7 Best Waterproof Walking Shoes in 2024

Not your ordinary waterproof walking shoes – this is the On Cloud 5 Waterproof. It’s our top-pick walking shoe because, in rain and snow, it gets our feet out of any wet situation dry as a bone. The best part is it’s waterproof, but it doesn’t spoil the stellar in-shoe feel and the overall walking experience. 

We got our smoke machine, microscope, and expertise to work to test the level of waterproofing of this shoe. To see how prohibitive the upper was, we drove smoke inside the shoe and gauged the amount that was emancipated. Seeing that the upper freed a small amount of smoke, we scored the breathability 1/5. To substantiate our findings, we looked over our microscope and discovered that the upper is very closely knitted, making it extremely difficult for fluid to seep through.

We also felt safe wandering over wet grounds because of the stability brought by the shoe. We measured the midsole width in the heel and forefoot at 83.7 mm and 104.6 mm. While these measurements are 4.6% and 4.8% behind the average, we still felt balance and steadiness even in puddles.

Comfort-wise, the midsole is 17.4% harder than average at 30.4 HA, providing us with pleasant springs on our strides. Beware, though, this did get 37.9% harder when we put the shoe inside our freezer for 20 minutes. Unless you don’t mind warming up the shoe first for your snowy adventures, look for another pair.

Hoka Clifton 9 GTX screams comfort in our strolls, providing unparalleled cushioning among our lab-tested waterproof walking shoes. Its generous yet stable platform and dense upper spare us from discomfort and potential injury, while maintaining a surprisingly light build. 

Our in-shoe experience with this Hoka is hard to match, as we felt like we could strut the streets endlessly with its abundant cushioning. Our calliper measures a tall 37.2/28.6 mm stack, offering much more impact protection and comfort compared to the 33.6/24.8 mm average. 

Surprisingly, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to stabilise our landings. Clifton 9 GTX ensures our surefootedness by adding density to its cushion and width to its midsole. True enough, our durometer registers a balanced 23.9 HA. Meanwhile, the midsole measures 7.4/6.9 mm wider than average in the forefoot and heel. Despite this, it maintains a light weight of 9.6 oz (271g).

Other than underfoot protection, the Gore-Tex membrane and dense jacquard mesh shield us from the top. It didn’t allow a single drop of water to enter yet surprisingly felt quite breezy. Our lab reveals a rare 3/5 breathability score for this GTX shoe.

Because the toebox tapers more aggressively to the big toe, we believe this shoe isn’t ideal for wide or square-shaped feet. 

With its waterproof and bulletproof nature, we ultimately felt safe braving any road or weather condition in the Hoka Transport GTX. With its durable Cordura upper and rugged Vibram outsole, this shoe can withstand tough conditions while providing a stable and secure ride. According to our lab tests, it's the most durable waterproof walking shoe, offering unmatched protection and longevity.

The upper features a strong fabric called Cordura on top of the GTX membrane. This combination creates a highly protective shield, as evidenced by its 4/5 durability score in our Dremel test. Our feet felt warm and dry even as we encountered slush and snow. Our breathability test mirrors this with the lowest 1/5 score.

Complementing the solid upper is the well-known Vibram outsole. Our durometer shows its hardness is above-average 81.0 HC, while its thickness is 21.4% above average. Both results ensure the shoe will last many seasons and effectively deliver underfoot protection.

We felt planted to the ground during our strolls thanks to the shoe’s rigid build that contains unwanted excessive movements. In our manual assessment, the midsole highly resists twisting, earning the highest 5/5 torsional rigidity score. Meanwhile, in our bend test, it emerged 22.8% stiffer than average.

However, all the toughness led to a heavier weight of 11.6 oz (330g), 19.1% above average. Those who prefer a more weightless feel should check alternatives.

Of all the waterproof walking shoes we took to our walks and put through lab tests, the Nike Pegasus 41 GTX offered unmatched comfort. Built for the outdoors with its grip and weatherproof upper, we found the Peg thrives in wet conditions while keeping our feet spoiled with a plush and bouncy midsole.

The cushioning brings our feet home as it impressively blends energy return with a cloud-like sensation. Our calliper shows a generous 36.4 mm heel stack for impact protection, made of a soft 19.5 HA composition, as confirmed by our durometer. Plus, we found Air Zoom units in the heel and forefoot for enhanced comfort and bounce, allowing us to walk longer distances effortlessly.

Our feet remained dry even when liquid was poured over the upper thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane. Under our microscope, we saw a tightly woven material, which made us expect its 1/5 breathability score in our smoke test. Truly, there's no need to fear a little rain especially since the fully gusseted tongue completes the waterproofing solution.

To ensure our safety, the grippy Storm-Tread outsole offers control on slippery surfaces, with a lug design intentionally meant for wet conditions.

However, the toebox tapers aggressively to the front which may restrict those with broad feet. Those in need of more wiggle room should find more accommodating shoes.

A superbly cushioned yet remarkably stable ride is what the Hoka Challenger 7 GTX delivered in our actual walks. With its grippy lugs and waterproof upper comes reliable protection for any terrain and weather, allowing us to enjoy the outdoors without any worries. After delving deeper inside our lab, this shoe reveals several sources of our surefootedness.

First, we discovered not only a plush cushion but a wide one too. Our calliper reveals a generous forefoot and heel of 116.4/100.9 mm for steadier landings than the average 111.8/89.6 mm. Because of the shoe’s gigantic stack, it’s tougher to twist and bend, which effectively mitigated excessive lateral movements and ankle rolls. Our lab confirms our assessment with a 5/5 torsional rigidity score and longitudinal rigidity that’s 18.2% above average.

Further improving our control is the grippy 3.8 mm lugs that display excellent adhesive power on wet pavements and off-the-beaten paths. We like how they don’t feel intrusive on hard concrete and asphalt.

Another feature we truly appreciated is the waterproof upper that kept the cold, moisture, and even debris away. We weren’t afraid to walk through puddles and streams with this pair.

However, those with wide or square-shaped feet should know the big toe area is 4.5 mm narrower than average. Those who prefer more wiggle room should check elsewhere.

Our lab confirms the story but it’s our feet that experienced the top-notch grip of Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX among waterproof walking shoes. Besides its deep set of lugs, it has a protective upper and a stable ride that ensures our comfort and safety on mixed terrains.

Each stride feels surefooted as this Salomon displays remarkable adhesive power on loose ground, mud, and snow! The grip is unmistakable, a fact confirmed by our lab analysis. The deep chevron-shaped lugs, measuring 5.0 mm and 1.4 mm above average, ensure superior traction. On top of that, they are well-spaced to shed soil and debris underfoot.

The compact upper feels warm and cosy, effectively shielding us from cold and moisture. Even as we crossed streams, our feet stayed completely dry. As expected, Speedcross received a 1/5 breathability rating.

Underfoot is a supportive midsole that leaves no room for wobbles and ankle rolls even as our feet tyre. The cushion feels firm, which improves our balance even as we traverse uneven ground. Our durometer confirms it’s 43.4% denser than average. Meanwhile, Speedcross displays high torsional rigidity (5/5) as we found it hard to twist in our manual assessment, preventing our feet from collapsing.

Unfortunately, we felt like we had ankle weights on with its heavy 11.5 oz (325g) build, 13.6% heavier than the average walking shoe.

Nike’s Winflo 11 GTX leaves us with no excuses to skip walks in the rain or snow because it offers protection, grip, and comfort at an accessible £130 price, making it our best affordable waterproof walking shoe. For reference, the average Gore-Tex in our lab costs £150, making the Winflo 11 GTX such a steal for all that it offers.

Our feet felt cosy and safe throughout our outdoor tests in wet or sub-zero temperatures. Even if rain hits, our feet remain completely dry thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane and tightly knit upper. Our smoke test backs up our experience with a 1/5 breathability score, as we enjoy the warmth and cosiness the padding brings.

This shoe delivers generous cushioning underfoot for protection against repetitive impact, particularly in its 39.0 mm heel. The platform feels plush, clocking in at 15.4 HA, with a softness further enhanced by the full-length Air unit.

Beneath the midsole lies the Storm-Tread outsole. True to its name, it's ready for any storm serving a reliable grip on slippery roads. We even find that it performs best in wet conditions!

However, a plush and stacked platform means a less stable ride. Those in need of more guidance should find more supportive walking shoes.