Hiking boots have been under the spotlight whenever the topic of hiking ventures. Whether a beginner hiker or an expert, getting the most functional shoes for yourself is the most important thing when you are on a hiking venture.
Should Hiking Boots be Waterproof? When you have invested well in hiking boots, you’ll feel relaxed and can hike for miles on the terrains. Getting heavy-duty or lightweight shoes depends on your requirements and what type of terrain you’re going to hike on.
Apart from getting durable, comfortable, well-designed hiking boots, you must also keep in mind to check whether they are waterproof or not. Most hikers prefer heavy-duty waterproof boots because the feet remain protected against mud and debris.
In contrast, others prefer light trail shoes that offer more breathability. Some are still confused about should hiking boots be waterproof or is it just a myth being fed to our minds.
For some, waterproof boots may be a good idea, and for others, it may not be so. There is no definite answer that can tell you which boots work well. Still, we have a curated guide to help you understand the perks of waterproof boots so that you can be particular about getting the best hiking boots.
Both of the boots work best in their specified circumstances, so we cannot outweigh one from the other. Still, they serve different purposes, so it is essential to know which category you fit in.
Waterproof And Non-Waterproof Boots
Knowing the difference between both types of boots can save you a fortune because if the shoes feel warm or soggy during the hike, you will have the worst experience in your hiking venture.
If the feet remain wet for a long time, it can cause foot blisters or heel pain. Moreover, wet feet will cause your socks to get wet, and your toe will slip towards the box, where your fingers will get hit by the front side of the boot.
One of the purposes of getting hiking boots is to keep the feet dry if there is water contact from external or internal sources. The internal reference is your sweat; the external source can be mud, rivers, or any water streams you have to run through while hiking the trails.
Here’s a quick analysis of waterproof and non-waterproof boots. Should hiking boots be waterproof only, or can you enjoy hikes in the non-waterproof ones?
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Waterproof hiking boots are a little bit more expensive than non-waterproof ones. Waterproof boots have a layer of waterproofing technology that keeps the water away from getting inside the boots and getting in contact with your feet. They are the conventional shoes that everyone talks about when advising beginner fellows about hiking ventures.
The materials used in these boots are mostly synthetic leather that is ultra-durable and water absorbent. Their sole responsibility is to keep water away from the feet and keep them dry so that you can enjoy the mother nature and hiking venture.
However, if the water somehow gets the way inside the shoes, then there is no way that your feet can dry out inside the boots, and you’ll have to remove them. Waterproofing doesn’t mean 100% water repellent; for example, if you have entered a stream with the boots on, they will get wet, and so will your feet. Since the waterproof boots are not much breathable, that is why they won’t get dry quickly.
Being less breathable makes the feet sweat a lot more, and then the moisture remains in the feet, causing discomfort and itchy skin. But, apart from this, they protect you against the tiny rocks and debris getting in your way, have a more excellent grip, and provide traction on the trails.
Non Waterproof Hiking Boots
In contrast, non-waterproof hiking boots are breathable because they are made from lighter materials so that the air can flow through your feet while you wear them. The main feature of non-waterproof boots or shoes is that your feet will remain dry if they get wet through water or sweat.
Also, the waterproof hiking boots are heavier on their feet. If you’re a beginner hiker or don’t train your muscles much, wearing heavy-duty or waterproof boots will cause pain in your feet. Whereas these non-waterproof boots are lighter in weight, and you won’t have to drag your feet on the ground while also carrying the extra weight of the backpack on your shoulders.
However, the water can seep into the boots quickly, and your feet are more prone to getting the rocks inside the shoes or getting wet. For this reason, the ideal hiking trails for wearing lightweight non-waterproof boots are dry or smooth terrains where you don’t have to be extra precautious about the debris or mud.
Moreover, many pro hikers wear these boots for their flexibility, even on rough or rainy hiking trails. Still, you don’t have to copy them because they have experience in this industry and can handle difficult situations.
Understanding The Term “Waterproof” And “Breathability.”
You might have listened to waterproof, water-resistant, and water repellent when you are out at the hiking boots store. You may wonder what the difference in these terms is and should hiking boots be waterproof?. Suppose we imitate the language of manufacturers and expert hiking boot advisors. In that case, waterproof means up to 95% protection from the water.
At the same time, the other has less water absorption quality relatively. No hiking boots are 100% water absorbent because if so, your breathability would be compromised by the shoes. In the summer season, you will have hot, sweaty feet causing blisters in the long run. So, to avoid this situation, the boots are designed to maintain a water absorbency of 95-98%.
The term breathability is mistaken for the air ventilation through the breathable meshes of the hiking boots. Waterproof hiking boots have meshes that let the feet dry if they get too sweaty or hot during the hikes. Breathability means vapor evaporation from the boot’s surface when your feet get sweaty.
They are responsible for making the feet dry so you can continue your hike without worrying about troubles such as rashes or blisters. The breathable meshes inside and outside the boots create the heat and pressure difference. So breathability is not equal to ventilation. Instead, it evaporates heat and water molecules at the vapor level.
You cannot avoid sweat during the hikes, so you need breathability boots. The water-resistant trait depends on you and the type of hiking terrain you wish to go for. A certain moisture level is necessary for you inside the boots.
So, you don’t feel like walking on a prickly cactus; the only thing that evaporates through boots is extra heat or sweat. It’s just like an exhaust fan that retains the moisture while carrying the excess humidity or smell away from the rooms.
When To Wear Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Waterproof boots are perfect for hiking on wet, rainy, or snowy terrains because they provide extra support and durability on such trails.
- They are also helpful and come in handy when hiking rocky terrains because their Ultra tiny breathable meshes won’t let small rocks enter the boots.
- You can cross shallow streams quickly if you have worn waterproof shoes. Because if the water comes in contact with your boots, you won’t have to worry about it as it will stay on the boot’s surface and won’t bother you.
- However, it doesn’t mean you can wear them inside the water. The waterproof boots are not 100% waterproof and will get wet, causing the feet to get blisters or rashes.
- Suppose you are on rough terrain or hilly areas where debris is a common problem. In that case, wearing the waterproof boots will save you from getting bruised or injured slightly or seriously from these troubles.
- Moreover, snakes and insects are expected in a forest, so that the waterproof boots will save you from their bites and infections on the terrain.
When To Wear Non-waterproof Hiking Boots
- The main reason for picking up the non-waterproof boots is their temperature regulatory process and breathability.
- People and avid hikers like them for their flexibility and that they keep their feet dry during the summer hike seasons.
- If the streams aren’t much deeper or there is slight rain, these boots will perform well and keep the feet dry because they get dried quickly.
- You can wear these boots on rocky terrains too, but there is a chance of small tiny rocks entering them. If it is not much trouble for you, you can brush them off and continue your hike in these boots.
- Also, they are lighter on the feet, making your accumulative weightless compared to when you wear waterproof hiking boots.
- They work best in hot, humid weather, so if it is your cup of tea, you must go for them.
- If you are prone to blisters or rashes, wear non-waterproof boots.
Final Thoughts
Besides getting the fit design and comfy hiking boots, many people have concerns or are confused about whether hiking boots should be waterproof. Or is it just something being advertised by the industry experts? We would say it depends on the temperature and weather of the terrains you are focusing on hiking.
Most hikers say that you must have two pairs of hiking boots, one waterproof and the other non-waterproof, so you can switch between them while hiking in different seasons. For instance, you can wear waterproof boots in rainy or snowy weather and non-waterproof boots in hot, humid seasons to avoid rashes or blisters.
If you are having trouble keeping your feet dry, we suggest taking breaks between the laps and removing the boots. It will relax the feet while keeping them dry for longer hour hikes.
In the end, it is on your preference because it’s going t be you will be hiking the terrains, and you know about the anatomy of your feet well. If hiking is a new activity for you, we suggest borrowing the boots from your friends or trying on a few models to understand what will work best for you.