Best Hiking Boots for Women

Sometimes it can be difficult to find hiking boots that fit. In addition, it can be hard to know what kind of hiking shoes you need to purchase for your unique hiking needs.

If you have a hard time with either of these, don’t worry! That is why I put together this comprehensive guide of the 6 most important factors to take into consideration when shopping for new women’s hiking boots.

Where will you be hiking or walking?

When deciding on your best women’s hiking boot, you have to think of location, location, and location! In what type of landscape will you be hiking the most? What is the climate? How is the weather? Will you be hiking on rocks or sidewalks? How often will you encounter water on your hike?

If you like to get wet on your journey, you will need to look for waterproof hiking shoes that dry quickly. If you are hiking on sand, rocks, leaves, or anything else that can be slick, you will want hiking boots with excellent traction. If you are venturing into the heat, find a boot with maximum breathability.

While most people do use this product for day hikes in the wilderness, other people just need a good pair of hiking boots to walk around the city. Some people use their hiking boots as comfortable work shoes. When using your pair of boots for these purposes, you will want to prioritize comfort and sole traction.

Waterproofing

Depending on which destinations you frequent, you may or may not need the best waterproof hiking boots for women. Shoes in general offer a bit of water protection. So, if you don’t plan on encountering rain frequently, water resistance will not be the most important factor for you.

However, if you want to use them in a rainy climate and want to keep your feet dry, you will want to purchase the best waterproof hiking boots for women possible. The same stands if you plan to do summer hiking in the high altitude snow. If you hike mostly in the desert, you don’t need waterproof footwear.

If you are an adventurer of the wildest kind, you will want high quality waterproofing. Especially since you already know you will be crossing rivers, hiking streams, and climbing snow banks. In fact, anyone who plans on water crossings should consider how quickly their boots dry.

For additional waterproofing (or waterproofing in an emergency), you can buy [amazon link=”B00EXIVVUI” title=”waterproofing spray” /].

Support and stability

All of these factors are important, but support may be the most important. Without adequate support and stability, your foot takes the brunt of the shock of each step. That’s right, if you do not have a shoe with good hold you are hurting your foot.

If you plan on using your hiking boots for backpacking, you will want to look for footwear with maximum support. Your feet and legs will feel the added weight from your pack if you don’t have proper cushioning.

When looking at support, try to find a shoe with EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) cushioning. EVA has been tested and proven to absorb shocks and arch support. If you want extra support, think about boots that include shanks.

Budget

Luckily for those on a budget, it is now much easier to buy a good hiking boot for an affordable price. A few years ago, you had to pay top dollar to get good hiking boots for women. Now, everywhere you look it seems there are quality, reasonably priced options.

However, you need to balance how often you hike with your budget. If you are a weekend warrior, chances are you will end up saving money going with a proven, name brand, longer-lasting boot. If you go out once in a while, definitely consider a cheaper option.

Shoe Fit

A large part of finding your perfect hiking boot is fit. If the shoe does not fit, you will be miserable for the duration of your hikes. If it is too large, it will not offer enough ankle support and could actually be a hazard to you. Too small and you may lose a toenail.

Another important facet of fit is width. If you wear a wide shoe, be honest with yourself. Having a wide foot isn’t as bad as having a wide foot with blisters from narrow footwear. In addition, consider where the padding is and make sure it cushions your unique foot and posture.

I cannot stress enough the importance of trying on hiking boots before you buy them. In fact, you should try on all shoes before you decide to purchase them. Why? Each manufacturer’s sizes run differently, so chances are you won’t be wearing the size you are used to in your new footwear.

This helpful video explains in further detail the features to look for in hiking boots.<