Best Hiking Boots For Women

The most disappointing factor that can discourage your next hiking trail is the lack of variety in finding the right pair of women’s shoes.

With limited options that truly fit the bill for a serious hiker, these women’s hiking boots always give subpar results because of their limited design structure. Most women complain of having tiny or constricted shoes, which leads them to gravitate towards men’s wear.

But the problem with that is their weight; these shoes are way heavier that can cause trouble while trekking. To solve this issue and help you on your way to the next trek, we have scoured the internet to find the best hiking boots of all time.

Read the review to find out about the top five best hiking boots for women.

#Best Overall: Columbia Women’s Newton Hiking Boots

Columbia Sportswear is a global outdoor brand based in Portland, Oregon, since 1938. You can see the company’s persona of ‘Tough Mother Love’ in all their products.

The brand constantly strives to whip out and stay active with modern technologies while upgrading its existing line. Let us look at their Newton Hiking Boots who happen to be our winner for the best women’s hiking shoes on the market.

Featured Specs

• Manufacturer: Columbia 
• Material: Leather, Suede, and Mesh
• Sole material: Rubber Sole
• Waterproof: Yes
• Color option: Yes

Benefits

• This product has an exclusive combination of leather, suede, mesh, and rubber that creates a sturdy pair of hiking boots. The amalgamation of full-grain leather and suede gives the desired look and rugged exterior that is universally loved. The mesh tongue keeps a proper ventilation channel which aids and regulates adequate temperature coordination.
• The Omni-Grip Rubber sole with dirt incisions keeps the base clean, while the extra grippers add extreme traction for the bumpiest and roughest ground. The shaft of this model measures approximately 5″ from the arch for a broader base and comfortable fit.
• The Techlite EVA midsole gives unmatched comfort while keeping the weight of the boots on the lighter side. These shoes give their best to provide a lightweight experience that doesn’t tire your feet after a long hike.
• The superior cushioning discourages any bumps and shoe bite while swaddling your feel with soft padding the entire time. 
• These are the best hiking boots for women with wide feet as the base is broad and doesn’t feel constricting as many women’s hiking shoes.
• The Newton Ridge Plus has a waterproof construction that repels water and keeps the foot dry for the entire hike. The strongest hydrophobic bond at the top layer encourages you to confidently venture out even the muddiest roads.
• The sturdy industrial eyelet and lace-up construction keep a snug, adjustable and secure fit each time.

Drawbacks

• Many consumers complained about a design flaw that makes it unbearable to wear these shoes until they break in. The toe bed of the shoe bends into a crease which hurts a lot as it digs through the foot.
• Some consumers noticed terrible reeking from the shoes that wouldn’t go away even after airing them out or cleaning with light cleaning solutions.

Extra Features

This Newton Ridge Plus is manufactured where the agency supports BSR’s HERproject™. This multifaceted program empowers the women working for corporations by providing various benefits and creating a safe yet secure workplace environment.

Buying Advice

We highly recommend these shoes if your main aim is to have sturdy waterproof wear that works all season. The ultimate waterproofed exterior makes this the best waterproof hiking boots for women. 

Runner up: Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 MID GTX W

The Salomon Outdoors came to existence with a workshop ski made by hand in 1957; as the time kept progressing, the owner felt the need to include various outdoor equipment on their to-do list.

Keeping the vision of fun outdoor products, the company now manufactures the world’s top-quality sports and outdoor gear. Let us get into details and see their expertise over the women’s hiking shoes.

Featured Specs

• Manufacturer: Salomon
• Material: 100% Synthetic
• Sole material: Rubber
• Waterproof: Yes
• Color option: Yes

Benefits

• The polyurethane-coated upper layer protects the wearer from most weather conditions.
• The shoes’ advanced GORE-TEX membrane helps keep your feet dry from both outside and inside—the highly non-penetrative layer of waterproofing prevents the water from seeping inside the boot even under high pressure.
• The rubber sole of these mid-length hiking boots is designed to work primarily for women’s feet, keeping their bone structure in mind. The sole offers maximum traction on all terrains.
• The smart protective mudguard around the shoe base highly defends the medial and lateral sides from dirt during muddy trails. The Anti-debris mesh lining helps keep the soil away from your footbed and foot.
• A high-performance EnergyCell midsole made with EVA foam gives extreme shock resistance for the most arduous hikes.
• A lightweight advanced chassis situated between the midsole and outsole gives more excellent energy management while maximizing motion control.
• The SensiFit foothold snugly keeps the foot comfortable from the midsole to the lacing system. Again, the OrthoLite sock liner adds ultra breathability to counteract the extreme padding and snug-fitting features. The airflow indeed makes you feel well ventilated and free.
• The company’s Descent Control Technology helps this model tackle technical difficulties while providing confidence with every downward step.

Drawbacks

• The tongue of this shoe is extra thick and tight, which can be a good thing if it behaved to stay secure. This extra-thick tongue comes out of the frame, encouraging mud and dirt to get inside the shoe from the top.
• Sometimes, the lacing gets tangled and mangled up with the other boot while mid-walking. One needs to pay attention while walking to avoid falling. 

Extra Features

The company does not use any harmful PFC (Perfluorocarbons) to increase its water repellency. Their Gore-Tex models are free from these harmful PFCs.

Buying Advice

If you are looking for a shoe that provides maximum comfort with its padding and casing all around the feet, you should consider buying this model as compared to others. Performance and protection-wise, these shoes are one of the best hiking boots for women.

Alternative: KEEN Women’s Targhee Hiking Boots

Keen is one of the most recognized brands when outdoors are in the picture; with the honest and reliable work ethics, they have found a way into the market forever.

Let us read their Traghee boots’ specs to shine some light on their quality and durability.

Featured Specs

• Manufacturer: KEEN
• Material: Leather
• Sole material: Rubber
• Waterproof: Yes
• Color option: Yes

Benefits

• The KEEN Dry membrane is a waterproof layer that is highly breathable. These boots have been lined with the membrane to keep water from sinking inside the shoe while allowing the vapor to get out without heating or clamming up the shoe.
• The KEEN All-Terrain rubber outsole gives unmatched traction grip during every type of trail and walk. The grooves clutch tightly to the ground giving a grip that seldom slips or budges.
• The waterproof leather upper meshes offer an excellent mud shield, which gives durability. The extra breathable mesh lining keeps a continuous airflow loop even during hot weather.
• The speed hooks on the upper layer help with a quick lace fix. The speed hooks even help in possessing greater adjustability with a comfortable fit.
• The injected TPU heel adds an extra layer of stability to the entire shoe structure. At the same time, the dual-density compression-molded midsole gives more excellent arch support and aid fatigue-less feet.
• This Women’s Targhee Hiking Boots has an ESS shank that decreases the weight of the shoes by making them a little less heavy than the old model.
• The company uses environmentally preferred ultra-premium leather from only LWG- certified tannery. The safe, secure, and ecologically responsible channels help procure suitable materials for the environment.
• These boots have a Cleansport NXT™ for more natural odor control.
• The boots come in seven color variations to choose from.

Drawbacks

• Few of their loyal consumers have noticed a slight deterioration in the quality of their waterproofing ability. The boots get sodden with heavy and continuous rain.
• Although the shoes have a more incredible comfortable feel, the heavyweight of the boots makes them difficult to wear for long treks.

Extra Features

The internal support mechanism is smartly built to provide excellent arch support. The dual-density EVA footbed comes off when needed. These adjusting and removable features help users design their shoes for the ultimate comfortable fit.

Buying Advice

As the boots have excellent odor repellency and good ventilation, these can be used in summers and winters without thinking twice. The adaptability indeed makes it the best winter hiking boots for women.

Alternative: Manfen Women’s Hiking Boots

These Xpeti Women’s Hiking shoes are our second alternative on this list of best female hiking boots.

These boots adequately have their deserving rank on this list. Let us find more about these shoes to understand the features in detail.

Featured Specs

• Manufacturer: Manfen
• Material: Synthetic
• Sole material: Rubber
• Waterproof: Yes
• Color option: Yes

Benefits

• The shoes have an HydroGuard seam-sealed internal membrane that keeps your feet dry during any rain, puddle, splash, or mud situation. 
• The 200 grams Thinsulate Insulation is perfect for weather under -30℃, making them one of the best winter hiking boots for women.
• The aggressive sole makes it easy to grab rocks while keeping excellent traction. The smartly integrated EVA midsole with composite shank provides stability, cushioning, and shock absorption. These features work in harmony to create a smooth functioning system that makes your trek more comfortable and devoid of unwanted accidents.
• The rubber toe cap provides high-quality protection to the weakest part of your foot. This protection keeps your toes in a perfect casing that stays put even under lots of pressure.
• The company uses molded TPU ankle support system with a sturdy snowshoe strap ridge. The support undoubtedly gives seamless comfort while drastically improving the shoe’s durability.
• Lastly, the anti-fatigue insole works like a charm to induce breathability and reduce the odor. 

Drawbacks

• These shoes are heavy-duty but lack in the stretch department. They tend to stay stiff even after breaking in. This stiffness might not be the best feel for your hiking experience.
• These boots have a comparatively narrow design structure. The shoes can get extra tight and hurt your feet when worn with extra padded socks.

Extra Features

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find an outstanding feature or USP that shines through the rest of the benefits.

Buying Advice

We suggest you opt for one size large while buying these shoes. The extra size fits your legs properly and keeps the foot snug instead of giving a tight fit.

Alternative: Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Hiking Boots

These Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Hiking Boots are our last but not least selection for our list.

The product is durable and speaks to its users with its quality. Let us dive down to find all the exciting benefits of this product.

Featured Specs

• Manufacturer: Mountain Warehouse
• Material: 100% Synthetic
• Sole material: Rubber
• Waterproof: Yes
• Color option: Yes

Benefits

• These Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Hiking Boots use a well-constructed water-resistant upper with a complex waterproof membrane for the secure water guard lining.
• The synthetic upper of these shoes are ultra-lightweight and durable, making it easy to walk around with them. The synthetic material helps keep a healthy- ventilated air structure throughout the use.
• An added mesh lining helps the shoes become more breathable while keeping your feet fresh and moisture-free. These shoes work excellently during summer and warm seasons.
• A high-quality molded foam bed supports your feet, especially the toe and arch region of the footwear. This cushioned footbed allows you to wear these shoes for more extended periods without any pain or discomfort.
• The extra rubber reinforcement at the toe and heel keeps those areas well protected from direct impact, ensuring the footwear lasts way longer than its contenders.
• The deep lugs attached to the rubber sole give the ultimate traction and grip while trailing the muddiest, bumpiest, and even loamy ground.
• The company offers a healthy selection of 5 color variants for people with different uses and purposes.

Drawbacks

The soles are not the sturdiest as they are thin compared to other shoes of the same feature range. Many people feel that these shoes are not the best choice for a rugged trail.

Extra Features

There were no extra features that caught our attention while reviewing this model of hiking shoes.

Buying Advice

We are gravitating towards the consumers’ verdict about these shoes not being perfect for rough trails.

On the other hand, these are an incredibly viable solution to your mini or easy trails during all seasons. The lightweight nature of these pairs makes them the best light hiking boots for women.

Hiking Boots For Women FAQs

How do I choose women’s hiking boots?

Stability, warmth, durability, water resistance, weight, and, most of all, comfort are the most critical factors you need to keep in mind while choosing hiking boots.

When it comes to hiking boots, it is ideal to select ones that match the terrain and weather of your hiking place. Style should be a secondary concern; your primary concern should be the fit, grit, and sturdiness of a shoe.

The first thing you need to do is figure out the weather – is it going to be snowing, raining, or is it going to be a sunny trip?

When you choose a pair of hiking boots, the heels should be a snug fit, whereas the toe should have some wriggle room. You must also take the weight and grip of the soles into consideration. You do not want to wear heavy boots if you are climbing a mountain. It will tire you out and cramp your feet.

The shoes must be thick-soled so that you have a firm grip on rocky terrain. Any boot you choose must have ample padding. Padding helps your feet from becoming too sore.

Make sure to pick a pair with ankle padding and tongue padding. Well, padded shoes will prevent trail blisters. Every new pair of hiking boots needs to be broken into. If you fail to do this, be prepared to tend to some nasty heel blisters.

Are shoes or boots better for hiking?

Boots are a far better option than shoes. Boots provide better support, padding, grip, and trajectory. They are specifically made to keep you firmly grounded while providing comfort.

The ankle support reduces movement and keeps you from losing your balance. The padding helps avoid blisters. Boots also have a snug fit and space for your toes. You can go for a low-cut, ankle-high cut, or above ankle boots. Boots are strong-soled, which is crucial to consider while purchasing hiking boots.

You can easily tackle Rocky or slippery terrain with a well-supported pair of hiking boots. The snug fit of boots provides balance and comfort. If a casual hike is what you are looking for, then hiking shoes are good. They are light, nimble, comfortable, and dry quickly.

If you plan to go for shoes, you should go for trail shoes as they provide more stability, stiffer soles, and provide excellent traction. It is best to avoid running shoes as they do not have stiff soles and traction.

Should you buy hiking shoes a size bigger?

It is ideal to buy hiking shoes that are a half or a full size bigger than your standard size. There are multiple reasons for this. While hiking, your feet tend to become bigger due to pressure.

Some people also experience swollen feet due to water retention or gravity. In this case, a bigger size will be pretty helpful. If you buy a pair that fits perfectly, your feet will become completely cramped. Another reason to purchase hiking shoes in a bigger size is layering. When you go hiking you will have to wear socks with your hiking shoes.

You might want to wear a thicker pair in winter, while you might want to wear a lighter pair in the summer. Socks take up space in the shoes. Buying a bigger pair will give your feet enough wriggle room even with the socks on. Another reason why people buy hiking boots in a bigger size is because of uneven terrain.

When you walk up and down rocky terrain, your foot keeps slipping in your shoe. It often happens when you are climbing down. If you are wearing the right size, your toes will keep touching the tip of the show. It causes cramps and sores on your toe. To avoid this, you must buy a slightly bigger pair. This way, even if your foot slides ahead, it does not touch the tip of the shoe.

Do I need ankle support for hiking?

Ankle support is ideal for people with weak ankles. It helps prevent ankle sprains or other ankle-related injuries. They provide stability to your feet and help you avoid falls.

Ankle support is essential, but a good pair of trail shoes will also work if you are an experienced hiker with solid ankles. Although ankle support is critical, some hikers suggest that a lighter pair of trail shoes is far better. If you are going hiking in rough terrain with a heavy load, it is best to use ankle support.

Expert hikers can go for shoes without ankle support, but it is best to purchase hiking boots with ankle support if you are a beginner. Ankle supports help keep your ankles healthy in the long run. If you hike regularly, then ankle supports are for you.

Conclusion

We hope your new and shiny hiking shoes are on their way! We always try to put our dedicated efforts into presenting the best of the best products available on the market.

We highly recommend calculating the type of trails you do, the weather preference, and the distance to buy the most suitable pair. For smaller and lighter treks wearing a lightweight shoe with less weight and protection can let you enjoy the trek even more.

If you are determined to go on challenging hikes, go for sturdy and heavy base shoes. Always wear compatible hiking socks for maximum comfort, cushioning, and ventilation.

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Jonah Wright

Jonah Wright is the founder of WorldAndI.com and wishes to be your online sherpa for all your travel, hiking, and outdoor adventures. After connecting to nature in his young years, he had an aim to hike all the most challenging treks in the world, which he is achieving one day at a time. When he isn't writing about outdoor content, he schedules his time to meet and be a part of various outdoor communities as much as he can. Jonah lives for the runner's high and feels that nothing can be as pure and lively as that experience.