7 Best Lightweight Hiking Boots For Women, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Us girls, we want to be as free-spirited on the trail as possible. In such an empowering pursuit, there is no better footgear to be than the best lightweight hiking boots built specifically for women.
We have thoroughly tested over 150 pairs of women’s lightweight hikers to give you our top picks. These delightful gems cover a wide range. So, whether you desire a three-season all-rounder or a lightweight kick that can transform you into a speedy Jane, this female-centric corner is for you!
How we test hiking boots
Part of the RunRepeat experience is for our readers to get a hold of unbiased reviews on top-of-the-line women’s hiking boots. That experience is made possible by the following:
- Lightweight hiking boots for women often don’t come cheap. That said, to make our reviews as comprehensive and objective as possible, we buy those we review with our own money.
- We hike in every lightweight pair on variable terrain and in different weather conditions.
- We include in the mix hundreds of reviews on lightweight hikers from a combination of gear experts and regular trail-goers.
A CoreScore is assigned to every reviewed lightweight hiker. This 0-100 rating helps us fish out the finest lightweight hiking boots for women in a variety of categories.
Best lightweight hiking boots overall for women
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking boots.
- Top 5% in hiking boots
- Top 7% in Adidas hiking boots
- Top 1% most popular hiking boots
Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Eclectic colorways
- Groundbreaking grip
- The plushest midsole in any hiking boot
- Durable outsole
- Perfect for urban hiking
Cons
- Poor durability in the midsole
- Terrible support throughout the shoe
Verdict
Adidas is among the few brands that put out amazing sporty kicks, and with the Terrex Free Hiker, that claim is further solidified!
Weight-wise, this boundary-busting hiker is the one to beat. Indeed, at 380 g per shoe, the Terrex Free Hiker smashes the notion that hiking boots are always clunky.
Engineered with Adidas’ Boost technology, the Terrex Free Hiker unlocked our potential on the trail, whether the terrain was rocky or level. Our extended test-hike resulted in springier strides minus the tired arches!
On the comfort front, the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker impressed us greatly. The moment we slipped into it, we knew that we were going to finish our hike with pampered tootsies. Yes, the boot felt like a charm on day one, thanks to its sock-like confines and plush midsole.
Now, the Terrex Free Hiker is a remarkable strider. Transitions felt mighty fluid in it, particularly on paved tracks.
This Adidas shoe also boosted our confidence on slippery surfaces. Engineered with V-shaped lugs, the Terrex Free Hiker’s rubber outsole allowed us to negotiate both ascents and descents with ease!
So, yeah, the Terrex Free Hiker is the grand empress of lightness. Own this Adidas gem now!
Best women's lightweight hiking boots for speed hiking
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking boots.
This shoe has a 9% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 30% in hiking boots
- Top 24% in lightweight hiking boots
- Top 9% most popular hiking boots
Pros
- Day-one comfort
- Marvelous traction
- Bracing collar
- Featherweight
- Moderately ventilated
- Excellent waterproofing
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- A bit narrow toebox
- Frail liner
Verdict
If you want to complete your hikes at break-neck speeds, there’s no better boot for the job than the OUTline Mid GTX!
One of Salomon’s lightweight must-haves (it has a per-shoe weight of around 420 g, after all), the OUTline Mid GTX made us negotiate semi-tricky terrain faster than expected. Thanks to its cushy and rockered sole unit, we got to our destination with a few hours to spare!
Now, our leaps and strides were also made possible by the OUTline Mid GTX’s supportiveness. Its collar, though plush and flexible, kept our ankles upright where needed, while its heel and arch zones kept our gait in check.
Still within the bounds of underfoot prowess, the OUTline Mid GTX’s Salomon-exclusive outsole impressed us to the moon and back. So grippy were its toothy lugs that we had to go back and forth this boggy area just to delight over the boot’s top-notch stickiness!
Within the same wet environment, we tested the OUTline Mid GTX’s waterproofing. All we want to say is that the boot fenced out every drop, keeping our adventurous feet wrinkle-free.
And what’s a Salomon speedster without the comfort level to match? Well, you should get this must-buy ASAP because its day-one comfiness is definitely one for the books!
Best women's lightweight hiking boots for urban hiking
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking boots.
This shoe has a 9% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 7% most popular hiking boots
Pros
- Light
- Mighty warm
- Waterproof
- Stylish
- Comfy
- Affordable
Cons
- Narrow forefoot
Verdict
Empowered women like you deserve all the hiking versatility you can get, which the Firecamp Boot from Columbia has a ton of!
You can bet that heads will turn while you got this beautiful must-buy on. But beyond its gawk-worthy appearance and obvious lightness (it weighs 420 g per kick), the Firecamp Boot is also quite the showstopper in other ways.
As its name suggests, the Firecamp Boot is among Columbia’s finest winter offerings. Indeed, a cozy kind of comfort awaits those who’d give into its mesmerizing confines. In our case, the boot kept us warm and comfy in cold conditions (around 15°F).
Its non-marking Omni-Grip outsole lent us outstanding slip and skid resistance on ice. Oh, but the Firecamp Boot’s lugs were also quite sticky on soft soil, muddy patches, and pavements, making it one of the most versatile urban hikers out there traction-wise!
Equally enchanting is the Firecamp Boot’s watertight shell. It locked out all manners of moisture for us, leaving our socks and feet dry and our hearts with much gratitude!
And if its incredible performance both on and off the trail is not enough for you, its 100-dollar MSRP just might reel you in! Snag this beauty now!
Best lightweight wide toe box hiking boots for women
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking boots.
This shoe has a 9% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 17% most popular hiking boots
Pros
- Amazing arch support
- Very durable
- Wide toebox
- Comfortable for long treks
- Snug, secure fit
Cons
- Break-in period
- Not for wet, slippery surfaces
- Heavy
Verdict
Women's lightweight hiking boots with best comfort
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking boots.
- Top 26% in lightweight hiking boots
- Top 29% in eco-friendly hiking boots
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent ankle support
- Offers comfortable feel
- Flexible
- Budget-friendly price
- Laudable warmth
- Excellent grip on various terrain
- Short to zero break-in period
- Commendable toe cap
Cons
- Unsatisfactory waterproofing
- Lack of breathability
- Restrictive fit
- Poor quality
Verdict
If there is one shoe that deserves a red-carpet treatment when it comes to comfort, it has to be KEEN’s Targhee III Waterproof Mid!
A grungy hiker devoid of a break-in period, the Targhee III Waterproof Mid ensnared us with its regal comfort on day one. It was like, the moment we slid our feet down its plush interior, we were transported into a different dimension—one where hotspots and chafing are non-existent!
While the Targhee III Waterproof Mid is pretty grounded design-wise, its overall build is rather light. It’s true—its less-than-500-gram weight danced to the tune of our nimble pace, no problem.
So supportive was its collar that twisting maneuvers felt quite safe and confidence-boosting. And its rearfoot? Let’s just say that it did a remarkable job of centering our heel even in the trickiest (and most root-filled) parts of our go-to trail!
And have we mentioned that the Targhee III Waterproof Mid is a bulldozer yet? You read that right—this KEEN gem for the ladies will up your game with tank-like protection, making you cut through virtually every obstacle in front of you with little effort.
So, what are you waiting for? Bag this must-have now. The Targhee III Waterproof Mid is only $145, after all (pre-deal)!
Best value lightweight hiking boots for women
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking boots.
This shoe has a 9% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 23% in hiking boots
- Top 22% in Timberland hiking boots
- Top 1% most popular hiking boots
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Above-average traction
- Insanely lightweight
- Very affordable
- Supportive arch
- Lasting construction
- Above-average traction
- Sweepingly dashing
- Recycled rubber used
Cons
- Subpar ventilation
- Unruly laces
Verdict
If you consider yourself a serious hiker, but breaking the bank is not an option, then the Euro Hiker from Timberland has to be on your shopping list!
At its MSRP of $110, this sleek leather hiker is a definite steal. Granted, most Timberland kicks fall on the affordable side of the pricing scale. Nonetheless, we were still quite stunned by its criminally low asking price!
Now, the chic-yet-powerful Euro Hiker has the lightness to match its budget-friendliness. Indeed, this Timbs kick is only 450 g per boot. This lightness equated to more agile traversals for us.
The Timberland Euro Hiker didn’t let us down in the area of comfort, either. On mile one, the boot felt unbelievably comfy, backing our decision not to go on a break-in hike days prior! Not one from among us got blisters within its plush confines. Unfortunately, some of us experienced minor hotspots in the boot.
This affordable gem from Timberland also impressed us with its extra-supportive arch zone. Our ankles also felt mighty secure within its foamy collar, making our every step more confidence-inspiring than ever!
So, what are you waiting for? This inexpensive Timberland hiker is yours for the taking. Make sure you don’t miss out!
Most popular lightweight hiking boots for women
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking boots.
- Top 22% in hiking boots
- Top 17% in Salomon hiking boots
- Top 2% most popular hiking boots
Pros
- The boot of choice for multi-day hikes
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Excellent grip
- Supportive midsole
- Detailed ground feel
- Great ankle support
- Protective
- Perfect lacing system
Cons
- Midsole may be thin for some
- Very stiff in colder climates