Topic: The Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 43 times)
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Topic: The Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 43 times)
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The Asolo Eldo Mid was my sufferfest pick from our roundup of the best waterproof hiking boots, and the low-cut version of this boot is built for the tough conditions encountered by rock climbers heading to the base of an off-trail climb. 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.
Not only was this shoe perfectly watertight after fourteen hours in a pool of water (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 Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX splits the difference between a lightweight trail runner and more protective waterproof hiking hiking shoe. In preparation for an upco*ing thru-hike, one tester took the Danner Trail Campo 2650 GTX on a series of day hikes that totaled fifty miles around Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. She found that the integrated tongue of the shoe improved the overall fit, locking her heel into place and giving her the stability she was accustomed to from hiking shoes. Strategically placed leather panels on the upper also helped protect her toes and Achilles area, while the ventilation in the Gore-Tex kept her feet from overheating.
But they were more akin to trail runners when it came to co*fort, “I did not have to break them in at all—they felt great on the first hike,” she reported.
The Altra Lone Peaks co*bine the best features of responsive trail running shoes with the serious bona fides of a true hiking shoe. This shoe is a great choice for everything from long distances to day hikes to trail runs. It starts with a zero-drop in the stack height (meaning there’s no height difference between the front of the shoe and the back of the shoe), which promotes striking on the midfoot. Yet, they still provide enough cushion for co*mitted heel strikers. The Lone Peaks also have an unusually wide toe box that allows your toes to splay as you hike, improving ground feel and promoting stability.
While not fully waterproof, the water-resistant construction is plenty enough to protect hikers from muddy puddles on rainy trail days. One OL staff member was also impressed by the substantial lugs on the Lone Peak 6, which performed well on a steep pass covered with wet leaves, “I felt in control even in the moments I slowed down out of caution,” they said.
Read the OL Gear Team’s full review: Altra Lone Peak 6 Review: We Put the Best Hiking Shoe to the Test.
The substantial cushion on the Hoka Speedgoat 5 will catch your eye immediately. This feature makes this shoe the go-to for a wide range of people, from day hikers to trail runners to thru-hikers. But the 32mm stack height belies the mild heel-to-drop on this shoe, which promotes a mid-foot strike (as opposed to a heel strike), which lessens the impact on the rest of your body—especially if you’re carrying a heavy load down a steep trail.
The waterproof version of this popular trail running shoe has a Gore-tex membrane running around it, keeping your feet dry on even the wettest trail days.
co*pared to previous versions of the Speedgoat, the 5s have slightly less cushion but are substantially more stable. An OL staff member noted that, in co*bination with the Vibram outsole and 5mm lugs, these shoes were excellent on their state’s varying terrain. Whether backpacking or trail running, “from solid trail to steep scree fields … my foot felt secure and supported,” they said.
Maybe you already have a favorite pair of shoes, a set you’ve broken in that has lots of life left —but the waterproofing has broken down. Rather than buy a new pair of shoes and start the cycle all over again, you can refresh the waterproofing on your shoes with one of Nikwax waterproofing products, including nubeck and suede proof, fabric and leather proof, and waterproof wax for leather.
To use, simply wash all the excess dirt and grime off of your boot, clean them with some footwear cleaning gel and apply the right waterproofing spray for your shoe (depending on whether your shoe is synthetic, leather, or a mixture of the two). Once your shoe is dry you’ll be ready to hit the trails.
It’s no surprise that the Merrell Moab was a favorite of Colorado Mountain Club members for low-priced hiking shoes. For many people, including those with wide feet, it’s a co*fortable hiking shoe from day one that doesn’t result in blisters. And the co*bination of suede leather and mesh will stand up to tough trail conditions. This is a hiking shoe that you can expect to own for several years without any issues.
The waterproof version of this shoe features a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, which is also breathable, preventing unwanted sweat from turning the inside of your shoe into a puddle.
Like many hiking shoes, the Moab is heavy, and has a substantial heel drop, especially if you’re used to wearing lightweight tennis shoes. Your ankles may feel more fatigued more quickly in this shoe. It’s also designed to acco*modate heel strikers, which is co*mon but something to keep in mind if you typically have a mid-foot strike.
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 I learned:
The choice between hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners is a matter of personal preference. Some like the secure fit of a hiking boot, while others prefer the more athletic feel of a trail runner. Still, others are looking for something in-between. A hiking shoe can provide a nice mixture of the foot and ankle support of a hiking boot with the lightweight, athletic profile of a trail runner. At the end of the day, the choice is about what’s most co*fortable for you.
It turns out that the upper of a hiking boot does not help prevent ankle rolling—it’s actually the firmness of the base that does this. If you’re thinking about switching to a hiking shoe from a hiking boot, you can test this by trying to twist the base of the shoe. If it moves, it won’t provide as much 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 plantar fasciitis. A co*mon 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 might benefit from one of the best insoles for hiking like Superfeet (individuals with exceptionally strong arches may prefer a Currex insole).
With hiking shoes, it’s important that there’s some space between your toes and the end of the shoe—aim for about a finger’s width of space between the end of your toes and the tip of the shoe. For most people, that will work 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 a store—is an important part of choosing a hiking shoe.
Traditionally, one of the most important differences between trail runners and hiking shoes was the size of the lugs. But today, there are a number of trail runners on the market with substantial lugs that mirror the functionality of traditional hiking shoes or boots.
One important difference between hiking shoes and trail runners is durability. Hiking shoes typically last for 500 to 700 miles, while trail runners only last 300 to 500 miles. Factors that can affect this include the durability of the rubber, the sole, the midsole, and the uppers (leather vs. mesh), as well as the weight of the person wearing the shoes and the conditions they frequent.
Whether or not you choose waterproof hiking shoes is a matter of personal preference. If you live in an especially soggy part of the country, where muddy trails pockmarked with puddles is co*mon, and keeping your feet dry is a top priority, then it will likely be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you live in a hot and arid part of the country, waterproof hiking shoes may actually expose your feet to more moisture. That’s because waterproof hiking shoes typically prevent heat and sweat from wicking out of your shoe (even so-called breathable options).
While many people prefer hiking boots over hiking shoes for the additional support, the reality is that the flexible uppers on most hiking boots will not protect your ankle from rolling. (You would need to have a true stiff upper, such as you would see on a ski or mountaineering boot, for that.) What does protect your ankle from rolling is a properly fitting hiking shoe or boot that locks your heel in place so that it doesn’t move while you hike. Hiking boots do provide protection against inadvertently kicking yourself as you hike and keep debris out from inside your boot without the need for a hiking gaiter.
Most hiking shoes are labeled as waterproof at the point of purchase, but if you are trying to figure out if a hiking shoe you’ve had for a while is waterproof there are a couple of things to look for. The first is a tag attached to the outside of the upper—this is especially co*mon with hiking shoes that are protected with Gore-Tex, but there are also other waterproofing technologies that may be advertised. Sometimes you may even just see a tag that says “waterproof.” The next is to check the underside of the tongue, where manufacturers will often include the shoe’s model code. You can then look this up on their website to see whether or not your hiking shoe includes waterproofing technology.
Hiking shoes typically cost anywhere from $100 to $200.
Hiking shoes are worth it for hikers on challenging terrain, but are not typically necessary for hikers on well-maintained single track. If you find that you’re insecure about your foot placement or that you are consistently slipping then the support and traction of a hiking shoe may improve your outdoor experience. Hiking shoes also typically last longer than traditional road shoes or even trail runners. However, if you are a casual hiker who sticks to popular trails that are well maintained and witho