Topic: The Best Waterproof Hiking Boots of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 32 times)
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Topic: The Best Waterproof Hiking Boots of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 32 times)
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The Asolo Eldo Mid is built for tough conditions. Its minimalist lacing design securely tightened around my foot with my heel locked in place. It features a grippy sole that is perfect for slippery rock. And it’s lightweight, with each shoe clocking in at well under a pound. And not only was this boot perfectly watertight during the first round of testing (thanks in part to the water-resistant suede wrapped around the connection point between the midsole and the upper), but it also dried surprisingly fast.
The only downfall of this shoe was the second test. The co*bination of torture treatment (my treatment of the boots in this test is far from best practice) plus higher water levels meant that it was co*pletely soaked after eight hours. Scramblers expecting a monsoon should not grab this boot, but, then again, scramblers are probably not headed out in a monsoon anyway.
I gotta level with you: I don’t, personally, love hiking boots, waterproof or not. Sure, I’ll wear them when conditions warrant it, but give me the option and I’ll always grab a pair of the best minimalist shoes for hiking.
The one boot that is the exception to this is the Zamberlan 1996 Vioz. You can tell just by looking at this shoe that its quality is top-notch, but put it on and the softness and suppleness of the leather makes it clear that this is one of the most co*fortable hiking boots out there. If you’re looking for a quality leather waterproof hiking boot with a shorter break-in time, this is the one.
During testing, this shoe stayed fully waterproof through both rounds of testing, but was one of the slowest to dry. Be careful if you’re hiking near or around high water as you will be unlikely to dry out this shoe until you are back in the frontcountry.
While the Zamberlan 1996 Vioz took top honors for co*forts, the true highest-performing waterproof leather hiking boot in my test was the Vasque St. Elias. Not only was this boot fully waterproof during both rounds of testing, it was also one of the fastest drying models I looked at, drying as fast as the likes of the KEEN Targhee and the Asolo Eldo Mid. Truly impressive performance for a leather boot.
The main issue with this hiking boot is that, in addition to running very small (consider sizing up an entire size for this one), it also has an unusually low foot volume. I have an average-volume foot and after wearing this boot for only a couple of minutes I could feel the circulation start to be cut off to my toes.
The Danner Arctic 600 just squeaked by with top honors in my test of the best winter boots and survived both waterproofing tests with nary a drop. The Vibram Arctic Grip outsole (in co*bination with this shoe’s lug design) was, in particular, extremely impressive. The stickiness of the traction meant I could barely tell I was walking on ice—it was almost impossible to slip with these shoes. Similarly this shoe stayed warmer than every other boot in my test while standing in the early spring runoff of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, and no moisture made its way into the boot. That being said, the Danner Arctic 600 took an exceedingly long time to dry, so be careful not to step into any water sources that are higher than the top of the boot.
The Danner Arctic 600’s side zipper was an unusual feature among the boots that I tried. While putting on and taking off boots seemingly every fifteen minutes, I appreciated that I could put on and remove these shoes without having to untie and retie the laces. But as everyone who spends time outdoors knows, zippers represent a significant failure point on just about any piece of gear—and that goes double for waterproof zippers like those on the Arctic 600. If you are concerned about the long-term durability of the zipper (and I would be), consider not using this feature on a day-to-day basis.
During the test of the best winter boots, the Danner Arctic 600 and the Oboz Bangtail were neck and neck. Both used a variation of the best-in-class Vibram Arctic Grip outsole, and thus both had excellent traction on ice—but the Arctic 600 just squeaked ahead. Then, when I was testing the warmth of the shoes, I had to run a separate test just to co*pare these two shoes side by side, with, again the Arctic 600 just ahead. It was almost too close to call.
But during the test of the best waterproof hiking boots, there was one area that the Oboz Bangtail clearly beat out the Danner Arctic 600: dry time. Whereas I’m still waiting for the Danner Arctic 600 to dry, the Oboz was a respectable middle of the pack. If I was heading out during a seasonal transition, where everything is both freezing and wet at the same time, this is the boot I would want to have on.
Not only was the Merrell Thermo Rogue the lightest winter hiking boot I looked at—just over two pounds for a pair, it also performed impressively during most of my testing protocol. Like the Danner Arctic 600 and the Oboz Bangtail, it sports a variation of the Vibram Arctic Grip and was pretty grippy when walking on ice. I had to step more carefully than with the other two boots, but I would be confident walking on most level icy surfaces with the Merrell Thermo Rogue. It also handled the waterproofing test admirably well, staying over both rounds of testing
When I first laced up the Merrell Thermo Rogues I noticed they warmed up fast co*pared to the Oboz Bangtail on the brief, fast-paced hike I took them out on before the insulation test. But when I stepped into the icy cold water of the Snoqualmie River, the situation changed rapidly. When this shoe is dry, it’s as warm as can be, but once it’s wet it’s over. The flip side of that is that it dries exceptionally fast—the fastest of any winter boot I looked at. If you’re heading out on successive day hikes in warming conditions, this is an excellent choice for lightweight warmth that can dry overnight.
Look, are the KEEN Targhee waterproof? No, absolutely not. There was a huge puddle at the bottom of these shoes after my initial test. Calling these water resistant, even, would be pushing it. (On the plus side, the KEEN Targhee does dry extremely quickly.)
But here’s the thing—and as a PNW resident, I might be biased—having a wet foot while hiking isn’t the end of the world. But having a too-narrow boot, one that cuts off your circulation or impairs your stride? That’s going to wreck your hike. So if you have wide feet, make sure you have the KEEN Targhee, the winner of my test of the best hiking shoes for wide feet, at the top of your list of shoes to check out, even if it doesn’t check every other box on your must-have list.
The Lems Boulder won top honors for its waterproofness during my test of the best minimalist shoes for hiking and trail running. Of all the shoes and boots I considered, it was also the least visibly recognizable as a minimalist shoe. So if you’re looking to take the plunge but don’t want to deal with all the questions that can co*e with minimalist footwear, then this is an excellent choice. It was also a top performer in my waterproofness test—it sat in a pool of water for upwards of four hours without any moisture getting to the inside of the boot.
The downside to this boot is that it lacks the tread of a more traditional hiking boot, and that the leather upper, which will over time co*fortably conform to your foot starts out quite stiff, requiring a lengthy break-in period.
To learn more about how to choose between hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners, I chatted with Kim Kelley, a member of REI’s virtual outfitting team. Here’s what she told me:
The choice between hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners co*es down to personal preference. Some like the secure fit of a hiking boot, while others prefer the more athletic feel of a trail runner, while still others are looking for something in between. Hiking boots, however, are preferred for off-trail or cross-country travel, as the stiffer shank of a hiking boot helps prevent the foot from beco*ing fatigued. But at the end of the day, the choice is about what’s most co*fortable for the individual.
A co*mon misconception is that the upper of a hiking boot helps prevent ankle rolling. Unfortunately, the uppers of most hiking boots are not nearly stiff enough to prevent ankle rolling. These uppers do, however, help prevent trail debris from getting inside your boot, and in the case of waterproof boots, can help keep your feet dry during stream crossings. What is protecting your ankle from rolling, however, is the rigidity of the base of the hiking boot. The thing that connects the heel to ankle support is the talus bone, which sits just above the heel bones and connects to ankle ligaments. To test the ankle support, simply twist the base of the boot. If it doesn’t move, the boot provides ankle support.
On long hikes or backpacking trips, it’s co*mon for the arch of the foot to beco*e fatigued, which can lead to a co*mon ailment of hikers: plantar fasciitis. One cause of this, especially among day hikers and backpackers is overpronation, where the foot leans or collapses inward. Anyone experiencing this, or suffering from pain while they walk, can benefit from one of the best insoles for hiking.
With hiking boots, it’s important to have some space between your toes and the end of the boot—aim for about a finger’s width of space between the end of your toes and the tip of the boot. For most people, that works to about a half size larger than they typically wear. However, Kelley cautions that many people, especially women, rely on shoe sizings that they received when they were younger and don’t take into account the natural growth of the foot over time. Getting your foot sized by a professional—something you can do through REI’s Virtual Outfitting without visiting the store—is an important part of choosing a hiking boot.
While many people prefer hiking boots for hiking or backpacking, the vast majority of people do not need them. If you’d like to consider a more lightweight alternative to a hiking boot for your next trail adventure, explore a hiking shoe or trail runner.
Hiking boots typically run from $200 to as much as $500. When considering price, you should research whether the boot you’re looking at can be resoled. It’s always cheaper to resole a boot than buy a new one.
Most hiking boots are waterproof or offer waterproof options. One of the main functions of hiking boots is to protect your feet from the elements, including rain, snow, and river crossings. That said, some individuals find that sweat can lead to soggy feet anyway, something that the poor ventilation typically associated with waterproof hiking boots only exacerbates. Consider the type of terrain you plan to hike (waterproof boots may be less useful in the desert, for instance) and your own foot type to determine the right fit for you.
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