10 Best Hiking Boots for Women UK 2022 | Berghaus, Adidas and More

1. Choose Between Full Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes
2. Consider the Upper Material: Leather Is Robust but Synthetics Are Lightweight
   
3. Consider Boots With a Waterproof Liner
   
4. Buy Hiking Boots With Laces to Get the Best Fit
   

It seems the jury is slightly out as to whether full support is actually necessary, or even effective, with some people saying they make all the difference and others saying the opposite. That being said, lots of people like the addition of a high ankle support to help keep their feet in place and properly aligned in their shoes. 

Often best for longer backpacking trips or treks, not only does an ankle support, well, support, but it also keeps water and other debris from coming into your shoes thanks to the slightly higher – and tighter – opening. 

If you don't tend to have any issues with your ankles whilst walking, but do often get hot and sweaty feet, a shorter hiking boot might be the answer. They are lighter and more summery, perfect for shorter hikes in less inclement weather. 

This style will lack some of the structure of ankle boots and it will be easy for bits and bobs like leaves and stones to get into your shoes, but they are easy to take off to sort this out. You may also find these aren't the most protective against the elements in winter.

Pair a lower-cut shoe with waterproof socks to keep out the elements.

There is a reason that leather has been used to make shoes for centuries. It is a hard-wearing, sturdy, natural material, making it particularly perfect for hiking boots. The colours tend to be more muted and have a more traditional feel, which might be the more authentic look you are going for.

On the downside, leather's sturdiness might be an issue when it comes to breaking in your shoes. They take a while to mould to your feet and might be uncomfortable for the first few wears. In addition to this, leather can be much heavier than some of the synthesised plastic fabrics. 

These days, boots made of synthetic fabrics do tend to be the preferred choice. These fabrics are often trademarked creations such as Gore-Tex. First and foremost, they are normally cheaper than leather, but they are also lighter and easier to break in so you can start walking straight away. 

Synthetic fabrics might be less appealing if you want a more classic look to your walking boots as these options often come in bright colours and might seem less attractive. They also may not last quite as long as good old fashioned leather but are a perfect choice for vegans and vegetarians.

Nobody likes having wet feet, much less if you still have another couple of hours walking to do with no access to dry socks. Whether you like to get out into the British countryside year-round or you'd just like to be able to saunter through the odd stream, waterproof shoes are always worth considering.

The waterproofing or water resistance could come in the form of a boot liner (made from a brand-specific material or the infamous Gore-Tex) or from treatment on the outer and/or inner fabrics. It's also worth noting that there are waterproofing sprays you can also purchase for some extra protection.

Don't forget to stay hydrated while hiking by taking a stainless steel water bottle with you!

Due to their adaptability and security, laces are the chosen fastening for the vast majority of hiking shoes. You can change their tightness at different parts of the shoe, making sure they stay in place. 

Other fastenings, like velcro or zips, don't have the stability or flexibility needed for this kind of shoe. Similarly, while there are many slip-on or elasticated boots on the market, these aren't suitable for walking due to the fact they don't offer enough ankle support.

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. AKU - Women's Selvatica Mid GTX Hiking Boots for £117.00
2. Jack Wolfskin - Women's Vojo Hike 3 Texapore Mid for £84.33
3. adidas - Women's Terrex Ax3 Mid GTX W for £118.00
4. Merrell - Siren 3 Women's Waterproof Walking Boots for £86.48
5. Haglöfs - Skuta Mid Proof Eco Women's Walking Boots for £130.00

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of hiking boots for women and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

What you don’t want to do is take them straight out on a hike! Instead, you should break the boots in and acclimatise your feet to them by wearing them nice and snug with well-padded socks and possibly insoles around the house or on a quick walk around your neighbourhood.

You’ll want to try and get a half-size up from your actual shoe size to compensate for the thicker socks that you’ll most likely be wearing with them on the hike. Another great tip: try shoes on later in the day when your feet have swelled somewhat to really get a feel for the boots.

Start by checking that your boots are clean so that you won’t miss anywhere, then make sure that they’re fairly damp so as to help with absorbing the product. Once you’ve applied it all over, let the boots dry away from any sources of heat like a radiator. Always read the waterproofing product instructions before use.

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Written and researched by Emma Cramp