Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Men and Women
For 2026, the Salomon Quest 5 GTX (men) and La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX (women) lead one major tested roundup, while GearJunkie crowns the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX for women and names the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof its budget pick. Here is how the best waterproof boots compare, who each suits, and how to choose.
Quick picks
| Boot | Best for | Membrane | Weight per pair, men’s / women’s | US MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salomon Quest 5 GTX | Men’s overall, heavy loads | GORE-TEX | 2 lb 10 oz / — | $240 |
| La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX | Women’s overall, scrambling | GORE-TEX | 2 lb 2.6 oz / 1 lb 12.6 oz | $209 |
| Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX | Breathable, fast day hikes | GORE-TEX | 1 lb 15 oz / 1 lb 11.6 oz | $190 |
| La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX | Lightweight, technical terrain | GORE-TEX ePE | 1 lb 14.2 oz / 1 lb 9 oz | $219 |
| Scarpa Rush TRK GTX | Backpacking | GORE-TEX | 2 lb 7 oz / 2 lb 1 oz | $239 |
| KEEN Targhee IV Mid WP | Wide feet | KEEN.DRY | 2 lb 8.6 oz / 2 lb 2.6 oz | $190 |
| Lowa Renegade EVO GTX Mid | Narrow feet, durability | GORE-TEX | 2 lb 9.6 oz / 2 lb 2.2 oz | $280 |
| Columbia Newton Wander | Budget | Omni-Tech | 1 lb 15 oz / 1 lb 9.8 oz | $110 |
| Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof | Women’s budget | Merrell waterproof membrane | — / 1 lb 13 oz | $170 |
Prices are US dollars. Specs come from Treeline Review (updated Aug 27, 2026), except the Moab, which comes from GearJunkie. GearJunkie lists the X Ultra 5 at $185 and the Targhee IV at $180, so check current retail prices.
Best for men
The Salomon Quest 5 GTX is Treeline Review’s men’s overall pick. Testers stayed dry through repeated submersion, found steady traction in mud and on wet ground, and liked the stiff, supportive ankle under a heavy pack. The costs are weight (2 lb 10 oz per pair), slow drying, a rigid feel, a warm interior in summer, and eyelets that wore early. It is also the priciest of the group at $240.
For lighter, faster days, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is the breathable choice. It dried fastest in Treeline’s tests and feels close to a trail runner with ankle coverage. Treeline scored its waterproofing lower than most (3.5 out of 5) after seeing mild interior moisture in submersion, and it runs long and gives less stability on rough ground.
Pick by foot and load:
- Backpacking: The Scarpa Rush TRK GTX earned praise for durability, traction and ankle support, with sizing that can be tricky. It took about a day to dry once soaked.
- Wide feet: The KEEN Targhee IV Mid WP offers a wide fit and heavy ankle protection. It is among the heaviest boots tested and takes one to two days to dry.
- Narrow feet: The Lowa Renegade EVO GTX Mid is stable and durable, and water kept beading on it through a 15-minute faucet test. Expect a long break-in and a $280 price.
- Budget: The Columbia Newton Wander costs $110 and kept testers’ interiors dry, though its suede upper soaks through and adds weight. Treeline’s men’s tester would size down half a size.
Best for women
Two trusted reviewers name different winners. Treeline Review picks the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX ($209, 1 lb 12.6 oz per pair): agile, grippy and comfortable on technical ground. Its interior stayed dry in creek crossings, though the outer fabric stopped beading water by the third crossing before drying out by the end of the hike. It fits slightly narrow.
GearJunkie instead gives its top score (9.4 out of 10) to the women’s Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX ($185 on its chart). Testers praised comfort, traction and waterproofing, and noted it runs large and offers modest ankle support.
The other strong women’s options, per GearJunkie:
- Budget: The Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof ($170) scored 7.3 out of 10. It suits high arches and offers a wide option, but it is less waterproof than the GORE-TEX version and has a high heel drop.
- Backpacking: The Salomon Quest 4 GTX ($230, 2 lb 6.4 oz) scored 8 out of 10 for support and ankle protection, but is overkill for easy day hikes.
- Max cushion: The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX ($240) is very comfortable and supportive. It runs small, feels warm, and drew durability concerns.
- Lightweight: The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX ($180, 1 lb 8 oz) is described as very waterproof, light and grippy, with limited breathability.
- Leather: The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid ($255 on GearJunkie’s chart) is durable and supportive, but heavy, pricey and overbuilt for short outings.
Where testers disagree
Waterproofing scores vary by tester, so treat any single rating with care. Treeline Review gave the KEEN Targhee IV its top waterproofing mark, with no interior moisture after 15 minutes ankle-deep. GearJunkie says KEEN’s waterproofing trails other options, and an older Outdoor Life test (last updated April 2024) found an earlier Targhee left a puddle inside. The X Ultra 5 splits opinion too: GearJunkie calls its waterproofing great, while Treeline saw mild interior dampness.
The practical fix is to test your own pair. Stand the boots ankle-deep in a tub for 15 minutes, the same check Treeline used, within your retailer’s return window.
How to choose
Waterproof boots pair an outer water-repellent finish with an internal membrane. The finish delays soaking of the upper, and the membrane stops liquid water reaching your foot. The trade-off is that waterproof boots run warmer, breathe less and dry more slowly than non-waterproof ones.
- Membrane: GORE-TEX remains the benchmark, but proprietary systems such as KEEN.DRY, Oboz B-DRY and Columbia Omni-Tech are common, and Treeline found KEEN.DRY survived submersion too.
- Upper: Nubuck, leather and ripstop work best with membranes. Suede soaks up more water, so the outside gets heavy once the finish fails, even if your feet stay dry.
- Outsole: Soft rubber such as Vibram Megagrip or Salomon Contagrip grips wet surfaces better than hard compounds.
- Fit: Try boots on with your hiking socks, in the afternoon, and on an incline. Your heel should stay put and your toes should not touch the front. A membrane slightly reduces interior volume, so if you are between sizes, size up.
- Break-in: Leather boots can need 20 to 40 hours, nubuck 10 to 20 hours, and synthetics only a few hours.
- Need: Waterproof boots pay off in rain, snow, cold and creek crossings. In hot or dry places, a breathable boot or trail runner can keep feet drier from sweat and cut blister risk.
Care
Treeline says waterproofing typically lasts one to five years, and the outer water-repellent finish is the first part to fail. After muddy hikes, remove the insoles and laces, brush off debris, and wash with lukewarm water and a mild boot cleaner. Dry the boots slowly at room temperature, away from direct sun and heat, which can break down adhesives. When water stops beading, reapply a water-repellent treatment such as Nikwax to clean boots, and condition leather uppers periodically. A punctured membrane is the point to replace the boots.