The most important consideration for your next hike is what is on your feet. Your choice of hiking shoe will make big difference in how much you enjoy your hike.

A good pair of women’s hiking shoes will keep you dry, provide traction and support as well as being light weight.

The last thing you want is to be weighed down by your shoes while hiking all day.

We evaluated some of the most popular brands and below are the hiking shoes for women that came out on top.

Best Women’s Hiking Shoes

	Merrell Moab Ventilator	Adidas AX3 Hiking Shoe	KEEN Targhee III
Upper:	Leather / synthetic	Synthetic air mesh	Suede leather & textile
Sole:	Vibram	Rubber	Rubber
Waterproof:	No	No	Yes - KEEN.DRY
Rating:	4.6 / 5.0	4.5 / 5.0	4.2 / 5.0

For more of my women’s hiking gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Women’s Hiking Pants, Women’s Hiking Boots, Hiking Rain Jackets.

Quick Answer: The Best Hiking Shoes For Women

1. Merrell Women’s Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe
2. Adidas Terax AX3 Women’s Hiking Shoes
3. KEEN Women’s Targhee II Waterproof Trail Shoe
4. Columbia Women’s Redmond Waterproof Trail Shoe
5. Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Air Mesh Hiking Shoe
6. Salomon Women’s X Ultra Mid 2 GTX Hiking Shoe

Let’s take a look at our top rated women’s hiking shoes, then we’ll talk about how to choose the best pair for you in our buyers guide below.

 Women’s Hiking Shoe Reviews

#1 Merrell Women’s Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe Review

The Merrell Moab Ventilator’s are constructed of leather and fabric, which gives the shoe both durability as well as breathability.

The sole of the shoes are made of Vibram and have a seriously grippy and aggressive tread pattern.

The important thing to realize about these shoes, is that you are will be able to handle any terrain without having to worry about slipping.

You will have a full range of motion because the hiking shoe rests well below the ankle.

Comfort is provided in the hiking shoes as well because of the plush cushion on the collar and tongue. There’s also an Ortholite footbed that is going to offer a lot of support for the sole of your foot.

Finally, there’s breathable mesh so your feet never get too hot and the shoes can dry off quickly if they are exposed to water.

The Merrill Ventilator’s are the best women’s trail shoes on the market, highly recommended.

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#2 adidas outdoor Women’s Terrex AX3 Review

The AX 3 Hiking Shoes by Adidas come in a variety of colors for women to choose from. Of course it’s not just about colors, there are a lot of great features with these shoes.

The Adidas shoe is a great mid-range priced shoe that offers durability, comfort, and support. The air mesh keeps your feet cool and makes sure that shoes dry out quickly.

There’s a lightweight EVA midsole so you can wear the shoes for a long hike and not get tired.

The lightweight cushioning along with a molded sockliner will allow you to enjoy even more comfort and a good fit (socks are not necessary).

There’s a comfortable textile lining and shoes only weigh about 10 ounces each, so you don’t have to worry about a really heavy hiking shoe.

The synthetic material is easy to clean as well, so your shoes can always look their best, even when you’re not out on the hiking trails.

The AX 3’s have an aggressive tread pattern to keep you from slipping and one of my favorite features: a small toe cap with reinforced lowers for abrasion resistance and toe protection when you’re on the trail.

Overall, you get a good value for your money and the high quality materials make the Adidas AX 3 the best women’s lightweight hiking shoes on the market.

#3 KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Trail Shoe Review

The Targhee III Waterproof Trail Shoe by Keen is definitely a serious hiking shoe. It’s probably one of the best options, especially if you plan on going on damp trails or are going to be around a lot of water.

It is a waterproof hiking shoe and features lugs that are quite aggressive. You get a few color choices, though they are all fairly neutral.

The rubber sole has a good thick tread on it, offering durability and a no-slip grip so you can feel confident hiking on rock, rough trails, and more.

There’s a cool removable insole to be able to clean out the shoes from time to time, especially if they have been exposed to a lot of mud and other unsavory elements.

Good support is given, without covering the ankle. There’s a cushioned collar along with a breathable mesh tongue.

This is all designed to give you a lot of comfort so you can wear the hiking shoes all day long without any kind of foot fatigue and for hiking in and around wet areas.

The KEEN Dry waterproof membrane is also what really helps these shoes stand out amongst the competition as one of the best women’s waterproof hiking shoes.

 REI

#4 Columbia Women’s Redmond Waterproof Trail Shoe

Using a combination suede and mesh upper, this shoe will protect you from scuffs and abrasions while still allowing plenty of air movement.

Two-stage toe cap provides plenty of all around protection for any situation. With a pretty moderate tread pattern, this will be a good all-around hiking shoe for the ladies.

It’s about halfway between trail runner and hiking boot so it’s not going to fit either category perfectly but it’s a good compromise for most hikers needs.

Overall, it’s a pretty lightweight shoe at just 9.8oz per shoe, or 19.6oz for the pair. Probably the best quality about this shoe is the value to price ratio.

Columbia always delivers a solid product at a lightweight price tag and this is no exception! The Columbia Redmond’s are probably the best women’s hiking shoes for the money.

#5 Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Air Mesh Hiking Shoe

This thick mesh trail shoe has a small toe cap and reinforced lowers for abrasion resistance on the trail.

With just four laces along the shoe, we’re not expecting a huge range of adjustability for fitment, but it should be plenty for this hiking sneaker.

The one drawback I find with this shoe is that the tread could be a bit more aggressive.

I like that they didn’t bother putting in waterproof membranes, since it’s a low-cut trail runner.

Vibram soles are often known as one of the most durable and versatile shoe soles on the market so they should be some of the best options available.

Overall both shoes weigh in at just 20 oz. which isn’t going to break any lightweight records but it should provide plenty of cushion and protection.

This would be a good choice for someone looking to bridge the gap between trail runner, lightweight hiker, and tennis shoe.

#6 Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Shoes

This is a hiking shoe with a great skeleton lacing system and Gore-Tex waterproof breathable membrane.

Full wrap around toe cap means this boot provides tons of support and protection for those looking to have the most foot armor for hiking! I like the rugged tread lugs and aggressive build of the lower on this shoe.

By and large I trust Salomon to build a good piece of footwear.

They kept the coloring minimal for a light accent which is nice to see when so many outdoor shoes these days are coming in bright neon colors.

One thing I really like is that they extended the lugs on the tread right up on to the toe cap. This means the boot is ready for some serious uphill climbing or pushing through any conditions.

Not sure this would be used by most people very often, but it is a testament to the ruggedness of this shoe and make these the best women’s hiking shoes.

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Women’s Hiking Shoes Comparison Table

How to Choose Women’s Hiking Shoes – Buyers Guide

• Waterproof
• Weight
• Above the Ankle vs Low Cut
• Toe Cap
• Misc Considerations
• Trail Running Hiking Shoes
• Using Your Hiking Shoes as Daily Shoes
• How to Care For Hiking Shoes
• FAQ For Women’s Hiking Shoes
• Best Hiking Shoe Brands For Women

When you’re picking out hiking shoes for women, it’s important to fully understand how they’re built and what you’ll use yours for.

There are so many advanced features on today’s hiking shoes that it can be difficult to sort out what you need versus what’s just advertising. Let’s look at what makes a good hiking shoe:

Waterproof

Do you want waterproof hiking shoes or not? By and large waterproof features are only helpful on full size hiking boots. If you’re looking for a trail running shoe or low cut hiking shoe, consider avoiding the waterproof features.

Why? Because it’s cheaper, first off. Secondly, a low-cut shoe is likely to get wet inside anyways, rendering the waterproofing useless. Carefully consider how you’ll use the shoe before making a choice.

Weight

Believe it or not, there’s a big difference in weight between certain shoes. Heavier shoes often feature more support, bigger toe caps, and sometimes metal stay rods for torsion stabilization.

Lighter shoes can go all the way down to a minimalist trail running shoe with no cushion.

Find a good balance for your needs between protection, cushion, and features versus weight. Every ounce of weight saved on the feet adds up to hundreds of calories burned over the course of intense hiking or running.

There is a saying that goes “one pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back” and it couldn’t be more true.

According to many studies, empirical evidence, and a large body of writing, “Weight on the feet is disproportionately more exhausting than weight carried on the torso.”

Above the Ankle vs Low Cut

This goes hand in hand with choosing whether or not to buy waterproof shoes. Over the ankle shoes or boots are generally a better choice for those looking to buy a waterproof shoe that can walk through puddles without letting in water.

Keep in mind, however, that if the puddle spills over the top of the boot, there’s no stopping it!

Many hikers argue that taller shoes and boots provide ankle stabilization or protection. While I have not found that to be the case personally, this might be a factor to consider if you experience chronic ankle instability.

Consult your doctor for a professional opinion.

Toe Cap

A toe cap is a piece of firm rubber which extends over the top of the toe and often around the sides. This protects you from hitting your toes on rocks, logs, or debris that might damage or injure your toes.

While this doesn’t seem like a big deal, peeling your toe nail back by kicking a rock can end or hamper your hike. I look for toe caps on all my hiking shoes.

Misc Considerations for Choosing Hiking Shoes

In addition to what we have covered, the following are also important considerations:

Comfort

Seems fairly obvious that having comfortable hiking shoes is an important factor for hiking because having uncomfortable shoes will definitely ruin your day.

This is especially true when the going gets hard when hiking up steep inclines or rocky, uneven terrain can not only uncomfortable but could actually be dangerous.

Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and relieve stress while you’re enjoying the great outdoors but if suffering with an uncomfortable shoes you are not going to push yourself to continue on when the going gets tough or want to go back out and try again.

Breathablity

The truth is, no matter what the shoe manufacturers might tell you, waterproof shoes are going to be less breathable. The same properties that make them waterproof also make them less breathable.

Some shoes do a better job than others at being waterproof and still managing some level of breathability. The Merrell Moabs do a better job than most in the compromise of waterproofness vs breathability.

If your feet get hot and sweaty you are better off with a shoe made from mesh or mesh combination with leather or synthetic leather. This give you the advantage of light weight and breathability.

Keep in mind no matter how waterproof your shoes are and you step in a puddle water will get into the shoe from the top.

Support

Many hikers will tell you they need to support of a high cuff boot. These types of boots which lace above the ankle can be laced to surround the ankle and provide some measure of support.

However, in my experience this will help with scrapes against rocks or sticks but not offer much in the way of support.

Now if you have weak ankles, by all means go with a high cuff boot, but for most people the comfort of a shoe will overcome the benefits of boots.

Traction

As you might guess traction is how well your shoe grips the ground. This becomes especially critical when climbing hills and walking down inclines. The amount of traction your shoes have will keep you from slipping and keep you safe.

There is no downside to having an aggressive tread that will provide maximum traction from slipping and possibly injuring yourself.

It is one of the more important aspects to think about when buying a pair a shoes because it will make your hike safer and easier.

Lacing

Most likely one of the most overlooked aspects of a hiking shoe is how the laces are setup. Cheaper hiking shoes will tend to have a poor lacing system that are not only harder to adjust to get the proper fit but also may not stay tight and loosen up as you hike.

Look for a lacing system that is easily tightened and also easy to loosen when you want to take the shoes off. The higher upon the shoes they go the better because it will give you more flexibility how they fit. But the primary factor is usually the actual laces.

Poor quality laces will not stay tight and constantly need to be re-tightened. Luckily this is an easy fix by investing in some better quality laces.

Trail Running Hiking Shoes

If you’re at all involved in the hiking scene you’ll know that trail running shoes have exploded in popularity over the last 10 years or so. The reasons for this are many so we’ll go over why they’re popular so you can decide if you should go with runners or boots.

If you’ve read through the guide up to this point you already mostly understand why trail runners are popular.

They’re lightweight. This is because they’re short, below the ankle, footwear made to move fast.

Trail runners are breathable. They’re usually thin and mostly made from synthetics like mesh that drains water and sweat quickly.

They feature aggressive lugs and tread. This increases traction dramatically.

Trail runners have more tactile feel compared to hiking boots. They’re thinner and move more as you step which means you can feel if you’re stepping on something angled, sharp, or off-balance. Taken together this helps improve your footing.

More and more, hikers are subscribing to the idea that there’s just no way to keep your feet dry 100% of the time on the trail. People are ditching tall, heavy waterproof boots for lighter shoes that dry faster once they inevitably get wet.

Using Your Hiking Shoes as Daily Shoes

If you want to save some cash and prefer to keep thing simple, many hikers find that trail shoes make great daily shoes. Once they’re broken in they’re just as reliable as your beat up sneakers.

However, wearing trail running shoes or hiking shoes all day means wearing them out faster. These shoes can be quite expensive, too! So, consider leaving your hiking shoes on the shelf until it’s time to hit the trail if you want them to last a lot longer.

If you’re the type for sporadic hikes though, it never hurts to have your hiking shoes already laced up…

Keeping Your Shoes Alive: How To Care For Hiking Shoes

Some of you couldn’t care less about keeping hiking shoes clean. Others may be interested in extending the life of your hiking shoes with a few pro tips.

Gung-ho hikers may find that hiking shoes, and socks, both last longer with proper maintenance. Here’s how you can keep your gear in top shape:

1. At home, Remove the insoles
2. Dump out any pebbles and dirt
3. Wash or rinse the whole shoe in a bucket of soapy water
4. Leave it to hang dry outside
5. Clean any dirt or debris on the insole and leave it to dry, too
6. On the trail you can clean your hiking socks in a ziploc of Dr. Bronner’s

Removing dirt and debris will reduce the amount of wear that happens inside the shoe from friction. This will not only make your shoes last longer, it can help reduce blisters on your feet!

Tips For Staying Comfortable In Your Hiking Shoes

No matter how good your hiking shoes are, there are a few tips you can try in order to be more comfortable. Every little bit helps when you’re hiking all day so make sure to take advantage of these ideas when you can.

1. Take your shoes off as often as you can.
2. Take your socks off as often as you can.
3. Try custom footbeds.

When you’re hiking for days at a time, the key to keeping healthy feet is to take care of them. To do that, take your shoes off more often. Even if you’re just stopping for 5 minutes, take off those boots and wiggle your toes.

If you can stop for 20 minutes for a snack, water fill up, or lunch be sure to take your socks off as well. Just be careful about running around barefoot because broken glass is all too common these days and a cut on your foot could be the end of your trip.

Letting your feet dry out a bit and escape your boots will help prevent blisters and keep your feet from tiring out from a day in your boots.

Some hikers swear by using custom footbeds or insoles. I recommend that you get your stride and feet checked by a professional first. However, as I understand it, most of us do actually need custom footbeds for a perfect stride so it may be worth your time!

FAQ About Women’s Hiking Shoes

Q: Will waterproof hiking shoes keep my feet dry?

A:  They will in some cases.

Waterproof hiking shoes, assuming they’re not worn out, will keep your feet dry as long as you’re only walking thru puddles. Those puddles also have to be no deeper than the top of your waterproof shoe.

If it starts to rain, however, the water is almost guaranteed to come in the top of the shoe. You can try to stop it by cinching down your rain pants or wearing gaiters but it won’t stop the rain forever. At best you’ll buy yourself an hour or two of dry feet before the water inevitably leaks ing.

Q: What season is best for waterproof shoes?

A:  Shoulder seasons are the most important times for waterproof shoes.

During these times it’s cold enough to be dangerous when wet, yet warm enough to rain instead of snow. You know these times of year like late October through mid-December. The temperatures hover low at times yet cold soaking rains still threaten hypothermia.

In these cases waterproof footwear can make some difference especially if the ground is wet yet rain holds off. Keeping your feet dry will help prevent a non-freezing cold injury.

If water does get into your hiking shoes at these cold stages it’s important to do everything you can to dry off and get warm as soon as possible.

Q: Is Gore-Tex the best waterproof breathable membrane?

A:  Gore-Tex was once the only WPB fabric available. They lost their patent a while back and today almost every major company has their own WPB membrane in house.

Of all the great WPB options out there I think that eVent is the best by performance. Gore-Tex is perhaps the best in the regard that it has the greatest reputation and their company has been making WPB the longest.

What’s more important to you? Raw performance or reputation?

Q: I don’t have waterproof shoes, can I improvise?

A:  Yes, you can. There’s an old trick that’s easy to use which can really save you. In fact, I used it once to save a friend from frostbitten toes on a warm weather hike that suddenly turned cold and wet.

His boots got wet and soaked through during the day because of the snow. At night they froze rock solid and his toes were getting dangerously chilled early in the hike the next morning.

In order to save his last pair of dry socks (and possibly his toes) we used the standby trick. Before putting on wet shoes, put a plastic grocery bag over your foot. This keeps the wetness from getting on to your dry socks and converts wet, soaked shoes into dry shoes immediately!

Even with wet shoes your feet can stay warm as long as your socks stay dry!

Q: What are the most important features of waterproof shoes?

A: By far the most important thing I look for is a tongue that is sewn as far up as possible. Water sneaking in around the edges of the shoe tongue is the fastest way to get wet even with waterproof shoes.

Look for a “wing” or gusset that rises as high as possible on the shoe tongue so that the shoe remains fully waterproof as high up as possible. Good shoes may have gussets that travel almost to the top of the cuff. Poorer designs will be lower.

Other than that, inspect the lowers where the sole meets the shoe material. This should be reinforced and thoroughly sealed. If there is any separation chances are good that water will (or will soon) get in that way.

Best Women’s Hiking Shoe Brands

Merrell is one of my all time favorite brands for shoes. All they make are shoes and they have been doing it for over 20 years. Columbia in my opinion is the best value proposition there is. Their gear is always of good quality at a reasonable price.

The North Face, certainly one of the best known outdoor gear brands, they make great stuff but is not the same value as Columbia.

Adidas is well known for the sneakers and running shoes, with the introduction of the AX2 they now have a competitive hiking shoe.