The Best Hiking Boots for Women in 2024

We continue to clock miles in this supportive hiking boot on steep, rocky, meandering, or mellow trails, and it continues to be our overall favorite. The updated version provides even more support while still remaining as lightweight and nimble as the previous model. With a traditional feel and a modern aesthetic, SCARPA’s trail-running-inspired Rush 2 Mid GTX ($219) might look lighter-duty, but it has the backbone and protection of a mid-height waterproof hiker with fantastic levels of cushioning and support.

One of the new features of this updated boot is the addition of a Dynamic Stabilizer Torsion (DST) insert, which is a TPU frame in the heel area that provides extra support against torsion, or twisting. Having better support in this area makes these boots feel even more secure on rocky or uneven terrain.

A slightly taller ankle cuff than the older version also increases the overall support of this shoe. Our female testers also vastly preferred the new colorways to the older ones, which are a bit more gender-neutral in general.

The Rush’s synthetic mesh upper offers breathability, so our feet didn’t get too hot, and is reinforced with welded overlays. There’s also an over-padded, softly lined collar, giving it lightweight, dynamic ankle support.

For lacing up, the tongue is streamlined and soft, so tightening down is smooth. Reinforced toeboxes lessen the possibility of blowing through the front, even with sustained use, and help protect our digits when we accidentally pummel rocks.

Ultimately, this versatile and confidence-inspiring design has an untraditional feel, given the shoe is made with lighter materials than we’ve seen in other SCARPA hikers, and offers stability, comfort, and temperature regulation. As more brands trend towards making their hiking boots feel like trail runners, we think the Rush 2 Mid GTX does an excellent job pairing solid support with nimble performance.

The Moab 3 Mid Waterproof ($150) boot is an affordable, reliable updated version of Merrell’s ever-popular Moab 2’s. Partially recycled fabrics, more supportive insoles, more cushioned midsoles, and even grippier outsoles set these apart from their predecessors. They are lighter as well, weighing in at 1 pound 13 ounces for a pair compared to the 2-pound weight of the older version. 

We took this pair up gullies, through meadows, and across many streams all the way to the treeline. The 5mm-deep lugs are very noticeable underfoot and provide great traction over rocky stream crossings and over talus fields and slabs. 

With a drop of 11.5mm, these hiking boots are a moderate heel-striking shoe, meaning that it will be possible to midfoot strike while hiking, but you will feel the heel significantly. If you are someone who prefers to hike more on the mid to forefoot, these won’t be the boots for you and you might want to look for a boot with less of a drop.

The Moab 3 features a removable contoured footbed with reinforced heel cushioning for those heel strikes that our testers found very comfortable right out of the box. Also, the breathable mesh upper is reinforced by a suede leather overlay. If you want an even more waterproof version of this shoe, it comes in a GORE-TEX model as well. 

The boots are simple and durable if a bit clunky. We also like that they’re super easy to lace up and tighten down. They’re a perennial favorite and one of the best women’s hiking boots you can get for $150.

An impressively lightweight hiking boot, it’s easy to tell that the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX ($175) is made by a running shoe manufacturer. These boots aren’t technically the lightest in our lineup, but feel light and agile on our feet regardless.

Softer materials around the collar and heels and a lower-density midsole are design features that make this a more woman’s specific fit. This boot is undeniably comfortable and noticeably softer than other boots we tested. 

The X Ultras sport a GORE-TEX membrane and an All Terrain Contragrip outsole. We were impressed with the traction on these boots, which handled rocky terrain and gritty slabs in our high desert backyard with ease. We did a slip test on wet rock and the Contragrip outsole did a great job maintaining balance. 

While the softness of these boots makes them undeniably comfortable, this feature also contributes to a general feeling of instability, especially in the collar. While a high collar often means more ankle support, which is generally preferable while carrying heavier loads, the softness of the collar in these boots doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Our tester also noticed that these boots were a lot bigger than other boots she tested at the same size, and recommends you size down a half a size for a more technical fit.

A more traditional backpacking boot, the high-cut, mid-duty nubuck Nucleo High is big news for La Sportiva. After specializing in narrow-lasted boots for years, it’s the first hiking boot they’ve made for both average-width and wide feet. The leather boot is protective and sturdy in the way only a leather boot can be, and thanks to a GORE-TEX liner, it’s also waterproof.

The breathability of the Nucleo High II GTX ($239) is enhanced by micro-vents under mesh from the arch of the foot to the ankle along the line of the sole — GORE’s Surround system. A Vibram rubber rand and toecap deflected scuffs and rocks. The Vibram sole also provided steady grip climbing, enhanced braking traction on descents, and the slightly rockered shape made it easier to heel into a step and toe out of it.

Well-padded fabric at the Achilles gave us plenty of pressure-free range-of-ankle movement on steep descents. On rocky trails, a polypropylene stiffener in the midsole protected our feet from bruising, and the arch support is excellent.

Overall, the Nucleo High stands out as one of the best women’s hiking boots for long backpacking trips where your feet will thank you for having ankle support, good traction, and the ability to stomp through streams with ease. Plus it is super lightweight, clocking in at only 1 lb. 6 oz for a pair!

Read our full review of the Nucleo High II GTX.

This lightweight boot ($160) from Salomon feels just like a trail running shoe but with the added support and protection of an ankle cuff and deeper lugs for better traction. Our testers loved the snug, comfortable fit of these boots right out of the box, and were impressed with how nimble they were on long hikes over varying terrain in the California high desert.

Salomon’s Fuze foam compound provides impressive cushioning and energy return, making our steps feel light and springy as if we were wearing our favorite trail runners. A curved midsole makes for a nice rolling stride, and the All Terrain Contagrip outsole inspires confidence on dirt, gravel, and even snow.

At 1 pound, 7 ounces, these are some of the lightest hiking boots we tested and they definitely feel that way. We would recommend these boots for avid day hikers who want more support than a trail running shoe, or lightweight backpackers who look for comfort and a boot that will hold up to the elements.

There are a couple of places where this boot falls a bit short, however. The ankle support is roomy and with only one set of eyelets to tighten your shoelaces with, it’s not possible to get a super tight, supportive fit. This has led us to feel prone to ankle rolling, especially with a heavier backpack on, which is why we mostly recommend this boot to lightweight backpackers. Our testers also found that the toe cap on the front of the boot felt too short, and wished the rubber came up and over the toe for added protection.

These gripes are definitely worth considering when thinking of purchasing this boot, but we give the OUTpulse a high rating regardless for their great traction, comfort and maneuverability, lower price, and light weight which make them an overall excellent choice for the lightweight backpacker.

Looking for a hiking boot that easily transitions from mountaintop to coffee shop? It’s time you met the Teva Grandview ($175). This popular pick offers modern-retro styling in a boot that performs impressively well on the trail.

These boots proved comfortable from the very first wear. The wider toebox gave us plenty of room for toes to wiggle and splay out naturally. One narrow-footed tester found them too roomy, so keep that in mind if you have particularly narrow feet.

We had adequate traction on wet rocks during a stream crossing, and the GORE-TEX liner kept our feet dry through it all. Even on warmer spring hikes, we didn’t have a problem with our feet overheating.

The Heel Lock strap provided subtle yet helpful additional foot support. Teva claims it helps lock your foot in place and decrease toe pressure on descents, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that it held up to these claims.

This boot may not have enough support or traction for technical rocky terrain or extended backpacking trips, but for day hikes and around-town jaunts, it’s our new favorite women’s hiker.

At 1 pound, 8 ounces, this is one of the lightest hiking boots you can buy. It’s nimble and fast, more like a running shoe with mid-height ankle support.

The Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 ($190) also uses an eVent waterproof bootie to keep feet dry. It blocked puddles and rain from seeping into this shoe, and the membrane truly breathes, making this one of the least sweaty waterproof shoes we’ve worn.

When cranking out mileage is your primary concern, these shoes rise to the challenge. Altra’s signature ultrawide toebox leaves plenty of space for the toes to spread, which helped us hike longer miles without foot pain. When we wore this hiker in cooler temps, the roomy toebox also helped our toes stay warm. When the toes aren’t restricted, there’s more space to retain heat from movement.

A springy insole gives the boots a running shoe feel and will put some spring in your step. And the sole’s directional V-shaped lugs were grippy on rocks and roots but didn’t get packed with mud. Also, the 25mm stack height felt lower in the heel than others we tested, which was super comfortable over many days and miles of wearing them.

The updated All-WTHR Mid 2 does have a MaxTrac outsole (as opposed to the previous DuraTread) that enhances traction and durability from previous models. The sole extends slightly longer than the body of the boot in the back, which made rolling through each step feel natural and smooth. A gusseted tongue kept water out when we misjudged the depth of a puddle. It also kept out fir needles, leafy debris, sand, shale, and everything else that tried to creep in on various hikes.

The only real downside to this boot is that it lacks the sturdy rock protection found in some other hikers, which is a tradeoff for weight. Overall, the thru-hikers agree that it’s one of the best women’s hiking boots for long distances.

Want more information on the previous, almost identical model? Read our full review of the Altra Lone Peak All Weather-Mid.

Designed for best-in-class protection in rocky, technical terrain, Salewa’s mid-height Alp Trainer ($229) is up to the challenge. This boot melds the best features of a climbing shoe with the best features of a hiking boot for traction, precision, and comfort on rocky, technical trails where falling isn’t an option.

This hiker has a secure and highly adaptable fit. The zonal traction Vibram sole was able to cruise through any terrain or weather we encountered, from sweaty summer peak-bagging to a wintery mix when scouting ski lines in New York’s Adirondacks.

To-the-toe lacing let us tune the fit to our feet throughout the day as our feet swelled. And the upper, a 1.4mm-thick leather, deflected rock abrasion on a backpacking weekend in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

A stiffer, smoother zone in the toe was precise and grippy when we took a shortcut that required a short stretch of technical climbing moves.

Salewa’s 3F System, which wires the heel of the boot to the upper, is a signature Salewa technology that continues to deliver superb ankle stability without sacrificing feel. Salewa wraps wires around the boot’s Achilles and arches, and locks them into the top lace. The 3F system really made the boot feel like an extension of our foot.

The Alp Trainer Mid’s ankle flexibility was enhanced with a padded fabric cutout in the Achilles. The design gives the ankle more forward-backward motion without compromising support, which was comfortable on steep downhills along Vermont’s Long Trail.

The boots come with an additional footbed insert — part of Salewa’s Multi Fit Footbed system. Swap the insoles or combine them for a personalized fit.

New for last year, the Jack Wolfskin Terraventure Texapore Mid ($185) adds a well-cushioned, comfortable hiker to our lineup of favorites. The materials and design are also among the most sustainable available.

The flexible, synthetic upper is made of recycled and PFC-free material. Inside, the smooth tricot lining is 100% recycled. The PU-rubber insole, which serves up a feeling of walking on a cloud, is also recycled.

Adding more comfort, the Vibram midsole is made of EVA, sugar cane, and cork — the latter two of which are biodegradable. On the ground, the outsole features 30% recycled rubber in the Vibram Ecostep materials. Up top, the lace hooks are mostly made of recycled zinc (76%). It’s all in the details.

What’s super cool and unique is the brand’s proprietary waterproof technology called Texapore Ecosphere. It includes a membrane integrated into the boot and is made with totally upcycled (read: recycled) materials that would otherwise go to waste in the factory. The big deal? There are no chemicals in this waterproof membrane, and the brand plans to remove PFCs from all of its footwear by 2025. We love it!

While hiking around the steep, high-altitude mountains of Southwest Colorado, we found the Terraventure boot comfortable out of the box with no break-in time required. It’s waterproof, breathable, supportive, and well-cushioned. This is a solid hybrid design with a sturdy outsole and pliable upper. We also like that there’s a rubber toe protector and a soft hook on the back of the collar to help smoothly pull on the boot.

Though the outsole does offer good grip, we likely won’t use this boot on super uneven, rocky routes — like ones that go to the top of Colorado’s 13,000-foot peak summits — because the shoe feels too suspended above the ground for the precise footwork we prefer in that type of terrain. The tongue, which is amply cushioned, also took effort to smoothen before tightening up the laces. Otherwise, this is a great choice for plenty of trail comfort.

The Anacapa Mid GTX ($185) from HOKA may get you some peculiar looks out on the trail, and might not be our top choice for more technical terrain, but these boots live up to the standards of comfort for which HOKA is well-known. 

Although at first glance these boots may appear bulky, they are actually quite lightweight, weighing in at 1 pound 12 ounces. Their upper is made of a mix of nubuck leather and GORE-TEX materials to help seal out wet weather. A high ankle offers support and keeps out more water and debris, and a Vibram outsole provides great traction. 

The most notable (and visible) part of these hiking boots is the extended heel which allows for smoother heel-to-toe transitions. This rockered design paired with the generous cushion of the outsole feels incredible on maintained dirt trails, allowing you to move quickly and comfortably almost as if you were wearing trail runners instead of a heavier hiking boot. 

When transitioning to more technical hiking terrain, however, like any third-class scrambling or traversing of rocky off-trail ridgelines, it was harder to trust the stability and grip of these boots. All of a sudden, the extended heel and rockered outsole feel bulky and unsteady. We would not recommend this hiking boot if you primarily participate in off-trail adventures. 

However, if you want to log some serious mileage on dirt hiking trails that don’t involve a lot of scrambling, the Anacapas provide great comfort, water resistance, and stability. 

Made in the style of a classic mountaineering boot, not only is the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Boot waterproof, comfortable, and stylish, but also affordable with a $100 price tag — making it a great choice for beginners venturing into the world of hiking. Coming in a variety of colorways, with uppers of either leather or suede, the Newton Ridge Plus does well at repelling water, with the only exception being if they are submerged up to the ankle cuff, where water can seep in through the tongue.

The lightweight midsole is moderately cushioned, providing comfort over long days on maintained trails. The combination of full-grain leather and suede ensures that the quality is high and that the boots will be durable in the long run. The seam-sealed membrane bootie construction enables the boots to withstand the elements, making this an ideal shoe for hikes with creek crossings or for environments prone to storms.

We put these boots to the test over long switchbacks in the High Sierra of California, and while they remained comfortable on maintained trails, they weren’t able to keep up with more technical boots when the terrain got more rocky or variable. The proprietary Omni-Grip rubber isn’t quite as sticky and reliable as the Vibram found on more expensive boots, and if you’ll be doing a lot of hiking on terrain where you need excellent grip, this is something worth considering. Another consideration is that a leather or suede construction will inherently be less breathable than a synthetic upper, with the tradeoff being superior waterproofing.

All in all, this boot is a fantastic option for those breaking into hiking and who are looking for a comfortable, waterproof boot that is also easy on the eyes — as well as the wallet.

Made for light hiking or adding extra support to your daily activities, the KEEN Terradora II ($165) makes walking easier with loads of heel cushioning, a soft collar, and a contoured fit made for women. Because of its low-key look and all-day comfort, this is a boot we often grab for walking the dog or hitting the trails in addition to back-to-back errands.

The new technology in the Terradorra II is specifically designed for women’s comfort. The boot features a contoured shape, low-density EVA midsole, light arch support, and plenty of cushion. A “Konnect-Fit” heel capture system ensures that your heels will stay snug and supported to reduce any friction or heel slippage.

The rubber outsole is made with KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber that features multi-directional, 4 mm deep lugs for traction. We took these boots up and down rocky trails in California’s High Sierra, and the traction did well crossing slippery logs and traversing slabs. A stability shank inside also prevented pokey rocks from bruising our feet.

As with many boots that emphasize cushion and comfort, the Terradorra II wouldn’t be our top choice for more technical terrain. Having less cushion allows for more nimble navigation over varying terrain. But these are some of the most comfortable hiking boots we tested, with the contoured shape hugging our feet and providing just the right amount of support.

Overall, this is still one of the best women’s hiking boots for light-duty missions mixed with time around town or other activities like yard work, gardening, or dog walking.

Oboz Footwear’s Sawtooth collection of hikers has been around for 10 years. In that time, the Sawtooth has only gotten very minor updates (like the ones made in 2019 in the Sawtooth II).

But now, 10 years later, Oboz decided to make some big upgrades to its classic hiker. It’s worth noting the Sawtooth X ($175) comes in low and mid styles, but we tested the mid-rise.

While the original Sawtooth models were largely popular, some big complaints were the fit around the ankle and the narrow fit in the sides and toes. It seems as if Oboz has set out to solve this with its design of the Sawtooth X, which has a markedly different heel shape, as well as a slightly wider toebox for a more comfortable fit.

The new model also includes a different midsole material (rubber-blended foam), and a new rubber on the outsole called True Tread for better traction.

We’ve taken this hiking shoe out on some very technical, scrambly hikes here in Colorado specifically to test the new traction. The multi-directional lugs (it seems like there are more of them!) perform great on both loose, packed, and rocky terrain.

The last new feature? Recycled PET in the laces — which so far have proven durable when yanking on and lacing up these boots.

Things that remain the same in the hiking boot from previous models include the nubuck leather on the upper, Oboz B-DRY waterproof breathable membrane, and O FIT insoles.

Already, we think the fit is great (better than other Sawtooths) and the added CORDURA in the upper definitely increases the durability of this boot.

If you’ve ever felt like your feet might run out of energy mid-hike, this could be your shoe. The North Face’s VECTIV Exploris 2 Mid Futurelight ($179) hiker literally rolls you into your next step, helping to keep you moving and conserving your energy as you stride along the trail.

The energetic feel of this shoe comes from a rockered midsole that propels you forward with each step. It’s paired with a 3D plate between the midsole and sole that wraps up the sides of the boot for lateral stability. It also protected our feet from rocks and uneven trails.

The meshy upper is lined with The North Face’s Futurelight waterproof, breathable fabric, which kept our feet dry and comfortable even on warm days. And while the boot’s lacing doesn’t look like anything special, the lace guides lock in the laces every time they cross the tongue of the boot, making the lacing zonal.

Although the VECTIV Exploris is rockered, we felt stable and confident in this shoe. Plenty of hiking shoes and boots have protective plates in the midsole, but by extending that plate up the shoe’s sidewalls and also wrapping it around the heel, we never feared rolling our ankles.

The Y-shaped lugs on the VECTIV Exploris had zonal traction. Harder lugs on the perimeter of the forefoot gave this boot extra bite when conditions were soft or rocky. The heel had aggressive braking lugs that helped us control the descent, and the sole is anatomically scored, which made rolling through each footstep feel fluid.

If you’re looking for the traditional 360-degree ankle support of a completely leather boot in a lighter, more flexible and breathable package, here’s your winner.

The Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Boots ($230) blend a comfortable, pliable upper with a rigid chassis that wraps around the ankle to help reduce fatigue under pressure from high mileage with a heavy load. With added protection and stability, it feels similar to an ace bandage buffering the ankle, which is just what some hikers need.

The burly, deep lugs help deliver traction, preventing slippage in variable conditions. Whether you’re hiking through mud, at a river crossing, or under a downpour, the waterproofing works — plus, it’s PFC-free.

With tiny pebbles or vegetation flying around, the gusseted tongue helps keep those discomforts out. And the laces feature a setback hook on either side of the ankle that helps you lock in the tightness you prefer on the lower half of the foot before snugging up the remaining two notches up the ankle.

If you’re looking for a boot that works well for dog walks and walking around town between trailheads, this boot is too much. The design is just right for hikers in need of extra protection that’s not too stuffy or rigid.