The 9 Best Hiking Boots for Women
Having a good pair of hiking boots is essential for every hiker. If I had to pick one piece of gear every hiker needs, it would be a good pair of hiking boots. An unsupportive pair of hiking boots can lead to blisters, sore muscles, and potential injuries, and no one wants that! Finding the right pair of hiking boots can be overwhelming because there is a wide variety on the market. This guide will review the best hiking boots for women, the pros and cons of each, and what to consider when looking for hiking boots, including durability, breathability, water resistance, internal support, midsole support, outsole grip, and weight. Let’s dive into the best hiking boots for women!
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The Best Hiking Boots for Women
Merrell Moab Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Waterproof
Breathable
Affordable
Cons:
Debris can get into the boot from the breathable mesh lining
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Merrell is a classic hiking boot brand that you can always rely on to create quality hiking boots. The Merrell Moab Hiking Boot is supportive and breathable, offering comfort for any hike. I recently switched to the Merrell Moab Hiking Boot and fell IN LOVE!
The Merrell Moab Hiking Boot is very comfortable because of the cushioned heel, contoured footbed, and arch support. The midsole offers the stability needed to take on any terrain and the support necessary to tackle long hikes. The Merrell Moab Hiking Boot has a breathable mesh lining that provides airflow to keep your feet cool and dry on warm days. The hiking boot has waterproof suede and a closed-cell foam tongue that keeps moisture out of the boot. The Merrell Moab Hiking Boots are some of the best hiking boots for women!
Salomon X Ultra Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Waterproof
Provide great ankle and foot support
Great grip
Cons:
Can run large
Too narrow for some women
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Honestly, you cannot go wrong with a hiking boot from Salomon, but the Salomon X Ultra Hiking Boot is a step up from the others. The hiking boot is specifically designed for women and provides the ultimate comfort and durability.
The Salomon X Ultra Hiking Boot has the perfect combination of stability and cushion designed for the anatomy of women, providing the ultimate comfort. The rubber of the outsole is grippy and works well on slick trails. The hiking boot is also waterproof and long-lasting because of the outer shell’s leather. One of the best features of the Salomon X Ultra Hiking Boot is its breathability. The hiking boot allows your feet to breathe even on hot days. The Salomon X Ultra Hiking Boots are among the best hiking boots for women!
Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Waterproof
Supportive
Affordable
Cons:
Breathability could be better
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One of my favorite pairs of hiking boots is the Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boot. I had a pair of the previous version of these for three years and loved them. Once miles caught up with them, I purchased the Columbia Newton Ridge. The hiking boots are durable, waterproof, comfortable, and affordable, making them great hiking boots for women. They are some of the best hiking boots under $100.
Making sure your feet are protected and comfortable while hiking is crucial, and the Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boot offers that and more. The hiking boot is lightweight and cushioned to provide the ultimate comfort. The full-grain leather and suede on the Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boots are waterproof, and I have personally tested this (not on purpose), so I can confirm they are waterproof and quick drying. Another great feature of the hiking boot is the Omni-Grip outsoles. The rubber outsoles are responsive and super-grippy on all types of terrain. The Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boots are some of the best hiking boots for women!
KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Waterproof
Eco-friendly
Arch Support
Great grip
Cons:
Can rub against ankles uncomfortably for some
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The KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot is a classic hiking boot for women. They are reliable, durable, comfortable, and perfect for any terrain a trail can throw at you. One of the features I love the most about the KEEN hiking boots is the eco-friendly features. The leather is sourced from tanneries that use a process to reduce chemical use and impact on watersheds. The waterproof material is more environmentally friendly and carcinogen-free compared to the commonly used perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). The footbeds of the KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot have a technology that naturally breaks down odor rather than using hazardous chemicals.
Other than the amazing job KEEN does at creating eco-friendly hiking boots, the KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot is designed with comfort and durability in mind. The footbed is engineered for the anatomy of women to provide support to every contour of the foot. The lightweight hiking boot has a breathable membrane, offering great airflow to keep your feet sweat-free. The KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are among the best hiking boots for women!
Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Very comfortable
Waterproof
Great grip
Cons:
Can run large
Breathability could be better
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Danner is one of the original hiking boot brands and has created incredible hiking boots over the years. The Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot has a midsole made of an SPE (Specialized Performance Elastomer) material that offers durability, flexibility, and comfort. The lightweight combination of EVA and rubber provides support for long hikes.
The outsole has multiple grip patterns, providing traction at different angles and flexibility for your foot to have the ability to expand on wide surfaces while not compromising the stability of the hiking boot. On top of comfort and durability, the Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot has a specific suede that is waterproof and quick-drying. The Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots are some of the best hiking boots for women if you want a boot that is long-lasting.
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Waterproof
Offers stability
Supportive
Cons:
Expensive
Can feel clunky
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I honestly did not know of Lowa until I started searching for a new pair of hiking boots. The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot kept coming up as overall great boots for comfort, durability, and support.
The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot is constructed with MONOWRAP technology that offers the ultimate frame stability while reducing the weight. The hiking boot also has an underfoot support stabilizer and an outsole with sure-foot traction. The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot has a stiff shank that provides additional support for women. The hiking boot also has Gore-Tex technology and a Climate Control System that allows airflow without letting water in. The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots are among the best hiking boots for women!
Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Supportive
Offers stability
Cons:
Not as waterproof as other hiking boots
Too narrow for some women
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Oboz is another brand I had not heard much of until I was researching for new hiking boots. One of the things I love the most about the brand is for every Oboz sold, they plant a tree!
Many hikers who wear the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boot rave about the stability and comfort it provides for long and strenuous trails. The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boot has a great midsole that offers stability, cushion, and support against rocky terrain. The comfort of the hiking boot also comes from the insole that matches the specific shape of your foot to provide the best support and performance. The outsole of the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boot protects and supports your feet against rough terrain. If you are looking for some of the best hiking boots for women, the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boots are them!
Merrell Moab GTX Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Waterproof
Breathable
Comfortable
Cons:
Toe box can be narrow for some women
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The Merrell Moab GTX Hiking Boot is very similar to the Merrell Moab Hiking Boot mentioned above, except they have Gore-Tex technology. The Gore-Tex membranes are breathable and waterproof, allowing your feet to breathe without letting water in.
The Merrell Moab GTX Hiking Boot is a very comfortable hiking foot because of the contoured footbed with arch and heel support. The hiking boot also has an air cushion in the heel that adds stability and absorbs shock. The midsole of the Merrell Moab GTX Hiking Boot is created with technology to provide stability and comfort for long and strenuous hikes. The Merrell Moab GTX Hiking Boots are some of the best hiking boots for women on the market!
Oboz Sawtooth Hiking Boot
Pros:
Cushioned
Great grip
Supportive
Cons:
Not as waterproof as other hiking boots
Too narrow for some women
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The Oboz Sawtooth II Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot is known to be one of the more supportive hiking boots. Also, for every Oboz sold, they plant a tree!
One of the best features the Oboz Sawtooth II Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot offers is the insole. The O FIT Insole matches your specific foot shape to provide the ultimate comfort. The midsole of the hiking boot has an extra cushion and provides stability. The outsole of the Oboz Sawtooth II Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot is flexible and versatile to conquer any terrain, and it has a map of the Sawtooth mountain range molded on the bottom. Even with all of the cushion the hiking boot offers, it is still very lightweight. The Oboz Sawtooth II Mid B-Dry Hiking Boots are among the best hiking boots for women if you are looking for a very comfortable shoe!
Women’s Hiking Boots Features
Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes
Hiking boots and hiking shoes are both great options for hikers, and choosing between them is a personal preference. Hiking shoes offer more flexibility than hiking boots and are great for gentle terrain. Hiking boots are more sturdy and durable and are great for rugged terrain because they provide ankle support. As I mentioned, choosing between hiking boots and hiking shoes is a personal preference, so I recommend trying on different types before purchasing them.
Price
Hiking boots can cost anywhere from $50-$300. No matter the level of hiker you are, I highly recommend investing in hiking boots that will last you for years. Hiking boots help bring you along on a trail, so it is crucial to have a great pair of hiking boots.
Durability and Breathability
One of the most important things to consider when buying hiking boots is their material. Having good quality material will increase the durability, water resistance, and breathability of the hiking boots. Full-grain leather offers great water resistance and durability, but weighs more compared to other materials and requires breaking-in time. Nubuck leather is similar to full-grain leather and is very durable and water-resistant. It is more flexible than full-grain leather but still requires breaking-in time. Split-grain leather is a lightweight and breathable material but does not offer as much water resistance and durability as full-grain or nubuck leather. Synthetic materials are breathable, quick-drying, and inexpensive, but because they are a lighter material, they are less durable than leather.
Water Resistance
I always recommend buying hiking boots that are waterproof because, in my opinion, it is a necessity. Having waterproof boots will keep your feet dry in wet conditions. Most hiking boots are waterproof, but I highly recommend reading reviews to determine how much the hiking boots are waterproof.
Internal Support
Having hiking boots that provide support is crucial! There are two types of support hiking boots can have internally: shanks and plates. Shanks are thick inserts located in between the outsole and midsole of the hiking boot that provide stiffness, so it flexes at the ball of the foot. Plates are flexible inserts also located in between the outsole and midsole that protect feet from rough terrain.
Midsole Support
Having a supportive midsole in hiking boots is very important because they provide stiffness. Stiff hiking boots may not sound ideal, but it offers stability and comfort when hiking over uneven terrain. The two most common midsole materials are EVA and polyurethane. Polyurethane is usually found in backpacking boots because it is more durable. EVA is a less expensive material that offers cushion at a lighter weight.
Outsole Grip/Traction
Having traction is a must in hiking boots. I cannot tell you how many times I have been thankful for having hiking boots with great traction when hiking in wet conditions or on slippery rocks. There are two things to look for in outsoles: lug pattern and heel brake. Lug patterns are bumps on the outsole that offer traction and grip. A heel brake is a clearly defined back section of hiking boots in the heel area and provides additional grip when hiking steep descents.
Weight
The last thing you want is to be hiking with what feels like cement blocks on your feet, so it is important to consider the weight of hiking boots. The weight of hiking boots will feel different for everyone, so I highly recommend trying on different types to find what feels best on you.
I hope this guide helps you in purchasing the perfect hiking boots! Remember, find what works best for you. Hiking boots that are perfect for one person may not work for you, so I recommend trying different hiking boots on to find the perfect hiking boots for you.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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