The 5 Best Winter Hiking Boots for Women
If you are planning to hike in the winter, it is very important to have warm and waterproof winter hiking boots! Although many hiking boots are water-resistant, it is crucial to have waterproof winter hiking boots to handle the snow you will be hiking through and insulation to help keep your feet warm in cold temperatures. There are so many winter hiking boots for women on the market, so it can be overwhelming to decide which winter hiking boots will work for you. This guide will review everything you need to know to find the perfect winter hiking boots, including the best women’s winter hiking boots on the market.
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Why You Should Invest in Winter Hiking Boots
The hiking boots you wear in the warmer months could work as winter hiking boots, but they will likely not keep your feet as warm as you need for hiking in the winter. The best winter hiking boots for women will have insulation to keep your feet warm while hiking in the snow or cold temperatures. Having the extra insulation in your hiking boots will help keep your feet protected. The best women’s winter hiking boots will also be waterproof, durable, and have great traction. The water resistance and durability of the winter hiking boots will help keep your feet protected against the snow and cold temperatures. The outsole grip of the women’s winter hiking boots must provide traction, making sure you are not slipping while hiking. Although the hiking boots you wear in the warmer months may have some of these features, they most likely will not have the insulation you need for winter hiking. This guide will help you find the best winter hiking boots for women!
The Best Winter Hiking Boots for Women
Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof Boots
Pros:
Warm with 200g insulation
Waterproof
Supportive
Cons:
Some report that the traction could be better
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The Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof Boots are hands down my favorite pair of women’s winter hiking boots. Oboz is one of those brands that you know you can trust to make reliable and durable hiking boots, which is why you will hear a lot of hikers recommend them as the best winter hiking boots. The Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof Boots are worth every penny to get comfortable, insulated, and waterproof winter hiking boots.
The Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof Boots are among the best women’s winter hiking boots because they will keep your feet warm and dry. They have 200g insulation to keep your feet warm with a breathable and waterproof membrane to allow your feet to breathe and keep them dry. The wool-topped insoles provide additional insulation while supporting your feet. The winter hiking boots also have rubber soles that provide great traction on icy surfaces. The boot height also provides great protection from the snow while still allowing your ankle to move as you hike. The Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof Boots are some of the best winter hiking boots for women on the market!
Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots
Pros:
Warm with 200g insulation
Waterproof
Comfortable
Supportive
Durable
Cons:
The metal hooks for the laces can catch on things
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Merrell has some of the hiking boots at an affordable price, and the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots are no different. I have been using these winter hiking boots for a while now and absolutely love them! For the lower price, you get everything you could want in a winter hiking boot, including warm insulation, a waterproof boot, comfort, and durability.
The Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots have 200g of low bulk insulation, which is perfect for hiking in cold temperatures. I run cold, and these boots keep me very warm! They are also waterproof and durable which is perfect for winter hiking. These winter hiking boots also are very comfortable and do not have a long break-in time. I wore these on a six-mile hike after barely breaking them in, and I did not have any issues. On top of all that, the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots are pretty affordable compared to other winter hiking boots, so you get the same features at a lower price. You can’t really beat that! If you are looking for an excellent winter hiking boot for women, the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots are a great choice!
KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot
Pros:
Warm with 200g insulation
Waterproof
Supportive
Great grip
Cons:
Can fit tight against ankles
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The KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot is another pair of the best winter hiking boots for women. KEEN stands apart from other brands because of its eco-friendly features. The leather is sourced from tanneries that use a reduced chemical use. Their hiking boots also use technology to break down odor naturally rather than using hazardous chemicals. And on top of all that, the KEEN.WARM insulation is made of recycled plastic bottles! If you are looking for an eco-friendly, warm, waterproof, and comfortable winter hiking boot, the KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot is one of the best women’s winter hiking boots on the market!
The KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot has 200g insulation that will keep your feet warm on cold and snowy hikes. The membrane is made of KEEN.DRY to keep your feet dry while allowing them to breathe. The KEEN.WARM insulation has insoles that provide comfort while retaining heat throughout your hike. The KEEN.Polar Traction outsoles have 5mm lugs that provide great traction on snowy and slippery surfaces. The KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar Boot are some of the best winter hiking boots for women!
KEEN Revel IV High Polar Hiking Boots
Pros:
Warm with 200g insulation
Waterproof
Supportive
Great grip
Tall boot shaft
Cons:
The high boot shaft can limit ankle mobility
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The KEEN Revel IV High Polar Hiking Boots are another pair of the best winter hiking boots for women. These boots are similar to the ones above, except they have a higher boot shaft. The leather is sourced from tanneries that use a reduced chemical use. Their hiking boots also use technology to break down odor naturally rather than using hazardous chemicals. And on top of all that, the KEEN.WARM insulation is made of recycled plastic bottles! If you are looking for an eco-friendly, warm, waterproof, and comfortable winter hiking boot, the KEEN Revel IV High Polar Hiking Boots is one of the best women’s winter hiking boots on the market!
The KEEN Revel IV High Polar Hiking Boots have 200g insulation that will keep your feet warm on cold and snowy hikes. The membrane is made of KEEN DRY to keep your feet dry while allowing them to breathe. The KEEN WARM insulation has insoles that provide comfort while retaining heat throughout your hike. The KEEN Polar Traction outsoles have 5mm lugs that provide great traction on snowy and slippery surfaces. The KEEN Revel IV High Polar Hiking Boots are some of the best winter hiking boots for women!
Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip Boots
Pros:
Warm with 200g insulation
Waterproof
Supportive
Great grip
Cons:
Runs small in the toe box
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Danner is one of the original hiking boot brands that have created incredible hiking boots over the years. The Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip 7" Boots are Danner’s winter hiking boots that provide comfort while keeping your feet warm. Similar to almost every winter hiking boot on the list, they have 200g insulation to keep your feet warm on snowy hikes. Their Danner Dry technology provides waterproof protection to keep your feet dry. The Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip 7" Boots also have comfortable midsoles and footbeds that help support your feet on long hikes. And of course, they have outsoles that provide great traction on slippery surfaces. The Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip 7" Boots are among the best women’s winter hiking boots!
Winter Hiking Boots for Women Features
Insulation
I think one of the most important things to consider when looking for the best winter hiking boots for women is insulation because you will be hiking in cold weather. The great thing is most winter hiking boots on the market have insulation. How much insulation you want is dependent on the conditions you will be hiking in. The most common insulation is 200g and 400g. Although 400g is warmer, you will most likely be okay with 200g. If you will be hiking in below-freezing temperatures, you may want to consider 400g insulation for your winter hiking boots.
Water Resistance
Because you will be hiking in snowy and wet conditions, it is crucial to purchase winter hiking boots that are waterproof. Almost all of the best winter hiking boots for women are waterproof, but I highly recommend reading reviews to determine if that is accurate.
Durability
One of the most important things to consider when looking for the best women’s winter hiking boots is their material. Having good quality material will increase the durability, water resistance, and breathability of winter hiking boots. Full-grain leather offers great water resistance and durability but weighs more compared to other materials and requires time to break in. Nubuck leather is also very durable and water-resistant but is more flexible than full-grain leather. Although it 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 leather or nubuck leather. Synthetic materials are breathable, quick-drying, and inexpensive, but they are less durable than leather because they are lighter material.
Outsole Grip/Traction
Having great grip and traction is a must in women’s winter hiking boots because you will be hiking in snowy and wet conditions. 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, and a heel brake is a clearly defined back section of hiking boots in the heel area that provides additional grip when hiking steep descents.
Internal Support
Having winter hiking boots that provide support is crucial! There are two types of support women’s winter hiking boots can have internally: plates and shanks. Plates are flexible inserts located between the outsole and midsole that protect feet from rough terrain. Shanks are thick inserts located between the outsole and midsole of the hiking boot that provides stiffness, so it flexes at the ball of the foot.
Midsole Support
Having a supportive midsole in winter hiking boots is important because they provide stiffness. Stiff winter 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. EVA is a less expensive material that offers cushion at a lighter weight, and Polyurethane is typically found in backpacking boots because it is more durable.
Weight
The last thing you want to consider when looking for the perfect winter hiking boots is the weight. The last thing you want to do is have what feels like cement blocks on your feet, so it is important to look at the winter hiking boot’s weight. Winter hiking boots tend to be a little heavier than regular winter hiking boots, so I recommend trying different types to find what weight feels best for you!
This guide is a great starting point to finding the best winter hiking boots for women! It reviews everything you need to know to find the perfect pair for you, including the best winter hiking boots for women on the market.
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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