10 Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes for Women

Hiking shoes are one of the most important items of a hiking gear. They are specially designed for protecting the feet and ankle during outdoor activities such as walking, hiking and trekking. They need to extremely strong, durable, and must have stiff soles to give the ankles support and protection on rough trails.

And these being light just makes it perfect because they provide all the protection and comfort at the minimum weight!

Shoes made of synthetic materials are cooler and lighter than leather products. They have much shorter break-in period and also are cheaper than the leather hiking shoes. Lightweight shoes have their own advantage as they can save 100-200g of energy every time you move your feet. So, of course, you will save a lot of energy over the course of a day.

Women generally are prone to more foot injuries than men like high arches, plantar fasciitis and over pronation which is why you must you must pick the one that is best for you. Thus, this makes it impossible to make a list that will be valid for everyone. Don’t worry though, I made a list of the best lightweight hiking shoes for women and explained why I recommend them.

10 Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes for Women in 2019

10 Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes for Women Reviews in 2019

1. Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low Hiking Shoe

The Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low Hiking Shoe fits flawlessly, enabling them to deliver unmatched and comprehensive performance no other footwear brand can.

The Oboz proprietary insole is what they’re known for. Molded to match the specific shape and construction of every pair, this purpose-designed technology will deliver you the kind of fit, feel and performance that’s unmatched in the industry.

The anatomically-designed insole maximizes stability and support with a supportive arch and a deep cushioning heel cup. Triple-density EVA throughout provides both cushioning and durability, and a shot of urethane under the metatarsals and heels adds extra protection to high-strike zones.

The Low-density EVA pod provides cushioning and comfort, while the Medium density EVA throughout yields underfoot support without loss of cushioning. The High-density EVA sculpted arch with the goal of placing the foot in the neutral position and the High-density EVA heel cup provides support and improves natural cushioning.

The Moisture wicking top layer helps to keep your feet dry and comfortable. Hikers- favourite, the classic Oboz outsole is built to be versatile, flexible and supportive. The Nylon shank offers added support between your heel and forefoot. Mud shedding sidewall lugs create stability and grip off-camber trails while conserving weight

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2. Salomon Women’s X Ultra 2 GTX W Hiking Shoe

Updated with sleek athletic design details the Salomon Women’s X Ultra Mid 2 GTX provides stability mid-height support and the year-round climate control of Gore-Tex.

Sensifit cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system, providing a secure, snug and virtually customized fit all around the foot. The advanced chassis system provides stability, foot control and protection. It includes an EVA midsole for active comfort and less fatigue, with a TPU chassis in the middle and a rubber outsole for protection and precision.

Engineered with durable waterproof GORE-TEX providing greater flex, better cushion and less weight. Gore-Tex is the ultimate in climate comfort management, proving protection from wet environments and conditions without compromising flexibility, comfort and breathability.

Contagrip is a mix of compound density and lug geometry to ensure grip durability and less weight; all optimised for fantastic traction on any surface. OrthoLite, an advanced proprietary polyurethane formula with recycled rubber content delivers a combination of benefits unmatched by any other insole manufacturer.

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3. Nike Women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 33

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33 Women’s Running Shoe provides a perfect fit, fast feel and responsive cushioning that will help you pick up the pace and focus on your speed.

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33 is labelled as a neutral training shoe that can be used for anything from workouts to an easy run whether you are a professional or not. These neutral trainers provide ample stability and comfort for anything.

The upper has a sock-like fit with excellent breathability courtesy of the Fly Mesh. Giving excellent midfoot hold and support are the Flywire cables that are connected to the midsole and looped around the laces. To prevent the cords from causing pressure on top of the foot, a soft lining wraps the interior. Providing security and support in the heel is an integrated heel counter.

The Flywire cords are more evenly spaced out for equal distribution of pressure and to have greater influence in helping runners get their most comfortable fit. The drawstrings are not as exposed as before. They go through a couple of mesh guides to fully integrate the entire upper when it comes to getting the right fit and support.

The prominent hexagonal lugs cover the heel to the forefoot on the medial side. This offers you an even better traction. Also, the forefoot features one very deep flex groove. It has better rubber articulation or cuts in various sections of the outsole for flexibility.

The heel and midfoot have a very secure locked down feel while the forefoot provides just enough toe room for the toes. The sizing is standard in this shoe.

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4. Adidas Women’s Terrex Swift R Mid GTX W Shoes

The Adidas Women’s Terrex Swift R Mid GTX W Shoes are a fast, low to the ground ultra lightweight hiking boot that features a mid-cut ankle support and protection.

The upper is a synthetic material with a gusseted tongue, so these boots will give you protection from water practically to their full height. The collar cushioning is nicely done, also, the footbed is contoured and removable, and you have a pull loop on the back.

Both the toe section and the heel are additionally protected with rubber caps. It also comes with speed-lacing. This is a very flexible boot with AdiPrene midsoles. Adidas’ own technology, a highly shock absorbent and durable foam material which absorbs impact forces and reduce the general pressure on your bone system and protecting them from injuries.

The outsole is a rubber with very deep lugs which provide a great traction on any terrain. If you want the lightest shoe for fast hiking and other kinds of athletic play, though, this is an excellent choice.

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5. Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Waterproof Hiking Shoe

The Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine is an athletic-inspired waterproof hiking shoe, offering an eye-catching style and performance for the trail enthusiast. Its waterproof-breathable technology keeps your feet dry, while the Vibram rubber outsole offers superior traction on wet and dry surfaces.

The neutral positioning system engineered to encourage your foot’s natural biomechanics. It centres and guides your foot to promote an efficient, stable and balanced stride. Whether hiking through the Big Sur Mountains or taking a run through Golden Gate Park, Ahnu products are designed to keep you naturally centred, balanced, and comfortable for miles on end.

The Ahnu Women’s Taraval Shoe is a walking shoe for urban exploration to flat or paved trails. A lightweight EVA midsole with an internal nylon shank combines for comfort, shock absorption and support. Its waterproof construction and supple, waterproof leathers protect your feet from the elements, while the breathable mesh lining wicks away moisture.

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6. KEEN Women’s Oakridge Waterproof Shoe

The KEEN Women’s Oakridge Waterproof low hiking shoe offers stiff support for all-day comfort on the trail. It’s breathable and waterproof, and the stability shank adds a firm foundation.

Hit the trail hard this season with Keen Oakridge hiking shoe. It’s tough yet lightweight construction offers breathability, support and reliable traction, so you can take on the adventure of your choosing! The mesh lining keeps feet cool and dry.

This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support and cradle the natural contours of the foot. Right out of the box, the fit was very comfortable. the KEEN Oakridge boot runs slightly small, so I would recommend ordering a half size up from your normal shoe size. I took this advice, which was a good decision.

One of the main features I wanted in a hiking shoe was that it was waterproof. The KEEN Oakridge boot features the KEEN Dry waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry while hiking. This proprietary technology is a waterproof membrane that lets vapour out without letting water in. I was impressed with how dry my feet stayed, even while walking through wet grass, Creekside and in shallow water. Additionally, even in the heat, my feet did not get too hot or sweaty. A proprietary waterproof, breathable membrane that lets vapour out without letting water in.

They offer phenomenal support and I didn’t even have to get wide. My balance feels perfect, and they are beyond comfortable. I went in the store to get a high-quality gym shoe that I knew wouldn’t last, but I came out with a fantastic, rugged, excellent shoe/boot that will stand the test of time as I am up and down all day long!

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7. Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe

The Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe is very lightweight and comfortable with breathable holes that dry quickly when wet.This speed hiker attacks terrain. Its ventilated mesh upper is made for hot temps and forging creeks. Efficiency comes from the unifly midsole.

These lightweight hikers fit perfectly with no need for a “breaking-in” period. It does not expand even after prolonged use. The Out Blaze Aero Sport fits like a glove from the beginning to the end of its life.

The shoes have a really nice grip on them and provided really great support for my feet. I did not find my feet were hurting at all during my trip. These shoes are also very light, so they didn’t weigh me down or make my legs feel tired like most heavy boots do. These shoes were perfect for hikes through the rainforest, waterfall rappelling, canyoning, zip lining, etc.

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8. Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Air Mesh Hiking Shoe

If you are a trail enthusiast, the Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Air Mesh Hiking Shoe offers you an eye-catching style and performance with its athletic-inspired waterproof hiking shoes. Ahnu offers extra protection on the toe, heel, and outsole with a lightweight, everyday build.

Its waterproof-breathable technology keeps your feet dry, while the Vibram non-marking rubber outsole and slip-resistant lugs provide grip and traction on varied surfaces offer superior traction on wet and dry surfaces. The Numentum Hike technology with a lateral to medial TPU heel clip will aid the neutral positioning system engineered to encourage your foot’s natural biomechanics. It centres and guides your foot to promote an efficient, stable and balanced stride.

Whether hiking through the Big Sur Mountains or taking a run through Golden Gate Park, Ahnu products are designed to keep you naturally centred, balanced, and comfortable for miles on end.

The Ahnu Women’s Taraval Shoe is a walking shoe for urban exploration to flat or paved trails. A dual density lightweight EVA midsole with an internal nylon shank combines for comfort, provides extra shock absorption and heel and arch support. Its waterproof construction and supple, waterproof leathers protect your feet from the elements, while the breathable mesh lining wicks away moisture.

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9. Hi-Tec Women’s Sierra Tarma I Waterproof-W Hiking Shoe

The Sierra Tarma I Waterproof-W brings fashion to the outdoors with a rich nubuck upper, waterproof and stain repellent for all weather fun. Extremely lightweight and comfortable, the Sierra Tarma will impress you when you will hiking the trails or the street.

It is a stylish, everyday women’s shoe. Fully waterproof thanks to its Dri-Tec technology. This shoe also includes an OrthoLite Impressions insole which takes the shape of your feet over time to create a customized and comfortable fit.

The invisible i-shield layer, repels all unwanted water and dirt creating that extra protection needed. The performance comes from its MDT technology outsole which ensures traction both up and downhill. Stay stylish and protected this year with the Sierra Tarma.

Its breathable waterproof membrane keeps your feet dry while allowing excess moisture out.

Supple nubuck, rustproof hardware lacing system and the suede upper provides soft but sturdy durability. Also, the padded collar and tongue provides extreme comfort

The Hi-Tec Women’s Sierra Tarma I Waterproof-W Hiking Shoe is easily one of the most comfortable pairs of hiking boots I have ever worn. They don’t require much of a break-in period. They are water resistant, perfect for hiking through across streams and rivers. They fit perfectly with socks that are a normal thickness. However, if you are planning on wearing thick socks or layering socks, I suggest going a half size up.

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10. Columbia Women’s Plains Ridge WMNS Low Hiking Shoes

These Columbia Plains Ridge women’s trail shoes have a comfortable, breathable design that’s perfect for a variety of outdoor activities. Columbia Women’s Plains Ridge WMNS Low Hiking Shoes are a lightweight and comfortable waterproof trail shoe for a variety of outdoor experiences.

The Techlite midsole helps makes these shoes sturdy and supportive without adding in the weight. Which is what makes these shoes another one of my favourites. The Omni-GRIP non-marking traction outsole provides for excellent traction on any kind of terrain. These shoes are non-slippery and offer excellent grip on rocky surfaces.

The shoe is made of a leather and mesh upper which is the perfect combination to deliver a shoe that is durable, sturdy and breathable. The mesh upper will keep your feet warm while allowing all of the excess moisture to draw out. Leaving your feet comfortable, clean and dry.

The EVA rubber sole provides for comfort, shock absorption and support to your feet while hiking for long hours. Techlite lightweight midsole for long lasting comfort, superior cushioning, and high energy return

I was pleasantly surprised at the comfort of these shoes. They are light, and for once I had new shoes that did not rub a hole into my heel. I normally wear an 8 in regular shoes, 9 in running shoes, so I ordered these in 8.5 to give me a little bit of toe room on descents/declines. I’d buy these again and recommend them to anyone looking for good hiking shoes.

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Why are Lightweight Hiking Boots Necessary?

Hiking boots are not just great but they are essential. And most of the good shoes that are out there can sometimes be really bulky and heavy.

Personally, I prefer the lighter shoes. They are comfortable and offer the same performance of those big shoes at half the weight. This reduces your effort and the weight of your shoes while hiking, thus allowing you to hike better for a longer duration.

How to Choose the Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes for Women?

Choosing the right hiking boots means first you need to consider the environment in which you will primarily use them. As some boots are designed for use in snow and ice. Others are light and breathable and will keep your feet cool even in the heat of the desert. Some boots are ideal for the hiking in the monsoon, repelling water while wicking sweat.

This brings us to a conclusion that it is impossible to find that one pair of shoes for everyone. Which is why you need to prioritize what you need the shoes for then we can look for comfort, durability, stability, weight, warmth, and water resistance.

After that is picked, here are a few other things you should keep in mind before getting the best lightweight hiking shoes for women.

Get the Right Fit

The first and the most important thing that you need to consider while choosing the hiking shoes is getting the best fit. You should try on footwear with the socks you intend to wear with them. As hiking socks are thicker than normal socks, so it’s important to wear them when in the process of the choosing the right hiking shoes as it may affect the size you may need.

Also, you need to try the shoes in the late afternoon or early evening, when your feet are bit bigger than they usually are. Feet tend to swell a bit while hiking, so be sure that you look for wider toe box if you need them.

Weather Conditions

The weather and other environmental factors will determine if you need a breathable mesh shoe or a waterproof shoes. If you are hiking in and out of the water, you need a water-resistant shoes.

For a truly waterproof shoes, you need to look for either waterproof leather with sealed seams or a shoes with a waterproof liner that also adds extra warmth.

Hike Duration

If you are planning for the long hiking adventure, then there will be the great demand on your body and feet. So, you will require more support from your shoes. Usually, a longer trip involves carrying heavy backpacks, so you need under the foot with a stiffer mid-sole and around the ankle with good heel support.

Material

The wrong fabric can make your feet hot, uncomfortable and cramped. So, you need to find the perfect material for experiencing good hiking adventure. Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester are easy to break-in, feel light, and dry faster when wet, but at the same time, they are less water-resistant.

The split-grain leather is made with half leather and half synthetics, this material is still very breathable. But, it is not as water-resistant as full-grain leather. Most of the mountaineering boots are made with full-grain leather. It is highly durable and perfect for the rigorous hikers.

Be sure to check them out.

The Best Pick

Before you go about on a hiking trip, you need a good pair of hiking shoes suitable for walking on rocky trails and rough terrain. All the best hiking shoes in the market are waterproof but additionally, they need to be lightweight to feel comfortable while walking.

Your shoes should provide sufficient support to prevent the sprain, particularly if your ankles sprain easily. You need to consider that new shoes which are significantly stiffer than when they are the broke in and properly polished. Which is why my favourite has to be the Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low Hiking Shoe.

It is super comfortable and provides excellent support at the least possible weight. They have a good grip and a nice sturdy bottom. I absolutely love these shoes because they are perfect for me.