Best Waterproof Hiking Boots, Tested

Stay dry and step confidently.

Whether you’re strolling down a small local trail or questing up a mountain in a National Park, a great pair of hiking boots can protect your feet and ensure you’ve got plenty of traction. But if you live in a wetter climate (like the Pacific Northwest) or hike a good deal in spring and fall, consider waterproofing, too. Even if it’s not actively raining when you’re outside, you could still come across puddles, patches of mud, and the occasional creek crossing. To help you stay comfortable and dry, we tested the newest and most innovative waterproof hiking boots on the market. Here are the top performers.

What Makes Them Waterproof?

Hearing “waterproof boots” may bring to mind the yellow rain slicker-clad Gorton’s Fisherman. But today’s models don’t rely on thick heavy rubber to repel precipitation—rather, they have high-tech membranes. These are thin, porous films of plastic polymer like Gore-Tex’s expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. It has 9 billion pores per square inch, each 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet. But the genius of such membranes is that, while the pores are too small for liquid water to pass through, they are large enough for water vapor. That means water from rain and puddles can’t get in, while evaporating moisture from inside your boot, like sweat, can escape. In theory, these membranes are breathable, but a common complaint is that they don’t vent well, which can make for sweaty feet on hot days and during intense hikes. As such, it’s safe to get waterproof boots only if you think you’ll often be walking through cool or wet environments. Prefer to hike on sunny, warm days? Well, then go without the membrane (you’ll save some money in the process). Although there are different models of membranes, some with slightly different thicknesses and waterproofing levels than others, most are similar constructions. While Gore-Tex is in some of the boots we tested, other brand’s have their own proprietary membranes like Merrell’s M Select Dry, Keen.Dry from Keen, and Timberland’s TimberDry.

Remember, these membranes do their job only up to the cuff of the boot. For that reason, we chose to test mid and tall boots, instead of trail runners. Brands do sell these low sneakers with waterproofing, but those are better suited for keeping dew out during early morning runs, not for traversing streams and navigating puddles.

How We Tested

We hiked in these boots in more than half a dozen National Parks and National Forests across the West, state parks throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, and on under-the-radar local trails. That involved everything from strolling along soft mulch paths and running down rocky, rooted singletrack to walking sun-baked, dusty dirt roads and scrambling up rain-slicked routes. We also stomped through puddles, mud, and streams. Along the way, we paid attention to the traction, breathability, support, and general comfort of each pair.

We also quantitatively tested the boots’ waterproofing by weighing them down in water up to the top of the forefoot for at least 10 minutes and, in some cases, up to an hour. Nearly all the boots aced the test, emerging completely dry. For the one that didn’t, we explain below what happened.

―EDITORS’ CHOICE―

Merrell Zion Mid Waterproof

It’s tough for a hiking boot to look cool, but the Zion manages with its sharp, sneaker-like styling. Though don’t let the good looks fool you—this boot has real outdoor chops. The Vibram Megagrip sole afforded supreme traction, and the supple and flexible molded-EVA midsole kept our feet feeling light, as if we were wearing nothing more than running shoes. We even found ourselves stepping into a light jog while going downhill. Yet the Zion still has the support of a traditional boot: the high cuff lent confidence, even on trails in the Tetons strewn with loose, basketball-size rocks. We did find the Zion a tad hot, especially in the toe box where leather and rubber give increased protection but limit venting. We were willing to overlook it, though, because the boot sloughed off all the water we stomped through. The upper was easy to tie to the perfect tightness, and, even when loose, the gusseted tongue kept trail debris out. But the sneaker-esque construction and forgiving fit of the upper might not be best for heavy loads or weak ankles.

―BEST FOR TREKKING―

Mammut Ducan Knit High GTX

The Ducan Knit High is unlike any other boot in our test. Rather than padded leather around the ankle, it has a sock-like, synthetic, 3D-knit textile upper with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort (a new Gore membrane that’s incorporated into a single layer of the boot itself, keeping it lighter and cooler, rather than a standard membrane that’s layered between other boot materials). That 3D-knit fabric fits to your foot much better than traditional leather or padded fabric. Plus, it ventilates well, is supportive even when not tied tightly, and won’t dig into your leg if you’re side-stepping. We love the eyelets, too—as they continue down the boot toward the toes, they track toward the outside edge, like you’d see in a soccer cleat for a secure fit. The Vibram Flextron outsole afforded great grip, allowing us to navigate slippery and rocky Pacific Northwest trails confidently. However, on a particularly sweaty hike with 3,000 feet of elevation gain over two miles, we found our socks soaked when we reached the top. While the ventilation could have been better, the ability to dial in the fit of the boot, combined with Mammut’s liberal use of breathable tech fabrics, meant we noticed only minor hot spots on the pinky toes on the descent, even with the sweat-drenched socks. Mammut does make a women’s version of the Ducan, but unfortunately, the knit upper is swapped with a more standard mesh construction.

―MOST SECURE―

Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX

When you slip your foot into the Danner 2650, make sure you’re comfortable, because as soon as the laces are tied, your foot’s not going to slide around in there. And we mean that in a good way. The security starts with Danner’s odd-looking EXO Heel system—a patch of exterior rubber that looks like a random piece of plastic slapped on the back of the boot as an afterthought. But it helps cup and cradle your heel, locking it in place. And since it’s on the outside of the boot, you won’t feel any rubbing or discomfort from the hefty construction. The superb fit continues with the laces—at each individual eyelet, we could pull to our desired tightness, and the lace would stay in place, even if eyelets next to each other were cinched more or less tightly. That’s thanks to the wavy, textured lace, which also stayed knotted better than the other boots’ laces. The thin upper around the ankle didn’t dig into our skin, though you may want more support if you’re carrying a heavier load. The Vibram Megagrip outsole grips and flexes well without being soft—we slipped only once on a 45-degree hill covered in loose, dry gravel. A near winner for best overall boot, the Trail 2650 also managed temperature well thanks to perforated vents in the leather. But we found the boot lacking in arch support, making for some sore feet after a 12-mile day.

―LIGHTEST―

La Sportiva Pyramid GTX

The Pyramid GTX is a supremely capable shoe, mixing traditional styling with modern construction. The nubuck leather upper is durable but incorporates nano cell mesh and channels within the boot’s Gore-Tex Surround membrane to get air to your foot while maintaining waterproofing. That temperature management is effective, and our feet were comfortable even on warm days. The Vibram XS Trek outsole provided great grip, even as we hiked up dry, loose, rocky trails in the National Forests of Montana. And the La Sportiva Impact Brake system—a set of grooves running across the width of the heel—bit into the ground and increased stopping power so we could stride downhill without losing our footing. We especially loved how the eyelets are built right into the leather upper, which prevents the lace loop of one boot catching on an eyelet of the other as you step. Our one hang-up: The upper was a bit stiff, requiring us to tie the boots up tighter than we’d prefer in order to prevent dirt and pebbles from finding their way in.

―BEST VALUE―

Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof

Comfortable right out of the box, the Mt. Maddsen combines day hiking performance and style at a killer price. Both in the field and during our waterproofing test, the boot’s TimberDry membrane, which is made with 50 percent PET from recycled water bottles, successfully repelled moisture. The outsole is also made with some recycled material, and the hefty lugs offered good traction on wet, rocky, and steep sections of trail. We loved the look of the full-grain leather upper, which made the boots wearable in casual settings. The heaviest boot of the bunch, we didn’t feel like we were lugging bricks thanks to the spongy EVA midsole. The TPU shank lends support, but for rocky trails or backpacking trips, you’ll want a boot with a stiffer ankle. We also noticed the tongue is slightly narrow. In order for it to lay underneath the ankle cuff, we had to continuously adjust it as we laced up. Luckily, if you don’t get it just right, the gusseted design will keep debris out.

―BEST FOR DAY HIKING―

Keen Targhee III Waterproof Mid

The Targhee III is a best-selling hiker that’s a confidence-inspiring choice for beginners, given its supportive, durable construction and reasonable price. Between secure laces and an injected TPU heel-capture system, the boot locked onto our foot, but a spacious toe box—protected by a massive toe cap—left room for our toes to splay. Tackling rocky terrain or a lengthy day hike is no problem thanks to the stiff but nonrestrictive ankle, moderate support at the arch, and a comfortable EVA midsole. One of our test editors has been hiking in the Targhee III for years and reports the boot is breathable, even on hot summer days, and offers plenty of traction on wet rocks, steep inclines, and for scrambling on loose terrain. Subjected to the one-hour waterproofing test, the boot felt damp inside by the end, and we measured 4 ounces of water that had stayed within the membrane. But on the trail, our tester has always stayed dry, even on muddy spring hikes with multiple rain-swollen creek crossings.

―BEST CONSTRUCTION―

Salomon Outback 500 GTX

The Outback GTX weighs barely over a pound. And yet Salomon accomplished that low weight not by paring the boot down to a glorified trail runner, but by sticking to classic design and utilizing light materials. Burly-but-feathery Cordura and EnergyCell, a lightweight and cushy EVA foam, made this one of the most supportive boots in the test. One of our hikers with a chronic heel problem found the Outback protected his foot more than any other boot, even as he ran down exposed granite, which the boot’s Contragrip MD outsole gripped well. And kudos to Salomon for including smart features, like an eyelet at the base of the ankle that pinches the lace so it doesn’t loosen during your hike. This also means that you can have a loose fit around the toes while keeping the boot tighter around the ankle, or vice versa. Temperature management is great as well, even with the gusseted tongue, thanks to the boot’s thin build. The Outback feels stiff and plasticky at first but breaks in quickly, with the exception of the ankle, which dug in as we side-stepped. We also found these boots run about a half size big, so order down.

―MOST VERSATILE―

Vasque Breeze LT GTX

The Breeze LT GTX is a sharp-looking boot. While it was comfortable on the trail, it’d also be a great option for wet-weather urban commuting thanks to its low-profile, sneaker-like design. It felt tight and stiff around the ankle at first, but the boot broke in nicely after only a few minutes of hiking, so don’t get spooked when you try it on. Same goes for the insole, which feels boxy but takes no time to soften up and form to your foot. On a warm day, however, we did find this to be one of the hottest boots. It wasn’t enough to induce sweating, just slightly warmer than we’d like. Vibram Litebase—a construction that includes 40 to 50 percent less rubber than other Vibram outsoles without lessening the size or thickness of the lugs—and Megagrip meant confident footing, even as we stepped on stones submerged 3 to 4 inches deep in a creek. And the Breeze felt surprisingly light and nimble, not weighing down our feet as we strode.

―BEST BUDGET BOOT―

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped

The Newton Ridge Plus Amped Waterproof boots are less than half the cost of most of the other boots we tested but still block out water like premium models. Those savings come at the cost of a membrane, but Columbia takes care to seal all the seams (though if those should fail, the boot will no longer be waterproof). The boot was dry after being submerged for an hour, and not a drop of moisture found its way in as we crossed streams and hiked through puddles after a thunderstorm. Unfortunately, the Newton Ridge didn’t vent incredibly well, so we were most comfortable wearing it in cooler weather. We found great traction on wet, mossy rocks, thanks to Columbia’s Omni-Grip outsole. The moderate ankle support kept us moving on uneven paths, and the roomy toe box adds to the comfortable fit. Unlike the women’s version, the men’s boot has a synthetic and suede upper.