5 Best Hiking Boots for Women With Style and Grace

Are you looking for the best hiking boots for women?

1. You may have heard of all the benefits of a good hike and now want to go on your own.
2. You probably want to make sure you have the right boots for women
3. Or perhaps you need to replace your pair that you forgot at a friend’s place, on another continent, but you do not want to stop your hiking routine.

Best Hiking Boots for Women

Hiking is an age-old means of getting in some great exercise whilst also exploring an environment. It has gone on for decades and has been said to be the answer to several ailments.

Taking a hike does not fall in the category of old wives’ tales, that were just designed to keep you from doing something but with no real tangible reason.

Hiking will do so much for your body, all at the same time, you will be shocked. It improves your general fitness and also your mental health.

It is not just good for your physical health but also for your social life. Getting out to get some fresh air is an all-round jackpot.

In a Hurry

Are you in a hurry and looking for a great pair of women’s hiking boots? There are a couple of factors to consider when it comes to picking out the best pair.

It is easy to think that going hiking will not need shoes that are different from your usual running shoes.

You already have a couple of trainers and those should work, right? Wrong. Hiking has specific needs that can be found on shoes specifically made for hiking.

A good hiking boot for a woman will be supportive, waterproof, comfortable, and will allow you to wear them easily. 

Top Pick

You will also need to make sure they can fasten securely. Sure you can find budget buys, but when it comes to hiking boots, invest in them.

With the plethora of options available on the market, you will need some sort of guidance in getting the best pair. We have done the research and found some of the best options on the market today.

Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot

We do not have to introduce Columbia, do we? It is a massive brand in the hiking and general outdoors niche. We love their products. Anyway, now onto the boot.

The Newton Ridge Plus is designed to deliver great comfort. It is designed to take on all sorts of terrain.

The material on the upper part of the shoes is full-grain leather and suede. Whenever we see leather we know that the boots are somewhat waterproof.

The suede bit ensures that water rolls right off the surface. Each of the shoes is largely sturdy looking. It has a premium look and feel to it. 

The eyelets on the shoes are of the D-ring variety. The Techlite midsole provides incredible traction due to the rubber outsoles. They provide slip-free movement on rough ground.

Whether you are taking on flat or rocky terrain, the shoes will perform as expected. There is advanced traction courtesy of the Omni-grip technology that allows for ultimate traction.

One of the things that may surprise you is just how lightweight the shoes are despite being so sturdy. The midsole is long-lasting.

The interior is well-cushioned to a comfortable hike which is handy when hiking for long periods. There is minimum energy loss as you go about your hike. 

On the upper part of the boot is a mesh tongue that provides breathability. The lacing on the boots ensures that the shoes are compactly fitted around your foot.

There is free movement without hindrance. There are 7 styles and colours that you can choose yours from. You may go with a feminine style and design or choose to go with one of the neutral designs. The shoes can also be hand washed.

Pros

The shoes provide great ankle support.

They run in half sizes.

They are comfortable and well-cushioned.

The shoes are waterproof.

The lacing makes for a compact fit.

They run true to size.

The traction of the shoe provides great grip due to Omni-Grip technology.

There is a feminine design as part of 6 others.

Cons

There have been some rogue products that were not durable.

Some issues with the width.

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Timberland Women’s Nellie Double Waterproof Ankle Boot 

Timberland is another brand that needs no introduction. They are synonymous with high-quality footwear, among other things for over 4 decades.

The Nellie Double Waterproof Ankle Boot is a winner. From an aesthetic point of view, this is the perfect blend of a rugged boot design that is then paired up with a look that is feminine.

They have taken a boot that is traditionally masculine and given it that feminine touch. It is a versatile design that can work with most things that you wear on your hike.

Whether you choose to wear a skirt, shorts or trousers. This will fit right in. It is an all-year-round sort of shoe.

The upper part of the boot is fully waterproof. It is made out of premium leather. One of the weak points of shoes where waterproofing is concerned are the seams.

This is where the water sneaks through. Timberland has taken care of this problem by sealing the seams all around.

The collar of the shoes is padded for comfort. To ensure that you can go on long hikes while remaining fresh they have added anti-fatigue footbeds that can be removed. It provides great comfort and support.

The mesh lining of the boots is breathable. Not only is the shoe warm, but it is also relatively breathable. 10% of the rubber lug outsoles are made out of plant-based material.

That is not all that this shoe has that is good for the environment. The shoelaces are made up of 100% PET recycled plastic bottles. The overall weight of the shoe is just over 1lb.

Pros

The boots are fully waterproof.

They have a nice feminine touch to it.

Parts of the boots are environmentally friendly.

The seams of the shoes are sealed.

They are comfortable

The footbeds have anti-fatigue features.

They run true-to-size.

Cons

The laces could be longer.

There are a lot of counterfeits on the market.

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Vasque Women’s Breeze 2.0 Gore-Tex Hiking Boot

Vasque is not a brand that we were familiar with prior to this. When you come across a lovely shoe, you just know it. Brand suddenly becomes secondary.

That has been our experience with the Breeze 2.0 Gore-Tex Hiking Boot. It is a hiking boot that was designed to keep you comfortable and safe no matter what kind of terrain you take on.

Most of the upper part of the shoes are made out of leather. The leather is somewhat punctuated with islands of mesh all around the shoe. The Nubuck leather used here is known for being waterproof.

That is what makes it a great addition to the boot. As with other waterproof shoes, breathability becomes the next challenge.

Vasque has tackled this with the mesh. It is highly breathable while remaining water-resistant to support the cause of the leather. 

Traction is obviously a massive factor. The sole is made out of rubber. You are bound to get some traction.

This is a shoe that was designed with the day hikers and overnight hiker’s in mind. It is lightweight and compact.

The inner part of the shoe is made out of nylon lining and DryTech footbed to give you perfect cushioning, comfort and support.

The collar of the boot is also padded. Gore-Tex liners have also been used as part of the waterproofing. Breathability and moisture management goes a long way when hiking on a particularly hot day. 

Now that we have covered breathability and waterproofing, let us consider how well it would do in adverse weather conditions.

The first thing that you would probably already know is that the boots are perfect for the warm days. They can certainly take on a cool day. However, I would have reservations for using these on a harsh winter’s day.

Pros

The shoes are lightweight.

They provide incredible traction for all sorts of terrain.

They are somewhat waterproof.

They provide incredible arch support.

The toe guard is a good addition to the shoe.

Provide reasonable temperature control.

They are available in half sizes.

Cons

They do not always run true-to-size.

Can be somewhat hard on the pink toe.

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Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot 

Merrell is one of the best hiking brands for both men and women. The Merrell Moab 2 is a shoe that we have previously reviewed. Bringing it back as part of this list is a testament to a great brand and boot.

The upper part of this boot is made out of suede leather and mesh. This delivers a good balance between waterproofing and breathability.

The sole of the boot is a rubber one. That is always a good indicator of traction. The heel is about an inch and a half thick.

You have the peace of mind in knowing that this boot would be able to take on the harsher terrain if required to. It would provide you with protection from sharp objects that would potentially penetrate the heel.

The heel of the boot is designed to provide shock absorption and give you stability as you hike. This is courtesy of the Merrell air cushion. Each boot comes with a removable insole.

This allows you the option to replace the insole if you wanted to. There are a total of 6 designs that are available for you to choose from. 

Considering overall performance, you will be pleased to know that the upper part of the shoe can take a lot of abuse without falling apart. It is a well-made product.

There is a rubber toe cap in place to protect your often vulnerable toes as you hike. We did mention that it provides arch support, right? They are also extremely lightweight. This makes them ideal for both long and short hikes. 

Pros

There is not much of a breaking in period to be endured.

They are undoubtedly well-made.

You can get them in half sizes.

They usually run true to size.

Offers great arch support.

They are suitable for both hot and cold hikes.

Cons

The soles do not offer much flex.

Waterproofing is not perfect.

No perfect for those with wide feet.

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Ariat Women’s Terrain H2O Hiking Boot Copper 

Our final pick is from another brand that we are not too familiar with. As always, we never write off anything until we have fully researched or tried it out.

So here goes. The first thing that we noticed was that the Ariat Women’s Terrain H2O Hiking Boot has a full leather upper.

Leather is always good when the rain comes. Take this into consideration when deciding which one you go with. It is a compact and sealed design that will not leave much room for water to sneak through.

Ariat has oiled this full-grain leather so that water could roll right off it. The sole of the boot is synthetic. 

The shaft of this boot runs all the way up to your ankle from your arch. The collar of the boot is well padded. This provides you with comfort on the upper part of your feet. It also has a waterproof membrane construction.

The lining of the boot wicks moisture away from the rest of the shoe. You will find that this is a great feature for keeping the shoe smelling fresh. The outsole is self-cleaning. The debris falls off and you hike. 

Pros

The boots are waterproof.

They generally run true to size.

They are extremely durable.

Available in half sizes.

The outsole self cleans.

Provides arch and ankle support.

They are very warm.

Cons

The tread traction could be better.

There is not too much excess room for thicker socks.

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Buyer’s Guide for the best hiking boots for women

Hiking boots come in all different types. The ones you get will depend on the time of day and the type of trails you intend to hike on. Day hiking boots are made for shorter hikes where you are not as heavily laden with food or supplies.

You will find them in mid and high cut models. The great thing about these is that they break in much faster.

For those longer trips, you will need that offer the highest level of support with stiffer midsoles that will give you more stability. Here are a few tips to consider when looking for a new pair of hiking boots for women.

The thing about going to the gym is that you have to actually go to the gym! Some may love the trip, whilst others will come up with every excuse not to. There are different reasons why this is so.

Sometimes you may have every intention of going, maybe to lose weight or for health reasons, but you feel like the gyms you know are intimidating, or they do not offer you what you are looking for. Hiking comes in handy here.

It is one of the best ways to get an overall workout. A lot of cardiovascular exercises like cycling or running or swimming are widely recommended for all body work out.

But hiking will get you all this plus a view! Hiking will help build your muscle strength and bone density. It stimulates quadriceps, hamstrings, and our lower leg and hip muscles. If you are hiking with a backpack then you are also working your core.

The other reason why a lot of people take up hiking is to lose weight. The market is so flooded with get-thin-quick schemes. Most of these are not healthy ways to lose weight, but hiking is. Hiking can burn between 440 and 550 calories per hour.

If you want to actively lose weight, then hiking is a great option for you. Hiking will also help reduce blood pressure and lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases and conditions. You can keep your heart healthy by deciding on a good hike.

Hiking does not just have a great effect on your body, you will find that it stimulates creativity. If your life requires bursts of creativity then this is something you want to include in your routine.

One of the things that hamper our focus, is our short attention span. It is one of the little foxes that spoil the vine.

The number of distractions that we have today, hinder our ability to focus. Studies have shown that going out for a good hike, will increase your ability to focus, to solve problems and to be creative by as much as fifty per cent.

When you go out hiking you do not just exercise your muscles. You get fresh air in your lungs and vitamin D from the sunlight.

Now that you know all these great benefits, you may be rearing to go. Ready to face the great outdoors. But there is more that goes into hiking than just thinking it is a great idea.

You need to go out there adequately prepared to take on the rough terrain.

A good pair of hiking boots will give you great comfort, traction and will fit amazingly. You want a pair that allows you to go about your business without second-guessing where or how you are stepping.

Women’s boots come in different variations, and so it is important to know what you want so that you are not inundated with options. Manufacturers will all be trying to grab your attention.

They are in business. You on the other hand, just want what will work better for you on the trail.

Comfort

Going hiking can be rough on your feet. That is if you do not have the right protection on your feet.

A good pair of hiking boots will help you hike with confidence, and with better ease. You need boots that are strong on the outside but soft on the inside.

Materials

Look for boots that are made of long-lasting durable material. Leather tends to be great for this, however, it does take longer to break-in. However, boots made of synthetic material are generally lighter.

Boots made with man-made materials tend to be harder to clean, and that can be a bummer, considering that hiking can rack up quite a lot of muck.

 Fit

Get a pair of boots that will fit you nice and snug. This means you need to consider how you fasten the boots. It will make quite a difference for you.

Make sure there’s some wiggle room too. The best time to try on boots is at the end of the day when your feet are swollen through the day’s activities.

Conclusion

Going shopping for shoes is always such great fun. Retail therapy! When it comes to shopping for hiking boots for women, make sure that you are led by the features the boot has and how well it will serve you on the trail, then by looks and how they look.

The best boots, are the ones that will do you justice. We hope our top picks will help you take home your new pair of awesome hiking boots. Happy shopping!