10 Best Waterproof Hiking Boots in 2022

Do you want to avoid the drama entailing soaked feet? Salomon has the solution for you in the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX!

If our moisture test results are anything to go by, we can safely say that the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is undoubtedly watertight. We splashed our way through mildly muddy puddles and gushing streams in this, and our feet didn’t get damp at all!

Like our top pick, the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX also comes with impressive breathability. Although this time, we are linking this welcome feature to the hiker’s partly mesh upper.

Hiking in the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX was also exceptionally secure underfoot. We trampled on mud, walked on wet grass, and boulder-hopped, yet we didn’t slip. The boot also gave us incredible control during ascents and descents. Remarkable traction, indeed!

This must-buy of an alternative provides superb comfort, too. The chief suspect in this is the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX’s interior padding, which was quite plush for us straight from the box. We also give its fluffy heel rest extra credit here. We just wish its footbed, or the flooring underneath it, was as cushy as its predecessor’s.

Are you a fan of buffed leather? Then strap up with the Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX and trek moisture-free!

Almost seamless in construction, the leather upper of this backpacking boot repels all manners of wetness with its Gore-Tex liner. It was a real delight crossing streams and creeks in the Zamberlan 996 Vioz. Every drop just beaded off it, leaving us with fresh feet and undeniable smiles! We just wish its leather shell was more breathable, though.

Matching its premium-looking upper is the boot’s plush interior. Yes, the Zamberlan 996 Vioz greeted our tootsies with royal comfort, with its heel zone and collar being the stars of the show.

The Zamberlan 996 Vioz has tons of support, too. Its comfortable collar didn’t relent in the entirety of our multi-day testing, granting us safety on uneven terrain. Having said that, we still got more than enough mobility in it, which was just remarkable!

And you wouldn’t be mistaken if you thought the Zamberlan 996 Vioz was one tough beast, because it is. Particularly impressive in this regard is the durability of the outsole. After journeying across all that ruggedness, its grippy lugs had no dents on them!

So, yes, the Zamberlan 996 Vioz is a fantastic workhorse, even if its asking price can be quite demanding for most people.

If you’re a big fan of Merrell and hiking light in wet conditions is your thing, the Ontario 85 Mid Waterproof is what you need!

You are destined to go farther in the Ontario 85 Mid Waterproof, considering that your strides will be boosted by its pair weight of no more than 850 g. We don’t know how Merrell did it since the boot in question has some serious overlay work done on it. There’s also its metal hardware—the hiker’s D-rings for eyelets.

This incredible alternative from Merrell doesn’t skimp on waterproofing. Yes, it, in fact, lives up to its name by staying watertight throughout our day-hiking excursion. We give the Ontario 85 Mid Waterproof’s gusseted tongue more props, too, for allowing us to play around puddles without getting our tootsies wet!

Now, the Ontario 85 Mid Waterproof is both comfy and grippy. About the former, we are talking about its excessively plush liner and bunch-free tongue. About the latter, the boot’s lugs—despite their low-profile design—gave us exceptional grip on the trail, particularly on wet surfaces.

While its lacing system can be hit-or-miss (being that it can be quite tricky to keep tight), we still find the Ontario 85 Mid Waterproof a remarkable second choice!

Yes, you’re looking at a sporty mid-top boot that can turn the tables around in the rain in the Innox Pro GTX Mid!

Heavier by a thin hair than the OUTline Mid GTX (around 450 g per kick), the Innox Pro GTX Mid kept our strides boosted on the trail. The area we tested it on was a combination of well-tended tracks and rocky patches. The boot’s rockered design made flat-terrain negotiations a breeze!

Equally convincing is the hiker’s A-grade waterproofing. Even though the Innox Pro GTX Mid is a fantastic alternative for speed hiking, we took our sweet time with it just to check its ability to keep water at bay. And we weren’t let down by this kick. It earned our “watertight” seal of approval!

But you might ask: Does the Innox Pro GTX Mid live up to the hype grip-wise? Absolutely! We stand behind its proprietary outsole for granting us slip-free passage on mulchy terrain and mud. It also helped us stay surefooted on rocky paths, whether wet or dry.

Yes, the Innox Pro GTX Mid is a great alternative, and it can keep you as agile as you want, albeit for a considerably hefty price.

Having a limited budget is no reason for you to spend the entire rainy season indoors. Well, not when you can get your hands on the Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof!

With an MSRP of $110, this Timberland adventuring kick is, without a doubt, among the most affordable-yet-tough watertight hiking boots out there. Perhaps having a proprietary waterproof membrane really does pay off in the end.

Speaking of waterproofing, the boot’s Timber-Dry membrane made our rainy-day trips fun rather than an “oh, we must find a place to stay” experience. After completing our journey, a creek and several puddles behind our backs, our feet came out of the Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof fresh and dry!

Straight from the Timbs box, the Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof felt mighty plush. This means that we cowboyed the trail in this affordable hiker without feeling the need to break it in. And the result? Well, let’s just say that the waterproof Mt. Maddsen Mid gave us no blisters nor hotspots!

And its arch zone? Exceptional! Yes, we got abundant medial support out of it, making us true believers of the Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof right then and there.

We probably wouldn’t recommend the boot in regular width to those with stouter feet, though.