Best Waterproof Women’s Hiking Boots for Wet Weather/Rain
Do you consider yourself to be a dedicated hiker? Will you hike no matter if it’s pouring rain or if your trails are wet all the time? If so, then chances are you already know what features you need on your hiking boots for the rainy days and inclement weather.
And you don’t need to be a super experienced hiker to know that the boots’ waterproofness is the no.1 quality to look for.
Top 5 Waterproof Women’s Hiking Boots
1. Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Hiking Boot
Should you look for the most popular hiking boot for the wet weather, the Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Hiking Boot could easily win the popularity contest.
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The boots are made with leather, suede, and mesh, which means that they’re soft and comfortable right out of the box. They’re entirely waterproof so that no water will get inside the boots on rainy hikes.
Features like the gusseted tongue and the secure lace-up vamp count for the resistance against water, of course. The comfort isn’t skipped, and the boots come with padded tongue and cushioned collar for secure and soft comfort around the ankles. The toe protector is rubberized for protection of the toes while descending, whereas the dual-density EVA midsole will reduce shock from impact and strain of the foot.
The TPU stability heel clip is essential for a secure fit for the heel, and the boots are made with Numentum technology for superior stability. The lugs are self-cleaning, as you’re going to get dirty and muddy on a rainy hike. Even if the boots may not be ideal for people with high arches, they still make a wise buy on any given day.
2. KEEN Women’s Durand 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
The chances are that most hikers will notice the appearance of KEEN Women’s Durand 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot first. These boots are pretty and style and look great on any foot. However, they’re more than meets the eye and make quite the dependable choice for rainy hiking.
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The boots come with features that recommend them for all-terrain. They feature a dual-compound rubber outsole and multi-directional lugs (4mm deep) for superior grip on all trails. They’re made with Keen Dry membrane, which is waterproof and breathable. Therefore, water won’t get inside the shoes, but moisture will escape from your feet for dry wear.
The boots are made with waterproof nubuck leather upper and mesh lining with efficient ventilation. The dual-density EVA footbed (it’s easy to remove) provides good arch support, whereas the stability shank increases support. Some hikers had to wait a couple of wears until the boots felt comfortable, but they were worth the wait. The shoes are lightweight, stylish, and have excellent performance even on long rainy days.
3. Merrell Women’s Eventyr Bluff Waterproof Boot
You only need to take a quick look at the Merrell Women’s Eventyr Bluff Waterproof Boot to see that these boots are durable and ready to take a beat even in inclement weather.
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The boots are made with full-grain leather that is naturally waterproof and long-lasting. But it’s high-quality full-grain leather, as the shoes will feel comfortable right out of the box. They’re made with SelectDry technology, which ensures waterproof and moisture-wicking wear, blocking wet elements outside the boots. The bellow tongue keeps debris outside the shoes but also sustains the waterproofness of the footwear.
Despite the rugged looks, the boots are very comfortable, and features like the M-Select Move foot frame (anatomically made, for better flexibility) or the breathable mesh lining counts a lot.
Stability and flexibility are provided with the boots, as they come with M-Bound dual-density EVA midsole and M-Select grip sticky rubber outsole. The shoes give traction and grip on wet surfaces, without ever compromising your stability. Waterproof boots may help odors build up inside the shoes, but it’s not the case with these boots. They are made with M-Select Fresh antimicrobial technology reducing the risk of odor-causing microbes build up.
Even if ventilation could be better, the boots still stand out as some of the most reliable and nice looking boots to wear on wet trails.
4. Scarpa Women’s Women’s Terra GORE-TEX Hiking Boot
Should you care for the looks as much as you care for waterproofness, the Scarpa Women’s Women’s Terra GORE-TEX Hiking Boot are the boots for you. They rock a classic and exquisite profile, but the wet trails’ features are just as impressive as the looks.
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The boots are made with high-quality leather. It’s 2.0mm thick full-grain leather that is naturally waterproof and long-lasting. However, the leather is soft so that the shoes will fit like a glove right from the start.
The Gore-Tex membrane on the boots also provides reliability for rainy days. Therefore, the wet elements won’t get to the feet, whereas moisture will escape from the shoes.
When you’re hiking on wet trails, muddy trails are familiar. Traction and grip won’t be a problem with the boots as they come with tough Vibram outsole. The lugs are aggressive, and the shoes bite all trails, no matter if they’re wet or dry. The boots may not be very comfortable for wide feet, but make a wise buy for all the other hikers looking for nice looking boots for wet trails.
5. Lowa Women’s Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot
Even if the price may throw some hikers off, the Lowa Women’s Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot makes one of the best investments to make for your hiking. These boots are made for taking a beat, and they indeed show it in every detail and feature.
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The boots have a rough appearance, and the performance in the harsh condition is always reliable. They are made with durable and high-quality leather but feel comfortable a lot sooner than expected. The Gore-Tex membrane ensures waterproof and breathable wear every time, no matter if it’s raining or not.
When you’re hiking all day long, you don’t want your feet to get wet. Naturally waterproof leather upper and Gore-Tex membrane help, but the Climate control footbed will sustain the ventilation you need for dry wear. Indeed, the lace-up corded vamp and speed-lacing grommets will improve the protection against the wet elements and help with a customized fit. The tongue and collar are padded for more comfort, and the nylon shank (full-length) improves stability.
With an essential grip on muddy trails, it makes perfect sense that the boots come with tough Vibram outsole with deep lugs for aggressive grip and traction. Some feel the shoes a bit too soft in the ankle area, but that’s very easy to forget when all the other characteristics are impressive.
How can you tell if hiking boots are reliable for wet weather or not?
It may seem that waterproofness is the only thing counting on your hiking boots, but several other aspects make the boots dependable for rainy hikes. Here are the essential elements:
Waterproofness & Breathability
Some materials are naturally waterproof (like full-grain leather), whereas others have to be coated to resist water. Gore-Tex membrane is the most common waterproof technology, as it blocks water from getting inside, but helps moisture escape.
The breathability is also essential, as you don’t want to hike with sweaty feet. Waterproofness and breathability are challenging to balance, but you may still find great hiking boots for the rain that are waterproof and breathable simultaneously.
Overall build
How the boots are made will help with resistance on wet trails. Some hiking boots are made with just one part; others have very few stitches, so the risk for water getting inside is significantly reduced. The gusseted tongue will provide better protection against wet elements, whereas mid-cut and high-cut design make safer options.
Grip & Traction
Your boots for the rainy hikes should provide grip and traction on wet trails. Vibram outsole is the most durable and most challenging to choose, but you should also check the lugs. Aggressive lugs will bite wet terrain for more stability and traction.
FAQs
Q: Is water-resistance efficient, or you always need waterproofness?
A: It all depends on where you hike and for how long you’ll hike. If you’re planning a short hike on a hot summer day, you may rely on some water-resistant boots. You will be back in the evening at home so your feet won’t stay wet for a long time. Good water-resistant boots will stop some of the watery elements, but they have limitations on rainy days or when hiking in wet regions for several days.
Q: Do some materials have better waterproof abilities than others?
A: Several technologies are used for making the hiking boots waterproof. Some materials are protected against the water with a special coating, but these properties wear out after some time.
Full-grain leather is the only material with natural abilities to stop water and wet elements. Keep in mind that how the boots are made also counts for the waterproofness. For example, the more stitches the shoes have, the lower the ability to stop water will be.
Q: Is Gore-Tex the only technology used for waterproofing hiking boots?
A: Gore-tex membrane is fantastic because it can stop wet elements and water from getting inside, but helps moisture escape from your feet.
When boots are waterproof, breathability will decrease, but it’s not the case with the Gore-Tex membrane. Also, Gore-Tex isn’t the only technology used for waterproofing footwear. Many reputed footwear manufacturers (Keen is one) developed their technology for making waterproof boots.
Q: What matters in hiking boots for wet conditions, except for waterproofness?
A: Plenty of things will maintain your feet dry and your traction efficient. A gusseted tongue will keep the boot even closer to the foot, whereas a tough outsole with deep lugs will give you the grip and traction you need on wet trails. And if the lugs are also self-cleaning, you got yourself a winner.
