When you’re squishing down a swampy trail, the last thing you want is to keep that feeling going in your boots for the rest of the hike. A good waterproof hiking boot means you won’t let the swamp in to begin with, but if you aren’t careful, you may end up cultivating one of your own.
Most waterproof hiking boots win that designation by including an internal membrane layer of Gore-Tex — that’s what the “GTX” means in so many boot names — or another proprietary waterproofing element. Think of it like thinner bootie inside the outer boot structure. And while it was once a harbinger of sweaty soles to come, waterproofing technology continues to evolve and improve both durability and breathability.
Fit is paramount in any hiking boot and should be the first thing you look for when choosing your pair; most brands will have a similar fit across their boot line. Once you find a style of boot that works with your feet, make sure they have a full waterproof interior, not just a membrane glued to the sole.
Related: The Best Camping and Hiking Gear You Can Find on Amazon
Travel and outdoors writer Lisa Maloney, author of the guidebooks “Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska” and “Moon Alaska,” has done extensive personal and professional testing of hiking boots. She recommends a waterproof option primarily if you’re hiking through wet or cooler trail conditions. “Waterproof boots can also be useful in winter because the waterproof/breathable membrane offers a little bit of insulation to keep your feet warm, without potentially overheating them,” she says. “So if you're looking for one pair of boots you can travel with in multiple seasons, a lightweight pair of waterproof boots could do the job.”
“A company may advertise footwear as waterproof but the the user has to be aware that there are limitations,” says Garry Green, a self-described avid hiker and backpacker as well a 30-plus-year specialty outdoor store wholesale buyer for Virginia’s Mountain Trails. “Nothing is waterproof but rubber, and rubber boots are uncomfortable to wear for extended periods.”
Related: The Best Outdoor Gear You Can Buy, According to Lifelong Hikers
Green adds gaiters to his boots to make sure no water sneaks in through the top, along with a secondary waterproofing treatment. Since a waterproof membrane is internal, a secondary treatment prevents moisture getting into the layers of your boot between the membrane and the outside world. (Some boots come pre-treated, but will still likely need it to be refreshed over the course of their lifespan.)
The main trade-off you face in this category is that the boots will most likely be less breathable than a non-waterproof pair, since they’re carrying that second internal bootie rather than a mesh layer. If water gets inside the boot — or if you’re prone to sweaty feet — you’re stuck with it. If you regularly take hikes with high splash risk or through a warmer climate, you may want something that’s designed for maximum breathability instead.
Here are some of the boots that our research indicates are worth taking out for a test trek, winning accolades not just for their waterproof capabilities, but their performance as overall hiking boots as well.
Salomon Quest 4D GTX
These boots are some of the reigning test champions in this category, winning Outdoor Gear Lab’s Editor’s Choice for best hiking boots, Switchback’s top for rough terrain, and Wirecutter’s top spot.
To buy: (men’s) zappos.com, $230; (women’s) zappos.com, $230
Lowa Renegade GTX
Maloney found that the Salomon Quest 4D GTX (above) and Lowa Renegade GTX were her top recommendations in her testing career. The Lowa boots are also a Switchback favorite, featuring a leather upper and Gore-Tex liners.
To buy: (men’s) zappos.com, $240; (women’s) amazon.com, from $211
La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX
La Sportiva snagged the second-place slot at Wirecutter and praise from Runner’s World for the Trango. Testers report it's both breathable and waterproof, which can be a rare find.
To buy: (men’s) amazon.com, from $175; (women’s) amazon.com, $220
Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX
The Zodiac is Runner’s World’s favorite for backpacking and an Outdoor Gear Lab top choice, particularly for rock and snow travel.
To buy: (men’s) zappos.com, $269; (women’s) zappos.com, $269
Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX
One of the REI staff’s favorite all-around and another Wirecutter and Switchback favorite, Merrell's Moab wins kudos for its combination of a budget-friendly price tag and light weight.
To buy: (men’s) amazon.com, from $102; (women’s) amazon.com, from $101
Keen Targhee III Mid WP
The Targhee appears on multiple best-of lists as well, particularly for its wide toe box, making it a good choice for those looking for a wider-width waterproof option. And if you want the whole family to match, Keen even has a range of kids’ designs.
To buy: (men’s) nordstrom.com, $145; (women’s) nordstrom.com, $145
Asolo Falcon GV
Switchback calls the Falcon “where we think hiking footwear is headed.” What the Falcon boots lack in support and stability compared to a bulkier boot is balanced out with less weight and more technical features.
To buy: (men’s) zappos.com, $235; (women’s) zappos.com, $235
La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX
Another highly praised pair around the internet, the Nucleo is lightweight and has a Gore-Tex layer that surrounds the entire boot, not just the top. A mostly leather exterior adds extra durability.
To buy: (men’s) amazon.com, $199; (women’s) amazon.com, $199
North Face Ballard II Lace
Luxury travel advisor Julie Michaels has worn her Ballard boots through safaris, gorilla treks, and hiking in Bhutan. “While there are sportier and more teched-out styles, they are simple and stylish enough that you won’t feel out of place wearing them in cities or on the plane, so you’re not sacrificing luggage space with bulky boots,” she says. “They are ‘water-resistant’ and work well in the rain, but I would suggest adding additional waterproofing for more extreme conditions.”
To buy: (women’s) amazon.com, from $48
Ahnu Montara III Event
Kristin Addis, CEO of bemytravelmuse.com and frequent backpacker, is a fan of the Montara for its excellent tread and color range. “I found that the biggest differentiator between boots actually was the tread. When you’re hiking on sheer rock or glacial moraines, it’s so important to have that,” she says.
To buy: (women’s) amazon.com, from $108
Adidas Terrex Fast Mid GTX
The Terrex boots were named one of Gear Patrol’s favorite boots of 2018, where they liked the modern sneaker-like design, speed lacing sytstem, and light weight, complete with Gore-Tex Surround. As a bonus, they’re entirely made of textile and synthetic materials if you’re looking for a potentially vegan option (though the full component list isn’t available on Adidas’ website).
To buy: (women’s) adidasoutdoor.com, $200
Columbia Daska Pass III Titanium OutDry Extreme
Backpacker’s “most waterproof” hiking boot has a bonded waterproof membrane backed with wicking fabric to help minimize sweating.
To buy: (men’s) columbia.com, $125 (originally $210)
Blundstone Original 500
If you’ve landed on this list looking for something a little different and want one pair of boots to pack for both backwoods hiking and city strolls, with more striding through puddles than fording rivers, Blundstones are the option for you. They’ll hold up and look at home under either circumstance, and the leather is oil-treated for maximum water resistance. Green told us that “a boot made from one piece of leather and that has been properly waxed will be as watertight as one can ask.”
To buy: (unisex) zappos.com, $180
