Best Women Hiking Shoes and Boots (2024)

Women deserve to find the best hiking shoes without wasting time or money.  When you're looking for the best women's footwear for hiking, you want to hear from women who have been there and done that.  That is what we are all about.

All About Choosing Hiking Shoes

What's the difference between hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering?

Getting outdoors and exploring or adventuring is an activity loved by many. Some of us get outdoors to escape the stresses of ‘modern’ life and to relax while others might enjoy the thrill of a summit or the challenge of finding their way from Mexico to Canada.

No matter what you are looking to get out of the outdoors hiking, backpacking, trekking, and mountaineering offer wondrous ways to enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and each offers the spectrum of technical and physical requirements as well as complexity.

Hiking

I’d like to say that hiking is a long walk on dirt, but it is a bit more than that. Typically a hike lasts a few hours to all day. It requires the least amount of gear compared to backpacking and mountaineering.

Most hikes begin and end at the same place, but a thru-hike is when an end is a different place than the start (popular thru-hikes are the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT). Hiking trails tend to be maintained and marked.

Backpacking

Trips typically last 2-10 days and require more preparation and gear than hiking. This outdoor activity requires you to carry your food, tent, stove and other gear in your pack. We tend to wear high or mid-top hiking footwear for backpacking, but some always wear low cut shoes.

Mountaineering

Talk about a seriously challenging activity! Mountaineering requires substantial physical and technical training before beginning this type of adventure. Mountaineering expeditions can take days to months to complete. The purpose is to climb to the highest peak of a mountain. Mountaineers must be prepared to survive high elevations and potential snowstorms.

Types of Hiking Shoes

Trail Runners

These are a great choice for a comfortable and lightweight trail footwear option. Some prefer trail runners for all trail activities. These tend to be designed in a way that encourages a gait that is more natural and lower-impact. Since they are made lighter the fabrics tend to dry and breathe easily. Trail runners last about 500 miles depending on terrain and conditions.

Hiking Shoes

These more durable and can weigh a little more than trail runners. They offer great support for the weight and waterproof options. Great if you want a lightweight shoe with the durability of a boot, a waterproof option and don’t need ankle support.

Hiking shoes can last 750 miles (depending on your habits) before needing a replacement. Waterproof hiking shoes offer dryness if running in puddles or light rain, but they can’t keep water out from above the ankle. The biggest downsides to hiking shoe women mention are the weight, lack of breath-ability (especially for waterproof hiking shoes), and the lack of ankle support.

Hiking shoes do offer a great middle-ground between backpacking and trail running.

Backpacking Shoes

Also called boots, backpacking footwear will have a mid or high cut ankle. These shoes are typically the best bet for off-trail, longer distance or heavy pack type of adventures.

Typically built tougher these hikers can last 1,000 miles (depending on terrain and your habits) before its time to shop again. Backpacking options offer ankle support and better water protection since they are taller.

On trips with heavy rain or moisture, the foot will get wet, either from saturation or sweating inside the sock. The biggest downside is the weight, but they can be the best choice for many adventure-women.

Things to consider when deciding which hiking shoes to buy.

How ready are you?

It is easy to underestimate hiking. It may look like it’s just a walk, but if it were we wouldn’t be shopping for special shoes, right?

Hiking, even with minimal elevation gain still requires stamina, endurance, and strength.  

We suggest starting smart and ask yourself these questions: 

How long can I walk?

Being able to walk on a treadmill at the gym or around the block is a good start toward hiking, but there are some important differences between the treadmill or concrete and the trail.

There is uneven ground, rocks, water, and other terrain challenge not present in neighborhoods or gyms.
If you want to get ready for the trail at the gym I recommend spending time on the stair-stepper and treadmill with an incline.

Consider wearing your hiking shoes at the gym or for your neighborhood walks to get yourself as ready as possible for the trail.

Do I have ankle problems?

A major difference between walking and hiking is the demand on the ankles. There are 14 bones in the ankle that give its awesome ability to take impact and have an incredible range of motion.

When we don’t ask these bones (and related ligaments, cartilage, and tendons) to keep us stable on rocks, inclines, and mud regularly and then suddenly throw it into unstable situations the results can be very uncomfortable (at best).

If you have previous ankle or foot injuries, make sure you have them checked out and practice good strengthening and agility training before hitting the trail. Spraining or breaking your ankle on the trail is no fun for anyone.

It’s better to delay a trip for training than to have to be rescued.

Am I mentally, emotionally and physically ready?

Taking a hike puts our bodies, minds, and emotions through some testing. When planned well, the biggest challenge we face on the trail will be ourselves.

What is the duration of the hike?

The length of a hike is the expected distance to be covered and the duration is how much time it will take to complete the expected distance.

The time it takes depends on the difficulty of the terrain, the fitness of you (and the group), weather conditions, planned activities and unexpected events (i.e. injury, missed turn, storm, etc).

It is important to be prepared for the expected hike and those things out of our control like bad weather, injury, and navigation troubles.

What is the level of difficulty?

What kind of terrain can you expect on this hike? Will it be well maintained and free of rocks, water and tree branches?

Maybe it will include some rock scrambling or water crossings. There may also be a lot of elevation gain or at an elevation above 9000 feet and elevation illness is a consideration.

Make sure you study your intended route and understand what to expect so that you are properly prepared.

Hiking solo or with a group?

Hiking with a group is always safer than hiking alone. If there are any issues, there is someone to help or get help. The added challenges include more bodies to keep track of and keeping everyone at the same pace so the group can stick together.

If hiking alone, be sure to bring your essentials like shelter, extra food, and water, warm layers, illumination, navigation, and communication. Be sure to tell people your plan and stick to it.

If you will be out of cell range consider picking up a remote satellite communicator.

What is the weight of the pack?

The weight you carry relates directly to the type of footwear you choose. Ankle support is recommended with heavier packs, like those for backpacking.

The benefit of the ankle support is that when your ankle comes out of alignment the boot contacts the body and reminds it to pull itself back to the center. It is like a feedback system as well as adding some structural support.

The recommendation is to not carry more than 25-30% of your body weight when backpacking.

What is the weather prediction?

The weather can greatly impact the enjoyment and distance of your hike. Temperatures above 72 F can feel hot on an exposed trail and unexpected rain can chill your bones.

If hiking in a new place we recommend watching the weather for a week or two to learn some of its daily or seasonal patterns.

Always prepare for terrible weather and you’ll be glad you did that one time it surprises you.

Important Hiking Shoe Considerations

Comfort and fit

Since your most important piece of hiking gear are your shoes, you want to be sure that they fit properly and are comfortable in the conditions you plan to encounter. Every foot is special and finding the right shoe requires considering many elements of the shoe and your intent.

Weight

We prefer lightweight everything when hiking. Try this on for size - swapping a 3-pound boot for a 1-pound shoe is like taking 10 pounds off your pack (this is because weight carried on your feet requires 5 times the energy of weight carried on your back).

Being ‘light on your feet’ can help minimize muscle fatigue, stumbling and over time help avoid/slow knee or hip flexor problems.

That’s not to say avoid anything not labeled ultralight, if you do rugged hiking, tend to carry a heavier pack or prefer the feel of beastly boots you may find weight, not an issue you are concerned with.

Price

What you wear on your feet is the single most important piece of gear when hiking. Expect to pay no less than $80 for trail runners and $120 for a good pair of backpacking shoes. Once you know your brand, model and size you can take advantage of sales without regret. 

Sizing

Expect to get a hiking shoe that is about 1 size larger than your everyday shoes. This is for a couple of reasons; feet tend to swell during a long day of hiking (or walking) and when going downhill we don’t want our toes touching the end of the shoe. This is an important element of getting the proper fit (go at the end of your day and make sure to test on an incline and decline). If you wear insoles in other shoes you will want to try with and without them, to see what fits best. It is always better for the hiking shoe to be a little big than too snug. 

Break-in Period

We recommend getting 10-20 miles on your boots before a big hiking or backpacking trip to know what you can expect from your shoes. Buying your hiking shoes at least 3-5 weeks before your trip can help to ensure you have addressed any final fit troubles.

We walk our dogs (and kids!) in our new kicks to get them broken in without having to wait for a hike. Your shoes will soften and loosen over time (and even during a hike) and this prep time can help allow some of this before your adventure. If you notice any issues, it’s much easier to fix them before you head out on a back-country trip.

Synthetic materials require far less 'break-in' than full-grain leather does.  Make sure to give yourself enough time to be sure your feet will feel great so you can focus on enjoying the outdoors.

Traction and Grip

The ability of the shoe to keep you upright in slippery situations and to grip when you scamper from one rock to another is what makes our trail shoes so special and important. I have seen too many women show up for a hike in their oldest and slickest tennis shoes, just to slip onto their bottom while hiking down a slight hill with just a few pebbles. I can’t help but ask them why they chose those shoes and they inevitably reply “They are the dirtiest/oldest”. I always giggle at their answer
To have a good time hiking you can't be worrying about whether you're going to rip a hole in your new pants because you can’t stay on your feet.
Shoes intended for the trail will have bigger bits that bite the dirt and are often made from a stickier material than typical gym shoes. Make sure you consider traction when choosing your shoe.

Water Resistance and Waterproofing

Waterproof means that unless submerged or under pressure water will not penetrate the material. If you are hiking in dry, warm or hot conditions we do not recommend waterproof materials as these will add weight and warmth.

If you are hiking in mud, light precipitation or fallen snow waterproof low-cut styles might make a lot of sense. Remember, that if your sock or ankle is exposed and gets wet, the inside of your shoe may also get wet when the water moves down.

If you are going to be hiking in snow or wet conditions consider mid or high cut shoes and waterproof gaiters and pants to make sure you stay dry.

Breathable and Breathability

A material’s ability to breathe is how well it evaporates your sweat and releases heat from the foot. The most breathable material will be no material, like in a sandal, with mesh following in second. These materials will make the shoe lighter and more prone to rips and tears from trail hazards.

Support

Ankle Support 

You will read everyone’s varying opinion on the value and purpose of mid or high top shoes for hiking. I have listed a variety of opinions, but at the end of the day, you will be safest in whatever you are most confident in, so choose what feels best for you.  Here are the best variety of opinions we could find:

• Opinion 1: Good when carrying weight because it adds stability to your ankle.
• Opinion 2: Useful for wet and snowy conditions to keep foot drier.
• Opinion 3: Helps your body re-align the ankle when it starts to sway.
• Opinion 4: Overrated and just adds unnecessary weight.

Lacing your shoes in a variety of ways can help add support and stability to your shoe.

Arch Support

If you are wondering why there is a section on arch support, you likely have average arches and can skip this section.

This is for women who have experienced pain in their feet, have had plantar fasciitis, or have high/low arches - you know who you are.

High Arches put excessive weight on the ball and heel of the foot and sometimes only the ball and the heel touch the ground. It can also mean that the foot takes up more volume (top of the foot can feel cramped) than a non-high arch foot. Also associated is plantar fasciitis.

Low Arches tend to be more flexible and roll inwards and over-pronate and sometimes the entire foot touches the ground. This can lead to instability, heel and arch pain as well as plantar fasciitis.

The best remedy for this includes a visit to a professional for help understanding your particular situation as well as exercises for strength in the foot and ankle and proper footwear.

Heel to Toe Drop

The heel-to-toe drop is the difference between the height of the heel and the height of the forefoot.

Moderate to maximum cushioning is between 4-12 mm and minimalist is anywhere between 0 and 4 mm.

Barefoot shoes have a 0 mm drop, meaning the heel and forefoot are at the same height.

If you are considering moving toward a minimalist or barefoot give yourself some time to adjust. The transition can take a few months.

The key thing to know is to use the same drop as you would in your normal running or workout shoes.

If you don’t have running shoes or other athletic shoes take a look at your casual shoes and if there is minimal drop you should probably avoid the extremes of 0 or 12 mm. If you wear no shoes or flip flops all the time, zero or low drop shoes should work just fine.

How to make sure hiking shoes fit properly

What to check while trying on hiking shoes

1. Try on shoes at the end of your day. Your feet swell throughout the day and especially when hiking. We want to be sure your hiking shoe fits comfortably at the end of the day as well as the start of the hike.
2. Use the socks you plan to hike in. This way you know how the edge of your toe feels with that seam or if the shoe pulls the sock down. I try on shoes with my thickest sock.
3. Get your feet measured. Times change and so do our feet. I wear a 9.5 in a regular shoe and a 10.5 hiking shoe. The room in the toe-box is critical for comfort during performance.
   Lace-up both shoes. Both feet matter, make sure they both like your selection.
4. Check for hotspots. These are places the foot rubs and gets ‘hot’ before becoming an annoying blister. If there is a hotspot when you try on the shoe, it likely will get worse on the trail. Next.
5. Go up and down an incline. When going up make sure your heel stays put. When headed down, your toes should not touch the end of the shoe, even if you try to jam it down there. If your foot moves try re-lacing to secure it (without cutting off your circulation) or try a bigger size.
6. Check for stability. Does your foot feel secure in the shoe? You don’t want it sliding or slipping around inside.
   
   

Tips on checking the size of your shoe

• With the laces loosened, slide your foot so that your toes touch the end of the toe box, and make sure you can fit your finger between your heel and the back of the shoe. 
• Lace-up the shoes and see if you can stretch your toes wide and wiggle them
  Can you walk, climb or jog your heel out of place?
• Walk down a ramp and try to kick your toes to the front. Can you descend without your toes hitting the end?
• If you normally wear insoles, try the shoes with yours and with the insoles that come with the shoe. I was surprised when my boots were more comfortable the way they were made than with my usual trail shoe insoles. You never know.

Hiking Shoe Construction and Features Explained

Uppers

Uppers Performance can be improved if the correct material for the upper is selected. Pick a material that is suited for the activities you plan to do. Rainy days are best with waterproof and you can achieve foot molding comfort is offered with full-grain leather. Choose from full or split-grain leather, nubuck leather, vegan options, waterproof membranes, synthetics, and various insulation options.

Full-grain leather: This type of leather is very abrasion resistant, extremely durable and inherently water-resistant. This material requires some break-in time. Many backpacking boots use full-grain leather so they can be used for long trips, heavy loads and rugged trails. Nylon, mesh, and similar materials are much lighter but lack strength and durability

Split-grain leather: Usually split-grain leather is usually combined with nylon or mesh to offer excellent breathability and lessen the weight. Split-grain leather literally “splits away” the rough inner part of the hide from the exterior, which is smooth. While this is a lower-cost alternative it does not offer the same water and abrasion resistance as full-grain leather. Often a waterproof layer or coating is offered to compensate for the lower quality.

Nubuck leather: This is full-grain leather that has been buffed to look like suede. This is nearly equivalent to un-buffed full-grain leather and offers water and abrasion resistance as well as durability. These are flexible, yet will also require ample break-in time before a big trip.

Synthetics: Just like our clothes, synthetic materials like polyester, nylon and other woman-made materials are common in our hiking footwear. By weight, they are lighter than leather, don’t have much of a break-in period, dry more quickly and typically cost less. The downside is that due to the stitching being on the outside of the material it is more likely to show wear and tear than a leather shoe.

Waterproof membranes: Footwear labeled ‘waterproof’ is constructed with waterproof membranes to keep feet dry in wet environments. Since the membrane is designed to keep water on the outside it is often easy to get sweaty inside, despite some technology claiming to be ‘breathable’ as well. If hiking in warmer and dry climates, it is advisable to skip the waterproofing so that your feet stay comfortable.

Vegan: Footwear that is made without animal products. For specific material information check the manufacturer’s website.

Insulation: The material that is added within the shoe construction (often in mountaineering boots) to add warmth for hiking in snow and other cold conditions.

Midsoles

The midsole offers to cushion and acts as shock-absorber. The two most common materials for this part are ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane.

The EVA is a lighter and more cushy material that is less expensive and best for short or mid-range trips.

Polyurethane is more durable and stiffer and is typically found in backpacking and mountaineering footwear. 

The construction determines the stiffness of the shoe. For rocky and uneven terrain stiff boots can make the trip more comfortable and stable.

Outsoles

Nearly all outsoles are made of rubber. While durable, hard outsoles can be slippery when off-trail. The traction bumps that bite the dirt are the lugs. For backpacking, you should tend toward deep and thick lugs. The zone between the heel and the arch is referred to as the heel break and stiffness helps reduce the likelihood of slipping during a descent.

Hiking Shoe Care And Maintenance

Why is it necessary?

Leaving mud, dirt and other debris on your footwear will lead to faster degradation and wear. Even though you might be tired from your hike, it's important to clean your kicks as soon as you get home.

Cleaning Tips

For specific instructions for your pair of shoes check the manufacturer's instructions. Many general care instructions are universal for hiking footwear.

Mud and debris removal

Get the big chunks off before you start. Banging, shaking, tilting and otherwise loosening the dirt and mud so it can be shaken off. Take the laces out before the next steps.

Use a soft-bristled brush

By using a soft-bristled brush you can be more vigorous with your cleaning without risking ruining the material or its finish. You won’t need any special equipment to clean your hikers, just wipe them down after you're done and put them away until next time.

When should I use a hard-bristled brush?

When the mud dries to your shoe and has created an un-bangable cake you may need to use something stiff like a hard brush or blunt tool to break it off. By removing the dirt you can regain the excellent traction that held the mud so well.

Remove Insoles

The insole is where your foot sits and is probably the most likely culprit for odor. They come out, so remove them to at the very least dry. If you want to take it the next step you can wash them with 

Treatment

Make sure to read the manufacturer and treatment guidelines before applying any treatments to your hikers. You know you need to re-treat it when the water does not bead up anymore. Most treatments are applied to a wet or damp shoes. 

My hiking shoe has a Gore-Tex lining, do I need to apply waterproofing treatment?

GORE-TEX is breathable by design and adding a waterproof layer will eliminate the breathability. GORE-TEX claims that as long as the fabric is not punctured it is waterproof. With any product or treatment, be sure to consult both products before using them.

Why do I need to apply conditioner on my leather hiking shoes?

The purpose of applying conditioner to your leather is to maintain the finish and extend the life of the product. You can apply the conditioner with your fingers or with a soft cloth. As mentioned previously it is important to check the manufacturer's information on proper care and treatment. Use sparingly as too much can soften the leather and reducing support. Full-grain leather can be conditioned, suede and nubuck should not be conditioned.

Drying

Keep it simple when drying your hikers and do it at normal temperatures, avoid extreme heat as it will weaken the glue and damage the material. Pull the insoles out to help the process and help eliminate odor.

To speed the process, put them in front of a fan and put the newspaper inside stuffed into the toe. Make sure to check the newspaper and replace it when wet. To remove the salt build-up from sweating, wipe the inside out with a warm and wet cloth.

Storage

The best way to store your clean and dry hikers is in the closet or another dry and well-ventilated area. Do not store them in direct sunlight. Newspapers can help keep the shape if you need to store your hikers for a long period.