When it comes to hiking footwear you have two basic choices, which are shoes and boots. Shoes are fine, even ideal for warm weather where moisture isn’t going to be much of a problem. But for colder, wetter months of the year you’re likely to be better served by hiking boots for women or men. Boots do a much better job of keeping your feet dry than shoes do, for one, and are usually quite a bit more durable, and stand up to hard use in bad conditions better.
Hiking Boots for Women
What to consider when you want hiking boots for women.- Weight – Sometimes you need features like full grain leather outers, and you cant help but get a pair of hiking boots for women that are heavy. But every pound on your feet is equal to about five pounds on your back, in terms of energy expenditure, so you will end the day with a lot more energy if you choose lightweight hiking boots.
- Waterproofing – Getting a pair of waterproof hiking boots is a no brainer, but you should definitely put a little thought in to the kind of waterproofing you get. A liner is a good start, for example, but not all liners are made equal, and Gore Tex is usually best. Similarly, a full grain leather outer will help to keep a lot of water out, and adds a welcome bit of redundancy.
Best Hiking Boots for Women
Some of the best options for women wanting hiking boots.- Kayland Zephyr Backpack Boots - If you want simple and lightweight, then the Zephyr boots are an ideal choice. At 17.5 ounces, or 500 grams they're lighter than most hiking shoes, but are boots, and not only that, they're waterproof too. Rather than Gore Tex they use eVent, which is similar, but is both lighter and more breathable, and so an excellent choice for those looking to waterproof their boots without getting sweaty feet. They feature a solid Vibram sole, and even won the 2009 Backpacker magazine Editor's Choice award. So a well reviewed and very lightweight pair of women's hiking boots.
- Asolo Stynger Gore-Tex Boots - If you would prefer something a little bigger and more durable, then the Stynger boots might be the best choice for you. The upper is a mixture of suede and Cordura nylon, for good durability, and this is paired with a Gore Tex liner to keep out all the water. They're definitely on the heavy side, at 2 pounds 7 ounces, or 1.1 kilograms, but then the heavy duty, durable option is never the lightweight option.
- Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - These are boots for the person who's not concerned in the least about weight, and wants maximum durability. The upper is full grain leather, for maximum durability and even some decent protection from water. That is combined with a full Gore Tex liner, and between the leather and the Gore Tex you can be reasonably sure your feet are going to stay dry. They also come with a heavy duty Vibram sole, for maximum traction on bad terrain. At 3 pounds 5 ounces, or 1.5 kilograms, you're definitely going to feel them on your feet, but you can rest assured they will last for years too.
