With more and more women getting into hiking and backpacking, it’s one of the most popular questions that my customers ask me: What are the best women’s hiking boots and hiking shoes?
I’m afraid there’s no easy answer.
Your best choice will be the one that best fits your feet and best matches your hikes. That’s why outdoor industry professionals (like me) won’t recommend any brands, boots, or shoes without asking you qualifying questions: Do you have narrow or wide feet? Have you had foot and ankle problems? Where do you do most of your hiking? What kinds of hiking or backpacking do you do? How much weight will you be carrying? How far or fast do you typically hike?
I can’t do that online. However, my recommendations for the best women’s hiking boots and hiking shoes can help you make a more informed choice. As the former footwear guy at a hiking and backpacking shop, my recommendations include fitting information and suggestions for boots and shoes that tend to match different types of terrain and specific hiking styles. My lists can help you narrow down your search to 2-3 best options in different categories of hiking footwear, including (1) women-specific models, (2) trail running shoes for hikers, (3) hiking shoes, (4) lightweight hiking boots, and (4) mid-duty hiking and backpacking boots.
Here are my picks for best women’s hiking boots and shoes, followed by pro tips on how to choose ones that fit your feet and match hikes.
women-specific hiking boots & shoes
Most best-selling hiking boots and hiking shoes have both a men’s and women’s version. However, a few brands now offer women-specific hiking boots and shoes with women-specific fits and “feminine” styles. That’s a positive change from the “shrink it and pink it” days of women’s hiking footwear.
For the best women-specific hiking footwear, you should start with these two options:
Salomon Vaya: women-specific hiking boots & shoes
The Vaya is the first women-specific model from Salomon–that is, it features “feminine” styling and is specially made to fit women’s unique feet. Available as a low-cut shoe or mid-cut boot, the Vaya is a light-weight option for women hikers who mostly stick to well maintained trails. Vayas offer good ventilation and breathability due to their light mesh uppers and (waterproof) Gore-Tex membranes. Are you looking for a women-specific hiking shoe or hiking boot for casual hikes or fast-and-light hiking? The Vaya should be near the top of your list.
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Fit tips: women-specific fit. Salomons run slightly narrow
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Oboz Sapphire: women-specific hiking boots & shoes
Oboz makes comfortable and durable hiking boots. However, some women find their best-sellers too muscular or masculine. Enter the Sapphire: a women-specific hiking boot with a more streamlined style. The Sapphire may be slimmer and trimmer, but it’s still got decent support and moderately aggressive traction. It’s enough shoe or boot for moderate trails with plenty of comfort, too. This may be a good option for women who want a light-to-mid-duty hiking boot with less bulk than women’s styles based on men’s boots. The Oboz Sapphire is available as a low-cut hiking shoe and a mid-duty hiking boot and comes in both standard and wide sizes–see options below:
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Fit: women-specific fit. Runs narrower/smaller than other Oboz
Check price & availability at REI
best women’s trail running shoes for hiking
Many women have embraced the trend of hiking in trail running shoes. Trail running shoes are made for runners, not hikers. But most long-distance hikers prefer them because they’re lighter and dry faster than traditional hiking shoes and hiking boots. After all, less weight on your feet may save a little energy if you hike fast enough or far enough. Trail runners also may be good choices for casual hikers and day hikers who don’t need much stability, support, or durability for the trails they hike.
Here are two of the best trail running shoes for women who hike:
Altra Lone Peak 6: women’s trail running shoe
The Lone Peak is the most popular trail running shoe with thru-hikers (e.g. Pacific Crest Trail) and one of the most popular trail-runner for hikers, period. The women’s Lone Peak is a moderately cushioned trail running shoe that’s specifically engineered to fit female feet, including a narrower heel and mid-foot, higher instep, and longer arch. Altras are best known for their wide toe boxes and “zero drop” platforms (that position the heel and forefoot an equal distance from the ground). This combination may be a great choice for long-distance hikes on well-maintained trails, where Altra’s generous fit accommodates foot-swell. However, zero drop shoes aren’t for everybody, and those wide toe boxes may be a sloppy fit for narrow feet, steep descents, or harder terrain. But many women love Lone Peaks for their comfort, especially on fast and light hikes.
See below for the new 2022 Lone Peak 6:
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Gender-specific fit. Wide toe box, available in wides
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Hoka Speedgoat
“Hokas” have been a hit with hikers who prefer minimum weight and maximum cushioning. The Speedgoat is the most popular Hoka for hikers–and the best-selling trail shoe in the U.S. It’s lightweight—in spite of its supersized midsoles, which spoil hikers with marshmallowy cushions and shock absorbers for their feet. Speedgoats are also surprisingly supportive for such a cushiony shoe; that foam is thick enough to add some foot protection and a little ankle stability. They also feature Vibram Megagrip outsoles for good wet/dry traction and optional Gore Tex (“GTX”) waterproofing ($20 more). With their tall stack height and pronounced rocker, Hoka’s look and feel are not for everybody. But if you want max cushion, the Speedgoat 4–and new Speedgoat 5 (2022)–are the most cushioned trail running shoes out there for hikers.
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Fit: standard fit with slightly larger toe box
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best women’s hiking shoes
“Hiking shoes” include sturdy shoes that are specifically designed for hikers and the “low” cuts of many hiking boots. Hiking shoes are not as light as trail-running shoes. However, they provide much better support, durability, and foot protection. They’re a popular pick for day hikers because they’re lighter and less bulky than hiking and backpacking boots. If you’ve got solid ankles, you might also be able to backpack in these best-selling hiking shoes:
Oboz Sawtooth II Low: best women’s hiking shoes
The Oboz Sawtooth may be a little heavier than some hiking shoes, but it’s got “all the right junk in all the right places” (to use Meghan Trainor’s lyrics). It’s one of the few hiking shoes that’s sturdy enough for harder hikes yet comfortable enough to wear all day. That’s because Oboz has stacked the Sawtooth with expensive insoles, cushioned midsoles, and sturdy soles with good traction for a range of terrain. This makes for a comfortable shoe–and one with plenty of support, cushion, and foot protection, too. The durable Sawtooth is great value and has won a few awards for the best women’s hiking shoe. The New Sawtooth X is the 2022 update to Oboz’s best selling hiking shoe.
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Fit: sculpted in heel, standard in midfoot & toe box. Available in wide.
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Salomon X Ultra III/IV Low: best women’s hiking shoes
Built from a women-specific last, Salomon’s X Ultra III low may be the best overall hiking shoe for women. And it’s been updated in 2021 with the new X Ultra 4.
Salomon’s best hiking shoe for women is relatively stiff but also relatively light, giving hikers excellent support and foot protection in a lightweight package. It’s also lined with Gore-Tex–the best waterproof-breathable membrane on the market–and aggressive outsoles that dig into steep and soft terrain. The quicklace system isn’t for everybody (I like it). But the Salomon X Ultra series can handle everything from average trails to steeper, harder hikes. It’s no accident that this has been Salomon’s best-selling hiking shoe for a long time. The older X Ultra 3 is still available, and the newer X Ultra 4 is lighter with improved ankle stability and an updated look.
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Fit tips: Salomons run slightly narrow, especially in heel & toe box.
Check price & availability at REI
best women’s hiking boots: lightweight
There’s a clear trend toward lightweght hiking footwear. However, many hikers and backpackers still prefer the foot and ankle protection of hiking boots. The best lightweight hiking boots can give you both. That is, they take weight off your feet without losing the over-the-ankle protection of boots. This makes light-weight hiking boots an intriguing match for day hikers, fastpackers, and backpackers who may not need bomb-proof ankle support.
What are the best lightweight hiking boots for women? The Salomon Vaya Mid and Oboz Sapphire Mid (see above) feature women-specific fits and definitely qualify as good, lightweight options for women who hike:
Here’s my other pick for the best lightweight hiking boots for women:
Salomon X Ultra III/IV Mids: women’s hiking boots
The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid and new X Ultra 4 Mid both stand out as lightweight hiking boots with good support. It’s sleek like a trail-running shoe with the stability, support, and traction of a mid-duty hiking boot. The mid cut provides better ankle protection and water resistance than the low cut above and replaces Salomon’s quicklace system with traditional shoe laces. The X Ultra series boasts a Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable membrane and Salomon’s contragrip traction, which does well on steeper climbs and descents. I’ve sold more pairs of the X Ultra 3 to women than any other hiking boot, hiking shoe, or trail running shoe on this list. (And it’s now my wife’s favorite hiking boot.) The X Ultra 4 is the 2021 update to Salomon’s best hiking shoe: it’s slightly lighter with added ankle stability and a refreshed look.
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Fit tips: runs slightly narrow in heel & toe box but also available in wides
Check price & availability at REI
best women’s hiking & backpacking boots
In spite of the trend towards lightweight hiking footwear, mid-duty hiking boots remain the go-to choice for many hikers and backpackers. And for good reason. Mid-duty hiking boots offer better support, durability, and foot and ankle protection than trail runners, hiking shoes, or lightweight hiking boots. The best mid-weights will be flexible enough for day hiking but sturdy enough for backpacking. Even if they cost more up front, the best Mids may be the most economical choice in the long run because of their versatility and durability.
Which mid-duty boots do I most often recommend to women hikers and backpackers? Here are three standouts for serious day hikes and moderate backpacking trips.
La Sportiva Nucleo High II: lightweight backpacking boot
For a lightweight hiking boot with a higher ankle cuff, try the Nucleo High GTX from La Sportiva. It’s an aggressive-looking boot that’s lighter than it looks due to its soft, nubuck leather uppers. The Gore-Tex waterproofing and sticky Vibram outsoles are big plusses, and it boasts higher ankle support than other lightweight hiking and backpacking boots. This boot runs narrow and small, like most Italian brands. But the Nucleo may be a premium pick for women who want a lighter hiking boot with above-the-ankle protection. This boot has just been updated for Spring 2021 with the Nucleo II, which is also available in wide.
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Fit: runs narrow and small. 2021 Update: Now available in wide 🙂
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Oboz Bridger
The Bridger is Oboz’s best selling hiking boot. “Comfort” is subjective, but many hikers find this boot comfortable due to its upmarket insoles, above-average cushioning, and sturdy soles. It’s also got reliable waterproofing, good midfoot support, excellent lateral stability, a protective toe cap, and aggressive traction for soft surfaces (e.g. snow, mud, scree) and steep descents. [Pro tip: The Bridger has more support and more aggressive traction than the women-specific Sapphire Mid (see above).] With a waterproof-breathable membrane under leather, the Bridger may wear a bit warm on fast hikes or hot weather hikes. But this mid-weight offers great value for women who want a solid, all-around hiking and backpacking boot. It’s a sturdy and durable hiking boot for women who hike harder trails and backpack.
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Fit tips: standard fit, available in wide
Check price & availability at REI
Salomon Quest 4D for women
For years, outdoor magazines and gear review sites have recognized Salomon’s Quest 4D as the best overall backpacking boot. I agree. The Quest is built on the chassis of a trail running shoe but matches the stability, support, and durability of much heavier boots. That’s a killer combination for backpackers, trail crews, or off trail hikers. This award-winning boot also features waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex, a smart locking shoelace system, and excellent traction on snow, mud, and steep trails. This is too much boot for the average day hiker. And the price is steep (but fair). If you’re looking for the ultimate backpacking boot, though, the Quest is clearly one of the best hiking boots for women.
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Fit tips: standard fit (not as narrow as some Salomons)
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buying the right fit: hiking boots/shoes
Fit should be your first concern when buying hiking footwear. The best hiking boots and hiking shoes for women will suck if they don’t fit your feet. Unfortunately, many hikers and backpackers make that mistake—especially women. According to the (female) podiatrist who trained me in footwear, more than half of women hikers buy their footwear too small.
If you’re inexperienced, you should get fitted by an experienced footwear pro at your local hiking shop or REI. But here are some pro tips based on my experience fitting hundreds of women hikers at Appalachian Outdoors:
- Proper Fit: Hiking boots and shoes should fit snug (but not tight) with enough space to wiggle your toes. Make sure there’s minimal heel lift when you walk (more important with shoes than boots). Don’t buy shoes with weird rubbing spots, pressure points, or arch support that feels uncomfortable underfoot.
- Length: Hikers need at least 1/2″ of room between their longest toe and the end of the boot or shoe. (Approximately the width of a woman’s thumb.] This extra length (1) accommodates foot swelling and (2) prevents your toes from hitting the ends of the shoes on steep descents (which leads to toe injuries).
- Hint: Your hiking size is often a half or full-size larger than your everyday size.
- For complete fitting tips, please check out my fitting guide for hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners.
choose your best boots & shoes
Ultimately, it’s your choice to hike in trail running shoes, hiking shoes, or hiking boots. As the saying goes, “hike your own hike.”
However, many hikers make the mistake of buying too much boot—or not enough boot—for their bodies and the kinds of hikes they do. That’s why you need to know yourself as a hiker: Where do you hike? How difficult are your hikes (distance, elevation gain, speed, terrain, etc.)? What’s your pack weight? How strong are your feet ankles? That helps you figure out how much support you need (or don’t need) for your body and your hikes.
In general, your need for support goes UP if you are
- hiking uneven terrain with rocks, roots, significant ups/downs
- backpacking with moderate to heavy pack weight
- overweight
- older
- someone with feet or ankle problems
- a less experienced hiker whose feet and ankles are not built up for hiking
In general, you may be happier with lighter footwear if you are
- a casual hiker who mostly day hikes well-maintained trails
- a fast-packer, ultra-light backpacker, or thru-hiker focused on speed & distance
- young and fit
- an experienced hiker & backpacker with healthy feet and ankles
For more pro tips, please browse my how to choose articles to nail key decision points with your next pair of hiking boots, hiking shoes, or trail runners.
happy hiking
The choices for women hikers keep getting better. If you’re in the market for the best women’s hiking boots, hiking shoes, or trail running shoes, you should find at least one of these twelve recommendations a good match for your feet, your body, and your hikes.
Do you think you’ve found your next hiking boot, hiking shoe, or trail runner? If this post helped you decide, please consider buying your next pair through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). These commissions fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you buy the best footwear for you.) If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. (Or at least click the *like* or *share* buttons below to help other hikers find this site.) Thanks, I appreciate it!
Good luck finding your best hiking boots or hiking shoes, so you can go outside and play. Happy hiking!
