10 Best Hiking Boots For Women

Looking for some new hiking boots to hit the trails? Nowadays, hiking boots are pretty expensive, so you have to make sure to pick the best boot for you. Hiking boots can provide you with some of the best support you need on the trails. They are also more durable and offer more protection than most hiking shoes. This is why I love wearing my boots on challenging long trails. Below I list the best hiking boots for women in the market. There are lightweight boots, super durable boots, comfortable boots, and much more! If you prefer something lighter, make sure to check out my post on hiking shoes. Enjoy!

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Women Hiking Boots Reviews

10 Best Hiking Boots For Women

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots – Women’s

As my pick for the best hiking boots for women, the Salomon X Ultra 3 boot is a great shoe all around. They are comfortable, very waterproof, extremely durable, and have excellent traction. You can use them on a short hike or long, strenuous grueling day hikes.

All boots have a negative, though, and the main negative of the X Ultra is the weight/bulkiness. Salomon decided that the boot needed to be more durable, so the X Ultra III is bigger than the previous models. But the good thing about this is that you will have a boot that will last you for years!

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Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Hiking Boots – Women’s

The Salewa Alpenrose boot is a great flexible, lightweight, and comfortable hiking boot with some pretty rad colors. I love how this shoe looks. I am all about adding more colors to the hiking world.

I consider this hiking boot as a high ankle support trail running boot. It has all the bells and whistles of a trail running shoe but it looks like a traditional hiking boot. Sadly since this is somewhat in the category of trail running shoes, the negatives are mainly on support and durability. Being such a flexible shoe has some downsides. The traction is also not one of the best.

However, if you are looking for comfort and an extremely lightweight boot this is a fantastic option.

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Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots – Women’s

One of my favorite hiking boots on this list is the Lowa Renegade GTX hiking boot. This boot is outstanding and has lasted me for years! It is incredibly durable, the traction is excellent, I love how waterproof it is, and the best part is that they have a ton of color options (Mine is red with black). I love my Lowas!

But there is a downside to this lovely boot. It is costly. When I bought this shoe, it surpassed all boots by far. It was the best of the best. Salomon caught on and made an inexpensive all-around better boot. Still, I will love my Lowas forever!

They are pretty expensive, bulky, and heavy. I never wear them on easy trails because they are so cumbersome. But they are the best for extended backpacking trips. They give me excellent ankle support, and they are pretty comfortable even after a long grueling trek.

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KEEN Targhee III Mid WP Hiking Boots – Women’s

The Keen Targhee III is an all-around great shoe for the price. Compared to other boots on this list it doesn’t have the best traction, the best durability, or support. But it is still a good boot. For the price, I say this boot is a great buy, mainly because it is so comfortable. You barely need to break it in. So if you are on a budget and need an all-around good boot, I would take the Keen Terghee’s.

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Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boots – Women’s

Wow, the Oboz Bridger is one of the most durable boots I own! I love them. Now I am a pretty clumsy gal, and so I am all about boots that can protect me. And trust me, the Oboz Bridger protects me to the extreme!

The main problem is that they are rather heavy and bulky. I have had them for a few months, and I feel like it is taking a while to break in. But if you are ok with that, these shoes are amazing. They can go through snow, mud, and water. They can get you through anything.

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Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boots – Women’s

If you are all about doing challenging, long, grueling hikes or tough backpacking trips, then this shoe is perfect for you. They have fantastic ankle support, they are durable, they have excellent traction, and the water resistance is outstanding. I am all about boots that protect you to the max. This boot is perfect for when you are carrying heavy loads.

But of course, with great protection comes heavier boots. The Salomon Quest is the heaviest boot on this list. It is also quite bulky, so if you are looking to be the most nimble and quick person on the trail, sorry, bud, that won’t be you.

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HOKA ONE ONE Sky Toa GTX Hiking Shoes – Women’s

If you are all about comfort, then the Hoka One One’s are for you. The One One’s are the most comfortable boots on this list. You don’t need to break them in, and the support is excellent. They are also pretty lightweight so you can hike a lot faster with these shoes.

The main problem is the ventilation isn’t that great, and the ankle support isn’t as amazing as the other ones on this list. As you can see in the picture above, the ankle shaft is pretty short.

But the cushioning, improved traction, support, and weight get these boots to the next level. They are great on easy hikes but give you excellent support on more leisurely backpacking trips. They are a pretty versatile set of boots that will get you to some fantastic places comfortably.

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Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP Hiking Boots – Women’s

If you are looking for a budget boot, then the Merrell Moabs are just for you. These boots are some of the most inexpensive boots on this list. They are comfortable and provide you with great support. They are a great beginner hiking boot, especially if you are not too sure if hiking is the right hobby for you.

For being as heavy as they are, they aren’t as durable as the other heavy shoes on this list. Waterproofing also needs to improve. There are better waterproof shoes on this list. Also, note that the ankle shaft is lower than the other hiking boots, so the ankle support isn’t that great. But they have great support in the heel and underfoot.

The Merrell Moabs are a good-priced boot that will bring you comfort and get you through easy to intermediate trails. It is a great hiking boot for beginners.

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Vasque Breeze AT Mid GTX Hiking Boots – Women’s

The Vasque Breeze AT is a great shoe all around. It has great support, it’s durable, it is breathable, and it is waterproof. The Vasque Breeze is a heavy burly shoe that can get you through some pretty rugged terrain. Great for backpacking and more strenuous hikes.

Of course, burly shoes always have a negative. They are heavy. If you are all about doing challenging hikes or treks, then this shouldn’t be an issue for you. But if you ONLY hike easy trails, you might need to think about a cheaper, more lightweight boot.

I do want to note that it might take a while for these shoes to break in. The first time I used them, was on a pretty easy short trail and I was in pain afterward. They were the stiffest hiking boots I have ever worn so, do not wear these on a difficult trail until they are broken into.

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La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Hiking Boots – Women’s

The La Sportiva Nucleo Hiking Boots are high quality. These boots are expensive, but the quality of this shoe makes up for this high price tag. These shoes are durable, and they are fantastic on muddy, cold, slushy hikes and they are comfy. They excel on strenuous hikes due to their excellent support. But I will warn you that these shoes were made for people with narrow feet. Luckily La Sportiva listened to their customers and made a wide-foot version.

Overall this shoe is pretty amazing and there are not many negatives. La Sportiva seemed to have taken in the reviews and made the shoe even better. The boots’ first version did not have good ventilation and they were also heavy. Luckily, this is no longer the case, and now, there aren’t many negatives when it comes to the Nucleus. If you are ok with the price tag, then expect to have a great quality shoe for years to come.

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More Information On Hiking Footwear

Price

Hiking boots tend to cost more than hiking shoes. If you are on a budget and you are just starting out hiking, I recommend starting with hiking shoes. They are budget-friendly, and they weigh less. But keep in mind that boots provide better protection, and they typically last longer than hiking shoes.

Weight

Boot weight is essential when it comes to hiking. You don’t want to be lugging around heavy boots on simple, easy hikes. Hiking boots tend to weigh more than hiking shoes, so I typically don’t wear hiking boots unless I am doing a long strenuous hike or I am backpacking.

To me, heavier boots are great for strenuous hikes because they provide extra protection for my ankles.

Support

One of the main reasons I wear hiking boots instead of hiking shoes on challenging trails is support. Yes, they are heavy, but when my feet are starting to get tired, they can help me get to the end with the fantastic support that can not be found with a hiking shoe.

Waterproof Hiking Boots

Most hiking boots are waterproof. Waterproof boots are expensive, heavy, and they are less breathable. This is why I recommend waterproof hiking boots only if you need them. I live in Washington, where it is continuously raining, so I need waterproof boots, but if you live in hot Arizona or Utah, waterproof is not required, and they will make your feet sweaty, which can cause blisters.

When it comes to non-waterproofing, hiking shoes, generally have more options than hiking boots. If you are concerned, I would look into non-waterproof hiking shoes. Or the Merrel Moab Ventilator Mid.

Breathability

When it comes to ventilation, all hiking boots suffer due to waterproofing. Every waterproof shoe has terrible ventilation. If you live in desert regions where waterproofing isn’t necessary, I recommend trying out the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid.

Lacing

Lacing hiking boots correctly is essential for hiking comfortably and confidently. Your shoes should feel pleasant and snug, but not to the point where it is cutting off circulation from your foot. Also, note that your feet might swell throughout the hike, so you might need to readjust the laces.

Traction

One of the main differences between the regular shoes you wear around the city and the hiking boots you wear on trails is traction. Traction can potentially save your life. Trust me, I have been in some pretty sketchy situations where I HAD to trust the traction on my shoes. If you want to become great at hiking, you have to get shoes with excellent traction. Luckily most boots I listed have great traction 🙂.

Toe Protection

Hiking trails are filled with rocks and tree roots. It is easy to stub your toe while hiking. Luckily most hiking boots have toe protection!

This is one of the most essential features that I love most about hiking boots. I am clumsy as can be, so I love that my toes are never in pain when I am navigating around challenging trails.

Hiking Shoes V.S. Hiking Boots

One of the questions I get asked the most is, “should I wear hiking boots or hiking shoes?” It depends on the terrain and hike. If the hike is long and strenuous, I prefer to carry hiking boots. When I am backpacking, I prefer hiking boots. Why? Because my ankles tend to give out after long treacherous hikes and the backpacking backpack is pretty heavy. Having so much weight on your ankles after days of hiking can really do a number on you. This is why I usually wear hiking boots on long strenuous hikes and backpacking trips.

Durability

You buy hiking boots instead of hiking shoes for durability. Most hiking boots will last longer than hiking shoes. If you want shoes that will last you for years, then hiking boots are the way to go.

Final Thoughts On Best Women’s Hiking Boots

Thanks for reading about the best hiking boots for hiking and backpacking. Check out some of my other blog posts on hiking:

• Best Hiking Shoes For Women
• Best Womens Winter Hiking Boots
• Hiking Essentials

Pin For Later: Best Womens Hiking Boots

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