6 Best Women's Lightweight Hiking Boots of 2024

Need new hiking boots to conquer higher trails? Let us help you!

We asked several outdoor experts – what are the best women’s lightweight hiking boots out there will give you good protection with no compromises of comfort? And below, are their six favorite pairs:

Here are the best women's lightweight hiking boots (May 2024 Update):

• Best Overall: Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge
• Best For Dry Weather: Hi-Tec Women's Bandera
• Best For Wider Feet: Merrell Women's Siren Hex Q2
• Best For Trail: Columbia Women's Crestwood
• Best For River Hiking: Timberland Women’s Mt Maddsen
• Best For Wet Weather: Manfen Women's Hiking Boots

Best Overall: Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge

Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge

Check Price →

This hiking boot is made of full-grain leather and suede upper and mesh tongue so it’s nice and durable.

With tons of padding in the tongue and collar for comfort as well as a nice breathable fabric lining to keep your feet feeling cool, it’s suitable for long-distance hiking trips or hardcore trails under hot weather conditions.

The boot also works well in those wet and dry conditions, which is a big thank you to the grip rubber Omni-GRIP non-marking traction rubber outsole.

In addition to the lightweight Technic sole, it gives you long-lasting comfort cushioning as well as high energy returns.

Best For Dry Weather: Hi-Tec Women's Bandera

Hi-Tec Women's Bandera

Check Price →

Walkthrough the wood in style with this cute-colored Hi-Tec Women's Bandera Mid-Rise Waterproof Hiking Boot.

The Bandera series includes three design options – low, mid-rise, and high.

And our team experts love the second one the most because it is actually 5” higher compared to other mid-rise options at the same price point. That means you’ll get lots of coverage around the ankle to keep it from twisting or turning.

The EVA insoles are a big bonus. While delivering decent comfort and snug fit to your feet, they are removable so hygiene or replacement is much easier.

Best For Wider Feet: Merrell Women's Siren Hex Q2

Merrell Women's Siren Hex Q2

Check Price →

The Merrell Women's Siren Hex Q2 is specifically created for the needs of wider feet.

It provides comfort and alignment by featuring a wonderful midsole complete with Q-form 2 technology – a women’s specific technology – that centers your foot, blocks your heel, and delivers all-day-long supports to all three of your arch.

In addition, it emphasizes the brand’s Meryl signature fit, which feels snug in the heel, precise on the instep, and roomy in the toe box.

We also love the bellow tongue to keep debris out and the mesh upper to keep your feet cool, which is perfect for day hikes.

Best For Trail: Columbia Women's Crestwood

Columbia Women's Crestwood

Check Price →

Talking about these Women’s Crestwood hiking shoes, we love how they keep our feet cool during summer hikes, while still giving them effective protection from other impacts.

There’s a lot of wonderful technology applied to this model.

For example, the eye-shield hydrophobic technology to give you an extra layer of water-repelling protection or the V-light technology for lightweight construction. We particularly like the dry-tec waterproof membrane highlighting excellent air circulation to hence retain your feet dry and comfy.

Thanks to it, the days out on the trail aren’t damped and terrible anymore.

Best For River Hiking: Timberland Women’s Mt Maddsen

Timberland Women’s Mt Maddsen

Check Price →

If river crossing is part of your next hiking trips and you’re finding nice footwear for that, Timberland Women’s Mt Maddsen is a shining contender.

It is constructed with waterproof full-grain leather upper and membrane from an LWG silver-rated tannery which does a great job in repelling water and works well for spring conditions.

In addition, it offers tons of rock protection with a very stiff toe cap so you don’t have to worry about your toes getting hit by rocks or other objects.

The outsole is made with 42% recycled rubber for great traction. One of our favorite features about this hiking boot is its small design. Timberlands offer them in a medium width, which is ideal for narrow feet.

Best For Wet Weather: Manfen Women's Hiking Boots

Manfen Women's Hiking Boots

Check Price →

The one and only high-ankle hiking boot here and it’s from Manfen.

This pair is really our favorite because of its unparalleled versatility and endurance.

While keeping stylish and lightweight, it seamlessly combines comfort and durability by featuring Molded TPU ankle support, EVA midsoles, and aggressive anti-skid outsole. It grabs the rocks with excellent traction that hardly other counterparts at the same price range can do.

The biggest selling point is its waterproof Hydroshield Membrane with 200 grams Thinsulate insulation, making the boot ultra-warm to wear during frost-bite conditions, down to -30℃.

How To Choose The Best Women's Lightweight Hiking Boots?

Materials

• A wise choice in boots’ materials will help cut off a huge weight without effecting on its protection or support. When asked, our experts suggest these two kinds of material which are commonly used in lightweight hiking boots:
• Synthetic/nylon/polyester:
  • It’s normally found in modern hiking boots because it dries out faster, costs cheaper, and is significantly lighter than leather.
  • It’s a great choice for budget-minded outdoor activists or irregular hikers but take note that this material would wear out faster.
• Split-grain leather:
  • This is a bit costlier but in general, still a lot cheaper than the full-grain or higher-end leather.
  • It is usually paired with nylon mesh for souped-up lightness to the boots while adding extra breathability to them. The flaw of this material is less resistance to abrasion and water.

Support

• “The lighter the hiking boots, the less foot support” – they say.
• But our experts think that the support and shock absorption ability of a hiking boot depends on its midsole’s construction and the terrain you’re about to hike in.
• We highly recommend ultra-thick and well-cushioned midsoles for uneven, rocky terrains or those hiking trips when you plan to go deep into the backcountry for days in a row. To minimize the added weight to your boots but still ensure the comfort, you can choose between these two midsole materials:
• Polyurethane: commonly found in extended mountaineering or backpacking boots, known for its decent durability and firmness.
• EVA: a bit lighter, cheaper, and cushier than polyurethane, suitable for short hiking trips or even terrains.

Which Brands Make The Best Women's Lightweight Hiking Boots?

Columbia

• Started in 1938 as a small family-owned in Pacific Northwest, Columbia Sportwear Company has grown successfully to become one of the most reliable worldwide footwear brands.

Hi-Tec

• This Sportwear & Outdoor company has been in the industry since 1974. Their instantly comfortable shoes with incredible lightness and innovation are key to set them apart and keep selling over 19 million pairs up to now.

Merrell

• A giant American footwear brand, founded in 1981 by John Schweizer, Randy Merrell, and Clark Matis. In 2010, it recorded total sales was merely $500 million.

Timberland

• Mr. Giant in this industry – Timberland LLC, founded in 1928, US – with a focus on footwear and outdoor wear. It’s now been the world’s leader in outdoor footwear

FAQs

Conclusion

We hope this informative buying guide helps you get the right direction toward the best women’s lightweight hiking boots your feet deserve. Don’t forget to read other of our articles about lifestyle footwear and more on this website.

Thanks a lot for reading!