7 Best Lightweight Waterproof Hiking Boots in 2024

Tighten your shoelaces - we’ve found a winner for the best lightweight waterproof hiking boot! It kept us dry, protected and supported on our long hikes, and packs a lot into a featherweight package. At just 13.8 oz (390g), this boot is a whopping 5.7 oz (163g) lighter than the average waterproof hiking boot, keeping our feet much fresher for longer.

Salomon’s unique support system kept our feet firmly locked into the boot, even over rocky and uneven terrain. The lockdown is in part due to the normal laces favored by the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX, which we found more suitable for putting in long distances. As always, we are massive fans of the Contragrip sole and its 5.1 mm deep lugs. The superb traction of this boot inspires trust in our feet, even when walking over loose scree.

In the lab, we tested the flexibility of the boot by bending it with a force gauge. At room temperature, it takes a mere 27.9N to flex to 90°. The average for hiking boots is 42.8N. The numbers don’t lie - this boot is seriously flexible! Out hiking, we noticed how nimble and agile it felt - we were definitely channeling mountain goat vibes! To top it all off, the waterproofing is second to none. The Gore-Tex membrane and full gusset on the tongue keep our feet bone dry, even when submerged in water for more than a minute.

We don’t recommend this boot for trailblazers who plan to spend a lot of time hiking on muddy trails. The relatively tightly-spaced lugs don’t shed mud easily, leading to slippage.

A well-rounded boot with plenty of features to keep our feet safe and comfy on the hill, the Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX is our top choice for a lightweight waterproof hiking boot with the best cushioning. With rock-solid stability, exceptional grip and protection, and Gore-Tex lining, we can’t get enough of this lightweight boot!

The all-day comfort we experienced in this boot is in no small part due to the exceptional cushioning underfoot. The iconic Hubble heel delivers super-smooth landings and the EVA foam midsole absorbs impact like a pro. We pressed a durometer to the midsole to check for hardness, finding it measured a plush 22.5 HA. 19% softer than average, it’s no wonder this sumptuous midsole keeps our feet happy, mile after mile!

From boulder hopping to rough forest trails, this boot has traction in bucketloads. We measured the lugs to be 4.7 mm deep, 0.3 mm deeper than average. The curious goat-like lug patterning is slightly flexible, which allows for extra traction, just like our four-legged counterparts! A rubber toe bumper and an extra 2 mm of cushioning than the average both go a long way to protecting our feet when hiking over sharp rocks.

This boot is ready to brave the elements. The Gore-Tex lining kept our feet impeccably dry on river crossings, with the fully gusseted tongue keeping water from seeping through the upper. Just watch out for water creeping in over the low heel counter!

All in all, this boot surprised us on the scales. At just 15.4 oz (436g), it is 2.9 oz (82g) lighter than the average for all hiking boots, and 4.1 oz (117g) lighter than the average waterproof boot. It’s really no wonder our legs had energy to burn, even after our long hikes.

We measured the thickness of the outsole in the lab, finding it to be 2 mm thick, 0.8 mm thinner than average. This may not be the most hard-wearing outsole on the market, so we don’t recommend it to hikers who need a tough pair of boots for long-distance hikes.

The Hoka Trail Code GTX is what dreams are made of. It’s an astonishingly lightweight waterproof boot that has the stability of a hiking boot yet somehow feels as nimble as a running shoe! It completely won us over on our test hikes and in the lab, so we feel justified in calling the Hoka Trail Code GTX the most supportive lightweight waterproof hiking boot.

The multi-faceted support system in the Hoka Trail Code GTX is what makes it feel so incredibly stable. The high collar hugs our ankles, and the fairly rigid sole prevents us from twisting our ankles when hiking on uneven, rocky trails. We twisted the boot manually, awarding it 4/5 for torsional rigidity - among the stiffest boots to have passed through the lab! The heel counter fits snugly and holds our heel firmly into the boot. Our assessment confirmed it’s one of the stiffest heel counters, rating 5/5. Finally, the midsole measures 112.5 mm at the forefoot, which is the average for hiking boots. In short, it all adds up to a stable boot in which we feel confident and surefooted.

The Trail Code GTX is no match for puddles or stream crossings, and the Gore-Tex membrane and gusseted tongue keep our feet warm and dry, even on rainy days. A quick look at the boot’s upper under our microscope shows a high-quality, tightly-woven, water-resistant fabric that stops the water from getting in. Anything that makes it through will soon be stopped by the full Gore-Tex membrane. As if to prove the point, in our smoke test, which tests for breathability, the boot scored the lowest 1/5. If the smoke can’t get out, there’s no way water can get in!

Even with such high-performing waterproofing, this boot knocks the socks off the competition when it comes to weight. It tips our scales at 15.5 oz (440g), a staggering 20% lighter than the average waterproof hiking boots! Along with a midsole that is 60% more flexible than average, this boot does away with that cumbersome feel that we are accustomed to in a hiking boot. Our feet feel agile, yet supported by the collar and protected underfoot.

Hoka claims this boot has a low heel-to-toe drop of 6 mm, but our lab measurements found it to be 11.2 mm! We therefore don’t recommend it to hikers who prefer a low-drop boot for that natural hiking experience.

On our multi-day hikes, we lean towards a stable, supportive, and lightweight pair of boots - and if they are waterproof, so much the better. Incredibly, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX ticks all those boxes and more, leading us to choose it as our best lightweight, waterproof hiking boot for backpacking.

With a hard plastic shank embedded in the midsole, these boots are amongst the most rigid ever to have passed through our lab. After twisting and bending them, we awarded them a high rigidity score of 5/5. Coupled with a stiff heel counter, scoring a stiff 4/5, we experienced immense stability on our hikes, even over the most rugged and rocky terrain. This is good news for backpackers carrying heavy loads, as twisted ankles are out of the question.

La Sportiva have worked some sort of magic to keep the weight of these boots down. On the trail, our feet felt light and nimble, so back in the lab, we weighed them to put a number to the sensation. We were astounded to find these boots weigh a surprising 14.6 oz (415g), 18% less than average! They literally make light work of long hikes.

With a full Gore-Tex membrane, a high collar, and fully gusseted tongue, it’s hard for rain and stream water to get into this boot. A handy elastic mini-gaiter around the collar is the icing on the cake. In our smoke tests for breathability, we awarded it 1/5 - the least breathable score - which confirms our suspicions that this is a seriously waterproof hiker. We came back from our wet hikes and stream crossings with perfectly dry feet.

We don’t recommend this boot to beginner hikers. Our lab tests showed a midsole that measures 6.2 mm less than average at the forefoot and 7.5 mm less than average at the heel. Beginners and hikers who prefer a wider landing platform should look elsewhere.

We put on our lightweight waterproof boots in search of the best speed hiker. And no doubt, it’s Salomon’s Outpulse Mid GTX. It bridges the gap between hiking and trail running with its light build and natural sensation. We feel very agile in this pair as it takes us to greater speeds beyond our imagination.

We felt like the fastest hikers despite wearing boots. It feels more like a shoe with its 13.6 oz (386g) weight. It’s hard to ignore how significantly lighter it is than the average hiking boot (18.4 oz/521g). Further boosting our speed is the TPU Energy Blade that lies in the midsole for efficient power return with less effort.

We can adapt and navigate tricky terrains since the low stack gives us good ground feel. We measured the foam at 30.2/21.5 mm in the heel and forefoot vs. the 35.7/23.2 mm average. Despite this, the platform feels comfortable for long hikes. Our durometer confirms its velvet touch, standing 25.4% softer than average.

Even if we cross river streams or get caught in the rain, the GTX membrane keeps us dry. Under our microscope, we saw how tightly woven the material is, effectively keeping cold air and water out.

With its emphasis on lightness, Outpulse isn’t supportive enough for technical terrains and heavy backpacking. We recommend exploring other options for tougher hikes.

A snazzy boot that doesn’t look out of place in the city or on the trail, the Columbia Fairbanks Mid is our top choice of lightweight, waterproof hiking boots on the urban hiking scene. The natural feel due to its low weight and incredible flexibility makes it a superbly comfortable boot for hikes around town. It’s low-profile but grippy outsole is perfect for asphalt and moderate gravel paths, and full waterproofing prevents soaked toes in unexpected downpours. 

There is nothing clunky about the Columbia Fairbanks Mid. At just 15 oz (425g), it is an impressive 3.9 oz (112g) lighter than the average waterproof hiking boot, which helps it to blend in around the city. We feel equally comfortable out hiking or walking to the pub!

We experience an incredibly natural feel in this boot, almost as if we’re not wearing a boot. In the lab, we bent the boot to 90° with a force gauge, and were amazed to find the Fairbanks Mid is a whopping 58% more flexible than average! It’s no wonder our strides felt so free and easy!

The 3.5 mm lugs are 1 mm shallower than average, but we found this to be plenty for moderate surfaces on our urban hikes, even in the rain. The densely woven fabric upper keeps our feet warm and dry while splashing through puddles.

We measured the midsole with a durometer, finding it to be an astounding 29% softer than average. While this makes for a comfortable boot, we found it wasn’t supportive enough for carrying heavy loads. Therefore, we don’t recommend the Columbia Fairbanks Mid for long hikes with heavy pack loads.

Light in the pocket and on the feet, we found Merrell’s Moab Speed Mid GTX as the best budget boot in the lightweight waterproof category. At only $160, it’s 9.6% less than what we’d ordinarily invest in a hiking boot but it offers so much more than its price. It has unmatched lightness, cozy comfort, and reliable protection, which our feet truly enjoy.

It feels more like a trail shoe on foot, and our scales confirm it’s only 11.7 oz (332g), 34.1% lighter than the average boot. Together with the propulsive midsole, it encouraged our nimbleness and strong pace in the trails.

We tested the Gore-Tex upper in damp conditions, and it effectively kept our feet safe and dry. This boot is all about protection with its tightly-knit upper keeping debris away. Not only that, its platform ensures our safety from landing impact and unwanted elements underfoot. The cushioning spoiled our feet to a heavenly delight, measuring 26.2% softer than average per our durometer.

We also found the boot to have steady ankle support and a reliable grip that allows us to tackle the trails in a confident and surefooted manner.

We only wished for its laces to stay locked down. But once it’s secured, we’re good to go.