Best Hiking Boots for Women

***UPDATED for 2019!***

Having good hiking boots is key to having a great hiking trip! And just like every body is different, we all have different FEET too. I enlisted some help from my favorite women hikers to round up the best hiking boots for women.

This is one of those posts that I will also be continually adding to, so I would LOVE to hear your opinions too. If you have a boot that you just LOVE, please email me at mountainmamatales(at)gmail – I’d love to hear all about it (and maybe will add your opinions here!)

I’ll share my favorites first and then continue with what others have shared with me.

Oboz Sawtooth II Low

Ok I am going to be really honest here – when I first got these boots I thought they were heavy and clunky and I didn’t even want to wear them. BUT, I am so glad I got past that initial reaction and put some miles on them.

They have hands-down the best traction of any of these boots, come in wide sizes (and a high version) and are very, very comfortable on the trail. A new favorite!

• Also available in a non WP version if you don’t need that feature and want to save some money
• Find them at REI here

Mishmi Takin Kameng Boots

I have been wearing these for the past few months (in 2018) and am so incredibly impressed. They’re a beefier boot for great support while remaining still very breathable. They have great traction, are waterproof and are THE boots I reach for every day right now.

• Watch this new brand – it’s up and coming and SO great!
• Buy them here on Amazon. 

LaSportiva Trango TRK GTX

Rebecca from Hike Like A Woman says: “When I’m guiding groups on backpacking trips my pack is twice as heavy as everyone else’s so I need a boot that’s comfortable and supportive. But, it also needs to breathe well and provide protection against water and snow. This boot is burly without being too burly, breathable yet waterproof with minimal break-in time. Of the 5 pairs of hiking boots that I own, my feet are the happiest in these.”

Find them here at REI or here on Amazon

Ahnu Sugarpine II WP Ripstop Hiking Boots

The Sugarpine II Ripstop is an updated version of the beloved Sugarpine by Ahnu. It is a much lighter boot – perfect for day hikes and faster hiker. They also come in a low version. Still great support and still do well with my wider feet!

Buy them here at REI.

KEEN Targhee III

This is one of those boots that has KEEN has updated and kept around forever….because they’re really great! KEENS tend to usually work very well for my wide feet and are a bit more substantial than the lighter Ahnu boots above. Great traction and they hold up to a few years of use and abuse.

Buy them here at REI or or HERE directly from KEEN (low version also avaiable)

Five Ten Guide Tennie Mid

This is actually a men’s boot, but Whitney James swears by them! And she would know, as a past editor of Outside Magazine’s Buyer’s Guides. She says, “These are lightweight, water resistant enough to be perfect in all conditions, and most importantly–comfortable. They’re the only boots I’ve ever hiked in that don’t give me blisters.”

Follow Whitney on Instagram @whitneyljames

Buy them here

KEEN Marshall Mid WP

Narrow feet? According to Tanya, this one is for you! She says, “Maybe I have narrow feet, but I have always found it next to impossible to tighten a pair of hiking boots so that my feet don’t wiggle around inside the boots.  Feet sliding around in boots = blisters and I hate blisters. 

I also suffer from weak ankles so I need my boots to tighten well at the ankle or else I’m prone to sprain one of my ankles.  (yet again!) With the Keen Marshalls however, one simple pull of the laces cinches the entire boot from my toes to my ankle and I don’t have to reef on every single lace in a vain attempt to pull the sides together.  I have never had happier ankles and I owe it all to these great boots.”

You can find Tanya at her blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies (and see her full review there too!)

You can find them here on Amazon.

Solomon Quest GTX

A great boot for wet conditions!

Sarah of North Country Littles says, “They are over the ankle and waterproof which makes them perfect for hiking in wet or rugged areas. Last summer I took my kids backpacking and carried all our gear in a pack on my back while carrying my baby on my front in a carrier, these boots made me feel stable and confident in my footing.

BONUS: they are made to accommodate orthotics or inserts!

Find them at REI here!

Merrell Moab 2 MID Waterproof

Flat feet? Sarah says these are for you!!

“I have very flat feet and struggle to find shoes that accommodate my collapsing arches.  The Merrell Moab 2 MID Waterproof is what I have found that works great. I need ankle support and this provides that while not making my flat feet ache like other shoes have.  I have had several pair and they are awesome new and with miles on them.  I don’t feel like I have to break them in and that has been a big blessing.  I forgot my shoes on a trip to Colorado a few summers ago and had to buy new boots to hike the whole trip in.  I was so worried I’d end up in blisters but these were great from the get go.”

Find them on Amazon here!

Xero Shoes Daylight Hiker

The Xero Shoes DayLight Hiker is a great all-around hiking boot for wide feet and those looking for a minimalist, barefoot feel. The boot is insanely comfortable, flexible & stylish. The traction isn’t aggressive, so be aware if that is high on your priority list. 

Note: Valerie recommends the men’s boot for wide feet! However, it is also available in a women’s version.

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A few of these  links are affiliates.  Thank you so much for clicking through them to make your purchases – it helps offset the cost of this blog in a (VERY VERY) small way!

Thank you to Whitney James, Elisa Rispoli, Rebecca Walsh, Valerie White and Tanya Koob for contributing photos!

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