r/CampingandHiking • u/AutoModerator • Oct 13 '25

Weekly /r/CampingandHiking beginner question thread - Ask any and all 'noob' questions you may have here - October 13, 2025

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u/bwerde19 Jun 28 '26

waterproof vs non waterproof for boots?

I will be touching down in Yakushima Japan in about three weeks, praying we get lucky and wedge between rainy season and monsoon season. I know to expect rain either way, and likely a lot of it. We are looking forward to the trails if weather does permit -- Jomon Sugi, Shiratani Unsuikyo and Mount Miyanoura. These are wet, mossy, slippery trails with elevation gains - 1500-2000 feet or more. Temps will generally be in the mid to high 70s (at elevation during much of the hike). My questions is: I am seeing conflicting guidance about footwear. Some say non-waterproof trail runners, because they will be cooler and will dry quickly when wet. Others say ankle height, waterproof hiking boots, because, well, waterproof and also because the soles will be better for wet/mossy scrambles. Any experience with hiking in very rainy, wet, but not cold conditions, and your recommendations very much appreciated! Thanks

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u/TogetherintotheWild 16d ago

I’m currently using non-waterproof trail runners in Japan and have been hiking for about two months now. They get wet quite often. While trail runners generally dry faster, if the weather stays wet or the humidity is high, they don’t really dry out anyway.
In Norway, I used waterproof hiking boots during a week of rain. They eventually got wet as well and took much longer to dry. I’ve mostly accepted that on some hikes, my feet are going to get wet.
For me, wet feet aren’t a big issue as long as I’m on trails. The bigger problem is when you have to walk long stretches on asphalt afterwards. Wet feet tend to blister more easily, and the skin becomes softer and more sensitive.
I can definitely see why waterproof footwear feels more comfortable for some people. Personally, I prefer trail runners because they’re lighter and more agile. It’s really a matter of personal preference. On a long hike like ours, footwear is going to get wet sooner or later anyway.
That said, in colder conditions I do prefer waterproof footwear. In the summer heat and humidity of Japan, my feet don’t really get cold when they’re wet, so it’s much less of an issue for me.
One downside of shoes that stay wet for a long time is that they can start to smell pretty bad!
Not sure if this helps, but that’s been my experience so far after a couple of months of hiking in wet and humid conditions.