Can waterproof boots be breathable?

Looking for my first hiking boots. Experience with regular shoes has shown that waterproofness is a desirable property for me.

However, I never feel the need for warm shoes. Up to about -5°C (23°F), I feel comfortable in mesh sneakers, and that’s all I need. For this reason, I worry that waterproof shoes will be too hot for me.

Is there anyone with similarly hot feet who has experience with waterproof shoes?

It really depends. They’re breathable to a point. If you’re really exerting yourself, you’re likely going to sweat unless temps are below freezing. You can also use foot powder to aid with sweat, but you’ll need extra socks to change into.

I love my GTX boots. I wear them year-round, but it’s dry here in terms of climate and lacking in much heat except for a few months. We get very random precipitation, though. I just accept that sometimes, my feet will be sweaty and in need of a fresh pair of socks. I usually carry one extra pair for short day hikes and two for longer day hikes. If I’m camping, I usually carry three or four extras. They weigh next to nothing, and the bulk is manageable. I like having extra socks. I use Smartwool full cushion or extra cushion socks for reference.

If I were in a jungle, I’d wear non-waterproof boots that dried and drained quickly. Here, I like my GTX boots because the precipitation, either from snow or random rainstorms, doesn’t overwhelm the GTX.

It’s all about your own personal preferences and methodology. I prefer a GTX boot and extra socks. Many prefer non-waterproof trail runners or some modern jungle boots. It’s all in how you use them.

No.

The amount of liquid that GTX can actually let out of the boot is almost nothing. Think about the actual size of the fabric area of a boot and the amount of foot sweat or water that is around your feet if they get hot. Basically not gonna happen.

No, it’s marketing. But gauge your environment. I use non-waterproof trail running shoes when appropriate. If it’s a cold/wet environment, I would still rather wear the waterproof boots than having cold, wet feet.

No. Hope this helps.

I have 3 pairs of Columbia boots/shoes: one set is basically a trail shoe for summer hikes, a waterproof but breathable boot (they’re waterproof with light rain and slightly dipping your foot in a river or puddle but eventually let water in), and a full waterproof boot that are ‘OutDry’ (basically Gore-Tex but Columbia’s version). The full waterproof ones aren’t breathable at all, the middle waterproof ones are breathable but more for end of summer and autumn hikes, and the non-waterproof ones are my everyday shoe to the shops as well as summer hikes that aren’t waterproof at all. So take that as you will, but 3 different boots for 3 different uses, basically.

Think of waterproof and breathability as a spectrum. The more breathable, the less waterproof, and vice versa. Mainstream, volume-selling hiking boots (e.g., Lowa Renegade, Salomon Quest) are somewhere in the middle.

If you want super breathable, get a trail running shoe. If you want super waterproof, get a full-grain leather mountain boot with as few seams as possible (note, not a ‘mountaineering boot.’ The boot should not have a full shank unless you’re climbing/crossing glaciers in it).

If your feet aren’t sweating, the hike you are on is too easy…

No shoes breathe well, many claim they do, but they don’t.

Trick is to wear tall wool socks. Wool wicks moisture, and taller socks act like a wick on a kerosene lamp. Capillary action, baby! So your foot sweat travels up the sock and evaporates around your ankle/calf.

They are breathable until they get wet. That’s the thing.

Once they are wet, Gore-Tex doesn’t breathe.

Not that I’m aware of.

What do you need waterproof shoes for?

If for stream and river crossings, consider bringing some Tevas or similar for the crossings to keep your feet dry. This is my preferred method for cold weather.

If it’s warm, I just wear my trail running shoes right through the water, and they dry out quickly.

Look at La Sportivas. My wife and I have the Nucleo High II, and we love them.

La Sportiva on REI

I use all-leather Altberg Defenders, which are military combat boots that make very good hikers. They have no membrane. As long as I look after the leather by washing them down after each use and treating them to a fresh layer of wax every 90 miles, they stay waterproof. 98% of the sweat you experience with membrane boots is not there with these boots. Bone dry, therefore breathing fine.

TL;DR: Sort of.

In ideal conditions at rest - yes. This is why they are useful for standing around in cold, dry weather. The insensible perspiration from your feet is probably going to be evaporated through the Gore-Tex as there is a pressure and heat differential. That said, sweat from the sole of your foot cannot evaporate under any circumstance when wearing footwear.

If you are walking and the outside environment is wet, your feet will get damp from sweat. If water comes in the top, your feet will be wet and will not dry whilst you are wearing GTX boots.

I have a pair of Arc’teryx boots I picked up in September for a trip to Mt. Whitney last October. There were 4 water crossings, all at night, and my boots got wet every time but my feet stayed dry. It was high 20’s/low 30’s that morning.

I also picked up a more sneaker-like pair of Futurelight boots from The North Face with excellent waterproofing ability and minimal sweating.

I’m a runner and my feet get hot and sweat so much I had to invest in better socks (Swiftwick, Balega & eventually Injinji) to mitigate this and to avoid blistering.

I haven’t had any issues with my feet getting too hot in either of these boots, and they have kept my feet completely dry. They aren’t insulated beyond whatever indirect insulation Gore-Tex liners provide, but they’ve been perfect so far. Worth noting I had previously tried or owned boots from Lowa, Asolo, La Sportiva, Merrel, Hoka, and none of them were capable of this. So I know it’s possible to find but far less common than it should be.

No