GORE-TEX Footwear

Waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX footwear from Meindl, Scarpa, Hoka and The North Face: walking shoes, hiking boots and mountaineering boots built to keep Irish weather and wet ground out while letting your feet breathe on the climb.

The GORE-TEX membrane blocks liquid water and wind but still lets sweat vapour escape, so a GORE-TEX boot stays dry through bog, puddles and long wet grass without the clammy heat of a fully sealed shoe. Lower-cut walking shoes like the Meindl Respond and Hoka Anacapa 2 suit shorter, less technical routes; mid and high boots like the Meindl Peru, Terlan and Scarpa Manta Tech give ankle support and keep water out over deeper ground.

Browse the full waterproof range in our GORE-TEX Collection, see every style in Hiking Boots, or pair your footwear with a shell from Waterproof Jackets. New to the technology? Read What is GORE-TEX & How Does It Work?


Frequently Asked Questions

GORE-TEX is a membrane that blocks liquid water and wind from getting in while still letting sweat vapour escape, so footwear and outerwear stay waterproof without trapping heat and moisture inside. It's the reason a GORE-TEX walking boot keeps rain and wet grass out on an Irish hillside while remaining breathable on the climb.

The GORE-TEX membrane itself is waterproof. Whether the whole boot stays dry also depends on height and construction. Water can of course still come in over the collar of a low-cut shoe in deep puddles or long wet grass, which is why mid or high boots suit boggier ground.

A sprayed-on or wax coating (DWR) sits on the outer surface and wears off with use, needing regular reproofing. GORE-TEX is a permanent membrane bonded inside the boot or garment, so its waterproofing doesn't wash out. With that said though, the outer face fabric still benefits from occasional reproofing to keep water beading off (see below or see our guide to washing your waterproof jacket ).

Brush off mud, rinse with clean water and use a dedicated footwear cleaner rather than harsh detergents or a washing machine, which can degrade the membrane and adhesives. Dry them away from direct heat - no radiators or open fires This is because high heat damages both the membrane and the leather.

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