04 Tips to Choose the Right Waterproof Shoes

Waterproof shoes are essential for outdoor activities to protect legs from the water. When I buy waterproof shoes, I could find many manufacturing brands available In the market. Among them, I had to choose the right waterproof shoes using these 04 tips.

When choosing a waterproof shoe, I considered its breathability, waterproofness, waterproof limitations, durability, brand, terrains, price, coatings, and minimum requirements of availability. These are essential factors when you select the best waterproof shoes for your necessity.

I will let you know how you can find these factors and how they affect the waterproofing shoe step by step. And you can learn the importance of these factors before buying a new pair of shoes for your necessity. So let’s keep reading on!

Tip 01- Waterproofness Should be Compatible With the Using Environment

Waterproof shoes on ice
Waterproofness should be compatible with the environment you use

Waterproofness is the main factor of these kinds of shoes. Normally water penetrates inside the regularly used shoes due to absorptions. But this is completely different with considering waterproof shoes. Do you think Are waterproofing shoes really waterproof?

Traditional methods such as applying tar, bee wax, animal fat oils, and many more methods are used late 19 century. Those are successful methods considering that period. But not a perfect solution for the problem of water leaking.

When considering modern technology, we are working with nanotech. Waterproofness stops the water from leaking the water through the layer. Normally waterproofing clothing is with small pores. Those are very small as they can’t move the liquid water molecules. It is about Billions of small pores per 1 in. Sq. Due to this, water molecules is not able to leak through the pores.

But this is not unlimited. When the water pressure is increased, its ability is reduced. When we consider the shoes, there are stretching and movements. Due to these activities, its porous can be stretched and compressed. Modern technology has given a real solution for this.

The ability of the waterproofness is measured with the water column test. This test is carried with 1 inch diameter water column and increased the height of the water by filling it. When the water height is increased, its pressure is high and tries to move through the fabric. (hydrostatic pressure increasing)

There are fabrics that can hold 28-40 m water column pressures. Those are called high waterproof materials.

WaterproofnessSuitable Environment
5000mmLight Rain
10,000mmRain/Snow (no pressure)
20,000mmHeavy Rain/Snow
Water column height and suitable enviroment

When you select a waterproof shoe, you should select at least more than 20,000mm waterproof fabric-made shoes. Normally we use shoes for muddy terrain, road, and snow paths. So those are with different water pressures with the movements. Hence the more is better for you.

Although water molecules cannot move inside, water vapor molecules can also be moved through the layer.

Read More About – 21 Best Waterproof and Water Resistant Fabrics – Top Brands

Tip 02 – Choose Breathability According to the Work

 plastic boots are zero breathability
Rubber and plastic boots are zero breathability

Waterproofness is easily made by covering all the holes, you can use a polythene cover for this, but it will not be easy to use in general. Normally people are sweating, and the water is vaporing as sweating. This is a common effect for the human body. When it fully covers, the vapored water will remain inside, and it becomes liquid. We called this is sweating.

So we must have enough holes to remove the water as vapor forms, So this process is called breathability. Those holes are not able to transfer liquid water molecules that are more than 600 times of its size. Breathability values are different for each person.

When considering a person, his sweating production depends on the work he does. If you gentle walk, your daily perspiration rate will be 7550-7600 g/m2 per day. So you can understand the importance of the breathability of waterproof fabrics.

Why do your feet cool even if you have worn waterproof shoes?

RangePerformance (g m−2 d−1)
Low<10,000
Moderate10,000 to 20,000
High>20,000
Breathability classification

So let’s what is the bad side of breathability. When the breathability is high, it can remove all water vapor from the body. When you are in a cool area, this will be a huge disadvantage. Because when the vapor is removed quickly, it will cool you. The outer cold will fill you with bad comfortability. So use moderate breathability as much as possible.

Do you know which one you need to buy among Water Repellent Vs. Waterproof Shoes?

Tip 03 – Choose Optimum Values for Waterproofness and Breathability

Although you know about waterproofness and breathability, what are the suitable values for your task? That is a little bit confusing.

Waterproof shoes are used for running, hiking, and many outdoor activities. Due to this reason, you should know about the proper waterproofness as well as proper breathability.

Normally we use waterproof shoes those are below the ankle level. The waterproofness is not a huge factor, and It is enough if you can use more than 20,000 mm because the shoe can be subjected to compression and movements. Due to this, its waterproofness can be varied. So if you use high waterproof shoes, you can have better protection.

Normally sweating is depends on the user. There are heavy sweaters. So, according to your sweating level, you should select the breathability of the shoes. As well as if you are in the snow, it is better to use less breathability in order to protect yourself from the cold.

It is better to select the fabric breathability of 10,000 to 20,000 (g m−2 d−1)

Read More About – 09 Best Waterproof and Breathable Fabrics: My Favourite List

Tip 04 – Know the Limitation of Waterproof Shoes Before Use

know waterproof limitations
Always Know the waterproof limitations before you use it

Waterproof shoes are not used on deep water. Maximum it can use 4-5 cm if you use to boot it can be more than that. Due to these reasons, there is a limitation in the use of waterproofing shoes. You can use a waterproof shoe to stitch and turn seam level. If the water is rise more than that, it will leak into the shoe through the ankle open area. So before you walk on water, you must know about the water level.

When the water leak inside the waterproof shoe, it can be clogged the breathability pores.

Some shoes are designed especially for special tasks. You should know the running terrain of the shoe. It can be road, mixed terrain, rocky, muddy and soft, Snow and ice. These are special designed for the special task. So using terrain is a must factor you should know.

If you have any problems regarding your existing waterproof shoes, this guide will help you to solve it

What if a Shoe is not Waterproof?

Waterproof shoes are used for wet conditions environments. Those are with many harmful bacterias and fungi. When the sweaty, clammy, damp, and hot legs can be infected with bacteria and fungus easily. You can protect the legs from ground bacteria also.

All kinds of bad effects that arise from the water can be stopped by using sufficient waterproofing shoes.

If you are using the wrong waterproof shoes, you have to suffer from feet-prone blisters.

What are the Best Waterproof Shoes?

After you consider all the above facts, you may need to buy the best waterproofing shoes. These manufacturers produce amazing shoes for many tasks. All have both pros and cons. The above factors can get direct from the manufacturer.

Gore-Tex is the leading brand o waterproofing clothes. It offers a vast range of fabrics related to various waterproofness and breathability. Some companies use these fabrics and made tons of waterproofing shoes according to t the user requirements.

Are Waterproof Shoes Good for Hiking?

Waterproof shoes are good for hiking in wet and cold environments in order to protect the legs from the cold. Lightweight shoes are really suitable for dry environmental hiking. You can use a polythene bag to use as a temporary waterproofness of the shoe.

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Owner Randy Organ

Randy Organ

I am Randy Organ, a researcher as well as 10 years experienced technician for home construction. My hobby is studying new problems and seek well technical and modern solutions. Water is an invaluable resource. But it hurt much more to many more industries. Structures and electrical are a few of them. Here I try to find ways and solutions for the water leaking