Women's Hiking Boots

Hiking boots made to fit a woman's foot

Most of the hiking shoes and backpacking boots discussed in this report come in women's sizes. For example, the Vasque Women's Breeze GTX XCR (*Est. $120) and the L.L.Bean Trail Model Hikers II, Mid-Cut (*Est. $60) earn high marks from female owners. So does top-rated Asolo TPS 520 GV (*Est. $225) , and the very few women's reviews for the Zamberlan 760 Steep GT are also enthusiastic.

In the category of made-only-for-women, the Asolo Stynger GTX (*Est. $210) is the best reviewed, featuring Cordura nylon mesh segments in the water-resistant suede uppers, and a built-in Gore-Tex waterproof membrane. This boot earns high marks from women reviewing it at REI.com, Moosejaw.com, Backcountry.com and Zappos.com. Women say that these hiking boots are comfortable for day hiking, as well as for backpacking with loads up to 35 pounds or so. Most women say they're comfortable right out of the box, but we did find some discrepancies regarding sizing: Users at Zappos.com say the medium width is great for narrow feet, so sizing can be somewhat counterintuitive. Some users say they're true to size, but one user at Backcountry.com recommends ordering a size smaller.

Reviewers praise the Asolo Stynger GTX for excellent traction, comfort and water resistance. We found a few complaints that the sole's durability is poor; some say it wore out or pulled away from the uppers. However, Backpacker magazine praises their durable construction. At 2 pounds, 8 ounces, these boots are also a bit heavy for light hikers. 

Backpacker's editors also recommend the 38-ounce Asolo Attiva GTX (*Est. $220) . Testers for Backpacker magazine's 2008 gear guide issue found the Attiva GTX boots durable and comfortable even with a 45-pound load, but "not exceptionally breathable." The Asolo Attiva GTX earns high marks in user reviews at REI.com, where one woman remarks that they provide "an amazing 'grip' going down hill." Quite a few of the women reviewing these boots at Buzzillions.com found them comfortable right out of the box.

For day hiking, Good Housekeeping recommends The North Face Vindicator Mid GTX (*Est. $130) for excellent moisture control -- both for rain from the outside and sweat from within. Editors don't give details about why this Gore-Tex-lined boot proves better at moisture resistance than others tested. The main drawback noted is that they may take a bit of time to break in.

The non-waterproof version of the Merrell Siren Sport (*Est. $110) , which is also built on a women-specific last, has also received quite a bit of attention from user reviewers, although it doesn't crop up in expert reviews. One Moosejaw.com reviewer raves that you should buy the Siren Sport "if you want your feet to love you," praising the fit and comfort of these shoes, and the fact that they accommodate her custom orthotics. REI.com users praise the Siren Sport for its comfort and light weight (average 1 pound, 4 ounces). Most users agree that the Siren Sport offers good cushioning, but a few complain about poor stability or arch support.