60 best Gore-Tex hiking shoes

Wherever your next adventure takes you, you are ready with a pair of Gore-Tex hiking shoes. Offering breathable yet waterproof protection, you are prepared with the weather’s sudden changes. This type of footwear excels in the lightness department, especially when talking about rugged and sturdy hiking gear. Its low-cut design will help you to optimize your performance over various terrain types.

Things to love about Gore-Tex hiking shoes

Many outdoor brands have partnered with Gore-Tex to maximize the potential of their products. Here are some of the reasons why Gore-Tex hiking shoes are considered the best.

All-day comfort

Being ready whether it is pouring or scorching outside is certainly one of the factors that will keep you comfortable on and off the trails. Gore-Tex hiking shoes let your feet breathe while protecting it from water intrusions. Your feet will remain dry as long as you do not submerge the shoes entirely (above the ankle) during stream crossings. A gaiter can also help keep you dry as it prevents water from trickling inside the shoe.

Lightweight

Most materials used in Gore-Tex hiking shoes are configured without weighing the user’s foot down. Some models combine Gore-Tex with synthetic and fabric while others incorporate it in their leather hiking shoes.

Ultimate Protection

Aside from being ready in harsh outdoor conditions, hiking shoes lined with Gore-Tex also comes with toe and heel bumpers, mudguard and overlays for ultimate protection. These elements, when combined, will optimize the user’s defense against intrusive trail debris and protect the overall integrity of the shoe.

Lasting durability

If your shoes are well-protected from the rugged outdoors, it will help extend its useful lifespan. Hiking shoes equipped with Gore-Tex laminate optimizes its protection, thus enhancing its ability to last.

Remarkable brands that offer Gore-Tex hiking shoes for men and women

Salomon

Salomon is considered one of the best brands offering waterproof hiking shoes, thanks to their partnership with Gore-Tex. The brand’s designers were able to combine shoe technologies to create durable and comfortable footwear. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX is a sought-after hiking shoe which uses the lightest materials from its upper to the outsole. It features the brand’s very own Advanced Chassis which is a frame-like component enhancing stability and rebound. The desire of Salomon’s designers to further the performance of their hiking shoes directed them in creating more brand-owned technologies.

Adidas

Adidas’ popularity has pushed them to create products that will cater to different needs. They are known for their performance basketball shoes, soccer cleats and running shoes, to name a few. Through the years, they have also included hiking footwear in their offerings.

Adidas hiking shoes are known for providing comfort and having an impressive lightness. The Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX is a testament to its reliable performance on the trails. The ripstop mesh used in its upper is partnered with Gore-Tex for abrasion-resistance and weather protection. It employs an EVA midsole for lightweight cushioning and a Traxion outsole for grip. This is just one of the many hiking shoes that Adidas manufactures.

Lowa

Lowa’s vast range of Gore-Tex men’s and women’s hiking shoes grant different kinds of protection and support to wearers. An impressive trait found in Lowa footwear is how they were able to feature the same shoe profile in different versions. One of their products is the Lowa Renegade Lo which is based on the famous Lowa Renegade GTX Mid. It also comes in a leather-lined style. This characteristic enables Lowa to meet the diverse demands of the outdoor community.

Merrell

The engineers behind Merrell hikers aim to level up the outdoor experience of adventurers. They ensure that every shoe carries comfort, traction, breathability and protection. One of their achievements is evident in their Moab line which received the Design Excellence Award for Outdoor Footwear by Footwear Plus Magazine. Merrell also developed their own technologies to ensure that they stay true to their promise of providing high-performance shoes to those who love the outdoors. The Merrell Moab 2 GTX is one of their popular lightweight hiking shoes that wears a Gore-Tex laminate. It is a product updated to provide comfort without limiting the flexibility of the wearer.

La Sportiva

La Sportiva is a longstanding brand offering a range of outdoor footwear. With this, their constant desire to develop their products led them to partner with a few notable third-party companies which can boost the performance of their hiking shoes. Some of their models come with a Gore-Tex laminate. La Sportiva’s lightweight hiking shoes are designed to provide comfort and weather protection regardless of the season.

Author

Paul Ronto

Paul loves adventure. Over the past 20 years, he has climbed, hiked, and ran all over the world. He’s summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races. He has worked in the outdoor industry as a whitewater and hunting guide, gear tester, copywriter, and outfitting specialist at places like The National Outdoor Leadership School, No Barriers USA, and Sierra Trading Post. He has been quoted in NYMag, NBCNews, and Business Insider to name a few.

paul@runrepeat.com