In this article, I went a step further and researched/tested the best waterproof hiking boots for women. In order to create this resource I base myself on many factors including, grip, comfort, weight, price, breathability, etc. Of course, the waterproof factor is the most important one.
List of best waterproof hiking boots for women
I use my own experience and research in combination with what other people have said about the product in order to come to an objective conclusion.
Salomon Quest 4 GTX
The Salomon Quest 4 GTX
The reason for this is simple, these boots are just very solid all round hiking boots without any real flaws.
The shoes are very comfortable, provide plenty of support, have great traction and are also very durable.
I guess the only “downsides” are the fact that these boots are not very cheap and they are also on the heavier side. However, I would have to admit that these boots are not very breathable as well. Especially on warmer hiking days, this could result in some unpleasantness.
However, you really do get a lot in return for it. Also, you should always consider price in combination with durability. Cheap and low durability products might end up being more expensive in the end.
Now, to cover the waterproof level of this show: It’s very waterproof and pretty much flawless in terms of leaks.
Simply put, it is the best choice for travel in wet weather climates. Using a Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable membrane, an industry-standard in wet weather footwear, these boots do a great job of repelling water
Pros:
- Very good traction
- comfortable
- Durable
- Waterproof
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- Not very breathable
These shoes can usually be found for the best price here: Salomon Quest 4
Salomon Quest Element Gore-Tex
The next option is somewhat similar to the previous one. It’s another Salomon Quest, however, this time we will take a look at the Salomon quest Element Gore-Tex.
These boots are the lighter alternative. They share a lot of similarities, but there are a couple of key differences that make these boots truly different.
The short summary: these boots are cheaper and lighter than the Salomon Quest 4. However, they are also less durable, especially the outer sole has some durability “issues”.
On the other hand, these boots have very good traction, are very comfortable and lightweight considering they are true high-top hiking boots.
I have tested these out on multiple hiking trips and they are holding up pretty good, except for some damages in the outer sole.
I have encountered a decent amount of rain, wet trails and the boots even got submerged from time to time. The conclusion? These boots are truly waterproof. They might not endure as long being submerged when compared to the Quest 4. However, I’m already really happy that there are no issues with leaks at the lip or at the seams.
All in all, still one of the best waterproof hiking boots for women, but it’s not going to be the most durable option on the list.
If you are looking for more information about the salomon element GTX, I wrote an entire review about these boots. This can be found here: Salomon element gtx review.
Pros:
-
- Very good traction
- Very comfortable
- Lightweight
- Breathable
Cons:
- Mediocre outer sole durability
These shoes can usually be found for the best price here: Salomon Quest Element GTX Women
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX
470g / 1 lbs
These boots are once again, very all round and solid hiking boots.
One of the first things you should be aware of, these boots are mid top boots instead of high top boots.
Generally, this means that the boots are lighter, but provide less protection and ankle support. However, the Ultra Raptors seem to really hold their own in all areas.
When talking about the waterproof aspect of these boots, they also don’t disappoint, these boots are very waterproof and there are no flaws or leaks that I could detect.
All that said, you should be very aware that these boots are obviously less high. This means that you should be more careful when crossing rivers etc. Often, the height difference between a mid top and a high top can be the difference between water from running in from above.
Also, on snowy terrain, the additional height might be very welcome.
However, if you don’t care too much about the lower height of these boots, you should really consider them. They are amazingly lightweight and these are very solid overall boots with barely any flaws.
However, you should be aware that these boots do run a bit tight. You might want to double-check the reviews about the sizing and maybe even go with a higher size than what you are used to.
A solution for this “problem” might be to use waterproof gaiters.
Pros:
- Very good overall
- Extremely lightweight
- Breathable
Cons:
- Less high
Interested in finding out about the latest price? Take a look here: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX
Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP
500g / 1.1lbs
The Merrell Moab series has become one of the pillars in solid hiking shoes and boots.
It should come to no surprise that these boots also made the list as one of the best waterproof hiking boots for women.
Be aware that this is once again, a mid top model. Meaning that these boots will be less high and you will need to be careful when crossing water.
The Merrell moab 3 is a bit less expensive than most alternatives. As you would expect, these boots are solid overall boots with good breathability. They also have solid traction and are considered very comfortable.
For a mid top boot, these are slightly heavier than the average mid top boot.
If you are still figuring out what type of hiker you are, you really can’t go wrong with the merrell moab mid 3 WP. They are trustworthy, solid overall boots that are usually not that expensive.
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Solid overall
Cons:
- Less high
- A bit heavier
If you can find a good deal on these boots, you can sometimes get amazing value for the money.
The best place to find these deals is usally here: Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP.
What’s important in a waterproof hiking boot
Let’s take a deeper dive into what is actually important in a waterproof hiking boot.
Waterproof
Obviously, you need to take into account how waterproof a boot really is. It’s not because it’s advertised as waterproof that it truly is waterproof.
There are many issues that can occur, such as seam sealing issues, flaws at the tongue of the shoe, fabric doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, etc.
Therefore, make sure to do proper research before actually buying a boot, believing that it’s waterproof only based on what the manufacturer claims.
Weight
Weight is another very important factor. The heavier the boots, the more energy you will consume when traveling a certain distance.
It’s usually a balance that can be quite personal.
Do you prefer a lightweight boot or do you care more about protection, support, durability, etc.
Not to say that a lightweight boot is always less protective or durable. However, in general, heavier boots are better on these levels.
Support
One of the most important things to consider when choosing boots is support.
If you’re planning on hiking or walking on uneven terrain, you need boots that will provide good ankle support and help prevent injuries.
Look for boots with a sturdy sole and a fit that hugs your foot securely to ensure that you’re getting the support you need.
Also, consider how protective a boot is before buying. At least, if that’s something that’s important to you.
Traction
Traction is another key consideration when choosing boots.
A good grip will give you more confidence and safety on the trail. Especially when carrying a heavy backpack, you want to have as much grip as possible.
This becomes more important on technical trails and is less important on flat/easy trails.
Still, having an excellent grip can never hurt.
Comfort
Finally, comfort is very important when it comes to boots. After all, if your boots aren’t comfortable, you’re not going to want to wear them for very long!
Look for boots that offer a good balance of cushioning and support, and make sure to try them on before you buy to ensure a good fit.
Breathability
Something you must understand before buying waterproof hiking boots. It’s not because your boots are waterproof that your feet will remain dry.
If your boots are not breathable at all, your feet will start to sweat. Eventually this will result in your feet becoming damp and even wet. This can also result in blisters and other irritations.
So before deciding on what waterproof hiking boot you need, make sure that the boots are also somewhat breathable.
Conclusion: the best waterproof hiking boots for women
In conclusion, finding the best waterproof hiking boots for women is still a personal matter.
However, the key takeaways are that it’s not because a boot is advertised as waterproof, that it is in fact waterproof. Therefore, research is always required. Luckily for you, I did exactly that and can provide a list of trustworthy and waterproof boots.
There are obviously lots of options out there. I simply made a selection of some of the best options out there. However, there are plenty of solid alternatives that you can go for. Just make sure to research them and be certain that they are waterproof and reliable.
Also, never only look at how waterproof a boot is. If a boot is extremely waterproof, but it’s terrible in every other way, it’s going to be a very bad boot. Always consider the total package and focus on your personal preferences.