I walk for a living, and these are the top 3 women's hiking boots I'd recommend for 2026

Getting your daily steps in is one of the simplest things you can do for long-term health. I usually clock mine in my favourite walking shoes, or on a run, but recently I went to Dubai and, to my surprise, absolutely fell in love with the mountains. Yes, there are mountains there!

For four days, we explored the Hatta mountain views and the desert, and only then did I realise I wished I’d brought proper women's hiking boots. Some of the terrain was tricky; I felt stones slipping into my running trainers, and although there was no rain, there were a few streams to navigate, and my toes did not appreciate getting wet.

So I made a promise: the moment I got back to the UK, I’d get kitted out and keep hiking. What stood out most was the sheer sense of escape. I loved the freedom of the mountains, the calm of the forests, the breathtaking views and the variety of colours. Honestly, why hadn’t I done this sooner?

Now I’m obsessed with finding new trails, and with wearing the right kit. A two- to three-hour hike requires more technical features given the conditions you’ll encounter, and comfort is essential. There’s often no going back once you hit that first summit.

To help me put my best foot forward, I tested a range of women's walking boots. A solid pair won’t just protect your feet from countryside sploge, but they’ll also help prevent rolled ankles and slips on wet surfaces.

And if they’re genuinely waterproof (not just water-resistant), they’ll keep your feet dry when the weather turns. Here are the three women's hiking boots I'd recommend right now, based on real-world testing!

Best for comfort

Columbia Women’s Newton Alpine PT Waterproof Boot

If comfort and looks sit high on your priority list, the Newton Alpine PT makes a strong first impression. Cushioning is the standout here: the TechLite+ midsole delivers a soft, forgiving ride without sacrificing flexibility, which isn’t always a given in hiking boots.

On lighter hikes and everyday walks, it smooths out uneven ground nicely – you don't feel every stone underfoot – and it's comfortable enough to wear all day straight out of the box.

Build quality is reassuring, too. Reinforcements around the heel and toe add durability where it matters, while the Omni-Grip outsole does the heavy lifting in wet conditions. Traction is confident on muddy paths, slick rocks and damp terrain, making it a reliable option when the weather turns.

The trade-off is in its “light cushioning” design. You sit closer to the ground, and while that helps with flexibility and ground feel, shock absorption is only moderate. This isn’t a boot built for heavy packs or long, technical hikes and is far better suited to shorter, more casual outings.

For tougher terrain, you’ll want something more supportive and stable. But for “town-to-trail” use, the Newton Alpine PT gets a lot right: it’s comfortable, good-looking, true to size and properly waterproof, handling puddles and wet conditions without issue.

Best value

Decathlon Quechua MH500

If you want a comfortable, versatile hiking boot that won’t drain your bank account, the MH500 is a no-brainer. For what they cost, you’ll get serious bang for your buck - and if you could only own one pair of outdoor shoes, these would be a strong contender.

Whether you’re strolling along the coastal cliffs at Beachy Head or traipsing through muddy woods with the kids, the MH500 is up for the job. The upper blends rubber and crust leather, with a grippy synthetic rubber sole and a thick EVA midsole, giving it excellent flexibility and breathability and making it especially suited to warmer-weather adventures.

The sole stays supportive and confident even on slippery surfaces like tide-pool rocks, and the reinforced toe panel offers decent protection on more technical terrain. Thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane, these boots are completely waterproof and held up impressively in thick mud and heavy rain.

You can grab some Karrimor Mount boots at a similar price point, but the MH500s are still among the best-value options out there. They required no break-in period, performed well across light, moderate, and even challenging terrain, and, with over 2,000 strong reviews on the Decathlon site, I clearly wasn’t the only one impressed.

Best for long distances

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX

If you want a boot that feels built like a tank but won’t weigh you down, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is a standout. Despite its heavy-duty spec, it’s surprisingly light at around 400g per boot, yet every textile panel, PU-coated leather section and rubber overlay feels reassuringly tough. The overall impression is one of serious robustness.

Sitting just above the ankle bone, this mid-height boot ticks all the comfort boxes. It’s well-padded around the ankle and locks the foot in securely, so once tightened, it doesn’t budge - think cosy, cocooned comfort without any rubbing.

They’re impressively warm thanks to thermo-regulating insulation and extremely waterproof. The Gore-Tex membrane shrugged off streams, puddles and sticky mud during testing, keeping my socks dry all day.

Fit-wise, they're beautifully balanced. Salomon’s SensiFit lacing delivers a snug hold through the heel and midfoot, while the roomy toe box prevents cramping over long distances. The thick, padded tongue also allows you to cinch them tight without pressure points.

Underfoot, the Ortholite midsole provides plush cushioning and arch support, while the Advanced Chassis outsole delivers excellent stability on rugged terrain and mossy declines. High-density, mid-height lugs stayed confident on wet, greasy ground - so if you regularly head off the beaten track in poor conditions, these boots are your durable, long-distance go-to.

For more technical terrain, something with a more aggressive tread like the Danner Mountain N45 GTX may suit better, but for long days on non-technical trails and rolling countryside paths, these are hard to beat.

Verdict

For a genuinely comfortable, lightweight boot for British walking, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is hard to beat. It balances low weight, durability and all-day comfort, making it ideal for three-season adventures across the UK’s fields, hills and forests. They’re not made for heavy multi-day packs or icy conditions, but for moderate terrain; they’re tough to fault, and represent a strong, comfortable boot that feels built to last.

If you want the best value without compromising performance, the Decathlon Quechua MH500 is the standout. At one of the cheapest boots on the market, they’re comfortable, versatile and waterproof, and the flexible sole performs well on light to challenging terrain. They’re not the flashiest, but they certainly aren’t plain either, and they’re one of the best-value boots around and require zero break-in.

If comfort and looking on-trend are your priorities, the Columbia Newton Alpine PT is a cosy town-to-trail option. The cushioning is plush and flexible, they sit nicely around your ankle with no rubbing, and the grey and white colouring looks great for casual trails that end up in your local cafe or cake shop without screaming hiker.