A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Oct. 08, 2024
I've suffered through years of blisters and foot cramps so you don't have to. Here are the best hiking boots for women, as told by an experienced hiker and runner.
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Take it from someone who has hiked and run thousands upon thousands of miles: Good shoes are important. No, not just important—critical. Your hiking boots are the difference between a fun, memorable outing and a day of doom you don’t even want to remember. And I’m sure we’re all aiming for the former.
Because finding the right shoes is so important, this guide to the best hiking boots for women helps sort through the options to find the right ones for you and your favorite hiking trails. With years and miles of hiking under my belt, I’m confident at least one of these picks will suit your outdoor lifestyle. And if you’re looking for the best men’s hiking boots, we found those, too.
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These hiking boots are the all-rounders you’ve been looking for. Constructed of soft, flexible textiles with inset breathable mesh paneling and intensely deep outsole lugs, these best hiking boots for women easily take you from slippery shale-covered trails to densely forested national park campsites.
Some of my favorite features of these boots are the reinforced heel and toe for protection from rocks and sharp sticks, as well as the extended crash pad for balance when you lose your footing. Additionally, the high-top height provides ample ankle support without restricting your range of motion, and the Gore-Tex construction keeps your feet dry while still allowing sweat to escape. These hiking boots cost a little more than $200, but most hikers find the price tag worth the comfort and versatility.
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These budget boots are an editor favorite at Reader’s Digest. And with more than 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s clear that others are fans of this shoe as well. With a combo suede and mesh upper, the Merrel Moabs are protective but breathable, and the contoured Vibram midsole provides fantastic energy return to keep tired feet alive on long trail days.
I adore the mid-rise height and various color options, all in a rugged suede look. Best yet—you can snag these best hiking boots for women for less than $100 in some colorways! For such a high-performing product, that feels like a steal—and a fantastic gift for campers!
“I’ve owned these boots for three hiking seasons, and they’ve held up exceptionally well after hundreds of miles on the trail,” says Senior Shopping Editor Megan Mowery. “I don’t plan on needing to replace these anytime soon, but even if I did, I’d buy them again without thinking twice.”
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Another Reader’s Digest editor favorite, these waterproof hiking boots feature a completely suede upper that wraps all the way around the heel and ankle, plus a thick, cushioned tongue to protect the bony upper part of the foot. The outsoles feature Omni-Grip rubber traction for secure footing on virtually any terrain, and the seam-sealed design means these Columbia hiking boots will hold up to years of wear out on the trails.
Inspired by a “classic mountaineering style,” they’re available in nearly a dozen aesthetically pleasing colorways to complement the rest of your hiking and camping gear this summer.
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I am forever indebted to these winter hiking boots. Seriously. They kept my feet toasty and comfortable during a week-long trip to Montana in late winter that included a good deal of backcountry (read: thigh-deep snow) hiking. Meanwhile, my friends, who made first-timer mistakes and wore subpar winter boots, suffered through extremely cold feet to the point of pain and numbing throughout the entire trip.
Real winter boots keep you stable on slushy or uneven terrain. And these are chock-full of all the features you need for safe and comfortable outdoor activities, including a strong toe box reinforced with genuine leather, a mid-calf rise and 200-gram insulation (grams are a measure of thickness in relation to insulation).
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The best hiking boots for women must include a lightweight option that mimics the natural shape of the foot. These all-weather mid-boots are extremely popular with trail runners, hikers and backpackers who prefer zero-drop footwear. Altra’s FootShape design allows the forefoot and toes plenty of room to splay out, which can prevent pain associated with tight shoes. It also wicks sweat from the inside! Smelly shoes are all too common, learn how to remove smells from shoes.
This type of shoe is also known to strengthen the feet, which provides long-term hiking and backpacking benefits. Despite the zero-drop design, there is plenty of midsole cushioning in the Lone Peak boots. I own these in two styles (mid- and low-top), and they’ve never failed to keep my feet comfortable during long treks.
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The Targhee III is one of the few hiking boots for women that offers true wide sizes. Celebrate the end of scrunched-up toes with these Keen boots, which come in women’s sizes 5 to 11, including half sizes. In addition to their wide size availability, they boast several other impressive features. The outsole, for instance, sports fully covered rubber lugs that are 4 millimeters tall, ensuring exceptional traction.
The upper is crafted from genuine leather, earning a gold rating from the Leather Working Group—an organization that evaluates the environmental impact of leather tanneries. Not only does this material provide natural flexibility, but it is also waterproof. It’s a winning combination for any hiking scenario, if you ask me!
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Truth be told: I wear my Forsake Patch boots on many occasions that aren’t related to hiking. I can take these babies from beach camping spots to luxury outdoor adventures and they’ll perform fantastically for any activity.
These boots feature a waterproof leather upper, molded EVA midsole and a support shank along the arch that keeps your foot stable when on uneven terrain. They also sport multi-directional lugs that vary in size to make the boots more versatile. The tongue is cushioned and flexible, and the wide, flat laces keep the boot snug around your foot.
The rise hits just above the ankle to provide support without restricting the joint. Trust me, these are the perfect “up for anything” boots that take you from rugged outdoor adventure mode to out on the town for local brews on tap.
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Danner expertly combines modern technology with classic styling in its footwear, particularly in hiking boots. The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX boots showcase this with features like Vibram Fuga outsoles, SPE midsoles, Ortholite footbeds and a waterproof upper. These elements, paired with a full-grain leather exterior, create a beautiful and highly functional pair of boots built for adventure.
Though they require a break-in period—common with leather footwear—these boots are designed to last, making them a reliable choice for years.
Here’s a quick guide to the most common types of hiking boots:
The most crucial factor is ensuring the right fit. A good hiking boot should cradle your heel without slipping, feel snug around the midfoot and allow your toes enough room to move freely. Ensure there’s no excessive pressure on the top of your foot or discomfort around the ankle.
Choose your boots based on the type of terrain you’ll be hiking. Lightweight and flexible boots will work for easy, flat trails in good weather. If tackling snowy, rugged or more difficult trails, opt for specialized boots designed for harsher conditions.
Amanda Capritto is a certified personal trainer, integrative nutrition health coach, functional training specialist, corrective exercise specialist, triathlete, CrossFitter and content creator. With a career centered on understanding the human body in athletic contexts, she is the ideal expert on hiking boots.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
We approached this guide through a fitness lens, drawing on Amanda Capritto’s expertise to inform our research. We focused on brands with a history of producing high-quality women’s hiking boots and considered professional reviews and user feedback. We also scrutinized the materials and technologies in each boot to ensure the final selection offers top options across various styles, budgets and capabilities.
Hiking shoes resemble tennis shoes more than boots and are often used interchangeably with trail running shoes. Hiking boots tend to be stiffer, heavier and have a mid- or high-rise design for added ankle support.
The break-in period can vary, depending on the boot, your foot shape and hiking conditions. It may happen almost immediately or take a couple of weeks.
Always go bigger, not smaller. Buying half a size up is recommended to accommodate thicker socks and foot swelling during long hikes. Your normal size will usually work, but a slight increase offers added comfort.
