Ensure you’re comfortable and supported on your next hiking trip with these durable boots.

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Travel + Leisure

For a long day of hiking, it’s important to have a stable and durable boot with plenty of cushion and arch support. So many of us have experienced midhike foot fatigue that ruins the experience of a beautiful day outdoors. Whether you enjoy light weekend hiking or have an epic trekking adventure on your horizon, a great pair of hiking boots will ensure your focus is where it should be: on enjoying the scenery around you.

We went hiking in various terrains throughout the U.S. and beyond — in rain and snow, on mountains and riverbanks — to find the very best hiking boots for women. From well-known brands like Merrell, Salomon, and more, we put dozens of pairs of boots to the test to see which are waterproof, supportive, and, most importantly, comfortable enough that you won’t want to take them off.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: SALE Merrell Moab 3 Mid at Amazon $130 $91 Jump to Review Best All-weather: Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-tex Women’s at Amazon $165 Jump to Review Best Leather: Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot at Amazon $234 Jump to Review Best Traction: Salewa Women’s Mid PTX Boot at Amazon $200 Jump to Review Best Waterproof: La Sportiva Hiking Boots at Amazon $209 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: SALE Oboz Women’s Katabatic Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots at Amazon $190 $140 Jump to Review Most Durable: SALE Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot at Amazon $100 $75 Jump to Review Best for Wide Feet: La Sportiva Mid GTX Hiking Boots at REI Jump to Review Best for Winter Hiking: Asolo Arctic GV Women’s Hiking Boot at Asolo.com Jump to Review

Best Overall

Merrell Moab 3 Mid

Credit: Amazon $130 $91 at Amazon View on REI $150 $100 at Nordstrom Why We Love It

• Fully waterproof with great traction, these tried-and-true boots suit a wide range of hikers.

What to Consider

• They may feel stiff before you break them in.

After wearing these sturdy boots for the first time during a four-hour hike, we can happily say the break-in time is minimal, and they leave your feet feeling comfortable and supported. Even after five months of long-term testing, we found that they offer plenty of traction, keep water out, and remain breathable so feet don't get too sweaty. The boots are made of the heavy-duty materials we’ve come to expect from Merrell, yet they still feel lightweight. Putting them on, you’ll immediately notice how secure your ankles and footpad feel, with plenty of arch support for all-day hikes.

We were pleasantly surprised that all debris and moisture either rolls right off the boots or wipes off easily, so you don’t have to worry about walking through mud, snow, or water. They were also great for both cold and warm weather hikes and were breathable enough that we didn’t notice any extra sweating in the feet. The traction is incredibly stable, and we stayed sturdy while navigating over wet and icy rocks as well as steep inclines and rough terrain without slipping. No matter what hikes you have planned, these boots are ready for them.

The Details: Size 5-12 medium and wide | 1.7 pounds per pair | Leather, mesh, and rubber | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price

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Best All-weather

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-tex Women’s

Credit: REI $165 $150 at Amazon $175 at REI $175 at Backcountry Why We Love It

• Throughout our five months of testing, we wore these in the summer sun and winter snow and loved them in both scenarios.

What to Consider

• They can feel stiff at first but loosen up on the trail.

Straight out of the box, Salomon’s X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-tex Hiking Boots are comfortable enough to get you through a demanding all-day hike. The boots are so breathable, we were skeptical that they could also be waterproof, but the Gore-tex treatment proved to keep feet 100 percent dry even when fully submerged in puddles, mud, and snow. We found them to be incredibly lightweight, keeping us swift whether we were running or climbing.

These boots definitely took a beating during hikes but were easy to wipe down to get them to look good as new. Our one complaint is that there could be more traction on the soles for advanced hiking when slick surfaces and rock climbing are involved, but the grip seemed to improve the more we wore them. We would still feel confident wearing these in wet or icy conditions to keep feet supported and dry all day.

The Details: Size 5-11 | 1.6 pounds per pair | Leather, textile, and rubber | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

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Best Leather

Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot

Credit: Danner $234 at Amazon $190 at Backcountry $210 $143 at Zappos Why We Love It

• They slide on and off quickly, but the lace-up design keeps feet secure while hiking.

What to Consider

• They’re not as breathable as other options we tested.

Right away, you’ll be impressed with the look and high-quality feel of these leather boots from iconic hiking brand Danner. We were impressed by how stylish yet rugged they look, with the outer leather giving a natural, worn-in aesthetic to the boots. After five months of use, we also love that these boots have more of a lightweight feel than others. Because of this design, they don’t show a lot of additional signs of wear and tear as you rack up miles. While the ankle is a bit stiff when we first put these on, after a quick walk, they had stretched out and were soft to the touch.

From hiking through the woods to strolling on a sandy lakebed, these boots provided plenty of support around the ankles and cushion for the balls of our feet. The boot’s soles felt grippy when climbing over boulders and hiking downhill and were thick enough that we couldn’t feel any rocks or branches underfoot. Note that because the boots aren’t as breathable as those made with mesh uppers, we did feel that they caused sweating in the feet. Even with thinner socks, these boots may be most comfortable for hiking in colder weather. 

The Details: Size 6-15 wide | 2 pounds per pair | Leather and EVA | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Julia Sayers

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The Best Hiking Pants for Women of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Best Traction

Salewa Women’s Mid PTX Boot

Credit: Salewa $200 at Amazon $200 at Backcountry $200 at Zappos Why We Love It

• They're the perfect mix of sturdy and supportive, and they offer great traction.

What to Consider

• They look a bit bulky.

These durable hiking boots were some of the most comfortable we tested. Made from high-quality materials, they’re thick, sturdy, and protective for all day hikes. Surprisingly, we found that thinner socks not made for hiking were perfect to pair with these boots because they have so much padding and cushioning built in. We also liked the level of arch support and didn’t find it to be exaggerated, but just the right amount.

The boots felt comfortable right out of the box and have held their structure beautifully after a variety of hikes through multiple terrains. In cold weather and warm weather, these boots were breathable and didn’t cause any hot spots or excessive sweating. The ankle of the boot doesn’t come up quite as high as other options, but they did still feel supportive and comfortable. The shoes are also, despite their hefty construction, unexpectedly lightweight, and the traction is excellent — you almost stick to the ground. We loved that despite all of the technical features of such a rugged boot, they still look sleek and stylish and are built to last.

The Details: Size 6-11 | 1.3 pounds per pair | Mesh and TPU rubber | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kelsey Chapman

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Best Waterproof

La Sportiva Hiking Boots

Credit: REI $209 $179 at Amazon $71 at REI $239 at Backcountry Why We Love It

• The thick outer soles and upper materials are durable and waterproof.

What to Consider

• They run narrow.

For a pair of boots you can wear rain or shine, the La Sportiva Nucleos have you covered. The high-quality outer materials are quite thick and do need a bit of loosening up, but once they conform to your feet, they are one of the more supportive pairs of boots we tried. The boots run true to size, do not pinch or chafe at all, and are most comfortable if you pair them with a cushiony pair of hiking socks. While they are not the most breathable pair of boots, they are completely waterproof and are great for even walking through creeks and streams. Mud and dirt wipe away from the outer leather without much hassle so you can happily wear these splashing around in the rain.

The Details: Size 36-43 regular and wide | 1.6 pounds per pair | Leather | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

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Best Lightweight

Oboz Women’s Katabatic Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

Credit: Oboz $190 $140 at Amazon View on Obozfootwear.com Why We Love It

• They are lightweight and comfortable — we felt no foot fatigue after hours of hiking.

What to Consider

• The arches aren't as supportive as other boot designs.

We wore the Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots on multiple hikes including one 12-mile climb over rocks and sand and through a creek. Right out of the box, we love how lightweight and high-quality the boots felt. You can instantly see the material has waterproof capabilities due to the extremely tight woven fabric of the upper shoe. They also fit true to size and are adjustable so you can wear them with thick hiking socks or thinner day-to-day socks. The boots have a well-cushioned footbed with supports that are thoughtfully placed at the ball of the foot and toward the back to cushion the heel. Throughout our various hikes, we never had any issues with blisters or chafing — even after fully stepping into a creek and walking another 8 miles.

The Details: Size 5-12 | 13.4 ounces per pair | Mesh and TPU | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

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The 9 Best Hiking Backpacks for Women of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Most Durable

Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot

Credit: Amazon $100 $75 at Amazon $100 at Zappos View on Dicks Sporting Goods Why We Love It

• The comfort, fit, and durability come at a reasonable price point.

What to Consider

• The external suede material may get dirty quickly.

These Columbia boots are durable, sturdy, and supportive at a budget-friendly price. The soles are tough and durable, and we felt plenty of cushioning throughout our various hikes. There is also padding on the tongue and back, making our heels and ankles feel supported. After weeks of testing, the boots show no sign of wear and tear and have only accumulated a minimal amount of dirt (though dirt does cling to the suede more than other materials). They fit true to size and have essentially no break-in period so you can comfortably wear these right out of the box.

The Details: Size 5-12 regular and wide | 1.6 pounds per pair | Leather, suede, mesh, and rubber | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

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Best for Wide Feet

La Sportiva Mid GTX Hiking Boots

Credit: REI View on REI $189 $95 at Backcountry $189 at Zappos Why We Love It

• The toe box is spacious and comfortable while protecting your feet from the elements.

What to Consider

• They run wide, so you may need to wear thicker socks with these.

Our first impression of these La Sportiva boots was that they are well-made and appear to be very durable. After multiple 4-mile hikes on dirt, grass, rocks, and snow, they proved to be just as high-quality as expected. Throughout five months of long-term testing, we loved that they gave us the confidence to step securely on challenging terrain since the sole grips the trail on rocky sections and helps stabilize feet on uneven ground. The rugged sole has a lot of grip, perfect for wet and icy weather, and the seam between the boot’s upper and sole is sealed well to keep moisture out. The boots are treated with Gore-tex, and after standing in water at the edge of a lake for five minutes, our feet were still completely dry. Despite months of testing, the soles still look brand new, and the upper mesh area of the boot was easy to clean with a bit of water.

We love that these boots are lightweight and comfortable so you don’t feel like you’re being weighed down by bulky shoes. While they do run a bit wide, we actually liked the extra toe box space because you can wear heavier socks in cold weather. The shoe also features a padded tongue that helps make the upper portion of the boot even more comfortable and secure around the ankles, even while hiking up steep, rocky terrains.

The Details: Size 36-43 | 1.9pounds per pair | Mesh, nylon, and EVO | Waterproof

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

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  Credit: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Cleveland

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Best for Winter Hiking

Asolo Arctic GV Women’s Hiking Boot

Credit: Asolo View on Asolo.com Why We Love It

• They are not overly bulky while supplying plenty of insulation, comfort, and traction.

What to Consider

• The sizing is quite limited.

One of our favorite pairs of winter hiking boots, the Asolo Arctic GV Women’s Hiking Boots have superior insulation for even the coldest days on the trail (they’re rated to -4 degrees Fahrenheit.) Right out of the box, we could tell that these boots were high-quality, and the Vibram soles proved to be durable, providing excellent traction on ice and snow. While we did find the ankles to be a bit stiff, once we got used to the feeling, they improved our support and prevented snow from getting into the boot — just be sure to pair them with tall hiking socks.

Throughout our hikes, we loved the arch support and insulated cushioning. These boots are a bit heavier than others due to that extra lining, however it's needed to keep warm on cold days. After wearing these boots regularly for over a month, they show no signs of wear and tear, and we're sure they will maintain their reliability for season to come.

The Details: Size 6-9 | 2.2 pounds per pair | Suede, nylon, Gore-tex, EVA, and Vibram rubber | Waterproof

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Other Hiking Boots We Liked

We tested so many amazing hiking boots, it was hard to narrow down our list. These boots had some qualities we loved but weren’t quite as great as our top picks.

Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX Boot: We love the style and high ankle support of these boots, but we didn’t experience any special features or added comfort that would warrant the higher price point.

Hoka Anacapa Breeze Mid Boot: These Hoka boots offer plenty of traction and cushion for all-day comfort, but we didn’t find them to be as water-resistant or breathable as other boots.

Travel + Leisure

Our Testing Process

We went hiking with more than 50 pairs of hiking boots, shoes, and sandals to determine which pairs were the best of the best. Before we even put the boots on, we examined the quality of each pair by analyzing their laces, straps, soles, fabric, and hardware. We wore our hiking boots at home for at least one hour to evaluate the break-in period, paying particular attention to the shoes’ fit, the arch support, and whether or not they pinched or chafed our feet right out of the box.

Once we broke them in, the boots were ready for real hikes. We wore the shoes for a minimum of two hikes for at least one to two hours per use over the course of four weeks. We wore the boots through various terrains from steep hikes to riverbeds and hot climates to snowy mountains. We also wore our boots while running errands and going for light walks to determine the boots’ versatility and overall comfort. We wanted to know if the boots were breathable and supportive, and if the comfort changed at all with wear. 

Throughout the testing period, we paid particular attention to the arch and ankle support. We also tested in a variety of environments to ensure that the traction of the shoes performed well on various surfaces and weather conditions. 

When removing our boots at the end of each wear, we noted whether there were any blisters, redness, hot spots, or any other form of foot pain. We will continue to evaluate the shoes for signs of wear and tear to determine their long-term quality.

Travel + Leisure

Tips for Buying Hiking Boots

Look for water-resistance

Nothing ruins a hike faster than wet socks — or worse, wet feet. Whether you’re hiking near rivers and lakes or enjoy all-weather hiking, waterproof or water-resistant boots are a must. The best water-resistant hiking boots are just as breathable as many that are not water-resistant, and they protect hikers against all external moisture so you can enjoy your hike no matter what weather you encounter.

Think about weight

When you’re not weighed down by bulky boots, you’re less likely to want to take them off as soon as possible. Lightweight hiking boots can be just as durable and will help keep you comfortably on your feet and enjoying the outdoors even longer. Plus, lighter boots are easier to pack for those long-distance travels.

Opt for comfort

You absolutely want to buy hiking boots with comfort at the top of your list of requirements. A great pair of hiking boots should have good arch support, thick and durable soles, and a cushiony interior footbed for optimal comfort. When considering which hiking boots to buy, you’ll also want to look at the ankle height and tongue material to ensure that you don’t suffer from any chafing or sore spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Taylor Fox is the outdoor gear editor at Travel + Leisure where she writes about and reviews travel products. She is an avid hiker, camper, and traveler who has been hiking and camping for over 20 years. She recently hiked more than 60 miles on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, so she knows first-hand how important it is to choose a quality pair of supportive boots.

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