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The Best Women's Hiking Boots of 2017


Overview Ratings Price vs. Value Chart Buying Advice How We Test

Looking for women's hiking boots? We can help. We evaluated the 40 most popul
models and subjected the 10 best to side-by-side tests over three months and
hundreds of miles. With so many options and bold marketing claims, it's not easy
determine which ones provide solid traction on slippery paths or are truly
comfortable mile after mile. Our lead testers designed tests and wore these hikers
tirelessly, from well-traveled trails of Yosemite Valley to cross-country through th
wilds of the Sierra Nevada backcountry, to create a comprehensive analysis of this
category. Trails, hikers, and climates are diverse, and so is this review. Whether
you're seeking a champion all-around boot, the best value, or a pair that will last y
years underfoot, we help you narrow down the options for your perfect fit.

Read the full review below >

Test Results and Ratings Displaying 1 - 5 of 10 << Previous | View All

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2017-5-23 The Best Women's Hiking Boots of 2017 | OutdoorGearLab
Rank #1 #2 #3 #4 #5

Product

HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Vasque Monolith UltraDry - Ahnu Sugarpine
HI - Women's - Women's Women's Women's Read the Review
Read the Review Read the Review Read the Review Read the Review

  
Awards
           

Price $219.95 at Amazon $123.40 at Amazon $183.96 at Backcountry $90.96 at Backcountry $139.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 6 sellers Compare at 7 sellers Compare at 4 sellers Compare at 4 sellers Compare at 4 sellers

Overall Score  0 89 100 0 84 100 0 81 100 0 81 100 0 79

Star Rating

Pros Very comfortable, lots of cushion Well-padded, comfortable, good Comes in 11 di erent color Easy to break in, comfortable, Fashionable design, sti so
underfoot, good traction, water ankle support, very waterproof options! PU monowrap frame supportive underfoot, e ective good ankle support, water
resistant, lightweight, rockered construction, narrow and wide t water resistance, inexpensive, resistant, good value
sole to assist with even stride options, seamless Gore-Tex lining lightweight

Cons Expensive, oversized sole can Sizing runs big, exible and soft No arch support, expensive, bulky, Rubber on sole provided Minimal tread, do not carry
appear bulky sole doesn't provide support for heavy suboptimal traction, mesh very well
long hikes, extra padding in paneling could wear quickly
tongue feels bulky

Bottom Line The revolutionary design was These well-padded, easily broken Our award winner and Top Pick Our Best Value Award Winner These boots were our favo
de nitely a risk on the part of the in boots are top notch in water for Durability, these boots all- combines comfort, durability, and synthetic mid-height conte
manufacturers, but it proved to be resistance, making them a great leather construction provides support in an a ordable all they were not only comfor
a success, as the Hokas took the all-season boot. unbeatable protection and around boot. and durable on the trail, bu
cake for the most comfortable support reminiscent of a fashionable when worn aro
boots in our review. traditional leather hiking boot of town.
days past.

Ratings by Category HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra HI - Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX - Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Vasque Monolith UltraDry - Ahnu Sugarpine
Women's Women's Women's Women's

Comfort - 25% 0 10 10 0 9 10 0 8 10 0 9 10 0 8

Support - 20% 0 9 10 0 8 10 0 9 10 0 8 10 0 8

Weight - 15% 0 9 10 0 8 10 0 5 10 0 8 10 0

Traction - 15% 0 8 10 0 7 10 0 8 10 0 7 10 0 7

Water Resistance -
0 8 10 0 9 10 0 9 10 0 8 10 0 7
15%

Durability - 10% 0 8 10 0 9 10 0 10 10 0 8 10 0 8

Specs HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra HI - Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX - Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Vasque Monolith UltraDry - Ahnu Sugarpine
Women's Women's Women's Women's

Boot Type Lightweight Hiker Midweight Midweight Hiker Lightweight/Midweight Lightweight/Midweight

Weight Per Pair 1.81 lbs. 1.63 lbs. 2.19 lbs. 1.63 lbs. 1.46 lbs.

Sizes Available 5-11 5-10 5.5-11 6-11, 7-10 Wide 6-11


Expand to show full speci cation table  |  Hide details

Analysis and Award Winners

 
Review by: Updated April 2017
Jane Jackson
Follow Us
To provide the latest and greatest models out there this Spring, we have updated this
Senior Review Editor
OutdoorGearLab
review with new award winners. HOKA ONE ONE won our top spot in its first   
inclusion in this review category, while Lowa's all-leather construction provided
unbeatable durability. We are stoked to find that the market of hikers, as a whole, is
Last Updated: becoming more comfortable and lightweight every year. We also added charts and
Thursday Table of Contents
tables to highlight each model's performance in the test metrics. Best Overall Women's Hiking Boot - HO
April 6, 2017
ONE ONE Tor Ultra HI - Women's
Best Bang for the Buck - Vasque Monol
Share: UltraDry - Women's
Top Pick Award for Durability - Lowa
    Best Overall Women's Hiking Boot Renegade GTX Mid - Women's
Analysis and Test Results
HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra HI - Women's Weight
Support

Traction
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Traction
Comfort
Water Resistance and Breathability

$219.95 Durability
Conclusion
at Amazon

See It
See all prices (6 found)

Very comfortable Expensive

Lots of cushion underfoot Bulky appearance

Good traction

Water resistant

Lightweight

Rockered sole

Judging only by looks, the HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra ­ Women's stands out


from the pack with its oversized sole and funky graphic design. We soon found out
that it stands out in hiking performance as well. The Tor Ultra takes our Editors'
Choice award of 2017 for offering almost everything a hiker could want; stability,
support, low weight, waterproofness, and a revolutionary new design that
promotes foot comfort to an extreme. Don't be intimidated by this new look and
approach, as it will keep your feet comfortable all day and virtually need no break-
in period. Our reviewers with wide and narrow feet all found this boot
accommodating. Hailing from France, HOKA ONE ONE has been producing
running shoes since 2010, and they have applied their successes in technology
from that category to hiking specific boots very effectively.

Read full review: HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra - Women's

Best Bang for the Buck


Vasque Monolith UltraDry - Women's

$90.96
at Backcountry

See It
See all prices (4 found)

Easy to break in Suboptimal traction

Comfortable Mesh paneling could wear quickly

Supportive underfoot

E ective water resistance

Inexpensive

Lightweight

Lightweight. Comfortable. Supportive. Best of all, affordable. The Vasque


Monolith ­ Women's provides the most performance per dollar of any model in
this review. Ready to endure days on the trail, this model's leather and mesh

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construction also breathes well while keeping water out. The moderate tread
pattern was grippy on unstable, slick granite boulders. The Monoliths felt light,
even after a full day of hiking. After numerous hikes around Yosemite Valley, these
became our go-to for all-day hikes and day-to-day walking on the valley floor.

Read full review: Vasque Monolith - Women's

Top Pick Award for Durability


Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Women's

$183.96
at Backcountry

See It
See all prices (4 found)

Well-padded Sizing runs big

Comfortable Lacks support for long hikes

Good ankle support Bulky tongue

Very waterproof

Trailing close behind our 2017 Editors' Choice in our ratings is the Lowa
Renegade GTX Mid ­ Women's, last year's returning champion. This is a great
boot that shines in its durable construction and waterproofness. The Renegades
are a throwback to hiking-specific boots of yesteryear when you could buy a pair of
leather boots and know they would last decades. In that way, these boots are
classic; burly, leather, and waterproof. They are lined with GORE-TEX and have a
waterproof coating on their Nubuck leather upper to keep your feet dry while
allowing them to breathe. Lowa has also done an amazing job making these boots
comfortable as well as durable. They break in quickly and will last you a long time.
We are excited about the lightweight, hybrid boots, but the Lowa Renegades are
a tried-and-true choice for a well-crafted, comfortable hiking boot.

Read full review: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Women's

Compare select up to 5 products

 Score Product Price Our Take


HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra HI $230 The revolutionary design was de nitely a risk on the part of the manufacturers, but it
89 - Women's proved to be a success, as the Hokas took the cake for the most comfortable boots in our
review.
Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX - $165 These well-padded, easily broken in boots are top notch in water resistance, making them
84 Women's a great all-season boot.

Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - $230 Our award winner and Top Pick for Durability, these boots all-leather construction provides
81 Women's unbeatable protection and support reminiscent of a traditional leather hiking boot of days
past.
Vasque Monolith UltraDry - $130 Our Best Value Award Winner combines comfort, durability, and support in an a ordable
81 Women's all around boot.

Ahnu Sugarpine $140 These boots were our favorite synthetic mid-height contender; they were not only
79 comfortable and durable on the trail, but fashionable when worn around town.

Keen Targhee II Mid - $135 For a fairly inexpensive hiking boot, the Keen Targhee II are both durable and comfortable
79 Women's all day on the trail.

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 Score Product Price Our Take
Ahnu Montara $165 These durable, all-leather boots are lightweight and stylish, making them one of our
78 favorite boots we tested this season.

Oboz Bridger Mid BDry - $170 The sti est boot in the eet this year, these boots are all leather and take time to break in;
77 Women's once broken in, they make a sturdy boot for any type of hiking.

Columbia Redmond Mid $100 The Columbia Redmond Mid is a great introductory hiking boot; its soft, exible forefoot
64 Waterproof - Women's and lightweight design make it a good boot for day hikes.

Merrell Capra Bolt Mid - $140 The Merrell Capra Bolt falls somewhere between a hiking boot and a running shoe with its
59 Women's lightweight, mesh construction and exible sole.

Analysis and Test Results


Months spent on trail, riverside, and on summit ridgelines exposed the important
considerations when selecting a hiking boot: weight, comfort, support, traction,
versatility, water resistance and breathability, and durability. Each pair of
women's boots were evaluated based on these metrics and then compared with the
others. See the table below that summarizes the overall scores of each, then read
on for an explanation of how we tested each metric.

The 2016 eet of women's hiking boots are a colorful bunch.

Weight
Hiking shoes will often be lighter than boots. The boots selected this year are
focused on being light, so the difference between the two categories is becoming
less and less significant. The top women's boots tested this year weigh between 1.7
and 2.2 pounds. While lighter footwear makes for more comfortable hiking, this
small weight difference is insignificant when considering the benefits and long-

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term durability of hiking-specific boots.

Weight Per Pair

Ahnu Sugarpine 1.46 lbs.

Columbia Redmond… 1.5 lbs.

Merrell Capra Bolt… 1.5 lbs.

Salomon X Ultra Mi… 1.63 lbs.

Vasque Monolith Ul… 1.63 lbs.

Keen Targhee II Mid… 1.75 lbs.

HOKA ONE ONE Tor… 1.81 lbs.

Ahnu Montara 1.81 lbs.

Oboz Bridger Mid B… 2 lbs.

Lowa Renegade GT… 2.19 lbs.

1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4

We evaluated the weight of each pair on and off trail; weight reflected in the chart
above was measured by our reviewers to ensure accuracy. While some boots weigh
less than others, the lightest did not always feel the lightest on foot. Actual weight
is only one of many considerations when selecting a pair of boots. Weight also
encompasses how heavy the boots feel while hiking.

This year, most of the boots tested were lighter than previous years, reflecting a
trend toward lighter boot designs. The award-winning HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra
- Women beat the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid ­ Women's, in large part due to
their light feel, while still providing the support and comfort of a top hiking boot.
Similarly, the Vasque Monolith - Women and the Ahnu Sugarpine got high scores
in weight, each well under two pounds. That said, the sturdy Lowa Renegade
and the Oboz Bridger Mid - Women (our heaviest boots) each weigh around two
pounds per pair (size 7). That is only one pound per foot, giving these boots a light
feel, even with the added weight.

Support
Boot support is determined by sole stiffness, midsole construction, arch support,
and forefront flexibility. The height of the boot also lends support to the ankles
and feet — the higher the ankle shaft, the more stable and supported the ankles
will feel. This ankle height is the main difference between a hiking boot and a
hiking shoe in terms of support. For rugged trails where the ankle is prone to
rolling, boots with relatively high ankle heights are optimal.

Support

HOKA ONE ONE Tor… 9

Lowa Renegade GT… 9

Oboz Bridger Mid B… 9

Ahnu Sugarpine 8

Keen Targhee II Mid… 8

Vasque Monolith Ul… 8

Ahnu Montara 8

Salomon X Ultra Mi… 8

Merrell Capra Bolt… 6

Columbia Redmond… 5

0.0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0

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Stability is synonymous with support while hiking. All of the women's boots
reviewed have stiff rubber soles incapable of bending the toe downward toward
the heel. This provides support on rugged terrain by limiting the contortion on
rocks and roots.

Boots like the Columbia Redmond Mid - Women and the Merrell Capra Bolt Mid -
Women have low ankle heights and offer less ankle support. Many hikers that have
used the HOKA feared ankle rolling because of the oversized sole, but the HOKA
ONE ONE Tor Ultra bypasses this issue by having ankle support. When we wore
the Tor Ultras, our feet felt stable on uneven terrain, despite the tall soles.

Midsoles are the layer between the outer sole and the insole. Boots often have
shanks and plates either above or beneath the midsole layers, adding support and
stability. The shanks serve as a barrier from impact on rugged surfaces. These
inner shanks create additional stiffness that the rubber soles cannot achieve on
their own. Hiking shoes do not need this stiffness, but rather offer flexibility that is
suitable for day hiking, so they do not have shanks. The overall construction of
boots is more durable and stable than hiking shoes.

Arch support varies by foot. Some women may find enough comfort in the original
insoles. Other women will need to customize by replacing the original insoles with
aftermarket insoles or orthotics. Depending on how flat or pronounced the arches
of your feet are, differing levels of support will be necessary. To avoid foot cramps
and discomfort, accurately support the arches of your feet.

The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry - Women has a stiff sole and offers support in this
way, but for some this might be too stiff to be comfortable in the long term. The
Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX - Women scores high in the support metric, because
they provide cushioned ankle support as well as a moderately stiff sole, making
them a happy medium between the ultra stiff OBoz and the lighter weight boots,
like the Ahnu models.

The Columbia Redmond Mid is one of the most exible boots we tested. With short ankle heights and a
exible sole the boots are best suited for day hiking.

Unlike hiking shoes that are flexible in the sole and forefoot, boots should only
offer flexibility in the forefoot. When you take a step, your feet bend upward,
creasing at your toes. This area of the boot should accommodate your stride. The
HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultras address this with their rockered sole design. The
oversized sole is turned up at the toe and in the heel. This propels you forward as
you walk and allows the foot to flex naturally because of the cushion.

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We rated the support of all 10 pairs of women's boots based on sole stiffness,
midsole construction, forefront flexibility, and ankle shaft support. We reviewed
them with and without backpacks up to 40 pounds.

Overall, the most supportive contenders are the award-winning HOKA ONE


ONE Tor Ultra ­ Women's and the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid ­ Women's.
For hikers looking for an ultra-stiff boot, look no further than the Oboz Bridger
Mid BDry.

A quality hiking boot will o er ankle support, arch support, and have sturdy,
beefy soles for varied terrain. A comfortable, well- tting pair will make your day
of hiking or backpacking more enjoyable.

Traction
Tread on the soles of footwear acts similarly to tread on a bike or car tire. The
pattern, spacing, and depth affects grippiness, stability, and handling. Tread
patterns that have spaced lugs in variable patterns manage dirt, sand, mud, and
snow by pushing them out from the bottom of the shoe. When these accumulate
on the bottom of shoes and boots, it is a result of poor tread design and depth (or
there is a better application). Semi-aggressive to aggressive tread patterns are
expected design features on the soles of boots.

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Traction

Lowa Renegade GT… 8


Boots that received the highest scores in traction were able to stick to rocks and
Oboz Bridger Mid B… 8
talus, handle well in wet and muddy conditions, and protect the foot from debris.
Ahnu Montara 8
The Ahnu Montara and the HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra are made with Vibram
rubber soles,
HOKA ONE ONE which
Tor… we found to stick the best to granite slabs8 and boulders. On

and off trail, we trusted that the rubber on these boots


Ahnu Sugarpine 7
would stick. Boots like the
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid and the OBoz Bridger Mid BDry have aggressive
Keen Targhee II Mid… 7
tread that provides maximum traction. It is good to think about the types of
Salomon X Ultra Mi…
surfaces you travel over when looking at the tread7patterns of different boots.
Overall, the deeper
Vasque Monolith Ul… lug depths, like those on the Lowa Renegade GTX,
7 the Keen
Targhee II Mid - Women, or the HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra
Columbia Redmond… 6
provide more
traction than boots with less aggressive tread.
Merrell Capra Bolt… 5

4 5 6 7 8

There are many di erent tread patterns and types of rubber used
for the soles of these boots. These factors dictate the way they
handle on talus, loose gravel, and steep terrain.

Comfort
Comfort is the most important consideration for boots. If you sense discomfort in
the fit, sizing, or performance of a pair of boots, you should consider other sizes,
models, or styles. Comfortable boots will be more enjoyable on trail. Comfort is a
rating that will vary individually, therefore we have rated each pair of boots based
on overall comfort while noting obvious uncomfortable design features. We kept
our focus on insole and lining padding, comfort in support, materials, and how our
feet felt after multiple miles on the trail.

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Comfort

HOKA ONE ONE Tor… 10

Keen Targhee II Mid… 9


We found the most comfortable boots to be the Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX ­
Vasque Monolith Ul… 9
Women for their padding around the tongue and ankle, the Vasque Monoliths
Salomon X Ultra Mi… 9
for their quick break-in period, and the HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra for their
thickAhnu
solesSugarpine
that remained comfortable after8days of hiking. We found that few
boots came
Columbia close to HOKA's comfort and unique
Redmond… 8 design. Beyond making our feet
feel comfortable, the extra padding in the HOKAs prevented joint pain in the
Lowa Renegade GT… 8
knees and hips that can flare up after miles on the trail.
Ahnu Montara 7

Merrell Capra Bolt… 6

Oboz Bridger Mid B… 6

5.00 6.25 7.50 8.75 10.00

The lacing system of the Bridger Mid locks midway for maximum adjustability between the foot and ankle.

What separates a comfortable boot from an uncomfortable one? A lot of it has to


do with support underfoot. Many shoes that were lightweight in their design, such
as the Merrell Capra Bolt - Women and the Columbia Redmond Mid ­
Women, lacked support and cushion in the sole and became painful after a few
hours on trail. On the other end of the spectrum were boots like the HOKA ONE
ONE Tor Ultras, which have extremely thick soles, or the OBoz Bridger Mid,
which have very thick soles.

A lot of this comes down to personal preference; some people find that stiffer soles
provide more comfort, while others prefer a flexible shoe. Adjustability in the
lacing system adds to the overall comfort. On a wide foot, for example, the Ahnu
Montara was uncomfortable, because the laces are not adjustable toward the toe
of the shoe/the widest part of the foot. The Lowa Renegade, on the other hand,
has a lacing system that is adjustable and can be tweaked to provide more support
in the ankle than the foot by the locking mechanism at the flexing part of the foot.

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Laces tied and feet secure for another trail day! We love the lightweight comfort
of this boot.

Water Resistance and Breathability


Water resistance is measured by how dry our feet remained while exposing the
boots to typical trail wetness. We walked each pair through creeks up to five inches
in depth. We first tested them while walking from one side to the other without
stopping. All of the models in our review succeeded. Then, we tested the water
resistance when submerged in water while standing in place. Within a couple of
minutes in inches of standing water, all of the boots began to absorb water.

Water Resistance

Lowa Renegade GT… 9

Salomon X Ultra Mi… 9

Ahnu Montara 8

Oboz Bridger Mid B… 8

Vasque Monolith Ul… 8

HOKA ONE ONE Tor… 8

Ahnu Sugarpine 7

Keen Targhee II Mid… 7

Columbia Redmond… 6

Merrell Capra Bolt… 5

0.0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0

The higher ankle shaft heights withstood deeper water crossings, as did the thicker
soled boots, like the HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra. Mesh paneling on the
Vasque Monolith ­ Women is treated with Vasque's own version of GORE-
TEX, called UltraDry. We found these boots to be water resistant, keeping water
out during creek crossings. The boots with the best waterproof qualities are the
Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX and all-leather boots, like the Lowa Renegade
GTX and the OBoz Bridger BDry.

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A 4.5" ankle shaft height o ers water resistance through moving


streams and creeks. We loved the security of dry feet while hiking
throughout the Sierra.

The GORE-TEX waterproof membranes used in the Lowa Renegade and the


Salomon Ultra are comparable in breathability to the eVent liners in Ahnu
products as well as in the HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra ­ Women. These
waterproof linings are also breathable. Although some believe that waterproof
membranes limit breathability, we found that all of the linings were adequate in
keeping water out while keeping our feet wicked and dry. Breathable mesh panels
on the sides of boots and tongues allow for airflow and help maintain dry,
comfortable conditions inside the boots.

Leather models are heavier than mesh and synthetic uppers commonly found on
hiking shoes, offering less breathability. This is an important consideration for
mid-summer hiking in hot climates. If you intend to hike mostly in dry climates
and regions, a pair of boots that do not have a waterproof lining and have mesh on
the uppers may be the best option. Most of the models reviewed are offered in
waterproof (GTX) and non-waterproof models.

Once feet become wet, they are prone to blisters and hot spots. If you intend to
hike in a region that could get your feet wet, bring an extra pair of socks. Keeping
your feet dry is aided by choosing the best boots for your intended uses as well as
noticing when your feet become wet and attending to them. Consider waterproof
features as well as breathability.

Durability
In order to lose weight in materials and construction, there is also a loss in
durability. A full-leather boot will last longer than a synthetic leather and mesh
shoe. Yet, lightweight boots require little break-in period and are more
comfortable when trekking long distances (when compared to a clunky
heavyweight boot). All of these boots have a longer lifespan than a shoe, though
they will not last as long as a heavyweight option. We are pleased with the
durability of all of the models reviewed and believe they can last for a couple of
seasons or more when seeing regular use.

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Durability

Lowa Renegade GT… 10

Oboz Bridger Mid B… 9

Salomon X Ultra Mi… 9

Ahnu Montara 8

Vasque Monolith Ul… 8

HOKA ONE ONE Tor… 8

Ahnu Sugarpine 8

Keen Targhee II Mid… 7

Merrell Capra Bolt… 5

Columbia Redmond… 4

0.0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0

Though we tested these boots for three months, as opposed to years of use on trail,
we got a good idea of what boots would last longest without showing significant
wear. The boots with all-leather uppers tend to be more durable because they have
fewer seams — the first place to show weakness. The Merrell Capra Bolt Mid boots,
for example, are constructed entirely of mesh, and showed significant signs of
wear almost immediately out of the box. All leather boots, such as the Lowa
Renegade GTX, stand up to wear much better.

Trail work or outdoor labor, requires footwear to be sturdy, durable, and capable of handling dirt. The Keen
Targhee II Mid became our go-to boot for working long days building trails in Tuolumne Meadows. We wore
these boots day-in and day-out and they maintained their composure and support.

Conclusion

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The 2016 eet of women's hiking boots are a colorful bunch.

The quality of your boots will have a large effect on your ability to enjoy a hike of
any length. However, with many choices available, finding the right pair that suits
your type and level of activity can be a tricky task. We tested each model rigorously
in a variety of settings and uses in hopes of helping you come to an informed
choice. For additional tips on how to get the right boots for your feet, see our
Buying Advice article.

— Jane Jackson

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2017-5-23 The Best Women's Hiking Boots of 2017 | OutdoorGearLab

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