Waterproof hiking boots recommendations please

I'm looking to buy a pair of waterproof hiking boots.I will likely be wearing these for approaches to the crag. Got money to buy a pair for Christmas. My budget is under $200. I get 20% off Backcountry.com since I'm a healthcare worker.

Anybody got recommendations for what I should buy? 

Im on my 3rd pair of Solomon Quest, I think they are in your price range...

Can second salomon quests, a fantastic hiking boot. 

I’ll third the Salomon Quests. Best boot I’ve found that hikes extremely well and without really feeling like a boot. 

If you are looking for something more robust and not that lightweight I have great experinces with Hanwag Alaska GTX. With proper care they are almost indestructible. But they are heavier and quite expensive. 

Laspo Trango Tech Leather seems like a good boot if you want something more mountain-y

JM Addleman wrote:

Laspo Trango Tech Leather seems like a good boot if you want something more mountain-y

Came here to recommend this: they hike great, climb like approach shoes, and take semi-auto crampons. They're ~$250 before that backcountry discount, but very worth it.

Love the Solomon's for hiking when wet and snow shoeing but they're not grippy for rock approaches. 

I’d recommend investing in a full-grain leather boot with as few seams as possible. They can hold up for many years, though they might be a bit out of your budget. Something like the Asolo tps 520 gv evo. 

Do y'all have any experience with the La Sportiva trango Cube GTX? I can get a good deal on a pair for $200. I figure if the weather is good I'll wear hiking shoes I have and I could wear those if the weather is raining or snowing 

Choss Wrangler wrote:

Do y'all have any experience with the La Sportiva trango Cube GTX? I can get a good deal on a pair for $200. I figure if the weather is good I'll wear hiking shoes I have and I could wear those if the weather is raining or snowing 

That is a mountaineering boot. It will keep you dry but unless you need to fit crampons, you will likely be far more comfortable in a pair of hiking boots. I’d suggest going to a store and getting some that fit your feet.  

Choss Wrangler wrote:

Do y'all have any experience with the La Sportiva trango Cube GTX? I can get a good deal on a pair for $200. I figure if the weather is good I'll wear hiking shoes I have and I could wear those if the weather is raining or snowing 

A great deal but I would steer clear from these kind of boots for an approach, they just aren't that great to hike in and are tiny bit heavy as far as hiking boots go. If you plan on glacial travel with non technical crampon work they're a great option but for general hiking they aren't ideal.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/shoes-and-boots/hiking-boots/la-sportiva-txs-gtx

Thank ya'll for the responses! I'm not really feeling the QUESTs because I've seen a lot of reviews on durability issues. I'm sure they are nice for the time they last though. The La Sport TXS GTX looks pretty cool. Have ya'll had any experience with Salewa Men's Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX? I've seen a lot of good reviews on them and they look pretty nice too. The biggest thing I look for is durability; I've never been real particular about my shoes ( I regularly wear $45 dollarEvolvs from Amazon for climbing).  Just want to get a durable and waterproof boot for the money in the $200 range.

Choss Wrangler wrote:

Thank ya'll for the responses! I'm not really feeling the QUESTs because I've seen a lot of reviews on durability issues. I'm sure they are nice for the time they last though. The La Sport TXS GTX looks pretty cool. Have ya'll had any experience with Salewa Men's Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX? I've seen a lot of good reviews on them and they look pretty nice too. The biggest thing I look for is durability; I've never been real particular about my shoes ( I regularly wear $45 dollarEvolvs from Amazon for climbing).  Just want to get a durable and waterproof boot for the money in the $200 range.

No boots are durably waterproof, if you really want pure durability go big leather and as much rand as you can get. I wouldn't generally recommend it as quite frankly they're just no fun. 

I’ve loved my La Sportiva Eclipse. Stiff at first but after a break in period, the most comfortable, sturdy boot I’ve ever owned. 

Have you tried a quality approach shoe? I find them to be more versatile than hiking boots. I understand the uses of trail runners, approach shoes, and technical climbing boots (I use all 3 routinely) but I haven't had a need/use for a hiking boot for years.  If you've owned/tried approach shoes and have determined you need a waterproof hiking boot than I apologize for posing the question. 

I’ve had a pair of Salomon Quest 4ds for several years, no quality problems and they’ve held up exceptionally well for me. I don’t keep mileage on them, but they’ve had hundreds of hard back packing miles on them and who knows how many day hike/scrambles. They are high ankle boots and perform like a more flexible mountaineering boot.  

However- I also had the mid-gtx version of the quest which fell apart after a year. I replaced those with the older version LS TXS GTX which have been fine for day hiking. They fit and perform like a stiffer version of the LS TX4 Mids, which personally I’d rather have for climbing approaches if you want the ankle protection.

Like Michael, I've put a lot of miles on my Salomon 4Ds. The first pair weathered a major expedition where the other expedition members' boots entirely fell apart. My Quests lasted for hundreds of miles after this. The second pair did well over a thousand miles, much of it in muddy and winter conditions. I use trail runners when the trail is in decent condition. When the trail has extensive mud or if I'm off trail, then it's the Quests. Don't get caught up in a "mountain" boot. They will absolutely suck to hike in. I've tried a whole lot of boots and the Quests are the clear winner.

Check out La Sportiva TX4 mids.

Super lightweight grippy etc. I love mine.

Drew Alldredge wrote:

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/shoes-and-boots/hiking-boots/la-sportiva-txs-gtx

I'll second this, quite happy with mine.

You might also look into these, Garmont Vetta Tech GTX.  I received a pair as a warranty replacement for a different shoe.  But I haven't had a chance to take them out yet.