Hiking comfortably and safely means more than throwing on any old footwear and heading for the hills. Women, especially, need a hiking boot that is comfortable and properly fits their generally narrower feet and sometimes slighter builds. Sorry, ladies, but the boot's appearance is one of the least important factors, outweighed by aspects that include weight.
Weight Choices
You have three choices when it comes to selecting a weight for your women's hiking boots: lightweight, medium weight and heavyweight, The Ultralight Backpacking Site notes. Lightweight boots are ideal for hiking with lighter loads, in warmer weather and over less rugged terrain. Heavyweight boots are study enough for larger loads as well as rougher terrain and weather. Medium weight hiking boots fall in the middle, weighing about 2 lbs. per pair.
Material
Women's hiking boot materials play a role in how heavy the boot is, Ultralight Backpacking and Consumer Search say. Mesh, Gore-Tex and other manmade fabrics weigh in on the lighter side, while leather is one of the heaviest. Manmade fabrics often wick moisture and sweat away from your feet while leather solidly encases the feet, offering maximum protection but no breathability. Leather also stretches over time, conforming to your feet and adding a level of comfort. Waterproof boots generally weigh more than those that are not and padding also puts on some weight.
Style
Style also plays a heavy part on the weight of women's hiking boots, Consumer Search reports. Women's hiking boots that extend over the ankle, offering plenty of ankle support, are also prone to adding extra weight. Mid-cut boots cut out some of the weight while still providing some ankle support, but not as sturdily a higher boot would. Hiking shoes, which are popping up all over the market, are the lightest option yet. They offer no ankle support and are cut low like a traditional shoe.
Soles
The soles on women's hiking boots are another aspect to review, Consumer Search points out. Lug soles, featuring wide, traction-grabbing treads, are the norm for many women's hiking boots. They are heavy and rugged, but can also be weighty. Thinner, lightweight soles won't cut it for a hiking boot, but can pop up on lightweight hiking shoes. The size of the tread can also add some weight, not necessarily because of their thickness or size but because of their habit of trapping clods of mud. Opt for a sole that easily releases mud or you can get stuck, literally, hiking around with weighty chunks of dirt to the bottom of your boots.
Considerations
Lighterweight boots are generally more flexible, especially when brand new, Ultralight Backpacker says, while heavier boots usually need some breaking in. While you will need heavy, durable boots for mountains, snow and other tough climates and terrain, Consumer Search and Backpacker Magazine say to go for the lightest footwear you can. The lighter weight is less prone to tire you out and wear you down even on longer hikes.
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