You wear shoes to be comfortable on the road. For this, you need to account for factors like breathability, flexibility, fit, materials, and many other characteristics you choose in a shoe. For example, when looking at fabrics, many hiking shoes are made of a nylon upper mesh. Such types are usually breathable, at the expense of being waterproof. For such reasons, comfort should start with you choosing what works, where, and when in your excursions.

The shoes featured here are waterproof, and most of them are still breathable. When sweat builds up in your shoes, you want it to dissipate as soon as possible. With adequate ventilation, this can happen. Additionally, with respectable breathability, you can keep going for long, before feeling too hot inside the shoes.

One pertinent way manufacturers try to make shoes comfortable is the cushioning. You can find terms like shock absorption to convey the same. Some people like to feel like they are walking on clouds, others like the cushioning to be firmer. It’s usually down to people’s preferences.

In some shoes, you have to break into them and see how the cushioning holds up over time. Lacing also contributes to comfortability. Some waterproof hiking shoes featured here have thick traditional laces, whereas others feature bungee type of laces. The latter offers more flexibility.

Another factor that determines comfort is you wearing the correct sizes. For this reason, you will find that this list has shoes that come in many sizes to fit all types of feet. Recall that you will be wearing the shoes for long periods on very long treks on uneven terrain full of obstacles. If you don’t wear the correct sizes, you might rue the oversight, let alone not enjoying your walk.

Properly fitting waterproofing hiking shoes should have little wriggle room, where your toes tips can move around a little bit. When you move your feet forward while wearing the shoes, you should be able to graze the front of the shoe slightly. After lacing up, your leg should not slide up and down. You are almost guaranteed of blisters if that happens.

Ensure your feet fit snug, without constrictions, no matter what type of shoe. If you feel odd in any way, switch to another pair if you can, since some things cannot be broken into. Also, remember to take into account the type of socks you will use on a hike, and if they will cause any sizing issues.

Waterproof hiking shoes are a worthy investment. Therefore, you need to ensure the ones you get are durable. Factors that determine how long they will last you can be materials, design, and how you use them. On this list, we carefully explored products from top brands. Some even offer warranties because their shoes are quality.

If you’re an avid hiker, getting different pairs will help, as you run the shoes down evenly. Besides, when one pair goes haywire, you need to use the other as you wait for the new ones, rather than be stuck. When looking at durability, remember you will be taking on a rough terrain off the road. Ask yourself as we have if a particular pair will be able to take the beating.

The best way to figure out if they genuinely last is not to take the manufacturer up for their word since they can’t be negative towards their product. Instead, check out what others who have used or still use the product say about its durability. By looking at what other customers have to say, you can gauge whether you’re getting a pair that will stop you dead in the tracks unexpectedly or a product that will last you through many adventures to come.

While weaving your way around the bush, searching for the next breathtaking view, your back will probably be carrying a few pounds. Adding more weight than what is necessary is just a hassle. Sometimes, you may need to attach your waterproof hiking shoes to your backpack. With lighter shoes, you won’t feel them too much of a burden than if heavier.

Shoes are the best for when it comes to well-maintained trails. After all, similar terrains are where you will find most hikers, where they enjoy a more relaxed pace. They only need essentials and not heavy boots, laden with materials for better traction on slippery terrain. You will also find avid hikers opting for shoes where they feel they can, rather than boots, because of the weight.

Most hikes typically involve flatter trails from sunrise to sunset. During such times, you probably only need a few essentials for nutrition, a bottle of water, and perhaps your camera phone to keep hold of the memoirs. You will navigate more quickly and stay comfortable doing so with shoes on rather than boots for most hikes because of the lighter weight.

Most hikers try to achieve the most distance covered in a single day. Even this aspect has a name in fast hiking. Sure, the name is confusing, and it’s not that hikers would be trying to move fast but further. Nevertheless, light shoes would help a great deal.

Most hikers familiarize themselves with an area after hiking through one or two times. Naturally, they want to move faster, and with lighter shoes, they can achieve this. As a hiker, you need determination, smart preparation, and high endurance levels. Some situations need heavy-duty boots (literally and figuratively), but most people simply need light shoes.

For these reasons, shoes are not only lighter and for many more convenient than boots. The waterproof hiking shoes reviewed here would perform exceptionally because of their lightweight nature. In them, you will be able to cover more ground effectively and not be fatigued as much as you would in more burdensome alternatives. You don’t want to move around feeling like you have anchors on your feet.

There are so many types of hiking shoes in the market, many of which are not water-resistant. Manufacturers use one of two ways to achieve this attribute in a shoe. The first one is through an inner membrane, which does not allow water to pass through. The second method is by using the chemical treatment that makes the outer material waterproof. For the latter, the shoe remains breathable, as seen in many of the products reviewed here.

Understandably, these products reviewed here are low cut, and that gives them less water resistance level, as compared to boots. However, you will still have ample foot and ankle support without the added bulkiness of a boot. Consequently, you may be able to dodge pools and streams better on the trail, leaving your feet dry.

The last thing you want to have is a soggy shoe. Prolonged exposure to moisture can offset diseases like athletes foot and bring about bacterial fungus on your feet. Even on trials without much rainfall, will have some water barrier on it. Because of that, it’s only logical you find shoes that have at least a waterproof liner when off the road.

Water-resistant hiking shoes come in all manner of shapes, sizes, and designs. The last factor is where manufacturers can show what their products are really made of. It's only right we expound on what goes into making these shoes great on a trail and much more.

Traction

You need your waterproof hiking shoes to give you the required traction on a trail. Just one slip is all it might take to have dislocated ankles or fractures while you’re out and about on a hillside or trail. Your foot must stay where you plant it. Most manufacturers use rubber on the sole, which has lugs on the bottom side to ensure your foot doesn’t shift from side to side.

The design of the lugs is also fundamental. Deep channels allow you to find traction on murky surfaces, while smaller lugs ensure grip on small loose aggregates. Deep multidirectional lugs efficiently cut through mud and other surfaces well, to keep you on your feet.

Support

When scrambling through rough terrain or hopping boulders, you need adequate support for stability from your shoe. Manufacturers try to switch the thickness and rigidity of the midsole, outsole, and to a lesser extent, the insole. Hiking shoes are taking a leaf from modern designs, where shoes are now more flexible, rather than stiff in their construction. For less technical terrains, go for semi-flexible and lightweight varieties.

The midsole plays a crucial role in absorbing impacts by providing a layer protecting your feet from sharp rocks. The varying thickness in this area determines the stiffness of the shoe. TPU and EVA are used in isolation or a combination of both materials in most of the shoes featured here. EVA is the most common and can vary from mildly stiff to super soft. Even though TPU is significantly more expensive, it can handle heavier loads better, without it losing its shape quickly.

Lacing systems

This feature is sometimes overlooked but might play an essential role in your overall comfort. If the laces are prone to loosening, you will need to adjust them continuously, rather than focus on the trail. If the system is not well designed, it can create pressure points that may cause blisters. Fortunately, laces are easy to replace, and you can find creative ways to tie them so that they don’t become a bother to you.

Toe protection

Trails are full of potential safety hazards, like rocks and tree roots. For this reason, get shoes that have some toe protection when off the road. Some impacts can stop you on your tracks, and you won’t get to enjoy the scenery. Most of the manufacturers featured here add rubber toe caps to their hiking shoes, significantly reducing the chances of injury.