Wet feet are uncomfortable on a short walk in the rain and worse on a long hike. A waterproof shoe keeps water out, but the right pair also needs good grip, cushioning and enough breathability to stay comfortable.
This guide explains how to choose waterproof walking shoes and compares thirteen pairs for men, including a few that are only water-resistant or not waterproof at all.

Waterproof shoe basics
- Waterproof shoes use a membrane liner and seam-sealed construction. Water-resistant leather only sheds light rain.
- Keep your feet clean and dry, and avoid shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty.[2]
- Do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than two to three days in a row.[2]
- A hiking shoe needs stability on uneven surfaces, cushioning in the insole and a good tread.[1]
- Footwear that grips the floor and fits well helps prevent slips and fatigue.[4]
Choosing the Right Waterproof Walking Shoe
- Climate – Decide whether you expect light rain, steady rain or standing water, then choose between a water-resistant and a waterproof shoe.
- Terrain – Pavement and office floors call for a smooth, grippy sole. Trails call for a lugged outsole and more stability.[1]
Waterproof vs Water-Resistant
A waterproof shoe has a membrane liner and sealed seams that keep water out and let vapor escape. Examples on this page are the Gore-Tex ECCO Track 25 and the KEEN.DRY membrane in the KEEN Utility Targhee 4. A water-resistant shoe, such as the KEEN Austin, sheds light rain but is not made for puddles or wet trails. A breathable upper matters too, because it lets moisture out and keeps your feet from overheating.
Why Keep Your Feet Dry
Wet feet are uncomfortable, and wet and cold feet are worse. Shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty also raise the risk of athlete’s foot, so keep your feet clean and dry and rotate your shoes.[2] Shoes that rub wet skin can cause blisters. If you get one, do not wear the shoes that caused it until it heals.[3] Our guide to shoes for sweaty feet covers breathable options.
Features of a Good Waterproof Shoe
- Hiking Shoes and Boots – A hiking shoe suits wetter and rougher conditions. It needs stability on uneven surfaces and a higher upper for ankle support.[1]
- Membrane – A waterproof, breathable membrane keeps water out and lets moisture escape.
- Tread – A durable, slip-resistant rubber outsole with a good tread keeps your foot planted. Slips happen where there is too little friction between the footwear and the walking surface.[1][4]
- Insole – A cushioned insole absorbs shock from impacts.[1]
- Care – Follow the maker’s care instructions. KEEN, for example, advises brushing loose dirt off leather with a soft bristle brush.
How We Chose These Shoes
We do not test shoes ourselves. We compare each model’s waterproofing, grip, cushioning and fit using The web and the makers’ product details, and we only list shoes sold on the web in the US. Brands do not pay to be included, but we may earn a commission from purchases.
Key Specs
| No. | Shoe | Type | Closure | Width options | Drop / Cushion | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockport Northfield | Dress/casual | – | Medium | – | – |
| 2 | Rockport Robinsyn | Dress/casual | – | Medium, Wide | Memory foam | – |
| 3 | Dunham Midland | Dress/casual | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | Memory foam | – |
| 4 | Dunham Windsor | Dress/casual | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | Memory foam | – |
| 5 | Keen Austin | Dress/casual | Lace-up | Medium, Wide | – | – |
| 6 | ECCO Track 25 | Walking | – | Medium | – | – |
| 7 | Merrell Moab 3 | Hiking | – | Medium | – | – |
| 8 | KEEN Utility Targhee 4 | Work shoe | – | Medium, Wide | – | – |
| 9 | Skechers John Deere Respected Tanzier Rain | Slip-on | Hands-free slip-in | Medium | Memory Foam | – |
| 10 | New Balance 410 Hiker | Hiking | – | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | Fresh Foam | – |
| 11 | New Balance 410 V9 | Trail running | Lace-up | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | FRESH FOAM | – |
| 12 | Salomon Speedcross 6 | Trail running | – | Medium, Wide | – | – |
| 13 | Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 | Running | Lace-up | Medium, Wide, X-Wide | – | 10.2 oz |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Our Waterproof Walking Shoe Picks
These pairs cover dress shoes, walking shoes and trail shoes. The last four are not waterproof, and we say so in each note. If you buy through the links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Waterproof and Water-Resistant Dress Shoes
1Rockport® Men's Northfield Waterproof Oxford Dress Shoe
The Rockport Northfield is a waterproof oxford for the office and the commute.
- Seam-sealed waterproof construction blocks water from getting in.
- truTECH cushioning absorbs shock and softens the heel.
- The removable insoles leave room for an orthotic, and it comes in extended sizes and widths.
- The upper flexes with your stride.
2
Rockport® Men's Robinsyn Waterproof Cap-Toe Oxford
The Rockport Robinsyn is a waterproof cap-toe oxford.
- Seam-sealed waterproof construction blocks water from getting in.
- truTECH cushioning absorbs shock and softens the heel, and the upper flexes with your stride.
- The removable memory foam insoles leave room for an orthotic, and it comes in extended sizes and widths.
3
Dunham® Men's Midland Waterproof Oxford, Slip-Resistant
The Dunham Midland is a waterproof oxford with a slip-resistant sole.
- Seam-sealed waterproof construction keeps water out.
- The non-marking rubber outsole is slip-resistant and certified to ASTM F1677 Mark II.
- Removable memory foam insoles leave room for orthotics, and the shoe has arch support and comes in extended sizes and widths.
4
Dunham® Men's Windsor Waterproof Oxford, Arch Support
The Dunham Windsor is a waterproof leather oxford.
- Seam-sealed waterproof construction keeps water out.
- The non-marking rubber outsole is slip-resistant and certified to ASTM F1677 Mark II.
- Removable memory foam insoles leave room for orthotics, and the shoe has arch support and comes in extended sizes and widths.
5
Keen® Men's Austin Water-Resistant Leather Oxford
The KEEN Austin is a leather oxford made with water-resistant leather. It sheds light rain but is not a fully waterproof shoe.
- The leather comes from Leather Working Group certified tanneries.
- Compression-molded cushioning and a footbed shaped for the foot add comfort, and the laces give a snug fit.
- The non-marking rubber outsole will not mark indoor floors.
Waterproof Walking and Hiking Shoes
6ECCO® Men's Track 25 Gore-Tex Waterproof Walking Shoe
The ECCO Track 25 Low is a waterproof shoe with a Gore-Tex membrane.
- The Gore-Tex membrane keeps feet dry in wet weather.
- The sole is light and flexible, with a polyurethane midsole and a TPU outsole that grips well.
- The upper combines full-grain leather and nubuck, and the inlay sole is removable. It comes in an optional extra width.
7
Merrell® Men's Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe
The Merrell Moab 3 is a waterproof hiking shoe that also works for walking.
- A waterproof membrane seals out water and lets moisture escape.
- The upper is pigskin leather and mesh, and the laces and webbing are recycled.
- A bellows tongue keeps debris out.
8
KEEN Utility® Men's Targhee 4 Soft Toe Waterproof Work Shoe
The KEEN Utility Targhee 4 is a low waterproof work shoe built in Portland, Oregon.
- The soft toe cap meets or exceeds ASTM F2892 EH standards for minor impact, but it is not reinforced against crushing.
- KEEN.DRY is a waterproof, breathable membrane, and the upper is full-grain waterproof leather.
- The oil- and slip-resistant, non-marking rubber outsole meets ASTM F1677 Mark II.
9
Skechers® Men's John Deere Respected Tanzier Rain Waterproof Slip-In Work Shoe
The Skechers John Deere Respected Tanzier Rain is a waterproof slip-in shoe.
- Hands Free technology and a heel pillow make it easy to slip on and off.
- An Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole and a relaxed fit leave roomy space at the toe and forefoot.
- The leather and synthetic upper has seam-sealed waterproof construction. It tends to fit small, so order a larger size or a wide width if needed.
Trail and Training Shoes That Are Not Waterproof
10New Balance® Men's 410 Hiker Cushioned Day Hike Shoe
The New Balance 410 Hiker is a cushioned trail shoe. It has no waterproof membrane, so keep it for dry days.
- The Fresh Foam midsole is cushioned and light.
- The AT tread grips on multiple surfaces.
- An elevated collar adds coverage for day hikes.
11
New Balance® Men's 410 V9 Trail Shoe, Not Waterproof
The New Balance 410 v9 is a trail running shoe. It has no waterproof membrane, so keep it for dry days.
- The AT tread outsole grips on road and trail.
- Fresh Foam cushioning works with a BIO Foam midsole for a soft ride.
- Reinforced overlays add durability, and the breathable mesh upper keeps your feet cool.
12
Salomon® Men's Speedcross 6 Grippy Trail Running Shoe
The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a trail running shoe with deep lugs. This version has no waterproof membrane.
- The aggressive lugs bite into soft ground.
- Sensifit wraps the midfoot for a precise fit.
- It comes in medium and wide widths.
13
Under Armour® Men's Charged+ Assert 11 Neutral Training Shoe, Not Waterproof
The Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 is a neutral trainer. It is not waterproof, so keep it for dry days.
- The mesh upper has leather overlays for midfoot support.
- Charged+ midsole cushioning gives a soft ride, and flex grooves in the rubber outsole help at toe-off.
- It weighs about 10.2 oz and comes in medium, wide and extra-wide widths.
Index Table: Waterproof Walking Shoes Compared
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo). Athletic Shoes. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Athlete’s foot. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Blisters. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls. Accessed October 26, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the shoe notes for all thirteen pairs, regrouped them by how waterproof they are, corrected the model names, and replaced the sources
- Oct 2026: Replaced Rockport Essential Details with Rockport Northfield; replaced Keen Tucson with KEEN Utility Targhee 4; replaced New Balance Dunham Cloud with New Balance 410 Hiker; replaced Rockport Storm Surge with Rockport Rockport; replaced Merrell Moab Rover with Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11; replaced New Balance Dunham Burlington with Dunham Midland; replaced ECCO Cool with ECCO Track 25; replaced Skechers Sargeants with Skechers John Deere Respected Tanzier Rain; updated Salomon Speedcross 5 to Speedcross 6; replaced Merrell Moab Vent 2 with Merrell Moab 3; replaced New Balance 1300V1 with New Balance 410 V9
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs table and a Sources section; checked availability of every product
- Feb 2016: Published

























