Buying guide for Best women’s hiking boots
Women’s hiking boots represent a revolution in footwear design. When true “hiking boots” began to be built and marketed to climbers in the Italian Alps just after World War I, women had to contend with men’s sizes and fit issues, or they had to order a custom-made pair – always a pricey option.
However, from the 1980s forward, as more and more people took to the outdoors, bootmakers began marketing directly to women. Now, hundreds of hiking boots made specifically for women are available. Their sizing, fit, and durability vary greatly, though.
Types of hiking boots
There is a tremendous variety of women’s hiking boot models to choose from, but you’ll generally see three main types in retail stores: hiking shoes, day hikers, and backpacking boots.
All have a stiff rubber sole and plenty of lugs (those knobby rubber protrusions from the sole) to ensure a good grip on many types of terrain. Their weight can vary, but even high-cut, heavy-duty mountaineering boots can be rated as “lightweight” depending on the materials used to make them.
Here are the details on the three main types of hiking boots.
Hiking shoes
These are generally low-cut shoes with flexible midsoles. They’re much lighter than high-cut, heavy-duty boots and don’t need much walking to be broken in, yet they offer a more rugged build than your standard running shoe.
Day hikers
These are made for short backpacking trips with relatively light loads (around 20 lbs.). They have mid- to high-cut uppers to provide greater ankle support, yet the soles still flex somewhat, and they need little to no time to break in.
Backpacking boots
These are high-cut, durable, and built to provide good support when carrying heavy loads (20 to 40 lbs. or more) on longer backpacking trips.
Their midsoles are much stiffer, with a sturdy shank built into the boot that runs along the foot bed, and they usually need ample breaking in to be completely comfortable on long treks.
Backpacking boots are an essential part of the backcountry hiking experience, so a lot of thought should go into choosing the right pair.
Hiking boots materials
Different hiking boots are made of different materials. You’ll hear a lot of different advice about the best type of material for hiking boots. But in the end, it’s your decision. Typical hiking boot materials include the following.
Full-grain leather
Full-grain leather is extremely durable, resistant to abrasion from rocks, and water-resistant. It’s a preferred material for heavy-duty backpacking boots. However, full-grain leather isn’t breathable, and boots of this material take quite a bit of time to break in properly so they’re comfortable to wear. A slightly more flexible option is Nubuck, which is a full-grain leather that has been buffed to look like suede.
Did you know?
Higher-end and heavy-duty hiking boots typically have a shank – a stiff piece of composite material or even steel placed between the midsole and outsole – to provide more stability and reduce torsion.
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Split-grain leather
While not as durable or water-resistant as full-grain, this type of leather is lighter, more breathable, and costs less to produce. It’s often paired with nylon or a nylon mesh to make the boot even more breathable. You’ll see split-grain leather used often in light- to midweight hiking boots and shoes. Often, a water-resistant liner is sewn into the leather to increase its water-repelling capability.
Synthetic
Polyester and nylon are increasingly taking the place of real leather. They’re durable, lightweight, and often cost less – but they also wear out much quicker than leather. Other options include materials like waterproof membranes (liners made with Gore-Tex or eVent that help keep your feet dry), higher amounts of insulation for mountaineering boots used in icy conditions, and boots designed to fit crampons for extreme terrain challenges.
We compare hiking boots by their materials to determine which textiles are most effective for different uses.
We evaluate hiking shoes, day hikers, and backpacking boots to find the best boot style for every environment.
Insoles provide comfort, stability, and/or breathability. Our team compares them to find the best style for every scenario.
Women’s hiking boots typically need time to be broken in and become pliable. We compare models to determine whether the break-in period is quick or prolonged.
We evaluate padding and comfort, including the texture of the insoles.
Our team examines every model to determine whether it fits true to size or runs small or large.
We determine which models are lightweight and which are heavier and cumbersome.
We examine each model to determine whether it can stand up to harsh winters.
All-day comfort and durability merit extra points in our comparisons.
We compare the advantages of all styles, from low- to high-top, to find the most versatile.
Price
Women’s hiking boots can range widely in cost, but surprisingly, the prices are less about brand and more about their type (lightweight, midweight, heavyweight) and the materials used. That’s great for the consumer because it means price variations within hiking boot types tend to stay within the same range from brand to brand.
Lightweight
You can expect to pay between $60 and $120 for a pair of good-quality, lightweight, low-cut hiking shoes.
Midweight
Expect to pay between $80 and $200 for light- to midweight hiking boots.
Backpacking
Anticipate spending about $200 to $360 for backpacking boots
Heavyweight
You'll pay about $300 to $600 for heavy-duty, insulated mountaineering boots.
Expert Tip
If your hiking boots are really wet, stuff some newspaper or clean rags into the toe box as they dry. This can help absorb moisture inside the boots and prevent mildew. Change the paper every day until the boots are completely dry.
Amy
Backpacking Guide and Outdoors Enthusiast
How to choose the right fit
Picking the right women’s hiking boot starts with a bit of introspection. Ask yourself these questions:
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Will I wear these boots on day hikes, multi-day hiking trips, or just around town?
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What’s my hiking style? Do I prefer walking, climbing, or leisurely ambling?
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How heavy is the backpack I’ll be carrying with these boots?
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What are the trail conditions in the areas I’ll be hiking?
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Will I be spending time in a wet environment (from rain or frequent water crossings)?
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What time of year will I be hiking?
While cost is an important consideration, hobbling around camp after a day in poorly fitting, unsupportive boots will make you question why you didn’t just shell out the extra $20 to $50 for a better pair.
Now that you’ve got a few pairs in mind, what constitutes the best fit? Hikers should experiment with a few different models to get an idea of how each brand sizes its footwear.
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Check each manufacturer’s sizing chart online. Measure your feet and match your measurements to their guidelines for proper sizing.
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If you’re using specialized insoles, insert those in a new boot before trying it on.
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To start, leave the boot unlaced. Slip your foot in and slide it as far forward as the boot will allow. Run your hand down to your heel. You should have only about a finger’s width of space between your heel and the back of the boot – any more and the boot will probably be too large.
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Make sure your toes have enough wiggle room in the front of the boot, a.k.a. the toe box.
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The boot should be snug when laced up, but it shouldn’t feel too tight.
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Make sure your heel doesn’t slide up and down inside the boot when you walk around in it.
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Watch out for your feet shifting around too much from side to side or from front to back.
Expert Tip
Try on hiking boots at the end of the day, when your feet have swollen a bit, and wear a pair of mid-weight hiking socks (or your favorite hiking socks). You’ll find the most comfortable fit this way.
Amy
Backpacking Guide and Outdoors Enthusiast
Caring for women’s hiking boots
Break them in
To break in a new pair of hiking boots, especially full-leather and Nubuck boots, take several short hikes first. This is especially important if you plan to take them on a tougher multi-day hike in the near future.
These walks will also help you fine-tune your hiking boots as you adjust the laces, figure out which socks to wear with them, and make sure the overall fit and feel are exactly right.
To get the longest life out of your hiking boots, break them in gently and give them a little bit of TLC after each use.
Cleaning your boots
After each hike, knock the mud out of your boot soles, brush off any dirt and debris, and let the boots air-dry overnight in a well-ventilated spot.
You may want to take out the laces and pull out the insoles and air them out as well, especially if you waded through any streams during the hike.
Most women’s hiking boot manufacturers will have specific instructions about cleaning and maintaining their boots, and they may recommend that you use (or avoid) certain cleaning and waterproofing products depending on the type of boot you have. Check the manufacturer’s website for additional care instructions as soon as you get your boots.
FAQ
Q. Should I wear lightweight socks in hot weather with hiking boots?
A. That’s for you to decide. Socks play a big role in fitting your hiking boots properly. If the socks are too thin or made of the wrong material, your feet will slide around inside the boots as you walk. You’ll tire more quickly on the trail, get footsore easily, and could develop blisters and other foot injuries. Try different thicknesses and weaves to find the most comfortable, best-fitting sock for your hiking boots.
That said, you should avoid all-cotton socks at all times of year. Cotton doesn’t do a good job of wicking away moisture, leaving your feet sweaty and more prone to chafing, blisters, and other injuries.
Q. My feet still slide around just a bit in my low-cut hiking shoes, especially at the heel. Do I need to get a new pair?
A. First, try adjusting your shoelaces. Most hiking and running shoes have two eyelets, side by side, at the top of each shoe. To keep your heel from sliding up, down, or forward, you can use the extra top eyelets to create a “marathon loop” that can be drawn tight to hold your shoe in place around your ankle. Lace your shoes all the way up, and then loosely thread each lace through the second top eyelet, creating a loop on each side. Thread the end of each lace through the opposite loop. Pull the laces snugly, tightening the loops. Then, tie the laces as usual. This will draw the top of the shoe in a bit tighter, locking your heel into place.
Q. I’ve always had trouble with hiking boots irritating the top of my foot. How can I solve this?
A. If you have a high instep and boot laces irritate the top of your foot, simply avoid crossing the laces over your instep using a technique called window lacing. Tie a locking knot – a half-knot sometimes called a surgeon’s knot or overhand knot – just under the section you want to skip. Then run the laces along the side of the boot to the next eyelet. Tie another locking knot over the skipped section, then continue lacing upward as usual. The open section relieves pressure on the top of your foot.
A dizzying array of women’s hiking boots are available today. But by narrowing down your search to the type of boot you need based on your planned activity, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect style and fit to rock the trail. Happy hiking!
