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Buying guide

Best waterproof walking boots for men

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all
  • Best overall

    Meindl Bhutan MFS GTX: leather lined Gore-Tex boot

    Leather upper and leather lining are both stated, a traditional build that suits reproofing and long service.

  • Best value

    Scarpa Ranger II Active GTX: leather lined

    Leather upper and leather lining are both listed, a classic hard-wearing build.

  • Most features

    Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid: leather, fabric lined

    Leather upper with Gore-Tex in the model name, a proven combination for wet UK conditions.

In Britain a walking boot spends much of its life wet. Dew on long grass soaks through in minutes, peat bogs swallow ankles and a day in the Lakes or the Highlands can bring hours of rain. A waterproof boot keeps water out through two layers: a membrane such as Gore-Tex sewn in as a bootie, and an outer of leather or treated fabric that sheds water before it reaches the membrane. Leather uppers tend to stay drier for longer in sustained rain; fabric boots are lighter and dry quicker. This guide compares seven men's waterproof boots using only what each listing states: upper material, membrane, lining and the listed waterproofing level. No boot stays dry if water comes over the cuff, so gaiters still help in deep bog. Sizes are given in UK sizes first on amazon.co.uk; check the maker's chart because Italian and German brands size differently.

All products compared

The products in detail

No. 1 · Meindl

Meindl Bhutan MFS GTX: leather lined Gore-Tex boot

The Meindl Bhutan MFS is a leather Gore-Tex walking boot with a leather lining, made in Germany according to the listing. A traditional choice for long days on rough hill paths.

In its favour

  • Leather upper and leather lining are both stated, a traditional build that suits reproofing and long service.
  • Gore-Tex in the title means a waterproof liner, useful on wet Lakeland and Scottish paths.
  • The listing gives Germany as the country of origin, which some buyers prefer for build consistency.

Good to know

  • A leather-lined boot is warmer than a fabric one and may feel hot on summer lowland walks.
  • The listing does not state the outsole compound or a B rating, so check Meindl's own pages for winter use.
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Listing title: Meindl Bhutan MFS GORE-TEX Walking Boot

No. 2 · LOWA

Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid: leather, fabric lined

Lowa's Renegade Evo GTX Mid is a leather mid boot with Gore-Tex and a fabric lining. It suits men who want a lighter-feeling leather boot for wet paths and fell tracks.

In its favour

  • Leather upper with Gore-Tex in the model name, a proven combination for wet UK conditions.
  • A fabric lining is listed, which tends to dry faster than leather after a soaking day.
  • The listing gives a weight of 1.18 kg, which is moderate for a leather mid boot if that is per pair.

Good to know

  • The listing does not say whether the weight is per boot or per pair, so check before comparing.
  • No outsole compound or B rating is stated, so check Lowa's pages before rough winter use.
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Listing title: LOWA Men's Renegade Evo Gtx MidHiking Boot

No. 3 · La Sportiva

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX: leather, slip resistant

La Sportiva's Nucleo High II GTX is a high-cut leather hiking boot with Gore-Tex, a leather lining and a listed slip-resistant sole. Good for wet hill paths and longer treks.

In its favour

  • The listing names a slip-resistant sole as a special feature, useful on wet slabs and muddy tracks.
  • Leather upper and leather lining are both stated, behind a Gore-Tex membrane.
  • Cushioning is listed as moderate with an EVA foam insole, a balance for all-day walking.

Good to know

  • Italian brands often size differently from UK makers, so check La Sportiva's chart before ordering.
  • The listing gives 1.45 kg without saying if it is per boot or per pair.
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Listing title: La Sportiva Mens Nucleo High II GTX Hiking Boots

No. 4 · Scarpa

Scarpa Ranger II Active GTX: leather lined

Scarpa's men's Ranger II Active GTX is a leather walking boot with a leather lining and Gore-Tex. A traditional choice for wet moorland, farmland and hill paths.

In its favour

  • Leather upper and leather lining are both listed, a classic hard-wearing build.
  • Gore-Tex in the title adds a waterproof breathable liner.
  • Listed for winter, the season when British paths are at their wettest.

Good to know

  • No weight is given in the listing, so compare it with other boots in person.
  • The outsole is listed only as rubber, with no compound named.
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Listing title: Scarpa Men's Ranger II Active GTX Walking Boots, Brown, UK8

No. 5 · Salewa

Salewa Alp Trainer Mid GTX: suede, leather lined

Salewa's Alp Trainer Mid GTX is a suede mid boot with Gore-Tex and a leather lining. It suits mixed hill walking, rocky paths and trekking holidays.

In its favour

  • Suede upper and leather lining are listed, durable on rocky ground.
  • Gore-Tex in the title with a waterproof rating in the listing.
  • A mid cut is listed, a good middle ground for mixed paths.

Good to know

  • Suede needs proofing to keep shedding water in long rain.
  • The outsole compound is not named in the listing.
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Listing title: Salewa Alpine Trainer Mid GTX Walking Boots - SS16

No. 6 · Salomon

Salomon Quest 5 GTX: high top Gore-Tex boot

Salomon's Quest 5 GTX is a high-top hiking boot with a leather and synthetic upper and a Gore-Tex membrane. It suits men who like a more athletic boot for long wet days.

In its favour

  • Listed as high top and waterproof, a combination that helps in deep wet grass and shallow bog.
  • Leather and synthetic upper is stated, usually lighter than full leather while still hard wearing.
  • Gore-Tex is named in the title, giving a waterproof liner throughout the boot.

Good to know

  • The listed weight of 454 g looks like a placeholder figure, so check the real weight on Salomon's site.
  • The lining material is not clearly stated in the listing.
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Listing title: Salomon Quest 5 GTX

No. 7 · Zamberlan

Zamberlan Vioz GTX: full leather backpacking boot

Zamberlan's Vioz GTX is a men's full leather backpacking boot with Gore-Tex. Its thick leather build is the type that cobblers often resole, though the listing does not confirm it.

In its favour

  • Full leather upper is listed, the kind of upper most likely to outlast a sole.
  • Listed as a backpacking boot, built for heavy use over many seasons.
  • A memory foam insole is listed, which can be replaced separately when it wears.

Good to know

  • The listing does not state that the boot can be resoled, so check with Zamberlan or a UK cobbler.
  • The listing gives 1.93 kg, a heavy boot if that is per pair.
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Listing title: Zamberlan Men's VIOZ GTX Hiking Boots

Read before you buy

More buying guides: Waterproof boots

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