Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes of 2022

BEST FOR: BREATHABLE COMFORT

Waterproof Gore-Tex liners in these hiking shoes keep your feet ventilated while still protecting them from foul weather. Foam cushioning in the footbed adds extra comfort, connecting directly to the soles of your feet to help stabilize your heels. OrthoLite, a brand known for comfortable insoles, provides the contoured insoles, whose soft textile material wicks moisture away from your feet.

The Salomon X Ultra 3 shoes offer outer protection to match their inner comfort, including integrated rubber toe caps that prevent roots and rocks from bothering your feet as you hike. The outsole pattern combines two types of rubber to help grip more effectively, along with specifically placed lines that help decrease foot fatigue and help you to keep going faster and longer outside.

BEST FOR: STABILITY OVER ROUGH TERRAIN

Not only is Oboz a cool company – they plant a tree for every pair of shoes sold – but their hiking shoes get the job done, and done well. These Bridger Low shoes incorporate Oboz’s proprietary BDry waterproof and breathable membranes, which keep water out but allow water vapor to escape, creating a cool, dry, and comfortable experience for your feet.

Breathability is further enhanced by the nylon mesh linings, which wick moisture away from your feet and dry quickly. The upper materials – waterproof nubuck leather and abrasion-resistant textile – are also breathable, but still offer plenty of protection against any rocks, sticks, or mud that come your way. A well-defined arch in the insole provides support and comfort, while the midsoles add extra cushioning while remaining light and flexible. This shoe’s support structure will keep your foot stable on all sorts of terrain, while the grippy rubber outsoles will ensure your surefootedness from ridgelines to canyons.

BEST FOR: STRONG FOOT SUPPORT

From its waterproof membranes to its structural support, The North Face’s Hedgehog Fastpack hiking shoe will keep you light and fast on the trail – much like a certain famous hedgehog. Gore-Tex membranes will keep water out while maintaining breathability, while the textile mesh linings increase ventilation and resist abrasions from any sharp objects you encounter on the trail. Combined with comfortable, compression-molded midsoles and grippy Vibram outsoles, this shoe’s heel stability technology will help you feel stable underfoot no matter how rugged the terrain.

BEST FOR: GRIPPY TRACTION

This hiking shoe was made for slick conditions, from the protective rubber toe caps to the deep traction on its Vibram outsoles. Performance suede leather uppers offer added protection, while the mesh upper and inner lining keeps it breathable. The waterproof membranes will keep any unwanted wetness out, and the foam tongue will do the same for trail debris.

Comfort extends to the inside on the Merrell Moab 2, which features contoured footbeds that target arches and heels for additional support. Merrell’s air cushion technology in the heels adds further stability and absorbs shock, so you’ll be feeling nimble no matter how many miles you have left to go.

BEST FOR: PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS

Whether you live in a region known for its mud season or rocky terrain, La Sportiva has your feet covered and protected with these hiking shoes. The mesh uppers resist abrasion while the main structure maximizes breathability, working in tandem with Gore-Tex aeration channels in the footbed and midsole to completely surround your shoe with ventilation and waterproof protection.

Along with being breathable, the midsoles on this shoe provide structure and torsional stability for a sung, secure fit. With Vibram outsoles for traction, you’ll be cruising down the trail in ultimate comfort, rain or shine.

BEST FOR: AGILITY ON THE TRAIL

Salomon is a brand that makes great running shoes, and it shows in their construction of the Outline Low hiking shoe. This shoe’s flexibility makes for a nimble, sleek hiking experience, while waterproof Gore-Tex liners offer breathability while keeping your feet dry. Shanks at the midsole stabilize your foot further, but don’t restrict its movement.

In terms of protection, outer toe guards protect your feet from any rocks or roots on the trail, while the tongue is designed to keep debris out – because no one needs a pesky rock in their shoe. Remove the Ortholite insoles if you need a more customized footbed, or leave them in for ultra comfort and shock absorption. An antimicrobial treatment will also prevent odor-causing bacteria from devastating your shoes (and your hiking partners’ noses). With deep, grippy outsoles that will gain traction on slippery surfaces, this shoe will take you further, staying agile the whole way.

BEST FOR: STABILITY ON UNEVEN TERRAIN

Like the Bridger Low shoes above, the Sawtooth II’s offer Oboz’s proprietary BDry waterproof and breathable membranes, preventing water from entering your shoes while allowing water vapor to escape for a cool and dry experience. Nubuck leather uppers are also breathable and waterproof, while the protective mesh liners wick moisture and increase ventilation.

These hikers offer excellent comfort thanks to well-fitting insoles and cushioned midsoles, keeping your feet nimble yet sturdy as you travel through rugged environments. The Sawtooth II is rugged itself: nylon shanks provide further protection and surefootedness, while abrasion-resistant heel counters and protective toe overlays will keep these shoes in good shape no matter what you throw at them. Asymmetric shoe collars adapt to your ankle motion, accommodating for the fact that feet structures vary and ankle bones aren’t always in the same place. Stay stable and secure with high-friction rubber outsoles as these hiking shoes carry you safely over any terrain you explore.

BEST FOR: THE ULTIMATE CUSTOMIZED FIT

While certainly pricey for a low-cut hiker, the Tecnica Plasma delivers on cutting-edge technology. The uppers and footbeds can be heat-molded using a special machine, shaping the shoe to your unique foot anatomy. If you suffer from blisters every time you hike or have always settled for a less-than-perfect fit, this hiking shoe may be your best bet. Note that heat molding can only be done in select stores, so call your local REI or other outfitter for options before ordering.

This shoe was clearly designed for comfort, with self-locking laces that enable easy micro-adjustments during your hike and an overlapping tongue that reduces ankle friction. The waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membranes will help keep your feet dry, and the Vibram outsoles mimic the traction of an approach shoe, so you’ll feel secure on any wet terrain. For a great out-of-the-box fit that only gets better, the Plasma absolutely delivers.

BEST FOR: LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT

They don’t include “ultra fast” in this hiking shoe’s name for nothing. Grippy Vibram outsoles keep you surefooted on slick terrain, allowing you to cover more ground. Combine that with the dual-density responsive midsole that creates stability for your feet, along with comfortable Ortholite insoles, and you’ll be feeling light and nimble for long hours on the trail.

When the weather turns south, waterproof Gore-Tex membranes offer breathable protection, while the toe caps will guard your feet against trail hazards so you can focus on moving quickly. Woven upper materials offer ultimate abrasion resistance in zones prone to high wear, increasing durability and ensuring these shoes will last you for many hiking miles to come.

BEST FOR: STAYING FRESH AND DRY

Although among the heaviest shoes on our list, the Keen Gypsum II shoes have the structural support to carry you through long miles without feeling every rock or stick on the trail. These hikers include Keen’s propriety waterproof and breathable membrane known as KEEN.DRY, which will keep your feet from getting hot and sweaty by allowing water vapor out.

The inner support structure of these hiking shoes also optimizes comfort, with heel support that maximizes stability over varying terrain and cushioned insoles that absorb shock. The insoles are also designed for optimal arch support, or they can be removed if needed. Reliable traction on slick surfaces comes in the form of multidirectional lugs on the outsole, keeping you sturdy from stream crossings to scrambling. Finally, the Gypsum II’s include natural odor control, so you can focus on the trail rather than worrying about permanently absorbing nasty odors.