This Waterproof Shoe Is My Go-To for Adventure Travel

Soggy socks can ruin a vacation. There is nothing worse than that feeling. I’m shuddering right now thinking about it. And when it’s cold and wet, that’s just a recipe for misery. It also doesn’t help that the adventure and activewear industry loves to use phrases like “water-repellent” and “water-resistant.” That sounds like waterproof, right? Trust me, it’s not.

What you need are 100% waterproof shoes. They are a true godsend when you travel — from wandering London on a dreary day to hiking a glacier in Iceland. There are products out there to waterproof shoes you already own, but I’ve found that these creams and sprays can stain/ruin leather and other materials. I always recommend buying and not DIYing waterproof apparel, and the Vasque Breeze series with GORE-TEX is a solid choice.

These shoes are totally waterproof. I’ve taken them all over Europe, up and down mountains, on rafting adventures and — for good measure — I even splashed in some puddles outside my apartment in rainy Seattle just to see what would happen. Nothing happened. My tootsies were completely dry. I have no idea how Vasque has achieved this sorcery. In addition to the waterproof technology, these shoes are surprisingly lightweight so they’re great for packing. If you’re gearing up for a 2020 adventure or need gift ideas for a traveler, shop the shoe in our favorite colors below!