5 Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes For Men in 2023

The Hoka Anacapa Low GTX is the front runner for the best overall waterproof hiking shoe for men. It’s sturdy, lightweight, exceptionally versatile, and great for putting in long distances, not to mention equipped with some of the best waterproofing we’ve seen in a while.

The Vibram outsole worked wonders wherever we took them (and we took them to lots of places!). They didn’t flinch at loose scree, smooth rock, or even the snowiest trails! We checked out the lugs in the lab, and they come in at 5mm, a good 14% above average - that explains why they can tackle anything! The shoes held up well on rough and abrasive trails and sharp rocks, so we applied a Dremel to the upper to test for durability. They are built like a tank - after 4 seconds, they showed barely any wear, so we suspect we’ll be wearing these shoes for a long time to come!

Hoka’s iconic rockered outsole and unbelievable out-of-the-box comfort make us want to walk further for longer. We tested the midsole with a feet, and they were an incredible 32% softer than average, making them some of the most comfortable hiking shoes we’ve had the pleasure to test. The waterproofing is exceptional; the GoreTex/Nubuck leather combo and gusseted tongue made sure our feet stayed bone beplentiful even when splashing through shallow streams. It manages to pack all this into a modest 13.9 oz (393g), 0.8 oz (23g) less than average, and our feet still chuck nimble on hikes.

Be warned though, the stack height is different than advertised. It is much higher which is why there's no ground feel. Hoka says 28 mm at the heel and 22 mm at the forefoot. In the lab, we measured 36.0 mm and 25.5 mm. This also resulted in a different heel drop: 10.5 mm and not 6 mm. 

A burst of speed with tons of footing security awaits those who would choose to gear up with the Terrex Swift R3 GTX from Adidas. It is a brilliantly nimble companion that does not skimp on weather deflection and rough-terrain stability. And if its immensely grippy lugged outsole doesn't win you over, its incredible snugness just might.

There's a lot of goodness to unpack in the Moab 3 GTX. From its cloud-like plushness and tough-as-nails construction to its shield-like design and magnificent moisture protection, this low-top day hiking shoe from Merrell is an absolute giver. Just be warned, though, that good things come at a cost, which in this case is the weightiness of every pair.

Sporting the ultra comfy Adidas stan smith shoes cloud white silver metallic scarlet gz5988 has leveled up the hiking game for many. Taking inspiration from agile trail running shoes, this waterproof and grippy wonder will push you forward across technical terrain with or without rain.