The Best Women’s Waterproof Boots of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Laura Lancaster

For many of us, there is no more important piece of gear than a waterproof boot. When you’re spending hours moving through dew-soaked brush, the sensation of wetness hitting your instep—then slowly spreading across your foot—is bothersome enough to send even the most die-hard hunters and hikers back to their car early. To help ensure your feet stay dry so that you can hit your objective, Outdoor Life staff and contributors rounded up the best women’s waterproof boots.

• Best for Hiking: Vasque Breeze
• Best All Purpose: La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX 
• Best for Winter: Danner Arctic 600
• Best Lightweight: Asolo Eldo Mid
• Best for Mountain Hunts: Meindl Lady Vakuum 
• Most Comfortable: Zamberlan 1996 Vioz

How We Tested the Best Women’s Waterproof Boots

To review the best waterproof hiking boots and the best winter hiking boots, I put 10 models through a series of tests designed to assess how robust their waterproofing was. The waterproof hiking boots were left in standing water for 16 hours and then checked for dampness or moisture inside. I then stress-tested their waterproofness by subjecting them to mud and salt before raising the water level and testing them again. Three of the boots did not pass this test. The winter hiking boots were further assessed to see how much warmth they retained in wet and cold conditions by standing in a mountain-fed stream in early spring in the Pacific Northwest. Three of the waterproof hiking boots did not pass the 16-hour standing water test, while two of the winter hiking boots lost substantial warmth in the mountain-stream test. 

Hunting boot recommendations come from Outdoor Life staff and contributors based on their extensive use of them in the field. 

The Best Women’s Waterproof Boots: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Hiking Boot: Vasque Breeze

Key Features

• Sizes: 6-12
• Recycled polyester mesh, Nubek waterproof leather, Vasque Trail Strider outsole
• VasqueDry waterproofing
• Runs small and narrow

Pros

• Fully waterproof
• Affordably priced
• Dries fairly quickly
• Reasonably lightweight

Cons

• Tight fit may be uncomfortable for some

The Vasque Breeze scored well in every test I put it through: It was completely dry after being left in several inches of water for sixteen hours, and then stayed dry in my second test, where I threw all of the salt and mud and sun that I could at it and then left it again in submerged water. And it manages all that while coming in at a fairly affordable (at least for hiking boots) price tag. The lightweight design of the Vasque Breeze also offers more breathability than other waterproof hiking boots, and it dried quickly compared to other waterproof boots. 

I recommend sizing up for the Vasque Breeze (which runs small) and also walking around for some time before committing to a final purchase. This boot is on the narrow side, and some hikers may find that it puts more sideways pressure on the forefoot than they prefer. 

Best All Purpose: La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX 

Key Features

• Sizes: 36-43 (European sizing, includes half sizes)
• Nubuck leather upper with Nano-Cell Insert and Vibram rubber rand and toe cap 
• Gore-Tex Surround lining
• Runs small, recommend sizing up a half size

Pros

• Fully waterproof
• Affordably priced
• Comfortable
• Relatively lightweight

Cons

• Weak laces
• Less support for carrying a heavy pack

I’ve put hundreds of miles on my La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX boots while turkey and elk hunting, hiking, and backpacking. They’re comfortable, even for individuals, like me, who have bunions that require wide toe boxes. Even after all that use, the Nucleo High II is still highly waterproof, withstanding three days of solid rain (and the ensuing puddles) as recently as this summer. 

They’re relatively light for a hiking boot, which makes them comfortable on long hikes but leave my feet and ankles weary after backpacking with a 40-to 50-pound pack. The hooked eyelets hold your laces tight while lacing up and require a little more force to pop out. The laces also broke after a few months and required replacements. Plan to treat them with boot wax after a long season to maintain waterproofness.—Christine Peterson

Read Next: Best Winter Hiking Boots

Best Winter Boot: Danner Arctic 600

Key Features

• Sizes: 5-11
• Nylon with Primaloft Gold and Vibram Nisqually Arctic Grip
• Danner Dry liner
• Fits true to size

Pros

• Warm
• Fully waterproof

Cons

• Slow drying
• Side zip represents a point of failure

The Danner Arctic 600 just squeaked by with top honors in my test of the best winter hiking boots and survived both waterproofing tests with nary a drop. The Vibram Arctic Grip outsole (in combination with this shoe’s lug design) was particularly impressive. The stickiness of the traction meant I could barely tell I was walking on ice—it was almost impossible to slip with these shoes. Similarly this shoe stayed warmer than every other boot in my test while standing in the early spring runoff of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, and no moisture made its way into the boot. That being said, the Danner Arctic 600 took an exceedingly long time to dry, so be careful not to step into any water sources that are higher than the top of the boot.  

The Danner Arctic 600’s side zipper was an unusual feature among the boots that I tried. While putting on and taking off boots seemingly every fifteen minutes, I appreciated that I could put on and remove these shoes without having to untie and retie the laces. But as everyone who spends time outdoors knows, zippers represent a significant failure point on just about any piece of gear—and that goes double for waterproof zippers like those on the Arctic 600. If you are concerned about the long-term durability of the zipper (and I would be), consider not using this feature on a day-to-day basis.

Best Lightweight: Asolo Eldo Mid

Key Features

• Sizes: 5.5-9.5
• Water-resistant suede with Asolo/Vibram AG with MegaGrip compound 
• Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Footwear lining
• Fits true to size

Pros

• Very lightweight for a boot
• Fast drying time
• Protected midsole

Cons

• Not as waterproof as other boots 

The Asolo Eldo Mid is built for tough conditions. Its minimalist lacing design securely tightened around my foot with my heel locked in place. It features a grippy sole that is perfect for slippery rock. It’s also lightweight, with each shoe clocking in at well under a pound. And not only was this boot perfectly watertight during the first round of testing (thanks in part to the water-resistant suede wrapped around the connection point between the midsole and the upper), but it also dried surprisingly fast.

The only downfall of this shoe was the second test. The combination of torture treatment (my treatment of the boots in this test is far from best practice) plus higher water levels, meant that it was completely soaked after eight hours. Choose this boot if you are looking for protection from errant puddles, but leave it at home if you are heading out into water-logged brush. 

Read Next: Best Rubber Hunting Boots

Best for Mountain Hunts: Meindl Lady Vakuum

 

Key Features

• Sizes: 6-10
• Full-grain nubuck leather uppers, Meindl Multigriff 2 by Vibram outsoles
• Gore-Tex waterproofing
• Runs true to size

Pros

• Fully waterproof
• Supportive and rugged
• Quick to break in
• Outsoles offer unwavering grip

Cons

• Slow to dry out
• Extra stiff right out of the box

I wore the Meindl Lady Vakuum while elk and deer hunting in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains and found it to be a no-frills, uninsulated mountain hunting boot that offers heavy-duty support in a relatively lightweight package. Opening day saw temperatures in the 80s, but we spent our last day stomping through snow and ice with daytime highs in the teens. The Vakuum stood up to all of it, at least when paired with the best wool socks.  

I committed the ultimate hunting boot sin and didn’t get the chance to break them in before going out. For the first two days, they were stiff and uncomfortable, and my forefoot, which is on the wider side, was getting slightly squeezed. They did, however, provide sufficient support for my high arches as we followed game trails that wrapped around steep, crumbly, and rocky hillsides and bushwhacked across heavy beetle kill and burn. By the end of the week they started molding to my feet, and flexing in the right places. Unfortunately I did end up in some wading situations and didn’t have a choice but to let some water in over the top of the boot, and they took a really long time (and a hairdryer) to dry completely. Avoiding that situation in the first place would be my recommendation.—Katie Hill 

Most Comfortable: Zamberlan 1996 Vioz

Key Features

• Sizes: 6-11
• Full-grain waxed leather with Zamberlan Vibram 3D
• Gore-Tex performance comfort lining
• Fits true to size

Pros

• Fully waterproof
• Very comfortable
• Wider toe box 

Cons

• Long dry time
• Very expensive

I gotta level with you: I don’t, personally, love hiking boots, waterproof or not. Sure, I’ll wear them when conditions warrant it, but give me the option and I’ll always grab a pair of the best minimalist shoes for hiking. 

The one boot that is the exception to this is the Zamberlan 1996 Vioz. You can tell just by looking at this shoe that its quality is top-notch, but put it on and the softness and suppleness of the leather makes it clear that this is one of the most comfortable hiking boots out there. If you’re looking for a quality leather waterproof hiking boot with a shorter break-in time, this is the one.

During testing, this shoe stayed fully waterproof through both rounds of testing, but was one of the slowest to dry. Be careful if you’re hiking near or around high water as you will be unlikely to dry out this shoe until you are back in the frontcountry. 

Read Next: Best Upland Hunting Boots

How to Choose the Best Women’s Waterproof Boots

Waterproofness

Determining whether a boot is truly waterproof as opposed to barely water-resistant can be difficult. There are a number of factors to consider, including what level of waterproofness you actually need to be happy in the outdoors and what sort of conditions you expect to experience. Some individuals find that they don’t even notice a little moisture creeping into the shoe: as long as their feet are warm, they are happy. For others, any amount of moisture can be damaging to their morale and their ability to get outside the way that they’d want to. Hikers may also find that they can get away with less boot than they are expecting, as the most important part of their waterproof coverage is at the midsole when they step into a puddle. Conversely, hunters will want a taller upper to prevent rain-soaked brush from sending wetness creeping down their socks from the top of their boots. 

Keep in mind that the most waterproof boots will also have an Achilles’ heel: they’ll keep water in, too. If you are prone to sweating during high exertion activities, you may benefit from a hiking or hunting boot that balances waterproofness with breathability.  

Fit

Once you’ve identified a couple of different boots that have the waterproofness level and coverage that you are looking for, try them on side-by-side to see which has the most comfortable fit. Make sure there is enough room for your toes and that your heel locks into place, as this will prevent blisters down the road.

Arch Support

On long hikes or extended backcountry hunts, the arch of the foot may experience fatigue, which can lead to plantar fasciitis. This is sometimes caused by the foot leaning or collapsing inward. Anyone experiencing this, or suffering from pain while they walk, can benefit from one of the best insoles for hiking.

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking to upgrade your standard outdoor boot to a women’s waterproof boot, there are plenty of options with different features and fits that will meet your needs. The boots recommended here are top picks based on rigorous testing as well as boots that have stood up to foul-weather hunting conditions.

The post The Best Women’s Waterproof Boots of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Source: https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/gear/best-womens-waterproof-boots/