Best Women’s Hiking Boots

Designed with women’s feet in mind; breathable, waterproof material. $160; altrarunning.com

When the going gets tough—or muddy, or downright flooded—slip on a pair of these tall, waterproof boots. They’re warm and cushioned, yet significantly lighter than most boots this tall. $140; bogsfootwear.com

• $139.99; Vasque.com

This women’s hiking boot was designed to be lightweight on your feet so you can go further. The Mesa Trek fits and feels like a comfortable running shoe with all of the support you would expect from an over-the-ankle boot. Top-notch waterproofing and a moisture-wicking lining make these boots a great fit for hiking in the rain or on unexpectedly wet trails.

• $160; REI.com and LLBean.com

This small, Bozeman, MT-based hiking shoe company goes out of their way to make boots you don’t want to take off. A sculpted EVA midsole adds soft cushioning and targeted support, while the waterproof upper allows unrestrained flexion and forward motion without sacrificing ankle stability. You can also feel great about the story behind your boots. Oboz plants a tree for every pair sold, offsets the carbon emissions from their shipping and worker’s commutes, and ensures their suppliers and manufacturers uphold strict environmental and social standards.

• From $235; Asolo.com, Backcountry.com, and Zappos.com

These boots are a midsummer hike’s dream. The waterproof upper is uninsulated to help heat escape without letting in moisture. A Vibram outsole with deep heel cleats ensure a smooth stride over every surface. Unlike most hiking boots these days, the Falcon can be resoled when the time comes so you don’t have to give up your perfectly broken in boots.

• From $250; find a dealer near you

Say hello to the first hiking boot that is truly customizable to your feet. It can be infuriating trying to find a boot that is snug in all of the right places without rubbing or pinching. The Forge takes all of the frustration and endless trials out of boot shopping. While the basic shoe is ready to go out of the box, a local retailer will help thermo-mold the footbed, upper, and heel support to your foot in the store for an unbeatable fit and feel.

• $250; Backcountry.com or find a dealer near you

Slip on this lightweight hiking boot for alpine fun all summer long. The ergonomically shaped midsole bends with you and gives all day comfort to tired feet. Inside, a cushioned footbed wicks away moisture and helps keep feet cool and blister free.

• $140; Keen.com and REI.com

From the Yosemite Valley to traversing the Grand Canyon, the Terradora is built to take on any environment you throw at it. These surprisingly versatile hiking shoes can easily pass for sneakers when you’re on the streets, but their close fit, higher cut, and full-length rock plate were included with performance in mind.

• $140; Merrell.com and Amazon.com

Set your feet free! The MQM Flex is made with a midsole that follows the natural movement of your foot. Deep lugs and a waterproof membrane elevate this shoe and help you blast up and down muddy trails without sliding. Areas of high wear are further protected with strategically placed mesh for added longevity.

• $240; Lowaboots.com, REI.com, Amazon.com, or Zappos.com

It’s not surprising that this is LOWA’s most popular hiking boot–hours of unrelenting rain and wet snow are no match for the Renegade. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants a boot that can do it all or who needs extra stability and support. Handmade in Europe, the boot is beefy enough to take on weekend backpacking trips without weighing you down on shorter trips.