If there’s a good thing to come out of the last year, I think many of us have developed a greater appreciation for the Great Outdoors.
Whether you’ve just taken up hiking or you’ve been hitting the trails for years, you’ll need a pair of hiking boots that are supportive and comfortable. Take a look below at the best hiking boots for women to choose for your next adventure…
We would love to know your recommendations too in a comment below.
Why you should consider hiking boots
Not only are they often more comfortable to walk in, one major element is safety. I can speak from experience. Although I usually wear my hiking boots, I used my trainers recently instead for a ‘casual’ walk around the cliffs of the Algarve.
And I fell and broke my arm and had an operation. Don’t be fooled by the smile in this picture. It has been quite an ordeal and it will take me months to recover.
Even though I will never know if this accident would have been prevented with the right boots, my sneakers definitely didn’t have the same ‘grip’ as my hiker shoes.
As we get older, our bones become more fragile. Safety is important. If you love hiking over steep terrain, consider wearing a good hiking boot. When I next brave steeper hikes, I will also take some hiking poles.
My boots are from Lowa. Here is a similar pair.
What to look out for in a hiking boot
Before I get onto recommendations, let’s think for a moment about what your hiking boots need to do.
What kind of hiker are you?
The type of boot you need will be partly determined by the kind of hiker you are. Do you casually hit the trails for a few miles, or are you crossing more challenging terrain? Do you like to run at least part of the way? Will you be climbing? You will need different hiking shoes depending on your activity level.
The material
Your hiking boots should keep you dry and comfortable. You can choose from synthetics which are likely to dry quicker if you’re sweaty but may not be as water resistant, leather, or a combination of the two.
How high should they be?
Hiking boots come in a variety of cuts. Generally, you should opt for a lower cut if you will be running, but a higher cut if you are crossing difficult terrain and may need additional ankle support.
The fit
It goes without saying that your hiking boots need to fit well. They should be snug but not tight, and you should have plenty of wiggle room around your toes. Make sure to try them on with your trail socks.
The best hiking boots for women for your next trail walk
Josephine @chicatantyage above (read her style interview here) opts for lace-up hiking boots, and Nordic walking poles so she can also give her upper body a workout.
Check out this similar pair of hiking shoes, jacket, leggings, belt bag and trekking poles.
Now let’s get onto some of the most recommended shoes for hiking:
Best hiking boots for women: timberland
The Timberland hiking boots (below) would look stylish on or off the trails. Reviewers say they are comfy, practical and stylish.
Timberland Courmayeur Valley Water Resistant Hiking Boot
Columbia
The Columbia boots (below) come in a good choice of colors, so you’ll definitely find a pair to suit your hiking outfit. One reviewer said they took her comfortably on hikes in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Zion and Salt Lake.
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot
Merrell
If you want to make sure that your walking boots are waterproof, then the Merrell boots (below) could be for you. They seal out water and also let moisture escape to keep you dry on your hike.
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
Best hiking boots for women: ecco
ECCO is renowned for making comfortable shoes so it’s definitely worth trying its hiking boots. They have ECCO Fluidform technology to provide flexibility and anatomical support so are definitely worth considering when you are thinking about the best hiking boots for women.
ECCO MX Gore-Tex® Waterproof Hiking Boot
Chaco
If you like the look of a hiking boot, but aren’t necessarily going hiking, then the Chaco boots (below) are ideal for walking around town.
Chaco Cataluna Explorer Waterproof Hiking Boot
softwalk
With a cushioned insole and antibacterial fur-lining, the Softwalk hiking boots (below) should keep you dry and comfortable.
Best hiking boots for women: joules
Joules is known for its classic country styling, so it makes sense that the brand would make a good pair of hiking boots. Choose from navy as shown below or khaki.
ugg
It may be best known for its longer style UGG winter boots, but UGG has also released hiking boot choices. One reviewer said they felt like walking on cotton candy.
UGG Highland High Top Heritage Hiking Boot
Hi-tec
With a comfort insole and steel shank for stability and support, the HI-TEC boots (below) have plenty of positive reviews. One woman said she would never buy another pair of boots again.
Keen
Keen is one of the brands I regular feature in my recommendations on the best arch support shoes and its hiking boots are very well reviewed. One reviewer said they were the best boots she had bought in a long time and another said they comfortably took her along the Inca Trail.
KEEN TARGHEE II MID Waterproof Hiking Boot
Skechers
With an air cooled memory foam sole and mesh panels for breathability, the Skechers boots (below) come in a good choice of colors including the navy shown here and also brown with a pop of pink.
Salomon
If you prefer a lightweight hiking boot, try the Salomon boots (below). Reviewers say they took little breaking in.
SALOMON Trail Track and Field Shoe
vasque
Promising plenty of traction no matter what the terrain, the Vasque boots (below) are waterproof and comfortable as well as having a lightweight grippy sole.
Vasque Breeze Lite Nature-Tex® Waterproof Hiking Boot
Propét
If you prefer a lower profile hiking shoe rather than one with high ankle support, the Propét boots (below) come in a sneaker style, but with plenty of grip on the sole for uneven ground.
altra
Named after the Tushar Mountains in Utah, the Altra hiking boots (below) are flexible, breathable, and should keep you comfortable no matter what the weather.
ALTRA ALW1967H Tushar Hiking Boot
adidas
Adidas is renowned for its sneakers, so it’s no surprise that its hiking shoe has a sneaker styling. There are plenty of positive reviews with women saying they hopped from rock to rock at a waterfall, hiked the Grand Canyon and walked for 30 miles in Utah, Moab and the Arches National Park.
Adidas Outdoor Terrex Ax3 Hiking Shoe
Do you have a pair of specialist hiking boots? I’d love to hear your own recommendations for the best hiking shoes for women. Let me know in the comments below.
shop items above here:
Continue reading:
- Stylish Hiking Outfits For Women To Keep You Comfy On A Casual Stroll Or Longer Trek
- Best Shoes With Arch Support – Comfortable Walking Shoes To Walk In All Day!
- The Best Plantar Fasciitis Shoes For Women Over 40
like this post on the best hiking boots for women? share it on pinterest!
Feature image by Josephine @chicatantyage
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.
You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!
I have the Merrill Moab 2 boots you mentioned and took them to test at Arcadia National Park for three days. They were so comfortable, gave me just the right amount of support and kept my feet dry! I whole-heartedly recommend them. I cringed every time I saw some one in sneakers on more difficult hikes and witnessed several slips and falls. Keep safe everyone and wear the proper footwear!
Thanks for the feedback Susan!
The best climbing, hiking and all around boots I ever wore were my black combat boots while I served with the US Air Force during the 70’s. Once you got used to them they were fantastic for support and keeping feet dry.
Feel better Sylvia and stay safe on your next adventure!
Wow you for serving in the air force! What would be an alternative for those boots that you can buy online now?
As someone with a congenital birth defect in one foot, I take shoes and boots very seriously. If they lack certain features, I cannot buy them, or won’t buy them, because I don’t trust them. I’m at a point now in my life where I cannot take the risk of falling and breaking something, so my shoes have to be stable. I can heartily recommend Merrill shoes and boots, partially because of the Vibram sole which makes walking so much easier (I also have lumbar damage from serious falls). I’d say if you want to be SURE you’re on a stable footbed, look for Vibram soles (which Merrell carries more than other brands). Sylvia, when you mentioned sneakers and the Algarve, my heart skipped a beat; I’m so sorry you hurt yourself. I know how long it can take to fully heal (first time I broke a bone was age 17, but I have broken others since then). Be well, heal quickly! 🙂
Thanks for the recommendations. Yes wearing sneakers was probably not the best idea but I hadn’t realized that our path would be over a steep hill… We should just have turned back, but it was the last part of the track… With hindsight you always know what do do..
Oh, Darling! I’m so sorry your arm broke during your hike! Best wishes for it to heal fully so you can get back to adventuring! Thank you also for providing such useful and lovely content. I always look forward to your emails!
Thanks for the kind words. I’m already back to adventuring. Nothing will stop me from traveling 🙂 Will write about it more in the coming weeks. It’s now almost 7 weeks ago that it happend, so can already use my arm a bit now.