“When embarking on a hike, long or short, your boots are arguably your most important piece of kit…”
Whether you’re looking to get fit, or simply want to start enjoying the great outdoors, walking or hiking is a great place to start, especially as the UK is home to some stunning areas of natural beauty and has some incredible trails and walks for people of all experience – from the National trail at Hadrian’s Wall, to Coniston Round in the Lake District.
To get the most out of your new hobby, there are a number of essentials that you’ll need, to ensure your properly equipped for all types of weather and terrain – as the UK weather can be famously unpredictable. Perhaps the most important of these essentials is a pair of comfortable, reliable walking boots to provide you with a steady footing as you embark on all kinds of exciting adventures and explorations.
Quick Look: Top 10 Walking Boots for Women
- Merrell Moab 2
- Karrimor Hot Rock
- Merrell Siren Sport GTX
- Northwest Territory Trek
- Pastaza Snow Boots
- Danner Mountain 600
- Trespass Ridgeway Vibram
- Mountain Warehouse Adventurer
- Scarpa Terra Gore-Tex
- Lowa Renegade GTX
In this guide, we’ll break down the top 10 products that are currently on the market, as well as letting you know what you need to look out for when investing in a pair of the best walking boots for women.
Let’s dive in…
- The closed cell-foam tongue helps to keep moisture and debris out.
- Air cushioned heel offers added comfort and relieves stress.
- Great range of classy colour palettes.
- Higher ankle cut offers added support.
- 5mm lug depth for optimal grip.
- Very little breaking in required.
- A little on the heavy side. (we’re really clutching at straws.)
Topping our list of the best women’s walking boots, we have the Moab 2 Mid GTX High Rise Walking Boots from one of the best brands in the business, Merrell.
Not only do these boots perform great, but they look the part, too with each grey colour variant accentuated with colourful highlights.
They also rate highly in technical terms too – with a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, unrivalled breathability and a 5mm lug depth for optimal grip on all surfaces. On top of this, they also have an air cushion in the heel to help absorb shock and add stability.
Features
- Upper: Synthetic Leather and mesh.
- Inner: Synthetic.
- Sole: Gum Rubber.
- Lace up closure.
- Flat, air cushioned heel.
- Moulded nylon arch shank.
- Extreme waterproof.
- Lightweight design.
- Dyna Grip sole.
- Snug fit.
- May need to consider ordering a size up.
At number two on our list, we have the Hot Rock Ladies Walking Boots from Karrimor.
Constructed with a smooth leather upper, these high rise boots offer extreme waterproof protection and a thick padded collar for added ankle support.
So, why do they rank so highly? Quite simply, they’re great boots for an excellent price and come in three colour variations, each with vibrant pink, turquoise or burgundy highlights – giving them a feminine finish.
They are also deceptively light for a high rise boot. Despite looking heavy, they are actually nice and light.
Features
- Upper: Stitched leather.
- Inner: Textile.
- Sole: Synthetic.
- Padded heel and ankle.
- Dyna Grip outsole.
- Brand detailing throughout.
- Weight: 575g.
- Uses Gore-text to ensure they are waterproof, yet remain highly breathable.
- Odour eating qualities.
- Moulded nylon arch for added comfort.
- 5mm sole lug depth.
- Durable rubber toe cap.
- They come in a small fit, so you’ll need to order a size up.
- Sole can sometimes feel slippy during icy weather.
Completely waterproof, yet still highly breathable, the Merrell Siren Sport GTX Low Rise Boots currently find themselves in the top three of our list – and for good reason.
The air cushioned heel works to actively absorb shock and offer stability, whilst the odour eating qualities will keep them feeling and smelling fresh, wear after wear.
The specially designed tongue will also keep debris out, meaning no niggly little stones, pebbles or dirt will find their way in, even on the loosest of trails.
Features
- Upper: Synthetic Leather & Mesh.
- Inner: Synthetic.
- Sole: Gum Rubber.
- Lace-Up Closure.
- QForm Comfort Midsole.
- Rear pull tab.
- Flat, air cushioned heel.
- Weight: 652g.
- Great value for money.
- Smooth nubuck leather upper.
- Large range of vibrant colours available
- Fully padded interior.
- Excellent grip.
- Require a fair bit of breaking in.
Perhaps the most affordable on our list, the Northwest Territory Trek boots certainly don’t lack quality and are in fact right up there among the very best walking boots for women.
Available in a whole host of colours, ranging from soft greens to vibrant purples, these boots not only look great, but also deliver in terms of their technical capabilities. For example, they come with a smooth leather exterior as well as a fully waterproof shell and a fully padded insole and colour for added comfort.
Features
- Upper: Leather.
- Inner: Textile.
- Sole: Gum rubber.
- Lace up closure.
- 1 Inch heel height.
- Breathable membrane.
- Great value for money.
- Smooth nubuck leather upper.
- Large range of vibrant colours available.
- Cosy faux fur interior.
- Excellent grip.
- Extremely versatile.
- The sole is a little too firm.
Just sneaking into the top five on our list of the best walking boots for women, we have the Snow Boots by Pastaza.
With their stylish aesthetics and cosy, faux fur lined exterior, you may be more accustomed to seeing these types of boots in après ski bars in ski resorts across Europe, but in fact, they’re as practical as they are stylish when it comes to walking and trekking.
As you’d expect, they have a waterproof, leather upper as well as a non-slip rubber sole and come in black, brown, yellow and pink colourways.
Features
- Upper: Leather.
- Inner: Faux Fur Textile.
- Sole: Non-slip rubber.
- Lace up closure.
- Regular width.
- 3cm heel height.
- Anti-collision toe cap.
- Designed for comfort and support.
- Waterproof.
- Low profile design for everyday wear.
- Brilliant grip on wet and dry surfaces.
- Higher price point.
- Slightly large fit. Worth ordering half a size down.
Falling just outside of our top five, the Danner Mountain 600 boots come in at number six, but could definitely stake a claim to appear higher up in our rankings.
Perhaps at the top end of budgets, these are slightly pricier than most others on our list, but that’s not without good reason. Engineered for comfort and flexibility, the Danner Mountain 600’s boast a classy suede upper which is complemented by the sturdy TPU heel frame and the Vibram SPE midsole that offers maximum rebound and support.
Again, these are available in a range of colours, but our personal favourite is the Sand Brown version.
Features
- Upper: Suede Leather.
- Inner: Waterproof Textile.
- Sole: Gum rubber.
- Lace up closure.
- Ortholite footbed.
- Rugged design and sturdy sole.
- Waterproof.
- High rise design for added ankle support.
- Signature branding throughout.
- Slightly small fit. Worth ordering half a size up.
Renowned worldwide for providing top quality outdoor gear, Trespass are at it again with the Ridgeway Women’s Vibram Technical Boots.
These rugged boots bear the brand name logo throughout and come in brown and grey colour variants.
The patented Tres-tex technology will keep your feet fresh and dry by repelling unwanted moisture, whereas the thick Vibram soles offer a more than solid foundation.
If you’re looking for a high-rise boot that offers both style and substance, the Ridgeway Technical boots could be the ones for you.
Features
- Upper: Suede / Mesh.
- Inner: Sympatex.
- Sole: Vibram.
- Lace up closure.
- Waterproof.
- Flat heel.
- Medium shaft diameter.
- Budget price.
- Rainproof.
- The cushioned footbed offers excellent comfort.
- Outstanding grip.
- Can suffer from wear and tear relatively quickly.
- Take a while to break in.
Perhaps better suited to walking and hiking beginners, the Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Women’s Boots are an excellent pair of budget boots that do a great job of holding their own against some of the bigger brands in the industry.
With an ultra-lightweight design, they offer both protection and comfort and also come with heel and toe bumpers, to ensure you avoid any annoying scuffs and scrapes.
The deep lugs and high rise design also ensure you are getting a lot of boot for very little money. An absolute bargain.
Features
- Upper: Synthetic.
- Inner: Synthetic & Textile.
- Sole: Rubber.
- Lace up closure.
- Rainproof.
- 1cm Heel height.
- Cushioned footbed.
- Outstanding support and comfort.
- Unrivalled grip on all types of surface.
- Classy, smooth leather upper.
- Vibram outsole.
- Gore-Tex waterproof technology.
- Lightweight but sturdy.
- Comfortable from the first wear.
- Insole can be subject to faster rate of wear and tear.
Recommended specifically for hiking and hill walking, the Scarpa Women’s Terra Gore-Tex Boots just sneak into our top ten, at number nine.
In smooth brown leather with a lace up closure, they come with a moulded foam insole that cradles your underfoot giving added comfort, which is just what you need if you’re traversing steep or uneven ground.
Grip won’t be an issue either, thanks to the Vibram outsole which will give you steady footing on all types of terrain.
Features
- Upper: Smooth leather.
- Inner: Textile.
- Sole: Vibram rubber.
- Lace up closure.
- Waterproof.
- 1.5” Heel height.
- Padded tongue and collar.
- Heel stabilizer enables synchronized roll through.
- Available in regular and narrow fit.
- Plenty of colour options.
- Fully waterproof.
- Excessive stitching can sometimes allow dirt to get trapped.
A real all-rounder, the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Boots made it onto our list of the best women’s walking boots despite their slightly high price point.
Combining a smooth nubuck leather upper with a fabric collar, they come with a removable, climate control inside, adding to their already impressive versatility.
Coming in a range of 14 colours, they are perhaps better suited to flatter terrain and groomed trails. Nonetheless, they will still stand up to trickier terrain, and will look great when doing so.
Features
- Upper: Nubuck leather.
- Inner: Synthetic.
- Sole: Gum rubber.
- Lace up closure.
- Waterproof.
- Flat heel.
- Weight: 880g.