Best Hiking Boots For Women

From all around options to activity specific designs, this list provides the best hiking boots for women this year.

Boots are the perfect option for stability and comfort while hiking. No matter the trail, a hiking boot has all of the features to keep your feet and ankles protected to prevent sprains and arch injury. There are numerous different boot styles that are designed to withstand various outdoor conditions while protecting your feet. Wearing improper footwear while hiking can lead to injury if your soles and ankles are not protected properly. This guide provides the best hiking boots for women this year separated by price and purpose.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you choose to purchase the products I recommend. I have done extensive research on each product and only recommend items I truly support.

1. Best Overall

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid

The overall best hiking boots for women are the La Sportiva Raptor II Mid boots. This boot style is versatile and can be worn in almost any climate, on almost any hike. At 1 lb 8.3 oz, this boot is lightweight while still providing every feature of a backpacking boot without being too clunky. The La Sportiva Raptor II Mid is a waterproof design to keep your feet dry on any adventure.

2. Best Budget

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Amped

Beginners or hikers on a budget love this boot. It provides a combination of every great feature in an affordable hiking boot. It is common for beginners to purchase an expensive pair of boots just to wear them once. If you’re just starting out and not sure if you’ll be an avid hiker, this boot provides all of the features for under $100. The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus is waterproof, breathable, lightweight, and features an omni-grip outsole to prevent slipping.

3. Best Trail Runner

Brooks Cascadia 16

Hiking sneakers are perfect for warmer months. A sturdy pair of hiking sneakers will provide support while allowing air flow throughout your shoes. The Brooks Cascadia 16 provides extensive support compared to similar models, along with a TrailTack rubber outsole to prevent slipping in steep or wet areas. This sneaker is recommended for light summer hiking or trail running.

4. Best For Backpacking

Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX

If you’re looking for an all around backpacking boot, the women’s Salomon Quest 4 is a great comprehensive option. This boot features a waterproof exterior that still allows your feet to breathe. This boot is perfect for hiking and backpacking due to its strong ankle support. It also features a Contagrip outsole which keeps you from slipping on steep rocks or scrambles. These boots are slightly heavier than other footwear options, due to increased support structures for your feet and ankles. The Salomon Quest 4 is a great boot for experienced hikers who backpack over long distances.

5. Best Ultra Lightweight Boots

Altra Lone Peak Hiker

The Altra Lone Peak Hiker boot is a perfect ultra light versatile alternative option. At under 1.5 pounds, this hiking boot is one of the lightest and most comfortable designs. The toe box and midsole are made to specifically prevent any restriction of the feet and toes while hiking. The DuraTread rubber outsole protects against slipping in steep or wet conditions. This boot is perfect if you’re looking for a lightweight boot that can handle more than the average hike.

Best Hiking Boots for Women Comparison

Purchasing Guide

Price

You may look at some of the price tags on these boots and wonder why they are so expensive. A quality pair of hiking boots costs more than an average pair of sneakers due to the materials used to produce them. Hiking boots are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and rough terrain. Quality materials are used in production of hiking boots and shoes to endure these circumstances while protecting your feet and ankles from injury. Tough rubber outsoles, waterproof midsoles, and ankle stabilizing mechanisms contribute to some of the high price tags. Although some items are not worth the extra money, hiking boots are definitely necessary to keep you happy and healthy on the trail.

Waterproofing

Is a waterproof pair of boots important for hiking? In most cases, yes. Hiking through changing altitudes can create unstable weather conditions resulting in rain, snow, and mud even in drier regions. Keeping your feet dry on a hike is very important because wet feet can lead to frostbite, blisters, or infections. Wearing a waterproof pair of hiking boots is the best way to keep your feet dry in any weather conditions to prevent injury. Non-waterproof boots can, however keep water in as well. Warmer, wet climates usually recommend non waterproof boots to encourage air flow to dry out faster.

Weight

Another important feature to pay attention to is the weight of hiking boots. Weight is an important factor regarding the type of hike it is made for. Trail running shoes and boots are purposely made ultra light to allow runners to traverse trails at a swift pace. Backpacking boots are made with additional hardware to offset backpack weight and stabilize the ankle, resulting in a heavier boot. A good rule of thumb to follow is the more you put on your back, the more support you’ll need at your feet. Day hikes and short trips won’t require a heavy backpack, so lighter boots will work for this activity. Overnight camping and long hiking trips require you to pack more on your back, requiring more stability. Most companies work to make stable backpacking boots lighter, so do not rely solely on the weight of the boot to determine stability.

Sizing

When choosing a pair of hiking boots, sizing is another important factor. Hiking causes your blood vessels to expand to deliver blood throughout your body, which can result in the feet and toes swelling. Thicker socks are also recommended to provide cushion and prevent blisters. With this in mind, most hiking boots will fit best in a half size up from your regular shoe size.

Break-In Period

Breaking in hiking shoes is extremely important. The last thing you want to deal with on a hike is friction and blisters in your boots. The leather and material in hiking boots starts stiff and needs to be broken in. Hiking boots can be broken in in as little as a day, or as long as 4 weeks. By wearing the boots in short increments, the footwear will slowly form to your foot shape to prevent blisters and friction on a hike. When buying a new pair of hiking boots, give yourself time to break them in just in case they need it. Some boots don’t need to be broken in at all, and some take longer to relax so being prepared for this period will save your feet on your next hike.

Boots Versus Shoes

When choosing footwear for a hike, there are 3 height options to choose from. There are heavyweight, midweight, and low top hiking shoes that all serve a different purpose on the trail. Most people are unsure whether purchasing an expensive pair of hiking boots or shoes is worth the money. Everyone is different and able to choose whatever footwear suits them best, but there are some specific advantages to boot styles that make hiking easier. It is possible to wear a basic pair of tennis shoes on a hike, but these designs are not made to withstand harsh conditions or difficult terrain. Therefore, basic tennis shoes do not have the proper arch support or tread to keep your feet safe and secure while hiking.

Low Top

Low top hiking shoes are the next best option, which are made to support hiking specifically. This design looks similar to a sneaker but with more enforcements. Although there is little to no ankle support, hiking shoes have elevated arch support and anti-slip outsoles. These models are usually lightweight and perfect for trail running.

Mid Weight

Mid weight hiking boots are the next level of footwear, which provide arch support, anti-slip tread, and ankle support. This style is my personal choice because it provides all levels of support and tread without being restrictive. This style is perfect for mid range hikes.

Heavy Weight

Heavyweight hiking boots are best for long backpacking trips in all climates. This style features high top ankle support to withstand any amount of weight you carry on your back. Heavyweight boots also have the highest amount of arch support to handle long distances.

This list of the best hiking boots for women are specifically made for your body type, ranging from easy hiking to difficult treks. At various pricing, you can find the perfect boot for your specific needs.

Did you like this post? Comment your favorite hiking boot style below!

Posted By: solepeaks · In: Sole