There are a couple of different methods that get used to make boots waterproof, but Gore Tex is definitely one of the better ones. Gore Tex hiking boots are a fantastic way to ensure that your feet stay dry and also have an opportunity to breath. And that really is important. You can prevent your feet from being exposed to outside moisture fairly easily, but the trick is to also prevent your feet from sweating, and creating that dreaded moisture inside the boot.
Gore Tex Hiking Boots
What you want to see when buying Gore Tex hiking boots.- Leather Outers – Gore Tex is a fantastic method of keeping your feet dry, but Gore Tex is also very susceptible to damage from wear and tear on the outside of your boots. There are many excellent synthetic options that will protect the outside of your boots, but leather does an excellent job of it, and even better, leather is also fairly waterproof itself, if you take care of it.
- Lightweight – It’s important to know that in terms of energy expenditure, every pound on your feet is equal to about 5 pounds on your back. So wearing big, heavy boots is a bad idea if you don’t want to be falling over at the end of the day. It’s better to invest in a pair of lightweight Gore Tex boots.
Best Gore Tex Hiking Boots
A few of the better pairs of Gore Tex boots on the market, for both men and women.Men's Gore Tex Hiking Boots
- Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - When it comes to hiking boots in just about any category, the TPS 520s from Asolo are one of, if not the most popular boot on the market. They use a full grain leather outer, which both helps to waterproof and has a great, classic look. Inside you get a Gore Tex liner, to stop any water that makes it past the leather. And on the bottom a sturdy Vibram sole so that you never lose your footing. Being a big, burly hiking boot is not conducive to lightweight design, and at 3 pounds 13 ounces, or 1.73 kilograms, you will be well aware that you've been wearing boots all day long at the end of a long day of hiking.
- Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots - At the lighter end of the scale are the Kailash boots from Scarpa. They won the 2008 Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award, and have been a popular choice ever since. They use a suede outer shell to help save on weight while still providing protection, and a Gore Tex liner to keep water out. Even the sole is called the Vibram Hi-Trail Lite sole, so you can see where these boots are focused. With a weight of just 1 pound 6 ounces, or 623 grams, they're just a fraction of the weight of the Asolos.
Women's Gore Tex Hiking Boots
- Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - The same basic boot as the Asolo above in the men's boots, but with a woman's cut. They're a combination of full grain leather outer and a Gore Tex liner, which gives you some redundancy when trying to keep water out. The sole is Vibram, and all you have to do is take one look at the sole and the boot to know that these are durable boots that will last years and years. But durability usually means heavy, and at 3 pounds 5 ounces, or 1.5 kilograms, these are definitely not a lightweight pair of boots.
- Scarpa Kailash GTX Boots - Like the Kailash above in the men's section these are the 2008 winner of the Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award. They use a lightweight suede outer material, combined with a Gore Tex liner, to to keep water out and protect from use and abuse at the same time. They also use a lightweight Vibram sole, but what stands out about these is the weight, which is a very impressive 1 pound 3 ounces, or 538 grams. If you don't want to feel like you've been dragging bricks around on your feet all day, these are a great pair of Gore Tex hiking boots.
