Best Women's Waterproof Trainers UK 2026: 34 GORE-TEX shoes rated

A waterproof trainer is a low-cut shoe with a sealed membrane, GORE-TEX on almost the whole field here, that keeps water out over the height of the shoe while still walking and running like a trainer rather than a boot. For the wet British half of the year, roughly October through April, that combination is the sweet spot for a lot of hiking: light and quick on the foot, but dry through wet grass, dew, light rain and the shallow mud that covers most UK trails from autumn onwards. I hike in Dorset, so everything on this page is judged against chalk downland, the Jurassic Coast path and Purbeck mud, ground that is grippy when dry, slick when wet and boggy for a good part of the year.

This is the women's guide, so every shoe here is a women's model built on a women's-specific last rather than a scaled-down unisex shape. That matters more than it sounds. Women's feet tend to run narrower through the heel and higher in the arch, with a different Q-angle at the knee, and the better shoes here are tuned for it: Merrell's Q-Form 2 midsole, Salomon's women's fit and Mammut's narrower women's chassis all change how the shoe holds and rides. A shoe that locks your heel down and supports your arch correctly is the one that keeps blisters and hot spots away over a long day.

I rated 34 women's waterproof trainers for this guide across three groups: aggressive trail-running shoes, supportive hikers, and everyday crossovers that double as travel and town shoes. They run from a £95 Merrell up to a £199 Meindl, and the table below compares the lot on best-use, price and retailer in one place. Three models here have full standalone reviews: the Salomon Genesis 2 GORE-TEX, the Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX and the Merrell Moab 3 GORE-TEX. If you want the wider low-cut picture, including non-waterproof trail shoes, that lives on the walking shoes hub, and the full waterproof trainers category holds every individual review, including the men's guide.

Every shoe in this guide, compared

The whole guide in one table. The three shoes with a full review link straight to it; the rest jump to their section below. Use the best-for and price columns to shortlist before you read the write-ups.

Our editor's picks

Two shoes stood out across the whole field, one as the do-everything all-rounder and one as the specialist for the worst ground the UK throws at you.

Editor's top pick

Best overall: Salomon Genesis 2 GORE-TEX

The Genesis 2 is the waterproof trainer I would hand most UK hikers first. It takes Salomon's cushioned, stable trail platform and wraps it around a seam-sealed GORE-TEX membrane, so you get a shoe that keeps the wet out through a proper Purbeck bog while still moving like a trainer rather than a boot. The All Terrain Contagrip outsole is a versatile pattern that bites into wet grass, chalk and shallow mud without the specialised, one-job feel of a deep mud lug, and the ride is soft enough for a long day on hard ground but stable enough to trust on cambered coast path.

What earns it the top spot is breadth. The women's last holds the heel and midfoot without pinching, the SensiFit wrap locks the foot down, and at around £160 it sits mid-field on price for a shoe you can wear on almost anything the UK offers across the wet half of the year. The trade-off is the familiar Salomon fit, secure and on the narrow side, so broader feet should look at the Moab 3 below. As one shoe for coast path, downland and winter mud, this is the strongest all-rounder here.

• Seam-sealed GORE-TEX keeps feet dry through wet grass, dew and shallow mud
• Versatile All Terrain Contagrip grips mixed UK ground without a one-job lug
• Cushioned, stable ride that handles loaded day hikes
• Women's-specific last with a locked-down SensiFit hold

• Narrow Salomon fit does not suit broad feet
• Membrane runs warm on hot summer days
• Mixed-terrain outsole is less biting than a dedicated mud lug

Best for

One waterproof trainer for all-round UK hiking across the wet half of the year: coast path, downland and winter mud. Best for slim to medium feet.

Buy the Salomon Genesis 2 GORE-TEX at Salomon

Read the full Salomon Genesis 2 GORE-TEX review →

Best for mud and wet grip: Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX

The Speedcross is the shoe I reach for when the ground turns to soup, and the GORE-TEX version is that mud specialist with dry feet. The deep chevron lugs on the Contagrip Mud outsole dig into soft, steep, muddy ground and shed the clag that clogs a shallow tread, and the sealed membrane means a boggy Purbeck loop no longer soaks your socks by the first stile. The Quicklace system and the snug women's upper wrap the foot for the quick, planted feel this shoe is loved for.

It is a specialist, not an all-rounder. Those deep soft lugs are made for mud, not hard rock, where they feel less planted and wear faster, and the narrow Salomon fit suits a slim foot rather than a broad one. At around £160 it is not cheap for a single-purpose shoe. For wet and muddy ground through a British winter, though, nothing else here grips like it.

Best for

Soft, steep, muddy ground through a UK winter. A specialist for the worst conditions, not a do-everything shoe.

Buy the Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX at Salomon

Read the full Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX review →

Salomon: the widest range

Salomon field more women's waterproof trainers than any other brand here, and the range covers every use case: supportive hikers, athletic trail runners, a road-to-trail crossover and a lifestyle shoe. Our two editor's picks above, the Genesis 2 and the Speedcross 6, are both Salomon; below are the other nine. Almost all share the brand's narrow, locked-down fit, so if a Salomon has ever suited your foot, the rest of the range will too.

Salomon X Ultra 360 GORE-TEX

This is Salomon's core supportive low-cut hiker and the one to pick if you want stability under a day pack more than outright pace. The Advanced Chassis resists the sideways twist you get on cambered coast path and rough, uneven ground, and the GORE-TEX membrane with a Contagrip outsole covers UK trail and light hillwalking. At around £140 it is keenly priced for the support on offer. The trade-off is the standard Salomon fit, secure and on the narrow side, so broad feet should look at the Moab 3 instead.

Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge GORE-TEX

The Edge is the more agile, trail-leaning version of the X Ultra 360, tuned to be lighter and quicker on the foot while keeping the same 360 chassis and GORE-TEX protection. If you like the stability of the X Ultra platform but want a nimbler ride for faster days and mixed terrain, this is the pick within the family. It is still a narrow Salomon fit, and the sharper feel means a touch less plush cushioning than the standard 360, but at around £140 it is a strong, versatile hiker.

Salomon X Ultra 360 Leather GORE-TEX

Same 360 chassis and GORE-TEX membrane, but with a leather upper in place of the mesh. The leather buys more abrasion resistance and a more weatherly, hard-wearing shoe for people who wear a pair hard through winter, at the cost of a little extra weight and slower drying if water does get in over the collar. At around £140 it is the durability choice in the X Ultra range, and a sensible option if your trails involve gorse, scree and rough ground rather than manicured paths.

Salomon X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX

The X Ultra 5 is the newest generation of Salomon's long-running hiking shoe line, and it brings a refined chassis and updated fit to the same supportive, all-round brief. Expect a stable, protective ride with GORE-TEX waterproofing and a grippy Contagrip outsole, aimed at hikers who want a dependable do-most-things shoe. At around £150 it sits just above the 360 on price, and it is the pick if you want the latest iteration of Salomon's core hiker rather than the established 360 platform.

Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GORE-TEX

The XA Pro 3D is Salomon's rugged, stability-focused trail shoe, and the V9 is the ninth generation of a long-lived design. The 3D Advanced Chassis and a supportive, protective build make it a planted, confident shoe on rough and rocky ground, with GORE-TEX for the wet and an aggressive Contagrip outsole for grip. It is heavier and more substantial than a lightweight trail runner, which is the point: it suits hikers who want a tough, stable shoe for gnarlier terrain. Around £160.

Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GORE-TEX Storm

The Storm is the winter-ready take on the XA Pro 3D V9, built with extra weather protection for cold, wet and dark-season conditions. If you hike hard through a British winter and want the XA Pro's stability with more armour against the elements, this is the version to bookmark. It carries the same 3D chassis and aggressive grip, at around £160. For summer walking the standard V9 is the more sensible buy; the Storm earns its keep when the weather turns.

Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX Storm

Same mud-specialist Speedcross 6 covered in our editor's picks, but in the Storm build with extra weather protection for the coldest, wettest months. The deep chevron lugs and Contagrip Mud outsole still make it the grip king for soft, steep, boggy ground; the Storm treatment just adds armour for winter. At around £160 it is the pick if you specifically want a mud shoe for December through February rather than a year-round trail runner. Like the standard Speedcross, it is a specialist, not an all-rounder.

Salomon Aero Blaze 4 GRVL GTX

The Aero Blaze 4 GRVL is a road-to-trail shoe, tuned for gravel paths, towpaths and mixed hard-pack rather than deep mud or rock. The GRVL build adds a grippier outsole and GORE-TEX to a fundamentally road-running chassis, which makes it a light, springy, fast shoe for the kind of walking that mixes tarmac, canal path and firm trail. At around £145 it is the pick if your local routes are more surfaced than wild. It is not the shoe for a boggy hillside; on soft ground the shallower tread gives up grip.

Salomon Temper GORE-TEX

The Temper is Salomon's do-it-all trail shoe with a strong lean towards comfort and cushioning. Profeel Film gives a smoother, more stable feel underfoot by filtering out sharp ground, the Optivibe foam is designed to cut vibration and muscle fatigue on longer days, and an OrthoLite diecut sockliner adds plush cushioning, all under a GORE-TEX membrane. At around £130 it is the most affordable Salomon here, and it makes a comfortable, versatile everyday and light-trail shoe. It is not built for gnarly ground, and the grip is tuned for mixed rather than deep-mud terrain.

Mammut: alpine-built hikers

Mammut come from a Swiss mountaineering background, and it shows in a range of supportive, well-built waterproof hikers with a more technical, secure fit. There are nine women's models here spanning value shoes, fast hikers and durable leather all-rounders, most with a narrower women's chassis and Swiss-engineered outsoles.

Mammut Ducan III Low GTX

The Ducan III Low is Mammut's supportive low-cut hiker and a strong pick for a stable, protective waterproof shoe with alpine pedigree. A supportive midsole and a chassis that stays planted on rough, uneven ground make it feel built for loaded days rather than gentle strolls, and the GORE-TEX membrane handles the wet. At around £160 it sits mid-field on price. It is a firmer, more purposeful ride than a plush everyday shoe, and Mammut's fit runs secure and technical, so try before you commit if you have a broad foot.

Mammut Ducan III Low LTH GTX

The leather-upper version of the Ducan III Low. You get the same supportive chassis and GORE-TEX waterproofing, but the leather buys more abrasion resistance and a more weatherly, durable shoe for hikers who wear a pair hard. At around £175 it is the durability upgrade in the Ducan family, and the pick if your ground is rocky and rough rather than groomed. The leather adds a little weight and takes longer to dry once wet, which is the usual trade for the extra toughness.

Mammut Alnasca IV Low GTX

The Alnasca IV is Mammut's approach-leaning shoe, built for rockier, scrambly ground where you want precision and a grippy, climbing-friendly outsole. The fit is precise and the platform stiffer than a soft trail shoe, which gives it confidence on slab and boulder, with GORE-TEX for the wet. At around £150 it is the pick if your walking involves rocky ground, easy scrambling and mountain-adjacent terrain rather than towpaths. It is more shoe than you need for gentle trails, and the precise fit suits a medium to slim foot.

Mammut Alnasca IV Low LTH GTX

The leather-upper Alnasca IV, and the most expensive Mammut here at around £190. Same approach-focused platform and precise fit, with a durable leather upper that suits abrasive rock and rough ground. This is a shoe for someone who wants an approach-capable waterproof shoe built to last several hard seasons, and is willing to pay for the leather and the alpine build quality. As with all the leather shoes here, it drives up weight and drying time in exchange for toughness.

Mammut Aenergy Trail All-Mountain Low GTX

The Aenergy Trail All-Mountain is Mammut's versatile trail hiker, aimed at covering varied ground at a decent pace with hiking-grade protection. It blends the athletic feel of a trail shoe with enough support and grip for all-round mountain walking, and the GORE-TEX membrane keeps the wet out. At around £145 it is a well-priced all-rounder, and a good pick if you want a Mammut that leans faster and lighter than the supportive Ducan without going full trail runner.

Mammut Aenergy Mtn Low GTX

The Aenergy Mtn Low combines the speed of a trail runner with the robustness of a hiking shoe. It runs a highly abrasion-resistant mesh upper over a waterproof GORE-TEX Stretch membrane, a cushioned EVA midsole with an OrthoLite insole, and a rocker-sole construction that gives a smooth, rolling stride. The Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs delivers strong grip and stability across surfaces, and the 36 mm heel and 28 mm forefoot stack balances cushioning with protection. At around £150 it is the pick for fast hiking on easy to moderate trails.

Mammut Aenergy Hike Low GTX

The Aenergy Hike Low is the lightweight, value end of Mammut's fast-hiking range, and at around £125 it is the cheapest Mammut here. It keeps the low weight and nimble feel of the Aenergy family with a GORE-TEX membrane and a grippy outsole, aimed at hikers who want a light, quick waterproof shoe without the price of the premium models. There is less shoe here than a Ducan, so the support and outright protection are lighter-duty, which suits trail and moderate ground rather than heavy loads or gnarly rock.

Mammut Sertig III Low GTX

The Sertig III Low is Mammut's value all-rounder, and a lot of shoe for around £135. It wraps a breathable double-layer engineered mesh upper around a 3-layer GORE-TEX membrane, with a high-rebound Critical EVA midsole for a cushioned, lively ride and a Mammut Swiss Design outsole that grips wet rock and loose trail. It runs an improved wider fit and a higher stack for comfort and shock absorption, weighing around 360 g in a UK 5.5 with an 8 mm drop. For a dependable, comfortable waterproof hiker that undercuts most of the field, it is a smart buy.

Mammut Ultimate III Low GTX

The Ultimate III Low is a flexible, multipurpose shoe inspired by Mammut's Ultimate clothing line, and the most everyday-friendly Mammut here. It pairs an elasticated waterproof GORE-TEX membrane and seamless Schoeller soft-shell material with a recycled-rubber Michelin outsole and Mammut's Rolling Concept for a supple, flexible ride. It is designed to accommodate wider feet, which makes it one of the more forgiving fits in the Mammut range. At around £150 it is the pick for someone who wants a comfortable crossover that handles trail, travel and town in one shoe.

Merrell: comfort and value

Merrell build the most comfortable-out-of-the-box shoes here, and their women's models use the Q-Form 2 midsole, tuned around the different Q-angle of a woman's stride for better alignment and support. This is also where the value picks live, and where you will find the widest fits on the page.

Merrell Moab 3 GORE-TEX

The Moab is the best-selling hiking shoe in the world, and the GORE-TEX version is the value pick of this whole field. At around £145 it gives you the thing the Moab is famous for, comfort straight out of the box with no breaking in, plus a sealed membrane for the wet. The Vibram TC5+ outsole holds well on the chalk and hard-pack of the Jurassic Coast, the EVA midsole with a heel air cushion is soft over long days on hard ground, and it comes in a proper wide fitting, which almost nothing else here does. The women's build uses the Q-Form 2 midsole for better alignment.

It is not the lightest or the most technical shoe on the page, and the soft cushioning is less precise on rock than a Salomon or a Scarpa. For a first waterproof trainer, or for anyone with broader feet who wants one dependable pair, it is the easy recommendation, and it has a full standalone review if you want the complete write-up.

Read the full Merrell Moab 3 GORE-TEX review →

Merrell Siren Sport GORE-TEX

The Siren Sport is Merrell's women's-specific trail shoe, and one of the most explicitly female-tuned shoes here. The Q-Form 2 midsole is built around Merrell's analysis of the female Q-angle, giving cushioning and support aimed at a woman's stride, and a mostly mesh upper keeps the weight down and the breathability up under its GORE-TEX lining, with solid toe protection. At around £145 it is a comfortable, flexible all-round hiker that suits flatter trails and warmer walks well. It sits a touch lower at the ankle than some hikers, so on steep scrambly ground it gives up a little security, and the membrane runs warm in summer heat.

Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX

The Speed Strike 2 is the light, fast Merrell, and at around £95 it is one of the best-value shoes on the page. Merrell build it to move: a low, nimble profile, a springy ride and a grippy outsole tuned for pace on trail and hard-pack, with a GORE-TEX membrane so you keep the low weight without wet feet. If you like to cover ground quickly, run the flat sections, or dislike the dead, heavy feel of a chunky hiker, this is the shoe. There is less shoe here than a Moab, so the protection and durability are lighter-duty, and it suits trail and moderate ground rather than gnarly rock.

Merrell Accentor Sport 3 GORE-TEX

The Accentor Sport 3 is the budget entry, and at around £95 it is the cheapest way into a proper GORE-TEX trainer here alongside the Speed Strike 2. It covers the essentials well: a sealed membrane for the wet, a grippy Merrell outsole for mixed UK trail, and the comfortable, straight-out-of-the-box feel Merrell are known for. For an occasional hiker, or anyone who wants dry feet on the coast path without spending £150-plus, it does the job it is priced to do. What you give up against the pricier shoes is refinement and long-haul durability; the step up to the Moab 3 buys noticeably more comfort and grip if the budget stretches.

Scarpa: agile approach shoes

Scarpa are an Italian mountain-boot maker, and their waterproof trainers lean towards agile, rock-capable approach shoes. Both models here suit walkers whose ground includes scrambly, rocky terrain rather than gentle paths, and both run a precise, technical fit.

Scarpa Rapid XT GORE-TEX

The Rapid XT is Scarpa's do-it-all waterproof approach shoe, and one of the more capable rock shoes here. A suede leather upper is lined with GORE-TEX and wrapped in a full-perimeter rand for protection, while a Vibram outsole blends a climbing zone at the toe for edging with braking lugs at the heel for descents. ActivImpact cushioning and a removable OrthoLite footbed keep it comfortable over distance, and the ActivFit system gives a snug, precise hold. At around £185 it is a premium buy aimed at scrambly, mixed mountain ground, and it is more shoe than you need for flat towpath strolls.

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GORE-TEX

The Ribelle Cross 2 sits between a fast hiker and an approach shoe, built for covering mixed mountain ground quickly with the grip and precision to handle rock when the trail turns technical. It is lighter and more athletic than the Rapid XT, with a GORE-TEX membrane and a grippy outsole tuned for varied terrain. At around £160 it is the pick if you want a nimble, rock-confident shoe for fast days in the hills rather than a dedicated approach shoe. Like the Rapid XT, it runs a precise Scarpa fit that suits a medium to slim foot.

Meindl: German-built all-rounders

Meindl are a German maker known for long-lasting leather footwear and their Comfort Fit last, which gives more room at the front of the foot with a firm heel hold. The three women's shoes here are hard-wearing all-rounders that lean towards everyday walking and light hiking, and all use Meindl's Air-Active footbed for ventilation.

Meindl Caribe GORE-TEX

The Caribe is Meindl's lightweight everyday and light-trail shoe, built from velour and mesh uppers over a GORE-TEX lining. It is designed for everything from off-road trails to town wear, with the Meindl Trail Activity Sport sole for traction across varied surfaces and an Air-Active footbed that keeps the foot ventilated and dry inside. At around £165 it is the pick for someone who wants a comfortable, flexible waterproof shoe that crosses between hikes and daily wear. It is lighter-duty than the Ontario, so for rough or loaded days the Ontario is the stronger choice.

Meindl Ontario GORE-TEX

The Ontario is Meindl's all-round walking shoe, and the more supportive of the two lighter models here. A suede and mesh upper over a GORE-TEX lining, a Meindl Magic Active sole for easy to moderate terrain, and the Variofix lacing system that pulls the heel firmly back for a secure hold make it a dependable shoe on off-road hikes and around town alike. TGO magazine tested it in the Cairngorms and rated it 4.5 out of 5. At around £180 it is a premium everyday hiker, and the pick if you want Meindl build quality with more support than the Caribe.

Meindl Journey Pro GORE-TEX

The Journey Pro is the most premium Meindl here at around £199, a nubuck leather and mesh shoe from the Comfort Fit range with more space at the front of the foot and a firm heel grip. The Air-Active Wellness Sport footbed supports the heel and wicks moisture, and the Meindl Comfort Sport sole gives good traction with EVA cushioning and a sharp heel edge to aid descents. It is built for light hiking, leisurely walks and everyday wear, and Meindl's reputation for longevity means it is a buy-once shoe. For those who want a roomier front and a durable, comfortable all-rounder, it is the pick of the Meindls.

Trail runners: adidas Terrex, Altra, Hoka & Arc'teryx

These five shoes lean hardest towards running the trails as well as walking them. They come from brands that specialise in athletic, cushioned or precise trail footwear, and they suit hikers who move fast, run the flat sections, or simply want a lighter, springier ride than a traditional hiker.

adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 GORE-TEX

The Skychaser AX5 is adidas Terrex's accessible all-round hiker, and at around £100 one of the better-value shoes here. It pairs a GORE-TEX membrane with a Continental rubber outsole, the same rubber compound adidas use on their higher-end shoes, for reliable grip on wet UK trail, and a cushioned midsole for comfort over the day. It is a versatile, everyday-friendly hiking shoe rather than a technical specialist, which makes it a sensible first waterproof trainer for someone who wants a known brand at a fair price. For rough, rocky ground a more supportive shoe suits better.

adidas Terrex Agravic GORE-TEX 2

The Agravic 2 is adidas Terrex's dedicated trail-running shoe, built lighter and more athletic than the Skychaser, with a Continental rubber outsole for grip at pace and a GORE-TEX membrane for the wet. It is the pick within the Terrex range if you actually run the trails and want a quick, connected ride rather than a cushioned hiker. It is more shoe than you need for gentle strolls, and as a running-focused shoe the support is tuned for pace over stability under a pack. Check the current price at the retailer.

Image coming soon.

Altra Lone Peak 9+ GORE-TEX

The Lone Peak is the cult trail shoe for people who want room to spread their toes, and the 9+ GORE-TEX is the waterproof version. Two things define it: a zero-drop platform that keeps the heel and forefoot level for a natural stride, and Altra's FootShape toe box, which is properly wide at the front and a relief for anyone whose toes get crushed by narrow shoes. Add a MaxTrac outsole for grip and a GORE-TEX membrane for the wet, and at around £145 it is the pick for wide-forefoot hikers and zero-drop fans. The zero drop takes adjustment if you are used to a raised heel, so ease into it.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 GORE-TEX

The Speedgoat is Hoka's flagship trail runner and the maximum-cushion pick here. A thick, soft midsole soaks up the pounding of hard ground and long distances, which is a big draw for anyone who feels the miles in their knees and feet, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole gives excellent traction on wet rock and mixed trail. The GORE-TEX membrane keeps the low weight without wet feet. At around £160 it is the pick for cushioned comfort over distance, on trail and hard-pack. The tall, soft stack is less stable on off-camber or technical ground than a firmer shoe, so it favours flowing trail over rock.

Arc'teryx Norvan LD 4 GORE-TEX

The Norvan LD 4 is the premium trail-running specialist here and the shoe to buy if you run wet UK trails as well as walk them. LD stands for long distance, and it shows in a cushioned, stable ride tuned for covering ground at pace, with a GORE-TEX membrane for the wet and a grippy outsole that holds on technical, mixed terrain. Arc'teryx build it light and precise, and it feels quick and connected underfoot in a way the hiking-focused shoes here do not. At around £180 it is a premium buy, and more shoe than you need for gentle towpath strolls. For fast, long days on wet trails, it is the standout.

How to choose women's waterproof trainers

Five things decide whether a waterproof trainer suits you: the women's fit, the type of waterproofing, the breathability trade-off, the low-cut limit, and whether you want a trail or everyday shoe. Get those straight and the shortlist writes itself.

Women's fit

Fit beats every spec on the page, and a women's-specific shoe is not just a smaller men's one. Women's feet generally run narrower through the heel and midfoot, higher in the arch, and the knee sits at a different Q-angle, which changes how load travels through the foot. The better shoes here are built for it: Merrell's Q-Form 2 midsole and Salomon's and Mammut's women's lasts all tune support and hold accordingly. Salomon runs narrow and locks the foot down hard, superb for slim feet and wrong for broad ones. Merrell sits in the middle and offers a real wide fitting in the Moab, and Altra's FootShape toe box is the widest at the front. Meindl's Comfort Fit gives more room ahead of the toes. Hold your heel and midfoot firmly with no slip, and leave a thumb-width of room ahead of your longest toe so you do not bruise your toenails on descents. Try shoes on late in the day in the merino socks you actually hike in.

GORE-TEX vs water-resistant

Almost every shoe here uses GORE-TEX, a sealed membrane that keeps water out over the whole height of the shoe and carries a strong durability reputation. A handful use brand membranes that do the same job under a different name. All of these are true waterproof shoes, distinct from a water-resistant or DWR-treated trainer, which only beads off light splashes and wets through in sustained rain. If you want reliably dry feet in the wet, buy a membrane shoe, and every model on this page qualifies.

The breathability trade-off

A membrane that keeps water out also slows moisture getting out, so a waterproof trainer runs warmer than a mesh trail shoe and is slower to dry once water gets inside. In practice GORE-TEX handles steady walking well, and the trade-off only bites on hot summer days or during hard, sweaty efforts. My rule for the UK: waterproof for October through April when the ground is wet more often than it is hot, and a breathable non-waterproof shoe for high summer. If you only own one pair, waterproof is the safer default here.

The low-cut limit

A waterproof trainer keeps you dry up to the collar, and no further. Step into a puddle or bog deeper than the shoe and water pours in over the top, and because the membrane that kept it out now keeps it from draining, it stays in. Long, soaking wet grass will eventually find the collar too. This is the limit of any low-cut waterproof shoe, and it is exactly where a mid boot or a gaiter earns its place. For most UK day hiking, where the wet is grass, dew, light rain and shallow mud rather than standing water, the low cut is a fair trade for the lower weight and freedom.

Trail vs everyday

The field splits into three. Aggressive trail shoes like the Speedcross 6 and the Norvan LD 4 are built for soft ground and pace, with deep lugs and a connected, athletic ride. Supportive hikers like the X Ultra 360 and the Ducan III trade some agility for stability under a pack. Everyday crossovers like the Temper, the Ultimate III and the Meindl Caribe look the part off the trail and handle light trail and town in one shoe. Decide which of the three matches the walking you actually do most, then pick within it.

Getting them for less

Waterproof trainers rarely need to be bought at full price if you are flexible on colour and quick on sizing. The retailers behind this guide all run their own clearance and outlet sections, and last-season colourways of a current shoe are frequently the same shoe at a lower price. It is worth checking the Tiso outlet and sale pages, the Salomon site's own sale and outlet section, and the Mammut sale pages before you buy at full RRP, especially for the Salomon and Mammut models here, where end-of-season discounts on discontinued colours are common. Sizes go fast in the popular shoes, so if your size and a colour you can live with are both in a sale, that is the moment to buy rather than wait.

Frequently asked questions