Best walking boots for women UK 2023
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Get kitted up to tackle any kind of trail – and any weather conditions – in a great pair of hikingboots.
There’s a huge range of choice on the market when shopping for walking boots, and the biggest decision is whether to go for leather or fabric boots.
Should I buy leather, fabric boots, or both?
Leather is naturally waterproof but can be stiff and heavy, and takes a while to break in and mould comfortably to your feet.
Fabric boots tend to be lighter and can feel more like wearing comfortable trainers straight out of the box, but are less durable and less warm than leather.
Leather is best for winter and mountain walks, while fabric is ideal for travelling and more casual use in spring and summer. If you can afford to, it’s a good idea to own a pair of each.
Best women’s walking boots at a glance
- Best style, comfort, sustainability: Cloudrock Edge Raw
- Best for cushioning footfall: Hoka One One Tennine Boot
- Best for hiking in colder climes: Keen Karraig Boot
- Best for comfort: Giesswein Wool Cross X Alpine boot
- Best for cold weather: Le Chameau Lite LCX® Low 7” Boot
- Best for trekking: Jack Wolfskin Wilderness Lite
- Best for those on a budget: Regatta Highton Stretch Boot
- Best for casual walking: Sorel Kinetic Boots
- Best for summer hiking: Salomon Vaya Boot
- Best for quality: Hanwag Banks Lady Boot
What to look for in a walking boot
Your boots must be waterproof (for wet weather) and breathable (for warm temperatures). Look for boots with built-in waterproofing technology such as Gore-Tex and with thick, bouncy soles with deep lugs (the indentation that help give good grip) – we always rate Vibram soles on test.
Good boots should include a breathable membrane to wick away sweat and keep your feet from overheating.
Check that your new boots feel comfortable when tightly laced, with plenty of wiggle room for toes and without too much room to move your heel. If the boots have a high ankle, your ankle should feel nicely supported without any rubbing.
Wider feet? Look for boots that specify a wide fit, especially if you have bunions. Expect to pay around the £150 mark for a great pair of boots, although we’ve also included a great option for tighter budgets. Look after your new boots well and you’ll get many seasons of wear out of them.
Key specs – Material: Synthetic; Waterproof technology: Polyurethane waterproof membrane; Weight: 390g; Colour options: 1
These beautiful pale boots look a little different from your average hiking boots for good reason – they’re totally undyed and are made with recycled materials to minimise their environmental impact.
The Edge Raw is fully waterproofed, and we liked the high narrow ankle and tight lacing system, which give great support. Impressively deep lugs also offer great grip, even in wet weather.
Each boot weighs just 390g, and the Edge Raw offers trainer-like comfort even on longer walks.
The only downside to this smart and sustainably-designed boot is that it does look dirty very quickly.
Key specs – Material: Synthetic; Waterproof technology: Gore-Tex; Weight: 416g; Colour options: 1
Hoka describe these rather bonkers boots as ‘part hovercraft, part hiking boot’, and we’d have to agree.
Those massive soles really do make you feel a little like you’re walking on air - the Tennines definitely do feel deliciously light and comfy, even if you’re clocking up the miles.
There’s lots of substance as well as style here – the Tennines have reliably Gore-Tex waterproofing and tough Vibram soles.
The look of these futuristic boots is a bit like Marmite, but if you love them then you’ll definitely stand out from the hiking crowd.
Key specs – Material: Leather; Waterproof technology: Keen.Dry; Weight: 600g; Colour options: 1
Love to go off the beaten track? Keen’s Karraig could be your new best friend. This high-performing leather hiking boot is warm, waterproof and instantly comfortable.
We loved the high, supportive and well-padded ankle, which doesn’t let rain in, the protected toe box and the thick soles, which offer great grip even on slippery surfaces.
Karraigs aren’t lightweight, and thus are best suited for cooler weather – take them outdoors from autumn to spring and they’ll do you proud.
