If you’re a passionate hiker tough guy, you already know how important it is to have the best waterproof hiking shoes for men. Sure, you can go out for a hike with a pair of your normal shoes but you’ll probably come back with wet and cold feet, muscle fatigue and lots of blisters.
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Join me as I discuss this type of footwear as well as what to consider when buying them. I’ve also made a list with some of the best waterproof hiking shoes that you can find on the market.
There are two types of footwear designed for hiking – hiking shoes and hiking boots. Hiking shoes don’t offer the same stability and support that boots provide but there are other features that make them a great footwear for these type of activities. They’re lighter, more flexible and have enough cushioning for excellent shock-absorption.
Let’s check them out!
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Top waterproof hiking shoes that you can find on the market.
Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Boot
With the weight of just 380 grams per shoe, Salomon’s Men’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Boots are one of the lightest waterproof shoes for hiking that you can find on the market.
Their one-pull lacing design along with Sensifit which cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system provides more secure and snug fit all around the foot without being uncomfortable.
For foot support and cushioning, the manufacturer decided to go with EVA midsoles but with their own twist. The Salomon designed a so-called ‘’Advanced Chassis’’ that provides additional stability and motion control while maintaining flexibility.
Salomon used two different types of rubber for the outsole of the X Ultra 3 GTX shoes. These strategically placed sole rubbers along with special patterned heel area grab terrain more aggressively and give you more control, especially while descending.
Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoes
In 2017, Merrell has finally released the successor to one of the most popular hiking shoes on the market- the Moab 2. Did the successor live up to its hype? Read on to find out.
With the weight of around 2 pounds, Merrell Men’s Moab 2 are not the lightest hiking shoes on the market but the difference on the trail is minimal when compared to the other lighter models.
If you like to have a lot of cushioning, Merrell’s Moab 2 shoes are the right choice for you. The shoe’s cushioned insole provides you a great shock absorption and proper arch support. There’s also an additional padding in the heel area for better trail isolation and protection.
The North Face Men’s Ultra 109 GTX Trail Runners
Although The North Face labels these shoes as trail-runners, they’re much better for hiking.
The upper of these shoes features a polyurethane-coated leather with a Gore-Tex waterproof material that will protect you from moisture and keep your feet dry and warm while still providing breathability.
Similar to other shoes that feature EVA soles, these shoes will provide sufficient cushioning and rebound while protecting your underfoot from the terrain.
They’re also great for those with mild pronation thanks to its midfoot shank. This shank along with TPU Snake Plate will provide stiffness under the arch and additional protection from injuries like ankle torsion.
The outsole of the Ultra 109 GTX utilizes an UltrATAC rubber which provides great grip and maximum traction. No matter what type of harsh terrain you’re passing through, it will keep your foot right where you put it.
KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoes
Merrell’s Moab shoes are not the only shoes that are popular among backpackers. Keen also has a line of shoes with similar features and price as Merrell’s Moab.
Keen uses their own proprietary solution called KEEN.DRY for waterproofing. Similar to Gore-Tex, this waterproof material protects from liquids while maintaining breathability. It will keep your feet warm in cold weather as well as cool on warm days.
The comfort of Keen’s Targhee II shoes is great thanks to their insoles which cradle the natural contours of your foot and provide a good arch support. The insole has a great cushioning and shock absorption so you won’t feel any trail changes while hiking.
The Keen Targhee II have a dual density compression midsole that will provide enough support for your feet while ESS shank is in charge of keeping your ankle stable.
Like most hiking shoes available on the market, the Targhee II shoes have outsoles made of rubber with lugs for better grip and traction.
Oboz Men’s Sawtooth Low Bdry Hiking Shoe
If you like Merrell’s Moab 2 Hiking Shoes but want better support and stability, Oboz Men’s Sawtooth Low Bdry Hiking Shoes can be a great alternative.
There are several reasons for their exceptional foot support and stability. The shoe features a O FIT insole which is designed to put your foot in neutral position. This EVA-made insole has a high-density sculpted arch and a deep heel cup. They’ve also added pods that will provide even better shock absorption and rebound.
The Sawtooth midsole is firm but lightweight, offers an additional support between your heel and forefoot with supportive and balanced cushioning.
The outsole is a classic Oboz outsole they’re famous for. The multi-directional lugs are aggressive enough to provide grip and prevent slips and falls. There are also a sidewall lugs to grip on camber trails.
Oboz uses their own BDry membrane for water resistance. It lets the sweat to escape from the shoe while blocking the water from the outside. In addition to BDry membrane, the upper mesh is also made of nubuck leather and abrasion-resistant textile.
Columbia Men’s REDMOND WATERPROOF Hiking Shoe
The Columbia’s Redmond Waterproof Hiking Shoes are a perfect companion for hiking in all weather conditions. It features an Omni-Tech membrane construction that will keep the liquids out of your shoes while still allowing the inside to breathe.
Unlike other shoes, the TechLite midsole absorbs impact and recovers your energy while expanding back to its previous shape. This way the muscle fatigue will come later during your hiking adventure.
Good hiking shoes should have good traction on uneven, wet and slippery trails. Thanks to its Omni-Grip outsoles, these shoes provide solid footing even on ice and snow. No matter the environment, these shoes will keep you safe and secure.
Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot
If you like the Columbia’s Redmond shoes but want something that is more heavy-duty and rigid, maybe you should consider getting this model from the same manufacturer.
Similar to the previous model, these mid-top type of hiking shoes have the same TechLite lightweight midsole with superior cushioning and high energy return as well as Omni-Grip advanced traction rubber outsole for slip-free movement in almost any weather condition.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t mention if Newton Ridge Plus II have their proprietary Omni-Tech waterproof membrane or a different type of waterproofing. However, rest assure that they’re water resistant so they’ll keep your feet dry and warm.
KEEN Men’s Oakridge Waterproof Shoe
The Keen’s Oakridge shoe has an upper made of breathable mesh with supportive leather overlays for improved water protection. With their Keen.Dry waterproof membrane your feet will always be dry.
Even though the Oakridge shoes are waterproof, they have good breathability. Your feet will never get too warm or sweaty in these shoes.
In addition to great water resistance, other key selling points of Keen’s Oakridge Waterproof Hiking Shoes are comfort and great traction. The shoe comes with dual-layered EVA footbed for exceptional cushioning. You can even remove the layer if that’s too much cushioning for you.
Traction of these shoes is more than adequate for almost all trails and weather conditions thanks to its rubber outsoles with multi-directional lugs and stability shank.
Salomon Men’s Evasion 2 CS Waterproof Hiking Boot
There’s no bad weather with shoes like Salomon’s Evasion 2 CS. They’ll keep your feet warm and dry thanks to their waterproof split suede upper. They can handle almost every possible weather condition.
Comfort and stability are two things that manufacturer has kept in mind when designing these shoes. They feature an EVA midsole with OrthoLite technology and heel foam for better cushioning and stability.
When it comes to traction, Contragrip outsoles will keep your feet on the ground even in wettest condition. No more accidental slips and instabilities on rocky, uneven terrains.
Adidas Outdoor Men’s Caprock Hiking Shoe
The Adidas Outdoor Men’s Caprock Hiking Shoes are one of the most versatile and customizable waterproof hiking shoes that you can find on the market. They come with 2 different types of insoles for a regular or roomy fit.
The upper is a combination of different materials. The main material is soft suede leather for enhanced comfort and breathability while the high abrasion mesh is added for extra durability. There’s also a rubber toe cap for additional protection from rocky and uneven terrains.
In order to achieve a maximum grip on every type of surface, Adidas decided to go with their proprietary Traxion outsole made of rubber.
Nevados Men’s Spire Low Waterproof Hiking Shoe
If you’re looking for a more stylish waterproof hiking shoe, Nevados Men’s Spire Low Waterproof Hiking Shoe is an excellent choice with their great combination of black and grey colors and contemporary design.
These shoes have upper made of leather and synthetic materials that can withstand harsh conditions you run into while hiking. They’ll protect you from water and keep your feet warm and dry. Even though they’re waterproof, the manufacturer used the right combination of materials which will provide enough breathability and prevent sweating.
Nevados used EVA foam footbed with padded collar and tongue to improve comfort and support while traction is handled by a rubber outsole.
KEEN Men’s Voyageur Hiking Shoe
KEEN Men’s Voyageur is a hiking shoe with upper made of leather and mesh fabric. This combination of materials provides sufficient protection from water while maintaining the breathability.
The high-quality 2-inches thick rubber outsole features a 0.75-inch platform which provides better support and balance while the 4mm multi-directional lugs give you a nice grip and traction on almost any trail.
The Keen Men’s Voyageur Hiking Shoe features a metatomical EVA footbed that takes the comfort and shock-absorption to another level.
Conclusion
Choosing the right pair of hiking shoes is not an easy job. With so many options available on the market, manufacturers started adding attractive terminology for their features, making it even more confusing and complicated to make your choice.
I hope that with this post you’ve learned more about waterproof hiking shoes and that I’ve helped you pick the right footwear for your next hiking adventure.