Samelin 5531 Hiking Boots: Waterproof Nubuck for Rough Ground

The Samelin 5531 is the heavier of Samelin's two hiking boots — built for wet ground, rough terrain and long days, by a factory whose day job is making combat boots.

Waterproof, properly

A waterproof nubuck upper combined with a four-layer membrane keeps water out while letting sweat escape. That second part is what separates a good hiking boot from a plastic bag for your foot — breathability is why you finish a long walk with dry feet rather than damp ones.

A genuine Vibram sole

The Vibram outsole gives real traction on wet rock, mud and scree. Vibram is a specialist sole maker, not a badge — if a boot has one, the manufacturer has spent money where it counts.

Reinforced where boots fail

A reinforced toe cap and heel counter protect the two places trail boots wear through first. With NATO AQAP 2110 and ISO 9001 manufacturing behind it, this is a boot intended to be resoled and kept, not replaced each season.

Colours

Beyond black, the 5531 comes in rose, burgundy, firtree, tundra, ginestra and rosso aragosta — unusual for a serious hiking boot, and a nice change from the standard grey-and-orange outdoor palette.

Before your first long walk

Break them in properly — see our guide. Re-treat the nubuck with a nubuck-specific spray (never wax), as covered in our waterproofing guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are the 5531 boots waterproof? Yes — waterproof nubuck with a four-layer membrane, not merely water-repellent.

How do they differ from the 553P? Both are waterproof Vibram-soled hiking boots; the 5531 is the heavier-duty build.

Can they be resoled? Yes — built to be repaired rather than replaced.

See the range

Browse our waterproof hiking boots.