Women's walking and hiking boots, from lightweight waterproof models for paths and hill days through to insulated winter boots.
What separates them
A full leather upper such as the Hi-Tec Altitude VII takes longer to break in and lasts longer for it. A fabric-and-suede boot like the Eurotrek Lite or the Fuse Trail Mid is lighter and more forgiving from new, but wears through faster on rough ground and heather. A mid-cut boot supports the ankle on tussock, scree and ploughed ground; a low-cut shoe is quicker on made paths and no use anywhere else.
Before you order
Measure late in the day, wearing the socks you will actually walk in — feet spread as the day goes on, and half a size of room at the toe is what stops you bruising your nails on a long descent. Women's lasts are generally cut narrower through the heel than men's, so if you have a wide foot it is worth looking at men's hiking boots as well before deciding.
If you are standing still in the wet rather than covering ground, a wellington will do the job better than any walking boot. Whatever you buy, keep the leather fed with footwear care and dry them on a boot dryer rather than a radiator — heat shrinks and cracks uppers.
