and packable so you won’t feel them in your backpack but will treasure them once they are needed.
