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Waterproof or non-waterproof walking boots?

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In short

For most UK walking, a waterproof boot is the sensible default because wet grass, peat and rain are common all year. Non-waterproof boots and shoes suit hot, dry summer days and walkers who accept wet feet in exchange for faster drying and cooler feet. Thick waxed leather without a membrane is a third option that resists water while breathing well.

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

Our verdict

Buy the Scarpa Terra GTX or another membrane boot for year-round wet UK walking. Buy the membrane-free SL Active if you prefer thick waxed leather that breathes well and you are happy to keep it treated.

Almost every walking boot sold in Britain has a waterproof membrane, usually Gore-Tex or a brand's own version. That makes sense in a wet country, but a membrane is not free: it adds warmth, slows drying once water gets in and can make feet sweaty in summer. This article explains when a waterproof boot is worth it, when a non-waterproof one is better, and compares two leather Scarpa boots, one with a membrane and one without.

What waterproof means on a walking boot

A waterproof walking boot usually has a membrane sewn into the boot as a bootie between the outer and the lining. The membrane blocks liquid water but lets some water vapour from sweat escape. The outer, whether leather or fabric, is treated to shed water so the membrane can breathe.

Waterproof stops at the cuff. Walk through water deeper than the boot, or let rain run down your legs into the boot, and it will fill up. Gaiters and waterproof trousers worn over the boot help.

Non-waterproof boots have no membrane. Fabric versions let water in quickly and drain fast. Thick leather versions keep water out for a long time if waxed, but eventually soak through at the creases.

outer fabricliningfootmembranevapour outDWR beadsA wet outer fabric slows vapour.
How a membrane boot wall keeps water out and lets vapour through.

When a waterproof boot helps

Waterproof boots are the right choice for most British conditions:

  • Wet grass, which soaks a mesh shoe within minutes of a morning start.
  • Boggy moorland and peat in the Peak District, Pennines, Dartmoor and Scotland.
  • Autumn, winter and early spring, when wet feet quickly become cold feet.
  • Multi-day walks, where a boot that never dries is miserable.

See waterproof boots for men →

When non-waterproof makes sense

In hot, dry summer weather, a membrane can make feet warm and sweaty, and sweat that cannot escape leaves socks damp anyway. A non-waterproof shoe or boot breathes much better and, if it gets wet in a stream, drains and dries while you walk.

Some walkers also prefer non-waterproof footwear on very wet routes where they will be wading or crossing deep bog, because a waterproof boot that fills up stays wet for days, while a mesh shoe dries quickly. This approach works best in warmer months and with good wool or synthetic socks.

A third option is a thick leather boot without a membrane. Kept well waxed, it resists water for many hours while breathing better than a lined boot.

Leather with and without a membrane

Scarpa makes both types, which makes the trade-off easy to see. The facts below come from the amazon.co.uk listings for the Terra GTX and the SL Active.

Scarpa Terra GTXScarpa SL Active
UpperLeather2.7 mm HS12 Sherpa leather
MembraneGore-Tex Standard ePENone listed
Listed water resistanceWaterproofWater resistant
OutsoleVibram Energy II / XS TrekVibram Biometric / XS Trek
LiningGore-TexLeather back half, 37.5 front half
Listing facts

Compare leather walking boots →

Socks, gaiters and the rest of the system

Whether your boots have a membrane or not, the rest of your kit decides how dry and comfortable your feet stay. Waterproof trousers worn over the cuff stop rain running down your legs into the boot, which is one of the most common ways a waterproof boot ends up wet inside. Gaiters do the same job in deep wet grass, heather and snow, and help a lot on boggy moorland.

Socks matter just as much. Merino wool and synthetic walking socks move sweat away from the skin and stay warmer when damp than cotton, which holds water and rubs. In a non-waterproof shoe, a thin wool sock keeps feet reasonably warm even after a stream crossing. In a membrane boot, a sock that wicks well helps the membrane do its job. Our hiking socks explained article covers the options.

Finally, think about drying overnight on multi-day trips. Take out the insoles, open the boots wide and stuff them with newspaper if you can. Never put boots against a radiator or fire, which can crack leather and weaken glued soles.

How to decide

If you buy one pair for all-year UK walking, choose waterproof. If you already have waterproof boots, a non-waterproof shoe for hot summer days is a useful second pair. If you love leather and are happy to wax it, a membrane-free leather boot is worth a look.

Whatever you choose, care matters. A waterproof boot whose outer is soaked breathes poorly and feels damp inside. Clean and reproof regularly, as explained in how to reproof walking boots. If your boots let water in, see walking boots leaking for the likely causes.

Frequently asked questions

Are all hiking boots waterproof? No. Most sold in the UK have a membrane, but some fabric boots and some leather boots do not. Check the listing for Gore-Tex, GTX or waterproof.

Does Gore-Tex make feet sweat? Any membrane breathes less than an open mesh. In hot weather many walkers find membrane boots warm.

Can I make a non-waterproof boot waterproof? You can improve water resistance with wax or proofer, but you cannot add a membrane.

Do waterproof boots stay waterproof forever? No. Membranes can wear or crack at flex points over time, and the outer needs regular reproofing.

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