7 Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes For Women in 2022

If clunkiness is not an option on your daily nature wanderings, super Janes like you had better be in the best women’s lightweight hiking shoes. Must-buys from this empowering corner average around 700 g per pair, highlighting freedom and bolstering momentum as you go.
Over 200 pairs of female-centric hikers have been tested (by us) for this compelling selection. There’s enough to go gaga about here, whether you need a speed-boosting all-rounder, an amphibious shoe, or a budget-friendly pair.
How we test hiking shoes
Rounding up the best women’s lightweight hikers, though rewarding, is no easy feat. Here’s how we go about it:
- For us to be as unbiased as possible with our reviews, we purchase lightweight hiking shoes for women with our own funds.
- We hike on varying terrain for several days to determine which women’s lightweight kicks deserve the limelight.
- We reflect opinions from hundreds of regular hikers and professional gear testers in our comprehensive reviews.
As a result, every women’s lightweight hiking shoe receives a 0-100 rating, a.k.a. CoreScore. This scoring system is integral to our selection process.
Best lightweight hiking shoes 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 shoes.
- Top 21% in hiking shoes
- Top 14% in Salomon hiking shoes
- Top 7% most popular hiking shoes
Pros
- Remarkably pampering
- Watertight
- Tenaciously grippy
- Lightweight
- Instant break-in
- Breathable
Cons
- Somewhat narrow
- Subpar support
Verdict
Here’s our crème de la crème overall, and it’s none other than the Salomon OUTline GTX.
Besting over 100 pairs of women’s lightweight hikers, the OUTline GTX has a remarkably light construction. Case in point: the shoe in question reads about 300 g per shoe on the scale, making it among the lightest hikers with Gore-Tex waterproofing!
Speaking of its impermeable confines, the OUTline GTX is absolutely waterproof. Nothing got drenched within its padded interior, including our socks and tootsies. It also fenced out every bead of moisture through dewy grass and mildly murky puddles.
Tons of comfort await you in the OUTline GTX, too. It didn’t need breaking in, so we felt quite compelled to hike the extra mile in sheer plushness. Props to its soft collar and instep for not giving us blisters or hotspots!
Now, despite possessing a Gore-Tex liner, the OUTline GTX gave us more than enough breathability throughout our adventures. Under the heat of the sun (the temperature was around 85°F at the time), our feet didn’t sweat at all!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab this lightweight doozy right now, and stun your girlfriends with your daring leaps!
Best women's lightweight hiking shoes 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 shoes.
- Top 21% in hiking shoes
- Top 14% in Salomon hiking shoes
- Top 7% most popular hiking shoes
Pros
- Remarkably pampering
- Watertight
- Tenaciously grippy
- Lightweight
- Instant break-in
- Breathable
Cons
- Somewhat narrow
- Subpar support
Verdict
Do you want to see your besties in a cloud of dust as you gracefully bolt past them? If so, lose whatever you have on and sport the Salomon OUTline GTX instead!
A shoe built for speedy pursuits, this Salomon must-have weighs no more than 600 g per pair. This remarkable lightness and the shoe’s springy sole unit transformed our turtle steps into quick strides. We were even able to sprint without getting tired!
In terms of cushioning, this fast hiker didn’t disappoint. Devoid of a break-in period, the Salomon OUTline GTX comforted our feet to the nines right from the get-go. Underfoot, this queen of a hiking shoe spoiled our feet through and through. A worn-in tennis shoe or sneaker, this is, indeed!
Its brilliance in the comfort department is matched with the shoe’s relentless Gore-Tex waterproofing. It’s true—the Salomon OUTline GTX barred out wetness like an apex she-predator. If its stellar results through our water-immersion tests are anything to go by, this shoe is the real deal in the rain.
The OUTline GTX also comes with breathable confines despite being a fully waterproof hiker. Yes, you can kiss sweaty feet goodbye in this speedy gem!
Women's lightweight hiking shoes 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 shoes.
This shoe has a 7% 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 13% in hiking shoes
- Top 17% in Merrell hiking shoes
- Top 2% most popular hiking shoes
Pros
- Incredibly comfortable
- Responsive
- Waterproofing that actually works!
- Durable upper
- Perfect for short one-day hikes
- Soft, plush feel
- Protects from sharp rocks underfoot
- Flexible
Cons
- Poor heel lockdown
- Average grip
Verdict
Oh, Merrell Moab 2 GTX—how plush you are!
The best description we can give this amazing low-top hiker in terms of comfort is “immensely lavish!” It’s true—the Moab 2 GTX took our breath away the moment we slipped into it. From its soft-but-hugging heel to its pressure-free toe box, this spectacular gem ceased not from pampering our gentle feet. And all that comfort was available to us right on day one!
Weighing no more than 750 g a pair, the Moab 2 GTX helped us navigate in lightness and safety. Its Vibram outsole latched on to virtually every surface we came across—from perennially moist mulch to dry rocky ground. And while its heel brake is on the milder side, it managed to descend muddy slopes with us without slipping.
Speaking of negotiations, the Moab 2 GTX excelled both on rubbly trails and level terrain. Its beveled heel and rockered toe zone also made traversals on man-made surfaces relatively easy and pain-free!
The shoe also gave us a mic-drop moment when it passed our water-immersion test. Not one bead of moisture got inside the Moab 2 GTX’s resplendently comfy interior. The test lasted for 10 minutes, mind you!
Best lightweight wide toe box hiking shoes 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 shoes.
- Top 8% in hiking shoes
- Top 8% in lightweight hiking shoes
Pros
- Incredibly tenacious
- Lighter than the Mesa Trail
- Super comfortable on day one
- Effectively expels water
- Dries quickly
- Quite versatile
- Air cool
- Mighty flexible
Cons
- Pricy for a water shoe
- Can get odorous
Verdict
Best women's lightweight hiking shoes for water 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 shoes.
- Top 3% in hiking shoes
- Top 3% in lightweight hiking shoes
- Top 19% most popular hiking shoes
Pros
- Functional
- Exceptional grip
- Very light
- Comfy right out of the box
- Roomy toe box
- Excellent multi-terrain performance
- Great arch support
- Quick drying
- Versatile
Cons
- Sand gets in the shoe
Verdict
Is being one with nature in inclement conditions your thing? If so, be the best water-walker you can be in the Astral TR1 Junction!
The Aquaman (or should it be Aquadame?) of hikers, the TR1 Junction ebbed and flowed with us along the beach and through rushing streams and creeks. Engineered with its own aqueduct of sorts, this amphibious Astral gem shed water like a real champ with every step we made.
Weighing about 270 g per shoe, the TR1 Junction is extremely light without giving the impression of flimsiness. And because it actively ejects water as you go, the water shoe in question will never be clunky, particularly right after emerging from your go-to stream!
Fresh from the box, the TR1 Junction brought down on us heaps of comfort! Never did we encounter rubbing within its mesh upper, nor did we sustain blisters around the heel. And its collar? Richly supple!
But is the TR1 Junction as sticky as they say? We can confirm that it is! The shoe supplied us with highly convincing grip on wet pebbles, as well as on mossy roots. On boulders, it didn’t disappoint either. Incredible!
And finally, we want to boast about the TR1 Junction’s spacious toe box. So, if you’re tired of getting squished toes while traipsing through shallow waters, this is the kick for you!
Best value lightweight hiking shoes 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 shoes.
This shoe has a 7% 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 4% most popular hiking shoes
Pros
- Superb comfort
- Durable
- Breathable
- Super grippy
- Perfect for day hikes
- Good for scrambling
- Lightweight
- Great price
Cons
- Slightly narrow toebox
- Break-in period needed
Verdict
If there is one lightweight hiking shoe for women that can ultimately dispel the notion that trail kicks are expensive, it should be none other than the Terrex AX3 from Adidas! It’s true: its 80-dollar MSRP makes the shoe in question quite a steal (even pre-deal)!
Matching its insanely low price is the Terrex AX3’s lightness. Yes, its lack of waterproofing and streamlined sole unit leave the shoe at a measly 600 g a pair! That said, Adidas engineers may have made its toe box a bit too narrow to our liking.
The Adidas Terrex AX3’s must-own status can also be linked to its buzzworthy comfort. Its pampering interior requires several days to loosen up fully, but past that phase, the shoe has loads of plushness to give!
“Viciously tenacious” is how we’d describe the Terrex AX3’s Continental outsole. Light climbs felt secure and organic on it, thanks to its front-facing ridges and heavy-duty low-profile lugs. Meandering down mulchy slopes was also a walk in the park with the shoe’s femme fatale of a heel brake!
The Terrex AX3 having no waterproof liner translated to breezy hikes for us. Every stride quelled our fears of ending up with sweaty feet.
Most popular lightweight hiking shoes 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 shoes.
This shoe has a 7% 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 shoes
- Top 21% in Merrell hiking shoes
- Top 1% most popular hiking shoes
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Great for wet/dry transitions
- Lightweight
- 10/10 breathability & drainage
- Easy on and off
- Plenty of grip
- Great for everyday errands
- Doubles as a sandal
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Not designed for performance
- Minimal support
Verdict
What are the most popular women's lightweight hiking shoes in 2022?
- Nike ACG Air Nasu 2
- Salomon X Ultra 4
- Merrell Moab Speed
- Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX
- Merrell Moab 3
- Merrell Moab Speed GTX
- Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX
- Chaco Ramble Puff
- KEEN Tempo Flex Waterproof
- Salomon Outbound Prism
- Adidas Terrex Trailmaker
- Salomon Pathfinder
- Scarpa Rush GTX
- Salomon Outbound Prism GTX
- Teva Gateway Low
See all women's lightweight hiking shoes sorted by popularity
What are the cheapest women's lightweight hiking shoes in 2022?
- Columbia Pivot - from $33
- Jack Wolfskin Woodland Texapore Low - from $44
- Columbia Flow District - from $45
- Columbia Redmond III - from $49
- Adidas Terrex Trailmaker - from $50
- Chaco Ramble Puff Linear - from $54
- Chaco Ramble Puff - from $57
- Columbia Facet 15 - from $57
- Teva Gateway Low - from $58
- Columbia Facet 45 Outdry - from $61
- Columbia Flow Centre - from $62
- Salomon Tech Lite - from $63
- Adidas Terrex Swift R3 - from $64
- Adidas Terrex Skychaser 2.0 GTX - from $66
- KEEN Tempo Flex Waterproof - from $69
See all women's lightweight hiking shoes sorted by lowest price