Best women’s walking boots 2024 | Tested and reviewed

The women's version of the Trekker Lite III GTX is an airy, dreamy boot. Relative to robust mountain beasts like Meindl’s Bhutans (below), they are lightweight and breathable but still have the oomph and the poise to take you high – very high.

We felt instantly confident on mountain paths when wearing them, with the kind of confidence that comes from many boxes being ticked at once. The Trekker Lite III GTX is supportive, both in terms of the lateral support, the ankle support, and the stiffness underfoot, which enables you to balance and push off from rocky terrain.

The lacing helps with confidence too. It starts right down at the toe, meaning that you’re able to achieve a snug, precise fit that transfers into precision on the trail. We could really pick our way with assurance over sharp, edgy sections of path in Snowdonia. The Vibram sole is grippy, with deep enough lugs to plough through mud, but not deep enough to lose the close traction that is needed for rock.

The fact that the upper is a blend of mesh and suede means they offer a degree of breathability that isn’t always present in full leather boots, so this is all in all, a boot with many strings to its bow.

Check out the wide version here

Read our full AKU Trekker Lite III GTX review

The Lady Glide is a stonking boot, and an absolute steal at that. Leather boots at this price point often lack something of the refinement and feel of the more expensive models. And while it’s true that the leather of the Glides isn’t quite as luxurious or supple as that of, say, Meindl’s Bhutan boots, the overall impression is one of high quality and thoughtful design.

We were struck by how lightweight they are for a boot that is well-equipped for gnarly terrain and found them incredibly comfortable from the get-go. The insole is well cushioned, and the ankle cuff is soft and pliable.

They are fairly soft underfoot, but there is a real bite to the Vibram sole that allows impressive purchase on rocky and scrambly sections of path. There is great lateral support as well, meaning the foot doesn’t roll too much when yomping over uneven ground – boosted by decent ankle support too.

They’re also astonishingly light for a traditional-looking leather boot. The lacing system offers a degree of flex and precision that allowed me to find a snug fit across the foot, and secured the heel nicely.

Our immediate impression of the women's Rush Trk Pro was overwhelmingly positive straight out of the box. Men's and women's versions of this boot are constructed on distinct lasts, but they share a common trait of being sleeker in the midfoot and heel regions, while offering a more spacious forefoot area. This design provides ample room for toe movement and still accommodates thicker socks.

We found the ankle padding is generous, courtesy of Scarpa's flexible 3D Autofit collar. Additionally, the underfoot cushioning benefits from a substantial EVA midsole, and the traction delivered by Scarpa's Presa Supergum outsole is consistently outstanding.

Furthermore, the choice of oiled nubuck leather over suede for the upper material enhances the boots' abrasion resistance. The lacing system is also robust, featuring metal hardware, which does add a slight increase in weight but significantly enhances durability.

In summary, the outcome is a boot that excels in both sturdiness and protective qualities, making it suitable for genuine 3-season use in all weather conditions, all while maintaining a lightweight and agile feel. However, it's important to note that the fit may not be suitable for everyone, given that they are available in only one width, the Scarpa Rush will either be a perfect match for your needs or not.

Read our full Scarpa Rush Trk Pro GTX review

Lowa describes the Randir GTX as a 21st century trekking boot. What that means in practice (and is something we think the Randir GTX absolutely nails) is a combination of old school leather durability and modern comfort.

As a demanding hiking boot we found there's little to fault with the Randir GTX. Granted, it is a bit heavier and less precise than the brilliant AKU Trekker Lite III GTX, but the trade-off is better even better traction and support. The Vibram sole looks like it's cut from a tractor tyre - the lugs are deep aggressive and alongside the big heel brake, we were sure-footed on every surface.

The chunky sole and mostly leather upper means this is a moderately stiff boot that feels incredibly secure. That said, the highly cushioned ankle cuff allows for plenty of ankle movement, and we found it's easy to get the right fit thanks to full length lacing and the X-Lacing feature, which eradicates pressure points.

There is of course a Gore-Tex lining to keep water out, plus a gusseted tongue that extends almost to the top lace hook.

In terms of value, there's not denying it's expensive upfront but we want to stress the long-term value (like you get with most of our picks here). Because the Randir GTX is durable and can be resoled if required, this is a boot that can provide a decade or more or use. Compared to a cheaper, less durable option that costs half or a third but only lasts two or three seasons, suddenly, the Lowa is the better value option.

The North Face Women's Verto GORE-TEX Alpine Mid Boot, released in spring 2024, is a strong contender in the lightweight, affordable, technical hiking boot market. Priced at £180, it fills a middle-tier niche, ideal for summer alpine activities, scrambling, and via ferrata. These boots are compatible with light crampons, offering the right balance of stiffness for technical tasks and flexibility for demanding trails and mountain biking.

Constructed mainly from leather, the boots feature a three-layer GORE-TEX lining and adjustable ankle cuffs, providing effective waterproofing and breathability. The durable rubber toe band and moulded rubber heel offer excellent protection against scuffs and bumps, while the cushioned midsole, though not overly soft, ensures stability and comfort with the inclusion of a strengthening midfoot shank.

When we tested these boots in Corsica, we found them to excel in rocky environments, making it a reliable choice for climbing and scrambling. The boots run narrow and do require some break-in time but custom insoles, such as Superfeets, can enhance comfort for longer hikes. We found that they come up slightly smaller than standard, so sizing up is recommended.

The Vibram outsole, with 5mm lugs and a climbing area at the tip, provides good traction and avoids clogging with mud and debris. The streamlined design includes a comprehensive lacing system with metal and plastic eyelets and a lace-locker for added support.

While the boot earns points for using recycled lining and certified tannery leather, there is room for improved sustainability. Overall, the North Face Verto GTX Alpine Mid Boot is a capable, nimble option for technical alpine trails, though it might not offer the long-term comfort needed for extended treks.

Read our full The North Face Women's Verto GORE-TEX Alpine Mid Boots review

This is the perfect boot for those who like the aesthetic of a serious brown, 3-season leather hiking boot but not the heavy duty clumpiness that usually comes with them. We like the Bridger Mid B-Dry a lot.

Minutes into any walk, we felt like it had moulded to the shape of our foot and responded to the way we walk and the terrain we’re encountering. Ploughed field, slushy woodland, Sussex chalk, Pennine hill or Scottish peak: the Bridger loves all of it.

The footbed is super-comfy and, while the slightly glossy, caramel-coloured leather might not be my first choice of styling, I can appreciate the job it’s doing. It’s tough but it’s breathable and it’s not too stiff, and it combines with Oboz’s B-Dry membrane for trustworthy waterproofing.

Traction and ankle support are great, and bumps and scrapes on rocky paths seldom hurt because of all that protection. On any walk, often a main issue is having the confidence to place feet firmly when the terrain is rough. The Bridger takes away a good portion of those anxieties. If you’ve ever felt like that, these are the boots to try.

The Bhutan Lady MFS is a beautiful beast of a boot. Built like a tank, it’ll carry you over pretty much any terrain. We tramped through a Welsh bog in them as if it was nothing more than a school playing field and ascended the heights of Carnedd Llewellyn in Snowdonia with ease. Just bear in mind they're not intended for use with crampons.

What makes them so good? In part it’s the reassuring stiffness of them. Every time we found an edge, we knew we could push off with confidence. They’re built high, too: the sole unit has a ‘double density’, meaning that the deep lugs can shed mud with ease, while allowing for shock absorption and excellent traction.

We also found them incredibly comfortable, which isn’t always a feature associated with rugged, heavy mountain boots. There’s a layer of memory foam around the ankle, which surely helps with this, and a highly supportive insole.

There’s also something to be said for the exquisite craftsmanship of these boots. The nubuck leather is so soft and precisely shaped that there is an undeniable joy simply to slipping them on. They’re too stiff and chunky for everyday walks, but if you love hills and mountains, these are boots to be treasured, for many, many an adventure.

Read our full Meindl Bhutan MFS review

Vivobarefoot does things a little differently in the boot world. The Tracker is, as the brand says, ‘foot-shaped, not shoe-shaped’. Whereas most boots narrow towards the toe, these widen significantly first, with a gentle curve to round things off. The width is designed to help us find our natural stability, and herein lies Vivobarefoot’s whole ethos: the foot has evolved to carry us, so let it do its thing.

That means all the usual systems of support are either entirely done away with, or stripped back. The outsole is thin and flexible to let the foot feel the ground, and enable it to grow naturally stronger over time rather than rely on the boot’s support.

The new sensory experience is incredibly refreshing when strolling over a forest floor. Every crackle of leaf and pinecone, every ripple of tree root, was more apparent. But mountain paths were a different story entirely for soft feet. Jagged rocks underfoot were not a sensory experience but a painful one. The softness of the Trackers also meant I couldn’t find purchase on the rock when scrambling, though traversing flat, sloping rock was a joy.

So while we love the prospect of stronger, more feely feet, we’ll be sticking to gentle ground to get there.

The Original Muck Boot Company is renowned for its rural and country living wellies. But lately it's been adapting its smart rubber designs into more compact and responsive options, culminating in this: a welly/walking boot hybrid.

At 719g, these weigh almost as much as the more serious trekking boots in this test, and you will feel that weight. Where Women's Apex Lace-Ups excel is in rain, oozy mud and snow or slush. These are grippy, sturdy and (being made of premium welly rubber) reliably waterproof.

We love the lacing; it slides beautifully and allows for really precise adjustment. The stretchy ankle cuff is supportive but flexible, and the neoprene lining keeps feet toasty. This boot has three ideal uses: farmland walks after heavy rain; wintry days by the seaside; and days out with family and friends round a country park or National Trust estate (where someone is pretty much certain to ask where you got those).

Although the Banks Lady GTX hans't won a specific 'best' award like the others here, we still wanted to include it because it's superb. The Banks Lady GTX is a robust, high-quality boot, with an upper crafted almost entirely from gorgeous nubuck leather. That gives it an admirable assurance when striding through wet, uneven ground. Our feet felt thoroughly well-held and protected over rough, wild terrain in Dartmoor.

It's all helped by the armoury that Hanwag have clothed the Banks Lady GTX in too. Heel and toe are reinforced with an extra layer of leather, for example. What’s more, the Vibram sole features a high-performing combination of deep, mud-churning lugs and large, rounded contact points that provide brilliant traction. While most of the upper is leather, the tongue and ankle cuff are made from a soft neoprene fabric that is both very comfy and pliable, allowing for a close fit.

But while we found the Banks Lady GTX a supportive, hardy boot, we also found them slightly unwieldy at times. They were a tad on the clunky side for scrambles, when we would like a closer feel to the rock to allow more precision in foot placement.

For covering long distances with a heavy pack though, they are superb. There is a good deal of shock absorbency built into the sole, which makes the miles pass easily and merrily.