Best Waterproof Hiking Boots

What actually keeps feet dry in a boot

A waterproof hiking boot works by lamination, not by the outer material alone: a membrane sits between the upper and the lining, blocking liquid water while still letting some water vapor escape. That's true whether the boot uses GORE-TEX or a brand's own in-house membrane like KEEN.DRY or B-DRY. See waterproof vs. non-waterproof hiking boots for the full trade-off if you haven't already decided a waterproof boot is the right call for your trails. Assuming it is, the differences that matter between waterproof boots are width range (a membrane doesn't fix a boot that's too narrow), drop and outsole, and whether the membrane is independently specced or an unnamed in-house one.

How we ranked these for wet trails

We used the site's default rubric: problem fit (30%, meaning how directly the boot addresses wet trails) and fit range (25%, since a great membrane in a boot that doesn't come in your width isn't a fix) carry the most weight, then support (20%), durability (15%) and weight (10%). Every score comes from the published specs on each product's own page, not from wearing the boots ourselves; see how we choose for the full rubric.

Fit notes for wet trails

Wide feet are common enough in this category that most of these boots are sold in a Wide option; check the product's own widths line rather than assuming, since some (like the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX) only publish a Wide for men, not women. A membrane also adds a small amount of bulk over a non-waterproof version of the same boot, so if you're between half sizes, size for the waterproof model specifically rather than reusing a non-waterproof size. Lace a waterproof boot the same way you would any other: a heel-lock wrap through the top eyelets keeps your foot from sliding forward on wet, muddy descents, which matters more on slick trails than on dry ones. Pair the boot with a wool or synthetic wicking sock rather than cotton, since a membrane that's keeping rain out can also trap sweat on a warm day, and a gaiter closes the gap at the collar that no waterproof upper can seal on its own; see the best hiking gaiters if puddles or wet brush are getting in from the top rather than through the boot itself.

Who should skip all of these

If you mostly hike hot, dry trails, a waterproof membrane is working against you: it holds in more heat and sweat than a breathable non-waterproof boot for very little upside. If your hikes involve frequent creek or river crossings deep enough to go over the boot collar, a waterproof membrane traps that water inside once it gets in, and a non-waterproof boot or trail runner will drain and dry faster instead. And if your main concern on wet trails is ankle stability rather than dryness, cross-check the width and support notes here against the best hiking boots for ankle support, since a boot built primarily for lateral stability isn't always the same pick as one built primarily to keep water out.

If the water you are fighting is mostly churned-up mud rather than rain or crossings, best hiking boots for mud re-ranks this field on published lug depth and cuff height, which is what decides a muddy hike.

Two brand pages are worth a look if a membrane is your main filter. Best Oboz hiking boots shows why the membrane choice there is really a width choice - the B-DRY models come in a Wide and both GORE-TEX models do not. And best LOWA hiking boots covers a range that is GORE-TEX top to bottom, where the real decision is the width letter and whether the sole can be replaced.