Anyone who has seen Reese Witherspoon's bruised, battered, and bloodied toenail in the movie "Wild" knows that hiking backpacks are really heavy, and that it is very important for women to find comfortable, well-made, and supportive hiking boots. Fortunately, nowadays there are a wide variety of styles of hiking boots available. However, when adventure awaits, you don't want to spend precious time studying footwear. Therefore, we did it for you by compiling a researched list of the best hiking boots for women. When the mountains call, you will be ready.
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The Best Hiking Boots for Women - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Hiking Boots for Women: Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
- Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Women: La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Boot
- Most Comfortable Hiking Boots for Women: On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
- Best Lightweight Hiking Boots for Women: Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
- Best Winter Hiking Boots for Women: Columbia Women's Bugaboot Celsius Snow Boot
- Best Hiking Boots for Women with Wide Feet: Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Hiking Boots
- Best Hiking Boots for Women with Flat Feet: Lowa Women's Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot
- Best Budget Hiking Boots for Women: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boots
- Best Beginner Hiking Boots for Women: KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
- Best Hiking Boots for Women with Ankle Support: Salomon Quest Element GTX Hiking Boot
Best Overall Hiking Boots for Women - Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
SPECS
- Material: Leather and synthetic uppers, Gore-Tex liners
- Weight: 2 lbs., 7 oz.
When you are looking for a pair of hiking boots that you can lace up and immediately start your adventure, look no further than our overall best hiking boots for women—the Salomon Quest GTX Hiking Boots. These boots provide comfort and stability with the added bonus of overall protection. The deep lugs grab hold of any terrain that you decide to tackle.
When you are traversing over cold and wet ground, the Gore-Tex and reinforced toe will keep your feet warm and dry, while the sneaker-like feel will keep you comfortable even during your longest hikes. We love that the Salomon Quest Element GTX combines the heartiness of a traditional hiking boot and the comfort of hiking shoes.
What We Like
- No break-in period
- Tough and durable
- Superior lacing system
- Grips a variety of terrain well
What We Don't Like
- Can run hot in the summer
- Fairly heavy
- A bit much for casual hikes
BUY: Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Women - La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Boot
SPECS
- Material: Nano-cell and leather upper, Gore-Tex
- Weight: 1 lb., 10 oz.
Keeping your feet dry is one of the most important aspects of hiking, and the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Boot can ensure that even on your wettest treks, you won't have to worry about shriveled, cold feet. Additionally, these boots won't weigh you down because they are lightweight, but they still offer excellent support and stability.
La Sportiva began as a climbing company, but their foray into hiking footwear has been a success. The Nucelo High II GTX provides excellent breathability that lends to them being the best waterproof hiking boots for women.
What We Like
- Breathable and keeps feet dry
- Lightweight
- Supportive
- Quality craftsmanship
What We Don't Like
- Not suitable for people with wide feet
- Fairly expensive
- Some complaints of issues with eyelet durability
BUY: La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Boot
Most Comfortable Hiking Boots for Women - ON Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
SPECS
- Material: Synthetic mesh
- Weight: 1 lb., 10 oz.
ON has become synonymous with comfortable running shoes. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that their hiking boot offering comes with the same cushiony feeling as their sneakers. The cushioned sole and extra padding around the ankle are impressively comfortable even on long adventures. Although these shoes are loaded with comfortable features, they also have impressive stiffness and support.
It should be noted that this amount of comfort doesn't come inexpensively. However, these shoes are a good investment if you want to keep your feet wrapped in comfort during long hikes.
What We Like
- Provides excellent comfort
- Impressive stability
- Extra padding around the ankle
What We Don't Like
- Hard to get on at first
- Doesn't have great traction
- Expensive
BUY: ON Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
Best Lightweight Hiking Boots for Women - Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
SPECS
- Material: Suede leather/nylon
- Weight: 1 lb., 13 oz.
The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots combine a lot of big attributes into a lightweight package. Despite weighing in on the light end, these boots are durable and comfortable, and they also offer fantastic traction.
Although some hikers prefer low ankle heights, it should be noted that the heights on lower boots can allow water to flow in over the top of them. However, if you want a hiking boot that has a light touch while still being able to do the heavy work, the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots are an excellent choice.
What We Like
- Lightweight yet durable
- Handles a variety of terrain well
- Excellent quality
What We Don't Like
- May struggle when carrying a heavy pack
- Water can easily get over collar
- Narrow toe box
BUY: Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
Best Winter Hiking Boots for Women - Columbia Women's Bugaboot Celsius Snow Boot
SPECS
- Material: PU coated leather and textile upper, rubber sole
- Weight: N/A
When you are tackling cold temperatures and snowy, icy terrain, you will want to make sure that your hiking boots can handle the elements while keeping your feet warm and dry. High cut and with Omni-Heat Infinity lining, the Columbia Women's Bugaboot Celsius Snow Boot will do just that—and more.
The synthetic liner definitely keeps your toes (and the rest of your feet) toasty even on colder days, but they are still surprisingly breathable. Additionally, their deep tread will remind you of a snow tire and helps ensure that you will not do a lot of slipping and sliding as you traverse over snowy ground.
What We Like
- Excellent winter tread
- High cut keeps water and snow out
- Synthetic liner keeps feet warm
What We Don't Like
- Requires some breaking in
- Complaints of hard insoles
BUY: Columbia Women's Bugaboot Celsius Snow Boot
Best Hiking Boots for Women with Wide Feet - Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Hiking Boots
SPECS
- Material: Suede leather/nylon
- Weight: 1 lb., 8 oz.
Many hiking boots can have a narrow toe box that makes it difficult for women with wide feet to find top-notch hikers. Fortunately, Altra is known for wide-toe bones, and the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Hiking Boots are a great choice for those with wider feet (and those who are prone to blistering).
These boots can be a little difficult to get on due to the collar, but once you do you will find that they are comfortable for wide feet. Additionally, these boots do a good job of locking the heel in place, making uphill portions easy to handle.
What We Like
- Excellent spacing for wide feet
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Good for those prone to blistering and hotspots
What We Don't Like
- Not enough stability
- Difficult to get on
- Can slide on rocky terrain
BUY: Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Hiking Boots
Best Hiking Boots for Women with Flat Feet - Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
SPECS
- Material: Nubuck leather
- Weight: 2 lbs., 2 oz.
The Lowa Renegade not only has the throwback look of traditional hiking boots, but they are also durable, supportive, and stable. These boots have an impressive selection of sizes and widths, making them ideal for hikers with flat feet. The tread will help you feel sturdy and balanced even on rocky ground.
Coming in at a low weight, it may seem surprising that they are an excellent overall backpacking boot. Don't worry, if you're carrying a heavy load, these boots will handle it well. One downside to these boots is that they may not last as long as some others, but the comfortable fit for women with flat feet keeps returning buyers coming back.
What We Like
- Comfortable
- Well-cushioned
- Lightweight
- Handles heavy packs well
What We Don't Like
- May run ho, especially in warmer climates
- Questionable durability over the long term
Best Budget Hiking Boots for Women - Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boots
SPECS
- Material: Nubuck leather
- Weight: 1 lb., 13 oz.
If you want an iconic and durable hiking boot that won't have you sweating the price tag, you'll definitely want to lace up the Merrell Moab 3. These boots are extremely popular with hikers due to their longevity, performance, comfort, and inexpensiveness. Furthermore, the combination of Nubuck leather and mesh panels makes these boots both tough and breathable.
Although this boot may not handle muddy and snowy conditions as well as some of the others, their legendary status is still well-earned. Merrell's Moab 3 will allow you to securely hike your favorite trails for a fraction of the cost of other boots.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Durable
- Breathable
What We Don't Like
- Not great when packing heavy loads
- Lacks performance over long days
BUY: Merrell's Moab 3
Best Beginner Hiking Boots for Women - KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
SPECS
- Material: Nubuck leather
- Weight: 2 lbs., 3 oz.
Although hiking boots aren't generally known for their fashion chops, thanks to a makeover the KEEN Targhee III is something of a looker. This boot is an excellent choice for day hikers and those just starting their hiking journey because they are comfortable and affordable.
The KEEN Targhee III don't require a break in period so you can take them straight from the box to the summit. Although these boots may not have the stability or traction control of some of the higher-end boots, they are an excellent choice for beginners.
What We Like
- Fairly inexpensive
- Comfortable for day hikes
- Great insole
What We Don't Like
- Lacks breathability
- May not hold up under heavy loads
BUY: KEEN Targhee III
Best Hiking Boots for Women with Ankle Support - Salomon Quest Element GTX Hiking Boot
SPECS
- Material: Leather
- Weight: 2 lbs., 5 oz.
It can be easy to twist your ankle when you are climbing over unstable and rocky terrain. Therefore, you may want to find a pair of hiking boots with ankle support, and the Salomon Quest Element GTX Hiking Boots are the ideal pair to ensure ankle stability.
Despite these boots being tough and supportive, they are also remarkably comfortable. Additionally, they offer great traction and gripability even on slick terrain.
What We Like
- Offers great ankle support and protection
- Lacing system locks heel in place
- Excellent traction
- Durable leather
What We Don't Like
- Heavy duty construction may be overkill for casual hikers
- Fairly heavy
- Can run hot
BUY: Quest Element GTX Hiking Boots
What to Look for in Hiking Boots for Women
Type of Hiking
The type of hiking boots that you purchase will depend greatly on the type of hiking that you're planning on doing.
- Day hikers will want lighter boots (or hiking shoes) that can handle light packs.
- Overnight hikers will need to look for boots that can handle the heavier loads that come with the additional equipment required when staying overnight.
- Backpackers will want stable, durable boots with excellent traction since they will be covering a lot of ground over several days.
Hiking Terrain
Another factor that should be considered when choosing boots is the type of terrain that you will be hiking.
- Well-maintained terrain is suitable for lightweight, breathable boots.
- Rocky and steep terrain requires stable, durable boots with heavy-duty traction.
Materials
How much you will be carrying and how long you are hiking at a time will be the two main aspects that you will want to understand before deciding on the type of materials used on your hiking boots.
- Nylon, leather, and suede boots are ideal for day hikers.
- Full grain leather boots are great for overnight hikers. (There are also vegan hiking boots available.)
FAQs About Hiking Boots for Women
How should women's hiking boots fit?
Hiking boots should be snug, but not overly tight. When trying them on, you should have room to wiggle your toes and make sure that your heel stays firmly in place. The fact that your feet will swell when you're hiking means that you should try hiking boots at the end of the day when your feet are swollen. When possible, have your feet measured by a professional.
What's the difference between hiking boots and hiking shoes?
Hiking shoes fit and feel more like running shoes. Hiking shoes don't generally require a break-in period, but it should be noted that they are not as suitable as hiking boots for steep, rocky terrain. Hiking boots offer more support to your ankles and are better when you are carrying heavy loads.
Are women's hiking boots worth it?
Although hiking boots may seem expensive, they are a good investment if you hike regularly. Hiking boots are designed for the unique wear and tear that hiking can cause on footwear. Hiking boots have ankle coverage and support which can keep you from injuring your ankles, and they can provide more stability when you are carrying a loaded-down pack.