Best Women’s Hiking Shoes and Boots
Whether you're heading out for a day hike or going on a backpacking trip, wearing the right pair of women’s hiking shoes or hiking boots can make a huge difference. Happy feet equal a happy hiker. Hiking shoes vary person by person because everyone’s feet are shaped differently, and what works for one person might not work for someone else. It’s important to choose a shoe for hiking that is comfortable and works well for you.
After hiking over 8,000 miles over the past six years, including thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and countless hikes in Washington State, I’ve hiked in a lot of women’s hiking shoes and boots. There are so many options out there, so I want to help you narrow down your search.
This post doesn’t include every single hiking shoe out there, just the best women’s hiking shoes and boots I’ve personally worn, love, and recommend. In this post, I share my all-time favorite hiking boots, trail runners, and hiking shoes, plus a few tips to help you find your perfect pair of hiking shoes.
TL;DR - My Top Hiking Shoes:
Best Hiking Boot: Danner Mountain 600 Women’s Hiking Boots
Supportive, waterproof, my go-to for day hikes and shoulder-season or winter hiking.Best Hiking Shoe/Trail Runner: Altra Lone Peak Women’s Trail Runners
Lightweight and breathable, my favorite for long days, backpacking, and thru-hiking.
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What to Look for in Hiking Shoes & Hiking Boots
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Shoes for Hiking:
What type of hiking are you doing? Are you going on a day hike, a backpacking trip, or a long thru-hike? The type of hiking shoe or hiking boot you wear will probably depend on your answer. For example, for thru-hikes, I always wear trail runners because they are lightweight and dry faster. For winter hiking, I always wear hiking boots that are waterproof for more warmth and protection. For casual day hikes, I don’t have a huge preference. However, your preferences might vary from mine.
Waterproof or Not-Waterproof: Waterproof hiking shoes help keep your feet warm and dry. While they trap water out, they also trap water in. In the summer, waterproof hiking shoes can make your feet very warm if it’s hot outside because the shoes are not as breathable. I personally prefer wearing waterproof hiking shoes in the winter, during shoulder seasons, or if it’s colder. I prefer wearing non-waterproof hiking shoes when it’s hot outside and on multi-day hiking/backpacking trips because non-waterproof shoes will dry faster if they get wet.
Toe Box: I personally prefer a wide and roomy toe box for my hiking shoes. A roomy toe box lets your toes spread out, which is more comfortable and helps prevent blisters and sore toenails. Also, when you hike, your feet swell, so this allows for more space for your feet in your shoes.
Material: Some hiking shoes/boots are leather, which is water-resistant, abrasion-resistant, and durable. However, leather is also a lot warmer and less-breathable, which might not be ideal if it’s hot outside. Hiking shoes made out of synthetic materials are typically lightweight, comfier right out of the box, and dry faster.
Width: If you have a wider foot, look for shoes that come in a wide option. I note below which of my favorite hiking shoes and hiking boots have a wide option.
Traction/Sole: I personally prefer hiking shoes with Vibram outsoles because it has better traction on trail and on wet surfaces.
Cushioning: More cushioning can help reduce foot fatigue on long hikes, while firmer shoes offer better stability on rocky or uneven terrain.
Support vs. Flexibility: Stiffer shoes provide more support, especially when carrying a pack, while more flexible shoes feel more natural and comfortable for day hikes and high-mileage days.
Heel Fit: A secure heel fit helps prevent slipping and blisters, especially on steep climbs and long descents.
Sizing: I recommend sizing up half to a full size so your toes have room on descents and your feet stay comfortable as they swell throughout the day. If you bang your toes too much or your toes are too tight in your hiking shoes, you could lose toe nails.
Try them on: Try on the hiking shoes/boots first before buying and choose what feels most comfortable to you!
Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes vs. Trail Runners:
Hiking Boots: Hiking boots have more support and protection, which makes them a good choice for hikes with rugged terrain, colder weather, winter hiking, or if you’re carrying a heavier pack. I wear hiking boots more in winter and during shoulder seasons, particularly in the fall when the weather is variable. Hiking boots are often recommended if you want more ankle support. While hiking boots do provide more support, I found that once I switched to hiking shoes/trail runners, I built more ankle strength over time and I now roll my ankles far less.
Hiking Shoes: Hiking shoes are a good middle ground if you want more structure and durability than a trail runner, but you don’t want the bulk of a full hiking boot. Hiking shoes are typically more protective than trail runners since they are usually made out of more durable materials and have more structure than trail runners, so it’s not as easy to stub your toes, etc.
Trail Runners: Trail runners are lightweight, breathable, and flexible, which makes them my go-to hiking for long days of hiking, backpacking, and thru-hiking. They are typically made out of synthetic materials and are usually not waterproof, which makes them more breathable (great for hot days) and they dry faster if they get wet.
Everyone’s feet and preferences are different, so it’s important to find what works best for you. There are lots of hiking boots and shoes options, but hopefully this list of the best women’s hiking boots and shoes I’ve worn will make your search a little easier.
For more hiking and backpacking gear and clothing guides, check out my posts on the best sun hoodies for hiking & backpacking, best women’s hiking shorts, backpacking gear guide, what to wear and bring day hiking guide, and my outdoorsy gift guide.
Best Women’s Hiking Shoes & Boots I’ve Hiked In:
Best Women's Hiking Boots for Hiking & Backpacking
Wearing Danner Mountain 600 Women’s Hiking Boots on a backpacking trip in Washington State
Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX Women’s Hiking Boots
↠ My favorite hiking boots!
Quick Details:
Type: Mid-height hiking boot
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 2 lbs (pair)
Wide Toe Box? Yes
Traction/Sole: Vibram outsole (these are my favorite type of soles and I fund they have great traction)
Wide Option Available: Yes
Best For: Backpacking, rugged terrain, wet conditions, winter hiking, snowshoeing
I’ve been wearing my Danner Mountain 600 Women’s Hiking Boots for 4 years now and I absolutely love them. These are my go-to hiking boots and I’ve worn the same pair for hundreds of miles of hiking and countless backpacking trips, proving their durability and comfort. These boots are also my go-to winter hiking boot since they are waterproof. I wear these boots snowshoeing, hiking, and backpacking!
I find these hiking boots very comfortable and I like that they are not too heavy (some hiking boots can feel very heavy, but not these). I love that they have a Vibram sole, so they have really good traction. I’ve worn these hiking boots on very wet and rainy hikes, and my feet have always stayed dry. Plus, they come in different colors and with different laces, so you can choose whatever color you like best!
Yes, these boots are an investment, but they’re absolutely worth it. They are high-quality, comfortable, durable, and will last you many of hiking (and I hike a lot!)
When I Wear These Hiking Boots:
I wear the Danner Mountain 600 Women’s Hiking Boots on most of my day hikes and backpacking trips. They are also my go-to winter hiking shoe and I like to wear them snowshoeing, too. However, if I’m going on a 12+ mile hike or a multi-night backpacking trip, I usually choose to wear a trail runner instead (more on that below).
Where to Buy: REI • Backcountry
Wearing the Columbia Newton Ridge Women’s Hiking Boots on a hike in Zion National Park
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boots
↠ Best Budget Hiking Boots for Women
Quick Details:
Type: Mid-height hiking boot
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 1 lb 11.6 oz (pair)
Wide Toe Box? No
Traction/Sole: Omni-Grip non-marking rubber - Good for dirt and rocky trails, but not as much traction as Vibram soles.
Wide Option Available: Yes
Best For: Day hikes, beginners, budget-friendly option
The Columbia Newton Ridge Women’s Hiking Boots were the first hiking boots I bought for myself back in 2020. They are a great budget hiking boot if you’re looking to get into hiking but want to spend a little less on hiking shoes (and they often go on sale for less than $90!).
The Columbia Newton Ridge Women’s Hiking Boots were the first hiking boots I bought for myself back in 2020. They’re a great option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly hiking boot to start getting into hiking. These boots are often go on sale for less than $90, making them one of the more affordable women’s hiking boots on this list.
I wore these boots hiking all over Colorado, Utah, and Washington. They’re waterproof, lightweight, and supportive, making them a great choice for day hikes or casual backpacking trips. They also come in lots of colors, which is a fun bonus so you can choose the color you like most.
In my experience, I found they had great traction. Since they are a more budget-friendly shoe, I found they aren’t quite as durable as some of the other shoes listed here, but I still got a couple years of hiking out of my Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boots before retiring my pair. For the price point, that felt reasonable to me.
When I Wear These Hiking Boots:
I wore the Columbia Newton Ridge boots primarily on day hikes and shorter trips when I wanted something lightweight and supportive, but I wasn’t ready to invest in a more expensive hiking boot. If you’re hiking occasionally or just getting into hiking, these hiking boots are a great place to start.
Where to Buy: Backcountry • Columbia
Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots - Women's
↠ One of the most popular women’s hiking boots
Quick Details:
Type: Mid-height hiking boot
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 1lb 12.9 oz (pair)
Wide Toe Box? Yes
Traction/Sole: Vibram outsole
Wide Option Available: Yes
Best For: Day hikes, backpacking, beginners, all-around use
The Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are one of the most popular women’s hiking boots for a reason. They’re comfortable right out of the box, supportive, and are good for hiking in various trail conditions. These are a solid choice if you want a dependable hiking boot. One thing I really like about the Moab’s is that these hiking boots also come in a low-cut shoe version, so you can choose which version you want depending on personal preference.
While I personally wear my Danner Mountain 600’s more often because I love the way they fit me, I would still highly recommend the Moab 3’s if you’re looking for a reliable and comfortable hiking boot that’s a bit more budget-friendly than the Danner’s.
Where to Buy: REI • Backcountry
Best Women's Trail Runners for Hiking & Backpacking
Trail runners are my go-to hiking shoe for most hikes, especially longer days, high mileage, and backpacking trips where I want something lightweight and comfortable. Compared to traditional hiking boots, trail runners are lighter, more flexible, and usually more breathable, which makes a huge difference on long days on trail. Since they are lighter and usually made out of thinner material, they also dry faster, which I find important for multi-day hikes.
I typically wear trail runners when I go on longer backpacking trips, for thru-hikes, and for hikes where I want to go a bit faster and higher-mileage. I wore trail runners on my thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Arizona Trail, Wonderland Trail, and the Sunshine Coast Trail.
Wearing Altra Lone Peak Women’s Trail Runners on my thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail
Altra Lone Peak Women’s Trail Runners
↠ My favorite trail runner for hiking, backpacking, and thru-hiking!
Altra Lone Peak 9+ Women’s Trail Runners - these have a Vibram sole
Quick Details:
Type: Trail runner (and they also come in a boot version)
Waterproof: Non-waterproof and waterproof options available (I prefer non-waterproof version because they dry faster)
Weight: 1 lb 3 oz (pair) - lightweight!
Wide Toe Box? Yes
Traction: MaxTrac Sole on base models; the Lone Peak 9+ has a Vibram sole
Wide Option Available: Yes
Best For: Day hikes, backpacking, thru-hiking, long hikes/high-mileage days
I’ve worn Altra Lone Peaks for over 7,000 miles of hiking, including my thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Arizona Trail, and Wonderland Trail. I love these shoes for hiking - they’re lightweight, comfortable, and have a very wide toe box (they kind of feel like ‘hiking slippers’ to me - they’re super comfy). Out of all of the shoes in this post, these have the roomiest toe box by far, which is great for long days on trail when your feet swell. These hiking shoes are comfortable right out of the box. I typically get about 500 miles out of each pair of shoes. I’m super excited because Altra finally came out with a Vibram sole option (the Altra Lone Peak 9+), so they have better traction.
One thing to note about Lone Peaks is that they are a zero-drop hiking shoe, which means they have a level height between the heel and the forefoot, as if you were walking barefoot. Most hiking shoes have some sort of drop between your forefoot and heel, so it does take some time to get used to a zero-drop shoe. I've been wearing Lone Peaks since 2019, so my feet are used to it. If you choose Lone Peaks, I recommend starting with shorter hikes or walks to get your feet used to the zero-drop.
When I Wear These Trail Runners for Hiking:
Lone Peaks are my go-to hiking shoe for thru-hikes, long day hikes (anything 12+ miles long), and multi-night backpacking trips. I’ve been wearing Lone Peaks since 2019 for hiking and will continue to wear them for years to come.
Where to Buy: REI • Backcountry
Wearing the Topo Athletic Ultraventure Women’s Trail Runners on my thru-hike of the Sunshine Coast Trail
Quick Details:
Type: Trail runner
Waterproof: No
Weight: 1 lb 0.6 oz (pair) - lightweight!
Wide Toe Box? Yes
Traction/Sole: Vibram sole
Wide Option Available: Yes
Best For: Day hikes, backpacking trips, thru-hikes, trail running
Last year, all of my Altra Lone Peaks were worn out and I needed a new trail runner for hiking and wanted to try something new for fun, so I tried the Topo Athletic Ultraventures in 2025 and proceeded to wear them for hundreds of miles of hiking and backpacking in 2025. I wore these hiking and backpacking all over Washington State and for my thru-hike of the Sunshine Coast Trail. I like that these have a Vibram sole. These shoes have a wide toe box, but are a little less wide in the heel section of the shoe than the Lone Peaks so my feet don’t slide around in them as much as the Lone Peaks. I like trail running in the Ultraventures because I feel like I have more control (whereas I personally never wear the Lone Peaks for actual trail running, just for hiking, because my feet slide around in them a bit).
One of the main reasons I wanted to try the Ultraventures was because they have a Vibram sole (the Lone Peak 9+ with the Vibram sole hadn’t been released, yet). I felt like I needed a bit more traction than the Altra Lone Peaks offered due to the style of the trails in Washington I’ve been hiking.
I love the Ultraventures and I find them super comfy right out of the box and they have a bit more support than the Lone Peaks. They are slightly less wide than the Lone Peaks, but that’s fine with me because I have a narrow foot. They aren’t zero-drop like the Lone Peaks, if you’re looking for a non-zero drop trail runner.
When I Wear These Trail Runners:
I wear the Ultraventures for longer day hikes, trail runs, longer backpacking trips, or thru-hikes.
Where to Buy: REI • Backcountry
Best Women's Hiking Shoes
Quick Details:
Type: Hiking shoe
Waterproof: No, but they come in a waterproof version
Weight: 1 lb 10 oz (pair)
Wide Toe Box? Yes
Traction/Sole: Vibram sole
Wide Option Available: Yes
Best For: Day hikes, beginners, backpacking
As I mentioned above, the popular Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boots also come in a hiking shoe version! These hiking shoes are comfortable right out of the box, supportive, and are good for hiking in various trail conditions. These are a solid choice if you want a dependable hiking shoe. If you don’t love a mid-rise hiking boot, then these are a great option for a hiking shoe! I love wearing my Merrell Moab hiking shoes for day hikes.
Where to Buy: REI • Backcountry
Wearing the adidas Terrex Skychaser GTX hiking shoes hiking in Washington
Quick Details:
Type: Hiking shoe
Waterproof: Yes
Weight: 1 lb 11.3 oz (pair)
Wide Toe Box? No
Traction/Sole: Continental Rubber outsole
Wide Option Available: No
Best For: Day hikes, wet trails, rugged trails
The adidas Skychaser GTX hiking shoes are great hiking shoes for rugged terrain. They are a narrower shoe, but I find this gives me a little more control while hiking. I also love the laces on these shoes - they have a single-pull lace so you don't have to worry about laces coming untied. I wear these hiking shoes on more rugged trails, when I'm wanting a bit more traction and more protection for my feet.
Where to Buy: REI • Backcountry
Best Women's Hiking Sandals
Quick Details:
Type: Sandals
Waterproof: n/a - they’re sandals!
Weight: 1 lb 1.4 oz (pair)
Traction/Sole: Vibram sole
Wide Option Available: No
Best For: Day hikes, wet trails
I usually don’t hike in sandals, but when I do, I wear Bedrock Sandals. These are by far the best hiking sandals. They’re comfortable and super grippy, thanks to their Vibram sole. I’ve had my Bedrock Sandals for four years now and still love them. They’re even better when you pair them with toe socks, which makes for the comfiest combination.
Where to Buy: REI
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to women’s hiking boots and hiking shoes. These are the ones I trust and love after thousands of miles of hiking, but your favorite hiking shoes might be something else! Try a few out and see what fits you best. Happy hiking!
About Me & Why You Can Trust My Hiking Shoe Recommendations
Hi! I’m Erin! I’ve hiked over 8,000 miles, including thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail, and I’ve done countless day hikes and backpacking trips.
I’ve worn a lot of different women’s hiking shoes and hiking boots over the years, so I put together this guide to help make your own research easier. I hope it helps you find the best women’s hiking shoes for your next adventure. Happy hiking!
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