Long time reader here. When I read that you struggled with your shoes not being waterproof, I had to think of my current favourite item of hiking gear:

On a five day hike in Norway this year I tried out waterproof socks in my not waterproof shoes for the first time and they were amazing. Your feet stay dry even in strong rain or if you step in really deep puddles where water enters your shoe from the top your feet still stay dry.

I think you would love them because they let you travel light. In just got random ones off amazon, the brand name ones are called Sealskinz.