If you like to hike, you probably care about your feet. Let’s face it; when you go hiking, it is your feet, your ankles, and your legs that will end up bearing most of the brunt of your hike. Because of that, you not only care about the health of your feet, but you also likely care about what you put on your feet.

Here is a list of the Best Waterproof Hiking Boots

Image	Waterproof Hiking Boots	Rating
	Timberland Men’s Chocorua Trail Mid Hiking Boot
	Merrell Men’s Moab Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
	Keen Men’s Targhee II Mid Hiking Boot
	North Face Men’s Hedgehog Fastpack Hiking Boot
	Merrell Men’s Polarand Rove Winter Boot
	Salomon Men’s X Ultra Winter CS WP Boot
	Danner 55311 Men's Tanicus Dry 8” Boots

A good hiking boot can make the difference between a week-long hike that feels like you barely walked to the end of your driveway to get the newspaper, and a hike that has torn your feet apart to the point where you feel like you’ll never be able to walk again. With a good hiking boot, you can go over any sort of terrain and your feet will be more or less intact at the end of it. With a bad hiking boot, you get all sorts of real problems.

What Makes A Good Hiking Boot?

What makes a good hiking boot is a topic of no small debate among interested parties. It’s something that people will be debating long after you and I are dead, no doubt. It’s something that there is intense study into everywhere from hikers’ forums to the Pentagon, and everywhere in between, and the debate wages on.

A problem is that people like to imagine that there is one boot that is good for everything, and this simply isn’t the truth. There is no Swiss-Army Boot (there also isn’t a Swiss Army Knife that does everything, really. Heck, just look at how pathetic the knives that they come with tend to be) on the market, and there likely never will be.

It’s a lot like hunting, really; there is no one rifle that is good for every type of game. If you’re varminting, something semi-automatic in a mid-sized caliber (like .223/5.56) will do just fine; if you’re hunting deer, you need something that is a real rifle caliber, something in the 30-caliber range, and if you’re hunting an elephant (legally, of course, on an approved safari with proper government permission), you will need a huge rifle that can actually bring one down.

What I’m trying to tell you is that when you are looking to buy yourself a hiking boot, you need to be looking at a hiking boot that will be right for where you’re hiking, and in some cases, even one that might be right for your particular hike. You don’t want to take a very large and heavy boot along on a long hike up rough terrain; the boot will sap your strength, no matter how comfortable or sturdy you may think it is. You don’t want to take along a boot that is not right for the environment, and because of that, picking a good hiking boot can be a hard thing to do.

However, there is some light at the end of this tunnel. There are a few things that you can look for in a boot that will always be a good thing, no matter what you’re going to be using the boot for. Here is a short list of those things that you should be sure to look for in any boot that you get.

• ​Appropriate materials
• ​When I say appropriate materials, I don’t mean that it has to be a certain kind of leather. But if you’re buying a boot for hard use, you want it to be made out of a material that is appropriate for a boot for hard use. It doesn’t make any sense for a boot to be made entirely out of mesh-like materials, for example (though some have tried to make something just like that).
• ​Also, let’s be honest here. If you’re buying a boot, it needs to be made of a material that will last. One could, theoretically, remove a lot of the weight from a boot by using some sort of lightweight material. However, if that material (like, say, mesh) doesn’t stand up to everyday use, then you’ve spent a lot of money on something you’re going to be replacing soon. I would argue that this means that not only are you not getting your money’s worth, but that you’re getting a bad boot.
• Sturdy construction
• Construction is being used here to refer to how the boot is put together. Stitching, attachment of the rubber sole to the heel, that sort of thing. Poor construction will lead to things like having a boot that comes apart easily or under relatively little use, or even having a boot that just falls apart under conditions that a good hiking boot should be able to endure. If the boot is not put together well, even if the components of the boot are made from quality materials, then you’re not going to want to spend your money on it. Again, the boot may well fall apart well before it should.​
• ​A barrier against the elements
• ​A proper boot keeps the elements off of your feet, at least to some extent. A good boot keeps your feet from freezing, it keeps your feet from getting wet, and it keeps your feet from being cut up by grass, weeds, thorns, whatever you may be walking from. If your boot can’t do this, at least to some reasonable extent, then the boot isn’t worth spending money on.
• ​Proper protection
• ​Why do we hike in a boot, rather than in something like a running shoe, or even in sandals? I mean, sandals were good enough for people in the old days; wars were fought in them, people walked across continents in them, they should be fine for a long hike, right? Wrong. There’s a reason that we’re willing to sacrifice a lighter shoe for one that weighs a bit more. It offers protection, not just against the elements, but a protective layer between your foot and anything you may encounter. Sharp or jagged rocks, unfriendly animals like snakes, all sorts of other things that you may encounter on your hike, your boot should protect you from all of them.
• It doesn’t just protect your feet, though. It also protects your ankle.

The Value Of A Waterproof Boot

A waterproof boot can be a boon to anyone who buys one, and for a wide variety of reasons. While there is no boot that you could hike in comfortably that is completely, one hundred percent, you’ll never get a drop of water in it ‘waterproof’, you can find boots that will help you out by keeping a lot of the water out of the boot and off of your feet.

Why is this such a valuable thing for you and I? I mean, it’s not like you intend to go tromping through the water in your boots, right? Well, depending on where you’re hiking and what the trail may look like, you might not have any choice on whether or not you have to go through the water, to begin with.

Then, of course, there’s the fact that just because we’re not intending to get our boots wet (and as a result, our feet wet) doesn’t mean that we are necessarily protected from it. Boots that are not waterproofed, or that are not well waterproofed, can be penetrated by water in a variety of ways. Heck, some boots can even be penetrated by the morning dew on the grass if there’s been a bit of condensation in the night, and that water can make your hike less of a fun time and more of a fight against waterlogged feet.

The Negative Impact of Wet Feet On A Hike: Of Frostbite and Fungi

Some reading this, those who haven’t been hiking as long (or in as rough conditions) as others, might not think that having your feet get wet is a bad thing. Sure, it could be a bit discomforting, you might think, but that’s it, right? Not at all. The truth is that when your feet are wet for a long time, especially during a hard hike, you are running the risk of all sorts of fungal and bacterial growth. Best case scenario, you end up with athlete’s foot. Worst case, you end up with any of a wide variety of fungi that can cause real (and disgusting) damage to your foot. A good waterproof boot, along with a good policy on changing your socks on a long hike (if you’re eating or taking a break from hiking, you should be taking a look at your socks and thinking about changing them) can help you to ensure your feet don’t fall prey to such issues.

Another reason that keeping your feet dry is advantageous is that it can prevent your feet from getting cold as swiftly. Sure, you know that fungus and bacteria thrive in situations where there is warmth and humidity, but frostbite becomes a real fear when you’re cold and wet. Believe me, I should know; I’ve been frostbitten before (thankfully only once, and thankfully it didn’t advance to the point of causing permanent damage, but it’s not something you want to share in). If you like to hike somewhere that changes altitude fairly quickly (like the mountains in Colorado or Utah, or the Appalachians, for example), you may find that a boot that was wet and somewhat warm at the base becomes a foot that is freezing cold as you climb and as the air gets colder.

These are just some of the ways in which having a waterproof hiking boot is going to benefit you. It’s by no means an exhaustive dissertation on it.

The Downside Of A Waterproof Boot

A waterproof boot, sadly, is not all sunshine and rainbows and happiness, though. In order to get a boot that is decently waterproof, you have to sacrifice how breathable the boot is. Basically, it comes down to this; you can either have a booth that is almost completely waterproof, but is not very breathable, because it will be made of an easily waterproofed material (like leather) which will not let in water easily, or you can get a boot that has some sort of mesh-like material, is a bit lighter weight, and is breathable, but that mesh is often easy to get through.

So, if you want a waterproof boot, that means that the boot is likely going to be a bit heavier, and that the boot is going to not be as breathable. The downside of the lack of breathability is that it means you are going to end up with your feet being a bit warmer than they would be in a more breathable boot, and that can lead to those ‘warm and humid’ climates we were talking about, in which fungus is liable to grow. The choice is yours, but I don’t want you to think that there isn’t a little bit that you’re going to be giving up in order to get that waterproofing.

Do You Really Need A Waterproof Boot?

So, now you know the good and the bad about having a waterproof boot, or at least a little bit about the good and the bad aspects of such ownership. The question now becomes if you really NEED a waterproof boot or not. Thankfully, it’s easy to figure this out. Here are just a few scenarios in which you might find value in a waterproof boot.

• ​If you like to hike anywhere that is usually wet, a waterproof boot probably isn’t a bad investment for you.
• ​If you like to hike in all climates, including rain and snow, a waterproof boot is a good idea.
• ​If you like to hike in climates that are very cold, a waterproof hiking boot is a good idea. Waterproof hiking boots tend to be warmer on your feet, as a rule.
• If you like to hike in the early morning in a place that has a lot of dew and condensation on the leaves and the blades of grass, then you will find that waterproof hiking boots are a good idea.

If you live in the desert, somewhere where there is pretty much never rainfall or snow and where there is not a lot of water all about when you go hiking? You probably don’t need hiking boots that are waterproofed.

Now then, it’s time that we take a look at the best waterproof hiking boots that you can find. The list below is not a list of all the good hiking boots that the world has to offer, but it is a list of some of the best waterproof hiking boots that you are likely to find.

Top 7 Best Waterproof Hiking Boots

 1.  Timberland Men’s Chocorua Trail Gore-Tex Mid Hiking Boot

Rating: 4.4 / 5.0

​

A lot of people probably know Timberland footwear less for the hiking aspect of what it is good for, and more because it is the footwear of choice for a slew of rappers these days, it seems. So, of all the many Timberland boot models that are out there, many of which are far more fashionable than the one shown here, why did this one end up the winner?

Well, to begin with, it is built to be sturdy, not to be an adorable boot that you could wear for a night out on the town. I find that it’s not wise, usually, to spend money on boots that look ‘cute’ that you are going to use for hiking. For some reason, when you spend money on boots that you want to keep looking good and then you use them to hike, you tend to spend a lot more money looking at your feet and making sure you’re not stepping into mud or a puddle or something like that, rather than making sure that you are looking at where you are heading and enjoying the beautiful scenery around you.

The Chocorua is mainly made out of leather and Gore-Tex membranes. This is something that actually improves on the usual ‘all leather with heavy waterproofing and maybe something moisture wicking inside’ design, and it really does do a pretty good job of making sure that water is not going to be getting in your boot, so long as you don’t completely submerge your foot in a puddle or something like that. You would think that this construction would be heavy, especially when you factor in the sole, but the truth is that the boots weigh about 19 ounces total if you’re buying a size 9. That makes them a good selection for walking long trips, or even for hiking an entire trail for a month or so!

Another great feature, though it has nothing to do with the waterproofing of this hiking boot, is that these boots do a good job of dispersing the energies of the impact of your footfall evenly. What this means is that if you have plantar fasciitis, or if you have a history of issues similar to plantar fasciitis, these boots will be a great choice for you, simply because that dispersal of energies is going to help you to keep undue stress off of your heel and spread through the foot.

All told, though this is not a boot I would likely choose for myself, it is still a great waterproof boot, and it doesn’t have the break-in period of the Danner boot up above. If you’re in the market for a good and very light waterproof hiking boot, this is a good boot for you to consider.

Pros

• ​Very light, especially considering what goes into it.
• ​The Gore-Tex mesh means that you actually get a fairly breathable boot that is also waterproof.
• These look like boots you could go hiking in, clean off with a wet rag, and then wear into the office.

Cons

• ​Not as much ankle support as I would like, but you may not need that in a boot.
• The membrane, while waterproof, doesn’t offer much protection in the event of submersion.

 2.  Merrell Men’s Moab Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

Rating: 4.4 / 5.0

​

Merrell is another one of those brands that I generally like for shoes, although I have never owned one for hiking. I was turned onto them by an acquaintance who was ex-military. He used his shoes that he had bought from them as kind of the ‘kicking around’ shoe that he could slip on and off, and it worked out well. As a slip on shoe, used when I have to go run an around like going down to the corner store for a coke or something similar, it was a good choice, and honestly, I’ve never owned something like that which I would say was as comfortable and as useful, as well as offering as good a grip on any surface. Those cheap Merrell slip on shoes, with no ankle support and no laces, had as good traction as my Doc Marten boots that I wore for work at the time.

The topic of discussion here is the Merrell Moab Waterproof (not to be confused with the Merrell Moab Ventilator, which is basically the same boot, but with mesh that allows it to breath easily but undermines its ability to be waterproof), and what it can do to suit your hiking needs. MOAB, in this case, stands for ‘mother of all boots’, and the Moab line from Merrell is a respectable one that does a lot of good for hikers of all sorts and ages.

The Moab Waterproof line is made out of synthetic leather (which keeps the costs down) as well as Gore-Tex mesh membranes. These membranes provide some amount of breathability, while also ensuring that water cannot enter; they basically create a one-way barrier between your foot and the water that would try to come in from the outside, while still letting in air and letting out humidity from your feet sweating. So you do get some amount of breathability out of this boot, while it remains waterproof so long as you’re not submerging your foot in water for too long.

There is more to the Moab, though, than waterproofing. What really sets it apart, as a boot, is that it is designed to be comfortable and to provide traction. However, there’s a downside to that; each boot clocks in at about two pounds, making it one of the heavier mid-length boots on the market. But with that weight, you get ankle support, you get a shank that will help to keep the boot properly shaped and that will absorb a decent amount of the torsion forces you’ll experience, and you get a great sole.

The sole is EVA rubber, with a rubber toe cap. I’m not going to go so far as to say you NEED a toe cap (though I will admit that I wear steel toed boots for hiking, because I am perpetually stubbing my toes), but if you are looking for a boot for hiking trails that are a lot more debris-strewn than others, you are going to find that having a rubber toe cap will provide you protection and comfort. If you hike somewhere colder, it’s also a nice way to make sure that your toes stay a bit warmer.

All things considered, these Moab Waterproof boots are a great investment for the hiker that needs quality boots, and I would highly recommend them to anyone, even you, dear reader.

Pros

• ​Rubber toe cap
• ​EVA sole with 5mm lugs for excellent stability
• ​Nylon shank
• Gore-Tex membrane to allow moisture out

Cons

• ​Very heavy for a boot of its size
• Can be kind of pricey, depending on what your budget is

 3.  Keen Men’s Targhee II Mid Hiking Boot

Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

​

Keen started out making a sandal that also provided protection to the toes. They did this by basically making a sandal that included a thick black bumper, reminiscent of the ‘toe cap’ of rubber that so many boots these days are fond of. This sandal (is it really a sandal if the toes aren’t completely uncovered? I haven’t the faintest idea, honestly) was beloved by people who were sailing or engaged in other water activities, and it’s not hard to see why. They combined the utility of a sandalwith the protection of a boot, keeping you from injuring your toes when you, say, run into something you may have left on the dock of your boat, or stubbed your foot on an errant rock while you’re beginning to get underway in your catamaran. They applied many lessons learned here to waterproofing future products.

Anyhow, to the Keen Targhee II Mid WP boot. To begin with, it is a mid-length boot, which means that it does provide you some amount of comfort and support for the ankle. I know that not everyone likes that, and I know that to some, a shoe would suffice, but I have to say that having hiked literally thousands of miles across three continents, there is nothing better than good ankle support to keep you standing upright during your hike. This is, to me, worth a little bit of extra weight. Also, if the boot is mid-length or larger, you can ‘blouse’ your pants (which is to say, you tuck them into the boot a bit), which prevents insects and snakes from getting into your boots. That may not be a problem everywhere you go, but it’s something nice to have if you’re hiking near snakes, trust me.

The Targhee II incorporates waterproof leather with what they describe as a ‘hydrophobic mesh lining’ to give you a boot that is waterproof, but with some degree of breathability. It’s not going to be as breathable as a non-waterproof boot, of course, but any amount of breathability is better than nothing. With mesh being included, it means that they can be waterproof, but they may not remain so if you, say, step in a deep puddle or something similar.

How do they do as a hiking boot? Well, with 4mm lugs, they’re not going to be giving you any problems with traction, for sure. They have been described as ‘4 wheel drive for your feet’, and that is about my experience with them. They also have an ESS shank that is there to help absorb torsional forces from your stepping, which is a nice touch for anyone who does a lot of hiking on uneven terrain or rough terrain like mountain hiking is so wont to have.

Although I think that Keen’s marketing is awful (Keenspiration? Really?), I can’t find any fault with their boots, and indeed, I would definitely buy a Targhee II Waterproof.

Pros

• ​Waterproof but somewhat breathable
• ​Durable for a hiking boot
• ​4mm lugs to grip the ground
• Comfortable and with decent ankle support

Cons

• There has been evidence that, of late, they have sent the production for this boot over to China, and that this has led to more likelihood of getting a ‘lemon’.

 4.  The North Face Men’s Hedgehog Fastpack Mid GTX Hiking Boot

Rating: 4.3 / 5.0

​

In my experience, The North Face (or is it North Face? I have no idea) is one of those brands that people either love or loathe, with very little in-between. I don’t understand where the extreme dichotomy on the feelings toward the brand comes from, but maybe that’s just me.

This boot not only is waterproof, but it has an adorable name that has literally nothing to do with waterproofing. When you think of animals that are waterproof, you think of seals, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, things like that. I have never though ‘hedgehog’ and ‘waterproof’ in the same realm, and I doubt that you have either. However, don’t let the poor choice in name distract you from what is a good and affordable boot.

The North Face is a fifty-year-old business that offers outdoor clothing for everything that you could conceive of and do in the cold. I used to use their jackets while skiing, for example, but they make hiking boots and climbing equipment and all sorts of things. They’re not a new name to the business, is what I’m trying to say to you.

So, what makes their Hedgehog boot so good as a waterproof hiking boot? What makes it worthy of consideration for the title of ‘best waterproof hiking boot’? It’s a boot made with waterproof faux leather and mesh, as so many boots are. It also has a Gore-Tex membrane that allows air to flow,but stops water from flowing into the boot with ease. The combination of these two things comes together to create a boot that has decent breathability while still maintaining a waterproof seal.

And let’s face it; if you’re looking to do hiking in cold climates like mountains, which is what ‘The North Face’ is a reference to (in general, the North face of a mountain is considered to be the coldest in most situations), then having a boot that keeps out the moisture that you pick up while walking through snow is a very important thing.

The boot has a Vibram sole, which means that not only will you get a decent grip on the terrain that you’re hiking over, but that you will also end up being able to enjoy a decent dispersal of the forces of impact along the boot. That is great for you, because it means that your feet are going to be having the forces dispersed along the entire foot, not just concentrated in a few areas, which can help with all sorts of feet issues, including Plantar Fasciitis. The Vibram sole is also just a good sole for traction in general, and the EVA midsole and cradle guide just serve to help with that traction.

All told, if you’re not one of those people who just hates The North Face with a passion, you will be happy with this boot, believe me. And if you don’t like The North Face or their products, you probably skipped this whole entry anyway.

Pros

• ​The boot is well designed to keep humidity out and prevent water from getting in.
• Vibram sole for good traction and dispersal of impact.

Cons

• Honestly, I hate the way the boot looks. Thankfully, it is a good boot, so that makes up for its unusual looks.

 5.  Merrell Men’s Polarand Rove Waterproof Winter Boot

Rating: 4.3 / 5.0

​

Yes, it’s another appearance on the list from those fine folks at Merrell. It’s also the first boot on this list that is made entirely around the idea of hiking in the winter.

Who is this boot for, before we talk about what it does to keep water out? Well, it is for people who are hiking a lot in snow, or at very high altitudes. If you’re looking to hike in Alaska, for example, this would be a great boot for you to take along on the trek. If you’re hiking in the mountains of Utah or Colorado during the winter, this would be a good boot for you to take along. If you’re doing a lot of hiking in tropic, torrid, or desert climes, then you are not going to want to be wearing this kind of boot. So if you live in Nevada or something, this may not be the best boot for you to wear.

The boots are made of leather and rubber, with a bit of ethylene vinyl acetate in the footbed to keep your feet warm in the cold areas this is meant for hiking in. They are waterproof and impermeable simply because there is no mesh area for them to permeate, and they will hold up pretty well should you fall into water or fall through ice or something like that (but seriously, you shouldn’t be falling through ice, because you shouldn’t be hiking on it in the first place). It also has a protective toe cap, which is a great thing to have when you’re hiking through snow that you can’t see through; there are all sorts of dangers under that snow, and having a toe cap to protect your toes is a great thing. It has fleece lining, which is done to keep your feet extra warm, but remember that warmth will eventually lead to sweat, and sweat means that you need to be changing your socks regularly to avoid fungal issues.

How do they serve as a hiking boot? With 6mm lugs and a sturdy rubber sole, they provide plenty of traction. In summation, these are good boots for hiking anywhere, but due to their complete lack of breathability, you will probably want to use them only in cold climates.

Pros

• ​Completely waterproofed.
• Very warm, due to the lack of mesh that makes it ‘breathable’.
• Great sole and great traction while walking, even over ice and the like.

Cons

• Not breathable at all. That means that while they’re great in cold weather, they’re going to be terrible in warm to hot climates, and that humidity will be a real worry.

 6.  Salomon Men’s X Ultra Winter CS WP Performance Boot

Rating: 4.4 / 5.0

​

Salomon advertises this boot as a ‘mid-cut hiking boot’, but to my mind, it’s a little bit longer than a mid-cut, but not as long as a full cut. However, I like the boot for hiking in the winter, not only because I have long been a fan of Salomon footwear, but because it has tremendous support for the ankle, which can only be a good thing for you.

I’ve said before that you can either have a boot that provides a lot of breathability or a boot that is very waterproof, and this is a boot that, for its winter uses, has gone with the ‘very waterproof’ side of that scale. The boot is not breathable, and is made with leather, waterproof fabrics, and rubber. It has rubber toe and heel caps, which is a nice touch when it comes to protecting your feet from whatever may be under the snow and when it comes to making sure that your feet are going to be stable.

The fabric upper boasts a climashield waterproof membrane and 200gram Thinsulate multi-loft insulation (if you’re someone who does a lot of cold-weather hiking or skiing or climbing, you may know the name ‘Thinsulate’ as the makers of some of the best long underwear that money can buy), which will keep your feet both dry and warm. In other words, pretty much the entire boot is built around the idea of not letting water in.

What about making sure that you have decent grip while walking? Well, they’ve got that covered too, providing a Winter Contagrip sole that will allow you to keep your footing on ice, snow, slush, and pretty much any other material you might encounter on a winter hike.

As with the last boot we reviewed, I must stress that this is the boot for Winter hiking, and not summer hiking. If you’re in Alaska or somewhere like that, this is the boot you will want to wear while hiking. If you’re hiking in somewhere more torrid or tropical, you are going to need to get a different boot that has a lot more breathability, or you risk fungal issues. But all things considered, as a waterproof winter boot, this is a fantastic choice.

Pros

• ​Waterproof as waterproof can be
• ​Contagrip sole for great grip and stability
• Thinsulate to make the upper comfortable and warm

Cons

• ​Heavy ‘mid-length’ boot
• ​Not breathable at all
• Pretty expensive, as are most Salomon products

 7.  Danner 55311 Men's Tanicus Dry 8” Boots

Rating: 3.8 / 5.0

​

I have done a lot of hiking of various kinds in my life, and if there is one thing that I have been convinced of over that time, it is that the military has got a lot of aspects of hiking figured out. And this makes sense, when you stop to think about it. There is probably no other group in the world that moves as much equipment by foot as the US Military, and does so as often, or as comfortably. The military spends a lot of money helping their men to figure out how to walk with a lot of stuff in a lot of different environments, and to do so in a way that will not destroy your feet and completely cripple you in the long term.

Why would I pick a boot designed for military use (and, ostensibly, for combat use) when I’m not going to be using it in combat? Well, I’ve suffered a couple of ankle injuries over my life, and maybe you’ve had the same problem. Suffering from a serious sprain of the ankle, sadly, makes you much more likely to suffer another serious sprain of the ankle. This can be a definite problem if you like to hike,but with a boot with proper support (as most combat boots have), you can prevent such issues.

These boots have fantastic grip, too. The Tanicus outsole has pentagonal lugs, which are designed to make sure that you have the best surface possible for preventing slip and ensuring stability when you take your step. This means that whether you're outside carrying a heavy pack and come across a slick surface, or you’re inside and you come across some oil or a slick spot in the concrete or tile, you’re going to be covered. These are truly great boots for a trek through and environment you can think of.

But we’re here to talk about how this boot will keep the water off of your feet, whether that water is snow or rain or if you have to walk through a puddle or something like that, and in all those ways, this boot definitely delivers your money’s worth. To begin with, the sizeable rubber sole means that small puddles shouldn’t pose any problems to you at all. However, even if the water gets above the sole, there’s no reason to fear. The Danner Tanicus Dry boots are made with rough-out full-grain leather (basically, that means full-grain leather that has been roughed up a bit) and with 1000-dernier nylon, meaning that the water will have a hard time getting in to begin with. But how do they handle the perspiration that will naturally occur inside the boot? Well, they utilize something called ‘Danner Dry’ to wick the moisture outward and away from your feet, while also preventing moisture from outside from getting in. Truly, a great combination that will keep your feet dry in all conditions.

Now, I do have to be honest here; there is one very noticeable downside in all of this. These boots require a break-in period, which is pretty normal in the boot world, but these boots will take about a month to conform to your feet just right. In that month, you will probably have to endure blisters and other minor discomfort, but at the end of that month, you’ll have boots that fit just right for you.

Pros

• ​Available in models that conform to current 670-1 Armed Forces specifications, meaning that you can wear them with your uniform if you buy the right model.
• ​Very waterproof, from the first company to offer waterproof boots here in the USA.
• Danner Dry material designed to keep your feet dry and protected from humidity on both sides.

Cons

• ​Month long break-in period
• ​A little bit heavier than some hiking boots
• A little bit less sole to the it than other hiking boots

Other Suggestions