Good pair of waterproof hiking shoes?

Are you certain they need to be waterproof? I’m much more prone to blisters in my goretex boots. They don’t breathe near as well as the non goretex boots.

I envy you! Loads of great day hikes.

Honestly, not much need for water proofing, as I do not recall a single unavoidable water Hazard on my many trips there.

I highly recommend Merrell hiking shoes or boots, with or without the water proofing. Very light and comfortable. Likely to cost less than $100 /pair.

though probably not durable enough for someone who does a lot of hiking, they are more than enough for a flat-lander's vacation in the Rockies

say what you want about my goofy looking shoes, but i've been doing most hikes with water socks with soles basically.
Granted i have some rough feet, as i rarely wear shoes unless i'm awy from home in public, but i've had no issues walking on rocks or roots or anythign with them, and they are light as could be obviously.

I've found i feel a hell of a lot better after a day of miles of hiking when i'm wearing these as oppposed to heavy arse hiking boots.

This is what i have. I've worn them in Colorado and North Georgia hiking trails, as well as the beach in Mexico full of rocks. It's enough of a sole to make it perfectly fine for me to walk on rocky terrain. Don't get blisters, even when they get wet.
Amazon


Now if you're going to Estes in May, and plan on going way up the moutain where snow wil be, probably not a good idea to wear these.
Salomon makes a great lightweight hiking shoe, but they aren't cheap.

Salomon ultra on sale
I bought a pair of ultra gtx high last year, they required no break in and I have probably put 75-100 miles on them between hunting and walking. They are still waterproof but internet says they lose the waterproofness over 2-3yrs

Keen or Merrell of your choice, Salomon for a bit more money.

I would advise against the waterproof version of whatever you get, especially if you want to wear them beyond this trip. I got waterproof Salomons for a UK vacation and they're just too damn hot to wear much in the SE. Even in the highlands I never really needed the goretex (or whatever they use), and wet shoes dry quickly when you're walking, especially with good wool socks.

No need for waterproof. Try on some trail shoes and see which ones you like.

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good hiking shoes that will not break the bank

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Well, if you hit the lottery, then you might be able to find some.

I always questioned the idea of waterproof hiking shoes. If you're just talking <2" of water, you might be able to find something. the problem is that if the water is more than about 4", you're getting wet from the top and then the waterproofness works against you.

If you have wide feet, Merrell makes a MOAB in hiking shoe configuration. I got a deal at one of their outlet stores on their proprietary (non-Goretex) and they do just fine for the price.

I would normally agree with everyone stating don't go waterproof. Just go with trail running shoes and wool socks and they will dry out in minutes with that dry air and elevation but May in the rockies might be nasty. Like snow storm nasty.

I bought some Adidas Terrex trail shoes on sale a few years ago and love them. I’ve hiked up to 22 miles in a day with them, mostly marked trails but also a bit of scrambling and had zero issues with blisters. In May you’ll probably still have areas of snow on the ground at higher elevations. I just spray scotch guard on them and never got wet feet going through snow.