3 Best Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Shoes (2024)

How we test hiking shoes

Each model on the list is methodically analysed and tested in the field. We carefully examine the quality of materials built into the footwear and determine how they actually perform during hiking activities. Here’s exactly what we do:

• We put in the time, energy, and even our own savings to buy the lightweight waterproof hiking kicks for our wear tests. This is to guarantee our 100% impartiality when publishing our reviews.
• We take the shoes on a series of hiking trips on various distances and terrains. During this time, we check and double-check every parameter of the shoes which includes the fit, comfort level, waterproof capability, durability, and many more. We further subject the shoes to tougher outdoor conditions, including increment weather.
• To enrich our data, we take into account the results that we reach in our lab. We do all sorts of tests to understand more how the shoe responds to different factors such as abrasion from our Dremel tool, bending from our digital force gauge, and even chilling temperature from our freezer. We even turn on our saw machine to split the shoes open and uncover everything that comprises them.

Yes, they really exist: lightweight waterproof hiking shoes

If you’re here, you’re into something very specific. First, not any hiking shoes but waterproof. Second, not just waterproof but also lightweight. What does it mean?

It means that these shoes are:

• Waterproof, obviously
• Lightweight, which means they are great for speed hiking and not just day hiking. It also means that they can make your feet feel less tired because they don’t feel bottom-heavy.

In our database, we consider hiking shoes lightweight when they weigh less than 14.1oz or 400g. With that in mind, here are the best-rated waterproof lightweight hiking shoes:

To get a clear picture why this group of shoes is so specific, let’s look at the average weights of other groups (at the moment of writing this review, March 2024):

• Average weight of all hiking shoes: 13.3 oz | 377.6g
• Average weight of lightweight hiking shoes: 11.7 oz | 332.7g
• Average weight of all waterproof hiking shoes: 14.3 oz | 406.9g
• Average weight of lightweight waterproof hiking shoes: 12.8 oz | 362.8g

Why you should trust us with these measurements? We buy all the shoes in men’s US 9 and weigh them on the same scale.

Measuring the weight of hiking shoes in RunRepeat lab

We also thoroughly test the shoes on our test hikes which involve puddles, rain, wet ground, and streams.

Basically, everything that is needed to properly test a waterproof hiking shoe.

Waterproof hiking shoe cut in half

How to spot waterproof hiking shoes

The most popular waterproof membrane used in hiking shoes and hiking apparel is Gore-Tex. It’s easy to spot on hiking shoes because the logo is always included on the upper.

Gore-Tex logo on hiking shoe uppers

Of course, that’s not the only waterproof material on the market and many brands go on to develop and trademark their own waterproof technologies. Still, it is easy to spot as the shoe name, shoe box, and/or the shoe upper clearly specify it is the waterproof hiking shoe.

Logos of different waterproof membranes found in hiking footwear

Levels of waterproofness: what you should now

First, it’s important to understand that in the world of waterproof hiking shoes, you should not settle for water-repellent or water-resistant. Here’s what to expect when comparing the 3:

With that behind us, let’s dive into the different levels of waterproofness. The measure we’re interested in is called hydrostatic head. It is measured in millimetres and it basically tells us how much water (in millimetres) we can pour into the 1’’x1’’ tube that’s placed over a piece of material before any leakage through the material happens.

Now, it’s easy to understand the specifications that come with waterproof membranes:

Beware: Waterproof means not breathable

Even though the manufacturer of Gore-Tex claims the membrane is breathable, after all the wear tests and lab tests, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not.

We examine every upper under the microscope. And here’s what non-waterproof uppers look like vs. waterproof ones. Waterproof ones have a very tight structure and fibres are overlapping. Non-waterproof uppers are more loose and, even when they don’t have literal ventilation holes, the air passes through.

(Up) Uppers on hiking shoes that scored the best on the breathability test (5/5) and (down) uppers that scored the worst (1/5)

Once we've cut the shoe in half, we're able to examine everything in great detail. Here, it's easy to see the Gore-Tex fabric (white one) that is usually laminated to the "main" upper material (leather, suede, mesh):

In our lab, we also have a smoke machine that we use to pump the smoke into the shoe and analyse where the smoke comes out and at which pace. Based on what we see, we assign a rating of 1-5 for breathability to each shoe. 1 for the least breathable, 5 for the most breathable.

Sometimes, some smoke is able to pass through and then we’re able to rate the shoe with ⅖ for breathability.

Nail the grip you need for the hike

Waterproof hiking shoes are needed for hiking in wet weather. That means that the surface gets slippery.

Here, we differentiate:

• Hard slippery surfaces, like rocks. We recommend around-the-average lugs here (~4 mm) and softer rubber. While it wears down sooner, especially when used on hard surfaces, it is usually stickier which is an imperative on wet slick surfaces.
• Soft wet surfaces, like slush, mud, snow. In this case, we recommend lugs that are at least 4 mm deep. Mud is a rather specific case where we recommend one more feature: lugs that are further apart from each other. This allows easier mud shedding.

When it comes to the grip, in our lab we perform 2 measurements. First, we measure the thickness of the lugs. We use a digital calliper to do this.

Using a digital calliper to measure the depth of the lugs in hiking shoes

Then, we use a shore C durometer to measure the hardness of the outsole rubber. The result is always a number on a 0-100 scale and higher numbers mean harder rubber. Lower numbers, softer outsoles.

Outsole hardness measurement: using a HC durometer

Equipped with these nuances, you can now have a look at lightweight waterproof hiking shoes that have deep lugs and softer outsoles.

Gusseted tongue: what is it and why you should look for it

Tongues can be free (not attached to the sides of the shoe), semi-free (semi-gusseted, attached to 1 side) and fully gusseted. Fully gusseted tongue is attached to both sides of the shoe, on the inside, just below the eyelets.

Fully gusseted tongue on a hiking shoe

Different gussets in running shoes 1) fully gusseted 2) semi-gusseted 3) not gusseted (free)

This type of tongue is the only one that helps keep water out because there’s that extra connection and material between the tongue and the sides. That’s why we always note down what type of tongue each hiking shoe has and you can find that in our reviews.

Water CAN still get inside your shoes

While the waterproof membranes are great at keeping the water outside, it still can end up in your shoes when:

• The water slides down your legs or trousers directly into your shoes
• You step into the water that is deeper than your shoes can protect you

When this happens, due to the non-breathability of waterproof shoes, there’s almost no way for the shoes and your feet and socks to dry out on their own as you hike further. That can happen only if the rain has stopped and you have very breathable shoes (mesh upper).

To prevent this from happening, consider getting waterproof (usually GTX) knee-high gaiters. They are great at keeping the water outside and it also means you get to wash them from the mud and dirt and not your trousers and socks as well.

Durability of lightweight waterproof hiking shoes

Lightweight hiking shoes are usually associated with less rugged and, therefore, less durable hiking shoes. When it comes to waterproofing, it’s really important to have the upper that lasts and is not easily ripped apart.

When doing tests in our shoe lab, we test the durability of 3 shoe parts: toebox, outsole, and heel counter.

When testing the durability of the upper, we press our Dremel on the toebox and check the damage it has made. Then, we visually assess it and give it a 1-5 rating, where 1 is the least durable.

Hiking shoe that scored 5/5 in toe box durability (the most durable) on the left and a hiking shoe that scored 1 (the least durable) on the right

Then, we move on to the heel counter. Again, we use our Dremel and press it against the inner side. We do this to simulate what happens after a while because, for some hikers, this is the part that wears out the soonest. Again, we rate it on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the most durable.

The damage on the heel counter made on our durability test

Last but not least, we press our Dremel against the outsole. Then, we use a digital tyre tread depth gauge to measure the depth of the dent the Dremel has made. The deeper the dent (more millimetres), the less durable the outsole is. All these tests are standardised, meaning that we always apply the same force and do it in the same time intervals.

Different depths of dents made by our Dremel when testing the durability of the outsole

Stability is a priority in wet weather!

Stable hiking shoes tend to have a wide base. This means that the midsole is wider than the upper. Such hiking shoe construction allows for a secure, planted feel, which is a must in slippery terrain. High, narrow bases that make us feel wobbly in them are a no-go.

When it comes to lateral stability, we always test this when hiking and comment on it in our reviews.

Measuring the width of the base is something we do in our lab. With a calliper, we measure both the forefoot width and the heel width of the base of the hiking shoe. The wider the base, the more stable the shoe feels.

Using a digital calliper to measure the forefoot width and the heel width of the hiking shoe base (midsole)

Here, we prioritise the width at the heel because it is where we first land while hiking (unlike running, where runners who land on the forefoot would prioritise that part of the shoe).

How to make sure that your hiking shoe fits right

This section usually comes at the top of the guide but when things get as specific as a) lightweight b) waterproof hiking shoes, you might already be very familiar with finding the right fit in hiking shoes.

Just in case, here’s a reminder on how to go about it:

1. Best to go shoe shopping in the afternoon or in the evening. It’s when our feet swell a bit, and swelling happens on the hikes as well, so best to match that condition.
2. Try the new hiking shoes in the hiking socks you usually use. The same goes for orthotics. Don’t forget to bring them with you.
3. Once the shoe is on and laced up, sense if there are any hot spots. We’re aiming for the perfect fit, and hikers love being able to stuff a thumb behind the back of the heel.
4. Walk up and down the ramp. Most specialised outdoor shops have it. They can also be covered with different materials: artificial grass, huge rocks, etc. Test the shoes on them all. There should be no foot sliding inside the shoes or heel slipping.

And finally, keep in mind that some hiking shoes need to be broken in. Do it gradually.