The Best Day Hiking Shoes and Boots for Women

The most important equipment a woman hiker can choose is her hiking boot. But today's women hikers don't have to slog along in heavy leather hiking boots that weigh 3 pounds of more. As a hiker who has spent time hiking on American trails from the Appalachian Trail to more modest state and national park trails, I have been told that wearing one extra pound on your feet is comparable to carrying five more pounds on your back! With more modern materials that are light weight and breathe like Gore-Tex, hiking shoes can definitely be a women's best friend on the trail.

What is the difference between a hiking shoe and a hiking boot?

Hiking shoes are recommended for shorter day hikes and can be used for walking daily, even running. They are designed to be used for many purposes. Yet they provide good ankle support, traction and protection for the foot. Some people think that a good sneaker will do fine for day hiking and that might be true for short 2 and 3 miles hikes, but if you plan anything longer, a hiking shoe and more durable and comfortable.

When looking for a hiking shoe, choose shoes that are waterproof, because all hikers know we're going to run into water somewhere when we're hiking.

The weight of a hiking shoe is important as I mentioned above. Compare weights of various hiking shoes along with the other factors.

Feet sweat when you're hiking, so make sure that your hiking shoe has moisture wicking to prevent moisture build up in the shoe, a leading factor in blisters.

Good hiking shoes have to have good traction to help your keep your balance, maneuver those tricky cliffs and rocks, and to grip as you climb or descend hills.

Hiking shoes are often lower cut like a sneaker or with a mid high collar, instead of covering the complete ankle like a boot. For day hiking, hiking shoes are your most comfortable, affordable and best bet for hiking.

Hiking boots are generally made of tougher materials, offer strong ankle support, and provide the support needed when carrying a heavy backpack for overnight trail hiking. They are more rugged and offer additional safety support when navigating steep or rocky terrain. Hiking boots offer more stability and safety. They are generally the only way to keep your feet completely dry when traversing wetlands and water streams.

A combination of good wool socks and waterproofed hiking boots can keep feet dry in those situations. For long more difficult trails, for wetter conditions and for carrying a heavy backpack, a hiking boot is essential.

But for day hikes, a good hiking shoe can offer great support and be more flexible and less expensive for the average day hiker.

The Merrell Women's "Chameleon Arc" Hiking shoe is on sale right now for an amazing price of $49.99 at Dillards online. The suggested retail price of $120.00 makes this a fantastic buy. This shoe is one that I purchased two years ago for $89.00 and I feel that even at that price, it's been a great hiking shoe for my day hikes.

It's padded just enough to offer comfort with an Air Cushion insole that is cushy! It has a nice mesh lining that allows the foot to breathe and cuts down on moisture retention that breeds blisters and bacteria. The suede and mesh upper is ventilated well and the shoe has good stability. For a low to mid price hiking shoe it has held up well and is just now needing to be replaced.

Keen Hiking Shoes

Keen makes two really good hiking shoes for women, the Voyageur Low ofr around $100 and the Targhee Mid for about $130. The Voyageur is great for those easier day hikes or short backpack trips. But the Targhee offers more waterproofing and better traction. For fall and winter hiking, the Targhee offers more protection and is a warmer shoe.

The Vasque Mantra Gore-Tex SCR Cross Training

This is my favorite hiking shoe ever and the one that I currently use for long day hikes. At the good price of $135, they are strong, durable, waterproof and yet flexible enough for quick walking and hiking up and down trails. As I have aged, my ankle and knee strength has waned, and my Vasque hikers offer the stability and traction I need to prevent falls and twisted ankles. I just feel very sure-footed in my Vasque hikers.

And yet, they're cute! Some hiking shoes make a woman feel like a lumberjack, but Vasque Mantra hikers are attractive and functional at the same time. They have a nylon lining that keeps your foot comfortable, a padded tongue and cuff, and waterproof Gore-Tex inserts to keep those feet toasty dry.

Finding the right hiking shoe can take some trial and error. I recommend that you go to a store where you can try on the actual shoe before you buy it. Even if it means finding the shoe model that feels right for your foot and then taking the name and finding it cheaper online. I've also had good luck bartering with my local sporting goods dealer, but telling them how cheap I can find the shoe online and they have matched that price for me.

Hiking is actually an inexpensive sport when you consider how much golf, tennis, or shopping costs!

Choosing the right shoe and boot is the most important thing you can do when you begin hiking. Keep your feet, ankles and knees safe and comfortable so you can enjoy more hikes. My goal is to go back and hike the Appalachian when I'm about 70!

Happy fall hiking!

Where to find those great hiking shoes!

Vasque Mantra Hiking Shoes http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7341096/c/112104.html?gclid=CL_IwpWS2JwCFSUsawodwAaAJQ

Keen Hiking Shoes
http://www.consumersearch.com/hiking-boots

Merril Chameleon Hiking Shoes
http://www.dilliards.com/webapp/wes/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&storeId=301&langId=-1&productId=501694370&linkshare=http://www.consumersearch