Hiking Shoes Women

Women's hiking shoes, a low cut that asks more of the fit

Hiking shoes women wear on the trail sit below the ankle, which makes them lighter and cooler than a boot and leaves the joint to do its own work. The selection covers low walking shoes, breathable summer models, waterproof pairs, water shoes for wet crossings, grippy trail designs and fleece-lined winter cuts. Because there is no cuff holding the heel down, everything depends on how the shoe fits around the foot rather than on how high it climbs up the leg.

How should a hiking shoe fit?

With a thumb's width of space in front of the longest toe, and no movement at the heel. Feet swell over a day of walking, so a shoe that fits neatly in a shop at ten in the morning will feel short on a descent at four in the afternoon. That descent is where a shoe is tested: if the toes hit the front going downhill, the shoe is too short or the lacing is too loose, and the result is a bruised nail rather than a blister.

Waterproof lining or breathable mesh?

A membrane keeps out wet grass, puddles and light rain, and it slows the shoe down when it does get soaked, because water that comes in over the collar has nowhere to leave. Mesh does the opposite: it wets through in minutes and dries on the foot almost as fast. For British winter and boggy ground, lined shoes make sense. For summer, dry paths and hot weather, mesh is more comfortable and far less sweaty. Anyone walking rivers and beaches is better off with the quick-draining pairs and with the hiking sandals kept for the same conditions.

What tread does the ground call for?

• Deep widely spaced lugs: mud and soft ground, where a packed tread turns into a smooth sole within a hundred metres.
• Shallow dense lugs: hardpack, gravel tracks and rock, where contact area matters more than bite.
• Heel brake: a squared-off heel edge that digs in on descents, which is where most slips happen.
• Rubber compound: softer rubber grips wet rock and wears faster, harder rubber lasts longer and slides on limestone.
• Rock plate or stiffened midsole: protection from stone bruising on long stony trails, at the cost of some flexibility.

Shoes or boots for a day on the hill?

Shoes for well-marked paths, lighter loads and warm weather, where less weight on the foot means less fatigue by evening. Boots for heavy packs, rough ground and ankle-deep water. Sizing and last shapes vary between brands more than between shoes and boots, so cross-check against the wider hiking shoes range before committing to a size. Anyone moving faster over the same ground should look at trail running shoes women instead.

How long do they last and how are they cared for?

The midsole gives out before the upper looks tired, which is why a shoe that still appears fine can start causing aching feet. Watch for compressed cushioning under the heel and lugs worn flat at the outside edge. After a muddy walk, knock the soles clean, rinse with cool water and dry away from radiators, since direct heat shrinks adhesives and cracks midsole foam.