Best Waterproof Shoes for Hiking | Lightweight Men’s & Women’s
You are with your friends on a hiking exploration over the peaks, and the rain starts. What if your hiking shoes are not waterproof? Visualize getting socked up from the water and having red blisters all-around your foot. Do you want to imagine more? Of course, no. None of us wants to suffer such a condition to spoil our event. Here is the moment when the best waterproof shoes for hiking jumps in.
Yes, particular companies are manufacturing waterproof shoes that are not only water-resistant but also very comfortable and ergonomically built to provide incredible convenience and relaxation. Conveying you the 5 promising choices of such products to make your quest journey of the satisfactory waterproof hiking shoes effortless, quick, and of course, stop here at this writing piece.
5 Best Waterproof Shoes For Hiking
Here are the details of the 5 best waterproof hiking shoes that will keep your hiking spirit and can’t stop you from adventuring even in the rain.
1. Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX – Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Level up your hiking adventure with these ultra-comfortable Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX like never before. Every step you take on rough and tough trails would be more energetic and passionate than the previous one. As soon as you step into the shoes, you will feel heaven of comfort because these shoes are made in super comfortable and ergonomic design.
The more advanced design and construction of the heel cup in these Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX invites you to take smooth steps and land safely while hiking. No need to exert extra strenuous efforts because every next step provides you the energy to take the other one. Furthermore, being lighter in weight than their predecessors, these ultra 4 GTX shoes make you feel professional hiker even if you are just in the beginning phase.
The forefoot region of the shoe is superb in flexibility, allowing you to adjust your foot according to your ease and relaxation. The toe control you get because of the presence of a wider toe area and flexibility in it provides you enough space to adjust your foot to reach a high level of comfort. Additionally, the waterproof feature makes it convenient for the user to wear it even in rainy weather conditions.
Pros
- Flexible forefoot region
- Lightweight
- Highly comfortable
Cons
- Fitting problems
Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX are the most flexible and comfortable hiking shoes that are constructed with the use of waterproof material and design. Their lightweight trait makes them very reliable when it comes to selecting shoes for hiking purposes. You can reliably wear them in various weather conditions without getting them damaged or broken in any way.
2. Merrell Moab 2 GTX Hiking Shoes – Lightweight Hiking Footwear
The solid and stiff sole of these Merrell Moab 2 GTX Hiking Shoes, when combined with waterproof Gore-Tex material, makes this product the perfect one to buy if you are looking for the best waterproof shoes for hiking. Furthermore, there is no compromise in the comfort level provided by these shoes to their users.
The superb lightweight construction of these trail shoes makes them ideal for rough and challenging terrains. The midsoles structure adds to the comfortability feature, keeping your boots more ergonomic and comfortable to wear. The presence of an air cushion and plenty of softness increases the comfort zone and ensures a highly comfortable foot environment.
Furthermore, these hiking shoes are superb in reliability regarding waterproofness. No matter how muddy the terrains are and how much rain your boots have to face, they will protect your feet throughout the time and make sure they stay dry no matter what the external environmental situation is.
Pros
- Very comfortable to wear
- Soft and cushioned midsole
- Breathable Gore-Tex construction
Cons
- Not durable
These hiking shoes are constructed using breathable material that makes sure your feet stay warm and dry throughout the time. They are very comfortable to wear and are built using soft and cushioned midsoles. Moreover, these shoes are made in an ergonomic and lightweight style, so the user stays in the most comfortable and relaxed position while hiking.
3. La Sportiva Spire GTX – Best Women’s Waterproof Hiking Shoes
If you love to go on different types of terrains, these hiking shoes are made for you. La Sportiva Spire GTX is an incredibly comfortable and versatile hiking shoe that you can reliably take with you no matter what type of trail you are going on. They provide you with outstanding performance because of the stability and traction they offer the user with.
Moreover, the compression-molded EVA sole is superb in providing cushioning and comfort to the next level, making sure you feel very easy and light on your feet. The excellent arc support adds to your foot’s comfortability by improving your foot posture and allowing you to place your foot at the most comfortable angle.
Gore-Tex construction material is used that itself is breathable and helps in maintaining the dryness of your feet throughout the time. This outstanding Gore-Tex construction keeps your feet sweat-free even in the warmest climate and maintains the calmness of your feet. Last but not the least, the Vibram Rubber Compound construction in the outsole of these hiking shoes makes them super strong to grip every type of surface, either wet or dry.
Pros
- Strong rubber outsole
- Great Arc support
- Eva midsole
Cons
- A weaker joint of soul and heel
La Sportiva Spire GTX is the most versatile hiking shoe that can be used to walk on various types of surfaces. They contain Vibram Rubber Compound in its outsole and Eva cushioned midsole that makes you feel highly comfortable and firmly gripped towards the trail. Moreover, they are comfortable and allow you to settle your feet in the most ergonomic position.
4. KEEN Targhee II – Mens Waterproof Hiking Shoes
It’s been around two decades that this KEEN company has been constructing highly reliable shoes for outdoor adventures. They build quality footwear that is not only comfortable to wear but also very durable and superb in performance. The Keen Targhee II hiking shoes are direct to use on a hiking trail right out of the box. This is because of the comfort and fits they offer their users with.
Torsion Stability ESS Shank is used in constructing these shoes that provide load-bearing support and excellent impact resistance, making sure you can reliably walk and run on various hiking trails. No matter how rough and tough, up and down, muddy and plain the surfaces are. Further, one feature that I want to mention here is its amazing lacing system that provides an extraordinary firm fitting, ultimately enhancing the heel support.
Furthermore, the construction using Gore-Tex material makes the shoes breathable and ensures your feet remain dry and warm inside them. Additionally, these shoes are light in weight, so they are easy to carry on long hiking routes. Lastly, the presence of the Vibram outsole provides excellent traction and control over every type of surface, making them versatile.
Pros
- Amazing lacing system
- Strong Vibram outsole
- Breathable waterproof construction
Cons
- Poor construction
These KEEN Targhee II Hiking Shoes belong to a renowned and reliable company constructing shoes for outdoor adventures for the last two decades. These shoes are built while keeping in mind the comfortability factor. The lacing system present in these hiking shoes makes them unique and more recommended because it provides the user with excellent fit and control to maximize ankle support.
5. Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX – Best Waterproof Walking Shoes For Men
These lightweight, comfortable, highly stable, and very durable shoes provide you with everything you want in your hiking shoes. They give you no reason to leave them in the shop. The flexibility in the construction material makes these shoes easy to fit no matter what size of feet you have.
These are the low-cut hiking shoes that come with flexible ankle cuffs to provide you with enough movement. Furthermore, these hiking shoes, when compared with other hiking shoes, showed that they are more reliable in strength and rigidness as compared to the other competitors.
Moreover, 2.16 pounds of weight makes you feel like you are not wearing anything around your feet. This ultimately adds to your comfort zone, making you feel super light and easy throughout hiking, no matter how long you plan to go. Further, these shoes give you outstanding support on every pathway because of an exceptional stability feature.
Pros
- Lightweight and flexible
- Strong in construction
- Very comfortable to wear
Cons
- Bad quality fabric
Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX Hiking Shoes are super strong hiking shoes that are lightweight and flexible in construction. They are very comfortable to wear and ensure you are energetic and passionate throughout long, rough, and tough hiking routes.
FAQs
What are the two essential aspects that you should focus on while purchasing the shoes for hiking?
Question yourself about how long you are planning to hike and your foot arch type before purchasing the shoes for hiking. These two are the essential aspects that should be kept in mind. The shoes you are wearing will determine how easy it is for you to go on a long route hiking. You should focus on your distance and then select the shoes. Similarly, always make sure the shoes you are purchasing for hiking are compatible with your foot arch type. This is very important because in case they are not providing you with arch support, they will not be comfortable, ultimately adversely affecting your adventure.
Which shoes will always keep my feet dry?
The Gore-Tex technology is commonly used in shoes to keep your feet dry even if you wear them longer. They use breathable membranes in their construction that make sure your feet stay warm and dry throughout the time. Moreover, this Gore-Tex construction of the shoes makes your hiking shoes waterproof and ensures no water can drop down and reach towards your feet.
Should I buy lightweight waterproof hiking shoes?
Yes, lightweight hiking shoes are highly recommended by professional hikers. They make your adventure easy and comfortable because they provide you with such a convenient foot base. Lightweight shoes ensure you stay energetic and highly passionate. They help you in taking every next step more confidently than the previous one because they will make you feel lighter and more relaxed.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the best waterproof shoes for hiking purposes becomes difficult because of the presence of so many companies constructing and claiming that they are best in making such shoes. Because I myself love hiking, there are many shoes I have tried and practically experienced. With my analysis and research, I have finalized the 5 best waterproof shoes for myself to help me hike in the best way. The details, features, advantages, and disadvantages of these 5 shoes are mentioned above. Consider these products if you are looking for the most recommended and positively reviewed best waterproof hiking shoes.
As a reviewer, I will recommend you to select,
- Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX because these shoes are constructed in flexible, lightweight, and waterproof design. They are durable and can withstand the harsh circumstances your feet have to face while hiking.
- KEEN Men’s Targhee II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots because these boots are highly comfortable and are known for providing excellent traction control on the road’s surface. Moreover, they belong to a reliable company so you can definitely give them a try.
- Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX as these shoes are super strong, highly comfortable, lightweight, and flexible in construction. They provide you with everything you look for in your hiking shoes.