Are you looking for the best women's hiking boots?
If so, there's good news. Women are the fastest growing demographic of hikers, so the outdoor industry is finally moving past the "shrink it and pink it" days of women's hiking boots.
Today, you can find a few women-specific hiking boots that were made just for women. And the women's versions of most (good) hiking boots now feature women-specific fits—not just smaller versions of men's hiking boots. That's progress. My short list of the best women's hiking boots showcases the hiking boots that have worked the best for my female customers. It narrows your choices down to the 2-3 best women's hiking boots in each weight class with notes on each hiking boots' "best fit" and "best match." These recommendations should help you find the best fit for your feet and best match for your hiking style.best hiking boots for women: lightweight
Lightweight hiking boots shave a few ounces off the average hiking boot without losing all the support and weather protection of a mid-cut boot. That weight savings could equal some energy savings if you hike fast enough or far enough. The best lightweight hiking boots for women range from light-duty boots for easier trails to sturdier boots that offer moderate support at lighter weights than most hiking boots. Here are the three best lighting hiking boots for women:
Oboz Sapphire
Main Benefits:
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. Oboz engineered this boot with a women-specific fit and a less burly look than other Oboz hiking boots. The Sapphire may be slimmer and trimmer, but it’s still a relatively supportive boot with good traction for moderate terrain. This may be a good waterproof option for women who want a light-to-mid-duty hiking boot that doesn't look like a down-sized men's boot. Don't wait, though. It looks like this boot will be phased out in 2023 (as not enough women are buying women-specific hiking boots).
Best Fit
women-specific fit that runs true-to-size
Best Match
day hiking on easy to moderate trails
See available sizes, styles, and color options for women:
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX
Main Benefits:
Why do many people consider the Salomon X Ultra 4 as the best women's hiking boot? They weigh just little more than trail-running shoes but almost match the stability and support of mid-weight hiking boots. The new X Ultra 4 is slightly lighter than its predecessor with a new support band for added ankle stability. This boot also boasts waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX and aggressive traction that digs into soft and loose surfaces on steep climbs and descents. Like most Salomons, the X Ultra runs a little narrow, but it's also available in wides. It's a great lightweight hiking boot that's sturdy enough to stand up to moderate to difficult hikes.
Best Fit
standard to slightly narrow feet; wides available
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes
See available sizes, styles, and color options for women:
best hiking boots for women: mid-duty
With better support and durability than lightweight hiking boots, mid-duty hiking boots are many hikers' go-to hiking boots. The best mid-duty hiking boots are flexible enough for day hiking yet supportive enough for backpacking. That versatility —plus the better stability and ankle support—make them the classic choice for many women who hike.
Oboz Bridger Mid
Main Benefits:
The Oboz Bridger is a classic mid-weight hiking boot that's sturdy enough for backpacking yet comfortable enough for day hiking. Sturdier than the Sapphire above, it may be a good choice for moderate to difficult hikes, thanks to its good foot and ankle support, nubuck leather uppers, protective toe cap, and aggressive traction. The boots also boast Oboz's famous insoles, which add cushioning and almost orthotic support to Oboz's cushioned midsoles and strudy outsoles--that adds up to great protection and all day comfort. Finally, the Bridger is the most durable hiking boot that I've worn and could easily double the mileage of the average hiking boot.
The best-selling Bridger is available in regular and wide (which adds more room in the toe box), waterproof (BDry), vent (better ventilation), and premium (full grain leather) versions–see below:Best Fit
standard sizing with wide sizes available
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes, backpacking
See available sizes, styles, and color options for women:
La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX
Main Benefits:
La Sportiva's Nucleo High II GTX is light for a high-cut hiking and backpacking boot, making it an attractive option for women who want more ankle support. It’s an athletic hiking boot that’s lighter than it looks, thanks to its soft and light nubuck leather uppers. It's absolutely stacked with premium materials, too, including GORE-TEX Surround—the most breathable Gore Tex waterproofing—and Vibram's Megagrip outsoles, known for wet and dry traction. La Sportivas run narrow and small, like most Italian brands. However, the Nucleo is now available in wide. This good-looking hiking boot may be a premium pick for women who want a moderately light hiking boot with ankle support and high-end waterproofing and traction.
Best Fit
runs small and narrow (size up), wides available
Best Match
day hiking, backpacking with light to moderate pack
See available sizes, styles, and color options for women:
best hiking boots for women: backpacking
Backpacking is hard on the body, especially if we're carrying extra weight or hiking harsh terrain. Backpacking boots provide additional foot and ankle support to help us carry heavier packs and protect against foot and ankle injuries. If you want the additional protection of a backpacking boot, these are the best backpacking boots for women:
Lowa Renegade GTX
Main Benefits:
It’s a classic that’s in Backpacker Magazine’s Gear Hall of Fame. The Lowa Renegade has old-school appeal for women who want a tough leather hiking boot for their backpacking trips. The Renegade’s stability and support stands out with its sturdy PU midsoles and Vibram rubber outsoles, and it's also available in three widths—narrow, regular, and wide— to fit almost all foot sizes. This boot is a touch heavy for the average day hiker; however, the Renegade still checks in under three pounds with plenty of support for hard trails and heavy pack weights. If you add all of this up, the Renegade is one of the best backpacking boots for women.
Best Fit
three widths to accommodate almost all feet
Best Match
backpacking and off trail hiking
See available sizes, styles, and color options for women:
Salomon Quest 4
Main Benefits:
For years, outdoor magazines and gear review sites have recognized the Salomon Quest as the best overall hiking boot for backpackers. The Quest is built on a chassis that feels like a trail running shoe, but it 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 more boot than the average day hiker needs—and the price is steep (but fair). But, if you’re looking for an athletic backpacking boot, the Salomon Quest 4D is one of the best hiking boots for women.
Best Fit
standard fit
Best Match
backpacking or hard, off-trail hiking
See available sizes, styles, and color options for women:
the best women's hiking boot for you
White Mountains backpacker in the Oboz Bridger
The best women's hiking boot for YOU is the one that best fits your feet and best matches your hikes. That's why this post offers fitting tips and narrows your choices down by weight class—to help you find your best fit and your best match.
My recommendations are based on my outdoor industry experience, where I'm an outdoor gear expert for Backcountry and the former footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors. I'm not a woman myself. However, I've put these these hiking boots on hundreds of women's feet and also have specialized brand knowledge and footwear training to make sound recommendations for the best women's hiking boots.
With luck, you may have found your new favorite hiking boot?! If this post helped you pick out your next pair, please consider purchasing them 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. Thanks, I appreciate it!
