Best Hiking Shoes for Women
Hiking shoes are the closest companion to you when hiking, quite literally, so you shouldn’t take them for granted. You wear them for long hours, so you want them to protect your feet, provide support, and keep you comfortable throughout the hike.
A proper women’s hiking shoe should be designed specifically for the anatomy of your foot to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
Choosing the perfect hiking shoes for you can be challenging with so many different types, materials, and sizes available. But don’t worry! In this article, we’ll give you a thorough guide on how to choose the right hiking shoes, as well as our top recommendations.
What to Consider When Buying Hiking Shoes
There are many things to consider when buying your hiking shoes so you can make the right decisions. Here are the most important factors:
1. Type
Hiking shoes come in many different types, so it’s important to choose the right pair for your needs. The main types are:
Low-Cut: They are lightweight shoes that end beneath your ankles. They are breathable, comfortable to wear, and great for long trails.
Mid-Cut: They are a hybrid between low-cut and high-cut hiking shoes to give you the best of the two worlds. They rise just above the ankle to provide protection but are not as heavy as high-cut shoes.
High-Cut: These are heavy-duty hiking shoes that suit harsh hiking conditions. They support the ankles and provide maximum protection for your feet but that typically comes in compromise for comfort, breathability, and flexibility. They can also make walking feel unnatural.
Barefoot: Just like their name, barefoot or minimalist shoes try to mimic what it is like to walk barefoot. They have a flat or neutral heel, flexible and thin soles, and a roomy toe box. They have their fans but are unsuitable for rugged trails because they lack proper cushioning.
Hiking Sandals: They offer maximum breathability and keep your feet cool and dry throughout the hike. You also won’t have to take them off when crossing streams and rivers. They are perfect for summer hikes but unsuitable for winter conditions.
Overall, you will need to assess your needs and your hiking style to figure out which type is the right pick for you.
2. Size
A good fit is key when buying hiking shoes because you don’t want to walk for hours or even days feeling uncomfortable and ending up with blisters.
Avoid hiking shoes that are too small even by a half size because you will end up with uncomfortable pressure points and smashed toes. It’s recommended to find the perfect fit or even a half size larger than your usual size because your feet tend to swell after hiking for long hours.
On the other hand, buying hiking shoes that are too big is also not recommended as your feet will slide around inside, and it is very uncomfortable.
3. Waterproofing
If you usually hike in wet, muddy, or snowy conditions, then waterproof hiking shoes are a great option for you. However, these shoes lack breathability and can get uncomfortable after walking for hours. Moreover, your feet will start sweating if you hike on summer days.
So, if you hike in dry places with fair weather conditions, it is better to avoid waterproof hiking shoes.
4. Weight
Lightweight shoes are much more comfortable and breathable and will not make you feel tired on long hikes. On the other hand, heavier shoes are less comfortable but they last longer and don’t wear out easily. They also give better support to your feet.
5. Support
Support is an important aspect to check for when buying hiking shoes. The majority of support is provided by the midsole beneath the foot and the cuff wrapping around the ankle.
The stiffer the midsole, the more support you will get for your sole when stepping on rocks and tree logs. Moreover, the higher the cut, the more ankle support you will get.
6. Material
Hiking shoes come in many different materials to choose from. Here are some of the most common ones:
Full-grain leather: It’s a premium material that offers high durability and support. However, it is heavy and lacks breathability. It is suitable for rugged terrain and heavy loads.
Split-grain leather: It’s more breathable and lighter than full-grain leather since it’s usually paired with nylon, but sacrifices some durability.
Synthetic Fabrics: Synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, and mesh are lighter than leather, conform to the shape of your feet faster, dry quickly, and are cheaper. However, they tend to wear out sooner.
Best Hiking Shoes For Women
Here are our top favorite hiking shoes for women:
1. Columbia Women’s Hatana Breathe Hiking Shoe
The Hatana Breathe Hiking Shoe is one of the best budget-friendly shoes for women. The outer material is mesh to offer maximum breathability and it comes in many different colors to suit your taste. It comes with a thick rubber sole to provide support and protection on rugged terrain.
Many positive reviews praise the shoe’s comfort, lightweight design, breathability, traction, and ability to provide support. Some people even say the cushioning is as good as more expensive brands.
Pros:
- Great price
- Breathable
- Great support
- Different colors
- Soft cushioning
Cons:
- The lug pattern might be too aggressive for many trails
- One review mentioned that it caused ankle-rubbing
2. Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
The Merrell Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoes are a great option that has the comfort of a sneaker and gives you the support of a hiking shoe. It has leather bands to provide protection and durability and a breathable mesh to let the moisture out and keep your feet dry. So, they’re great for warm weather and summer days.
Many say it is extremely comfortable, with good arch support that reduces strain on the feet. They also find it durable even after a year of regular wear. Moreover, the Vibram outsole offers good traction.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Good support
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Different designs
Cons:
- Some reviews mention that the toe box is a bit tight
3. Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4 Gore-tex Hiking Shoes
If you’re looking for waterproof hiking shoes, then the Salomon X Ultra Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes are the perfect option. They provide waterproof protection from the Gore-Tex membrane, so you can hike in wet weather conditions and cross streams carefree.
Moreover, the shoes are designed specifically for women. They have a softer cuff and a more anatomical fit to make you as comfortable as possible. They’re also designed to give you good traction even on wet and slippery surfaces.
Pros:
- Reliable waterproofing
- Good support
- Comfort
- Good traction
Cons:
- Lacks breathability
- Some reviews complain about the durability
4. La Sportiva Women’s Spire GTX Low Hiking Shoes
The La Sportiva Spire GTX is easily one of the best hiking shoes for women. It features the Gore-Tex Surround Technology, which allows the shoes to be both waterproof and breathable.
It is a low-cut shoe, so it is lightweight, comfortable, and doesn’t tire you out after long hours of hiking. Overall, the shoes receive very positive reviews for their comfort, quality, traction, and waterproofness.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Waterproof
- Breathable
- Good support
- Good traction
- Durable
Cons:
- Pricey
- Some customers found issues with the sizing
5. HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 5 Women’s Low-Top Sneakers
The HOKA Speedgoat 5 hiking shoes are going to be your best friend on long hiking trails. One of the best features of this shoe is the ultra-cushy midsole that absorbs impact and provides premium comfort.
Reviews praise the shoe for being extremely comfortable, lightweight, and being able to stand with them for long hours without feeling any pain. It also provides good traction for many types of terrain. Plus, they come in many different colorful designs to choose from.
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Lightweight
- Good traction
- Durable
- Different designs
Cons:
- Might make you feel a bit unstable due to the tall stack height
6. Topo Athletic Women’s 5MM Drop Ultraventure 3
The Topo 5MM Drop Ultraventure 3 is a great hiking shoe designed for trail running and hiking on light to moderate terrain. It is a comfortable, lightweight shoe with a roomy toe box and a cushioned midsole.
Moreover, the outer material is breathable mesh to prevent your feet from sweating.
The updated Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole provides excellent traction on many types of surfaces. However, some people might not like the taller stack height since it makes them feel unstable.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Good for wide feet
- Lightweight
- Enhanced traction
Cons:
- Might make you feel a bit unstable due to the tall stack height
- One review complained about the durability
7. Altra Women’s Lone Peak 8 Sneaker
The Altra Women’s Lone Peak 8 Sneaker is a zero-drop hiking shoe. This means that the heel and toe sit at the same height, rather than the heel being higher than the toe like in many traditional shoes.
Not everyone is a fan of this feature but pro-hikers who trained their muscles for it find it much more comfortable.
So, if you are a beginner, it’s recommended that you get used to them first before taking them on a long hike.
This model has an updated ripstop mesh upper for durability and a MaxTrac outsole for grip. It also has a soft midsole foam for cushioning. Plus, the traction is also great due to the TrailClaw lugs.
Pros:
- Roomy toe-box
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Good traction
- No break-in needed
Cons:
- Zero-drop is not for everyone
- Doesn’t support heavy loads well
8. KEEN Women’s Targhee 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoes
The Keen Women’s Targhee 3 are heavy-duty waterproof hiking shoes. They have a rubber outer sole that provides good traction on all types of surfaces. They also have a breathable membrane to let the vapor out while repelling water.
Reviewers praise these shoes for their comfort, support, waterproof protection, traction on trails, and keeping them dry in wet conditions.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Good traction
- Good support
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- Some customers found them not suitable for very rough terrain
How to Take Care of Your Hiking Shoes?
If you hike frequently, especially in wet and muddy weather, you’ll need to take care of your hiking shoes to make them last longer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your hiking shoes:
- Remove the laces and the insoles out of your shoes.
- Use a boot brush, sponge, toothbrush, or an old vegetable brush to remove the mud and dust from your shoes.
- For better cleaning, you can use running water to wash your shoes properly. You can use a boot cleaner product, saddle soap, or a mixture of gentle dishwashing soap and water.
- Brush the outsoles vigorously to remove the stuck mud and pebbles to restore traction.
- Rinse and wash the laces and the insoles to remove all the dirt and leave them to dry in a well-ventilated area separately from the shoes.
- Let the shoes air-dry at room temperature in a well-ventilated area away from the sun or any heat source.
- Once the shoes are completely dry, insert the dry insoles and laces back in.
Tips:
- If your shoe has a GORE-TEX outer membrane, you can re-waterproof it using a product made for this purpose. But make sure you read the instructions before using it.
- Make sure the cleaner you choose is okay to use on your shoes. If yes, read the instructions beforehand.
- If your shoe still smells bad, you can use an anti-odor spray.
- If your shoe has mold on it, you can use a mixture of 80% water and 20% vinegar to clean it.
- To speed up the drying process, you can put newspaper inside your shoe. You can change the paper whenever it’s damp. You may also use a fan.
- Do not use the washing machine as they can damage your hiking shoes.
- You can use a conditioner on your leather shoe if the leather gets cracked and dry. Make sure to read the use instructions on the product
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has helped you choose the best hiking shoes for you. Remember, your hiking shoes are an important investment for your own comfort and the health of your feet. So, assess your needs and take your time to find the right pair.
