When it comes to hiking, most of the time, we encounter water on our hikes. This question often leads to the selection of the right shoes.
Although there are a lot of options out there, it’s hard to determine which shoe is best for everyone. Due to the varying factors involved, each person has their own preference.
Aside from the shoes, choosing the right hiking shoes also depends on a variety of factors such as the trail conditions, the weather, and terrain. This guide will help you pick the right shoes.
When exploring waterfalls, it’s important to consider the proper fit of the shoes for hiking in water. Comfort is very important when it comes to choosing the right shoes. In most cases, poor fit or uncomfortable shoes can ruin a hiking experience.
Merrell Men’s Moab Edge Hiking Shoes
- Mesh and 3D printed mesh upper
- Breathable Mesh lining
- ACE footbed
- Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
A lace-up hiking shoe with a removeable mesh upper area, a bellows tongue and a rear pull-loop; these remarkable shoes are designed to easily ford any river you choose.
Designed with a non-slip Vibram tc5 plus outsole, feel confident traversing any type of ground no matter how wet or dry it may be.
Breathable and comfortable to wear, these high-quality hiking shoes are great for spending all day exploring the great outdoors.
What We Like:
- Available in an array of fashionable color options.
- Created in a range of half and full sizes to choose from.
- Includes an EVA contoured foot bed with odor control.
Vasque Men’s Multi-Sport Shoe
- Sporty shoe for day hiking with approach-shoe durability, stability and comfort
- 1.6mm suede leather upper
- Highly tunable lace system
- Molded EVA and TPU Plate midsole for stability
A stylish and sporty shoe that is designed for durability, stability and comfort; this amazing multi-sport shoe is ideal for wear during an all-day hike.
Offering an innovative off-the-grid sole, these shoes include a mix of broad surface lugs in the forefoot area with smaller, angular lugs along the edge for true traction on any surface.
A depression in the heel allows for natural give during each heel strike for added comfort and the molded TPU plate provides mid-foot stability as well.
What We Like:
- A low-profile molded EVA midsole allows you to feel the ground in absolute comfort.
- Available in three classic color options to pick from.
- Designed in an impressive range of sizes to best fit your foot.
KEEN Men’s Voyageur Hiking Shoe
- UPPER: Water resistant leather keeps your feet dry and performance mesh...
- TRACTION & PROTECTION: 4mm multi directional lugs for increased traction on and...
- SUPPORT: Stability support shank provides support on uneven surfaces; Injected...
- FIT: Low profile upper for comfort and secure fit with a padded tongue and...
Vented for true breathability and incredibly comfortable from front to back, these high-quality shoes are meant to allow for all-day comfort with ease.
Designed with remarkably aggressive traction on bottom, these magnificent shoes provide multi-directional lugs that find a sure grip on rough terrain anywhere needed.
Complete with an ESS shank built-in for torsional stability, every inch of these sturdy hiking shoes are meant to keep your feet and ankles secure throughout each and every movement you make.
What We Like:
- A mesh lining works as a waterproof barrier to keep your feet dry.
- Great for fording any river you find on your journey.
- Available in a range of size options and styles to choose from.
Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Hiking Boot
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot...
- HANDY FEATURES: Treacherous days out on the trail are comfortable and worry-free...
- ADJUSTABLE FEATURES: The Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot features a...
- VERSATILE STYLE: This men's waterproof hiking boot delivers style and durability...
Boasting waterproof, seam-sealed construction, these amazing hiking boots also include PU coated leather and are meant to keep your feet comfortable and dry no matter where you journey to.
Featuring a TECHLITE lightweight midsole, these shoes are not only comfortable to wear, but allow you hit the trails all day long with ease.
Designed for rugged wear, these remarkable boots also include OMNI-grip non-marking rubber soles with truly impressive traction for use.
What We Like:
- The tread on the bottom is perfect for use in a wide range of environments.
- Breathable to keep your feet dry and cool as you move.
- Available in several stylish colors and a range of sizes to pick from.
KEEN Men’s Targhee II Mid Hiking Boot
- WATERPROOF & PROTECTION: KEEN.DRY breathable membrane keeps feet dry and...
- MATERIAL & CONSCIOUSLY CREATED: Durable premium leather and breathable...
- TRACTION: KEEN ALL-TERRAIN rubber provides high traction grip in muddy...
- SUPPORT & COMFORT: External Support Shank and mid cut height adds balance and...
Crafted from 100% Waterproof Nubuck Leather, these stunning and sturdy mid hiking boots are made to last through daily, or especially long, hiking trips with ease.
Like wearing four-wheel drive technology on your feet, these remarkably durable boots include an aggressive outsole with 4mm lugs that truly hold onto any terrain you choose to tread upon.
An included ESS shank provides impressive torsional stability and a secure fit that will protect your feet and ankles in a way no other pair of boots can offer.
What We Like:
- Great for fording any river, these boots are waterproof all over.
- Treated with a PVC water repellant to keep feet dry, yet cool, during every wear.
- Available in an amazing range of sizes and styles to pick from.
Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Hiking Boot
- Pigskin leather and mesh upper
- Metal hook traditional lace closure
- Bellows tongue keeps out debris
- Protective toe cap
Designed with a 5mm lug depth, the sole on these incredible hiking boots allows you to easily grip any surface you find yourself upon, anywhere in the great outdoors.
The bellows style tongue keeps moisture and debris out of your boots, while the air cushioned heel absorbs shock and adds amazing stability as you move as well.
Crafted from 100% suede, leather and mesh materials; these remarkable boots provide breathability and durability, no matter how treacherous the trail you choose to tread, or river you choose to ford, may be.
What We Like:
- The EVA contoured footbed includes zonal arch and heel support and a removable form.
- Available in several fashionable color options and a range of sizes to choose from.
- A versatile package that makes hiking nearly any trail as simple as possible.
Danner Men’s Mountain 600 Hiking Boots
- WATERPROOF hiking boots featuring 100% waterproof Danner Dry barrier, allowing...
- DURABLE men’s hiking boots with full-grain leather uppers tested for...
- ORTHOLITE triple-density polyurethane hiking boot footbed for maximum comfort...
- SPE MIDSOLE made from rubberized EVA maintains the same cushioning properties...
Featuring a suede, waterproof upper and designed from high-quality full-grain leather, these amazing hiking boots are truly ready to wade through the water as you ford any river or stream.
Complete with a Vibram SPE midsole, these boots are engineered to deliver comfort and flexibility in every possible way.
With a Vibram Fuga outsole as well, these durable and long-lasting boots also boast impressive levels of traction and keep you on the trail securely in any location.
What We Like:
- Lightweight, abrasion resistant and sturdy enough to go hiking as often as desired with ease.
- Available in several fashionable styles and a range of sizes to pick from as well.
- Designed with a open-cell OrthoLite footbed for ultimate comfort fit.
Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Hiking Shoe
- Pigskin leather and mesh upper
- Traditional lace closure
- Bellows tongue keeps out debris
- Protective toe cap
Just the pair of hiking shoes you need to hit the trail in true confidence, these incredibly well-made shoes are designed with high-performance rubber sole provides durability and slip-resistance as well.
Featuring an air cushioned heel, these amazingly comfortable hiking shoes reduce stress on your feet and keep them feeling great all throughout your hike.
The leather and upper mesh of these shoes are breathable and incredibly durable as well; never worry about your feet feeling uncomfortable in these stunning shoes.
What We Like:
- Offering a truly supportive foot bed that will assure you never want to take them off again.
- Available in an amazingly stylish range of looks and sizes to choose from.
- The bellows tongue keeps debris and water out as you move.
Timberland Men’s Mid Boot
- WHITE LEDGE MENS HIKING BOOTS feature premium full-grain waterproof leather...
- LOOK NO FURTHER for trail-ready performance and style Our selection of men’s...
- TIMBERLAND BOOTS are synonymous with quality workmanship Whether you're looking...
- WHAT YOU NEED IN THE OUTDOORS: Timberland has the gear you need for all your...
A well-made men’s boot that features full-grain waterproof leather uppers and seam-sealed waterproof construction all over that keeps your feet dry as you ford your favorite river.
Designed with rustproof speed lace hardware, these remarkably durable boots also include hooks at the top to ensure secure lacing from top to bottom.
Trail-ready in both performance and style, these mid ankle boots make the perfect addition to any casual outfit, or your outdoor gear, with ease.
What We Like:
- Boasting a removable dual-density EVA footbed for true comfort.
- The durable rubber sole keeps your feet right where you want them on any surface.
- Available in a stunning range of styles and an array of sizes to choose from.
KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe
- WATERPROOF & PROTECTION: KEEN.DRY breathable membrane keeps feet dry and...
- MATERIAL & CONSCIOUSLY CREATED: Durable premium leather and breathable...
- TRACTION: KEEN ALL-TERRAIN rubber provides high traction grip in muddy...
- SUPPORT & COMFORT: External Support Shank adds balance; Contoured heel for...
Crafted with a KEEN all-terrain outsole, these remarkably durable hiking shoes provide true traction and grip on any terrain from muddy surfaces to rocky environments and beyond.
Waterproof and breathable all over, these high-quality hiking shoes offers a membrane that lets vapor out without letting water in; ideal for fording any river with ease.
Truly supportive and comfortable in every way, these shoes include an external stability shank that provides improved mobility and torsion control on all uneven surfaces.
What We Like:
- Available in several fashionable styles and an impressive range of sizes to choose from.
- An internal support mechanism provides arch support and cradles your foot perfectly.
- The cushioned collar prevents irritation discomfort around the ankle as you move.
Botton Line
High-top hiking boots are made with a waterproof membrane that keeps the water away from our feet. This feature is very useful when hiking rivers and creeks.
Wool hiking socks are also used to wick away moisture from our feet. A good pair of hiking boots can either be leak-resistant or breathability-friendly.
A common issue with these shoes is that they can get ruined after hiking across a deep creek without changing their shoes.
If the water gets into the shoes, then Gore-tex would act like a bucket, which would make the shoes heavier and force the legs to lift more.
The moisture would also create conditions that could cause fungal infections and skin conditions.
Although waterproof hiking boots have good protection and support, they are usually heavier than they should be. For most hikes, I usually wear a pair of thick hiking shoes that are equipped with a few features such as ankle support and traction.
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Austin is the author of loveatfirstfit.com and a personal trainer with extensive knowledge in nutrition. Austin is passionate about helping others to find a suitable healthy lifestyle and feel good about themselves. Austin’s goal is to help people push their limits and achieve their physical performance.
Last update on 2024-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API