Are waterproof shoes breathable?

Written by Leon in Sports and outdoors

You own a pair of waterproof shoes, or maybe you are thinking of getting a pair and wonder: if waterproof shoes are designed to prevent water from coming in, will they also not let moisture (sweat) out?

Most waterproof shoes are breathable. Such as shoes with labels: GORE-TEX (Surround and Windstopper), eVent (DVdryLT), Outdry (Extreme), Omni-tech, PRIMALOFT (Gold and Silver), POLARTEC (Neoshell), Keen Dry, ClimaProof, M-Select DRY and TERREX. On the other hand, TimberDry is waterproof but has not prioritized breathability as much as the other labels. Also, eVent DVdry and eVent Protective provide excellent waterproofness but are not very breathable.

Good ventilating shoes are especially important when you are in a warm climate or exercising. Your feet need to “breathe.” Shoes that do not ventilate are not only uncomfortable but can also form allergies. And that stinks!

Before I get into the breathability, let’s break down what waterproof shoes are.

What are waterproof shoes?

Waterproof shoes are shoes with a high water resistance. Each brand can describe the degree of water-resistance of their shoes. They can say whatever they like or say nothing at all. 

In my other post called How to tell if your shoes are waterproof?, I found that shoes with these labels are waterproof: GORE-TEX, eVent, Outdry (Extreme), Omni-tech, PRIMALOFT, POLARTEC, TimberDry, ClimaProof, M-Select DRY and TERREX. They will keep your feet dry, and the shoes will not get damaged when you wear them on a rainy day.

Waterproofed shoes are not designed to be waterproof in the first place, and therefore it will be difficult to tell if they are breathable. It depends on how the material/shoes are waterproofed. 

What is breathability?

You can measure breathability in g/m2, and it is how much water (in grams) will pass through 1m2 of the fabric from inside to the outside in 24 hours. The higher the number, the more breathable the shoe.

Score (g/m2)Breathability
< 5,000Bad
5,000 – 10,000Good
10,000 – 20,000Very Good
> 20,000 Excellent

Breathability of shoe technologies

Sadly, none of the brands I’ve researched provide this score for their shoes, so I will discuss the breathability of their technology based on what other information they give. Here goes.

  • GORE-TEX – GORE-TEX shoes are made using an upper material, GORE-TEX membrane, and an insulation layer. The GORE-TEX membrane makes sure the insulation layer stays dry. Water vapor can go through all layers, while body heat is bounced back because of the insulation layer. These shoes have excellent breathability. (source) Within the GORE-TEX family, GORE-TEX SURROUND is explicitly developed for footwear and offers “360° breathability while being durably waterproof.” (source) GORE has also developed WINDSTOPPER fabric, and they used it in their overshoes collection. It is breathable and primarily designed to protect you from wind. It also protects your shoes from a light shower. (source)
  • eVent – eVent has three technologies specific for shoes: 
    • DVdryLT – eVent designed DVdryLT for golf, hiking, lifestyle, running, trail running. eVent rates these shoes as shoes with “exceptional breathability.” (source)
    • DVdry – eVent designed DVdryLT for backpacking, cycling, golf, hiking, mountaineering, trail running. Sadly, I could not find information on its’ breathability. This technology is more protective than DVdyLT. Therefore DVdry shoes will not be as breathable as the DVdryLT line.
    • The Protective line is for fire, first responders, military, tactical, workwear. Similar to DVdry, I could not find information on its’ breathability. These shoes offer more protection and will be even less breathable than DVdry.
  • Outdry – Outdry is a technology developed by Columbia Sportswear Outdry and has two labels:
    • Outdry shoes are “highly breathable.” (source)
    • Outdry Extreme shoes provide “ultimate breathability.” (source)
  • Omni-tech – Omni-tech technology, developed by Columbia Sportswear, is “waterproof and breathable.” They say you can use these shoes in all conditions, and excess heat and moisture will escape. (source)
  • PRIMALOFT (Gold and Silver) – PRIMALOFT offers three types of insulation: gold- silver- and black insulation. The gold- and silver labels offer water-resistance, and they are both breathable. (source)
  • POLARTEC – POLARTEC has partnered with over 100 brands and have integrated their NEOSHELL technology in footwear. “NEOSHELL provides the strength and durability of a weather protective fabric, while still allowing dynamic air exchange and comfortable full range of motion.” They claim to have developed “the world’s most breathable waterproof fabric technology.” (source)
  • Keen Dry – Keen dry’s “membrane lets vapor out without letting water in.” It is, therefore, breathable. (source)
  • TimberDry – Timberland has developed a technology called TimberDry and “features a waterproof membrane to help protect from unwanted moisture and is made from 50% recycled plastic.” (source) However, their breathability is not as good compared to the rest of the technologies mentioned in this post.
  • ClimaProof –  Adidas has developed a technology called ClimaProof, and it offers all-weather protection, from drizzle to downpour and heavy snowfall. They provide an impenetrable barrier while remaining breathable, giving protection while maintaining body temp. (source)
  • M-Select DRY – seals out water and lets moisture escape, so you stay dry. It is, therefore, breathable. (source)
  • TERREX – TERREX is a name given to an Adidas shoe line. TERREX shoes are designed with PRIMALOFT, ClimaProof, or GORE-TEX technologies. Since these technologies are breathable, TERREX shoes are breathable.

Choose lightweight (Personal experience)

I want to mention that I own a pair of Timberland boots. To be exact: the Timberland men’s 6-inch premium waterproof boots in color medium brown nubuck. It has 400g of PrimaLoft insulation, and I think they exceed my expectations when I wear them outside in temperatures below 50°F (10°C). They are warm, waterproof, and the breathability is just right. 

However, I feel that these shoes do not breathe enough when I am indoors, where it can be around 70°F (21°C), because they are relatively quite heavy and require a little exercise to wear. Doing more exercise means that more sweat will want to escape. In warmer temperatures, these shoes are not able to do that.

If you are looking for waterproof shoes, I recommend looking for lightweight waterproof (and breathable) footwear when you want to wear them inside as well.

Closing remarks

I found that not all brands are very transparent about the breathability of their waterproof shoes. Sadly, it is, therefore, difficult to rank these technologies from most breathable to least breathable.

Based on the information the brands provide, I found that most waterproof shoes are breathable. Such as shoes with labels: GORE-TEX (Surround and Windstopper), eVent (DVdryLT), Outdry (Extreme), Omni-tech, PRIMALOFT (Gold and Silver), POLARTEC (Neoshell), Keen Dry, ClimaProof, M-Select DRY and TERREX.

On the other hand, TimberDry is waterproof but has not prioritized breathability as much as the other labels. Also, eVent DVdry and eVent Protective provide excellent waterproofness but are not be very breathable.

Lastly, heavy waterproof shoes can require a little exercise to wear. I recommend choosing lightweight waterproof breathable shoes.

References

Leon

Hi everyone! I hope you found what you were looking for in this article. Please let me know if there is anything waterproof related that I can help you with!

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