One thing I can’t say I excelled at while we were travelling was always looking stylish. I tried, and my trusty Merrell shoes stuck with me until the end, but with limited packing space and a fear of keeping things clean, I ended up not looking as colourful or fashionable as I would have liked.
You, my friends, don’t have to make the same mistakes as me, because there are plenty of stylish hiking boots for women out there on the market these days and I’ve collated them into a list to help you out. You’re welcome. Now go forth and be freakin’ stylish.
Sorel Winter Carnival Boot: These are perfect for heavy-duty walking in the cold weather and snow. They’re waterproof, and have a faux fur lining, plus they’re super cute. What more could you want?
Timberland Nellie Chukka Double Waterproof Boot from Timberland: You can’t go wrong with a pair of classic-looking Timberlands, and these are in the popular low-slung chukka style that all the cool kids are wearing these days.
Danner Mountain Light Cascade Hiking Boots from REI: Made famous by Reese Witherspoon’s character in the movie “Wild”, no female trekking (or city-stomping) adventure would be complete with a pair of these cute leather boots.
TEVA Geotrecca Mid Boots: With a vaguely psychedelic animal print design going on, no-one is going to you miss you coming in these stylish yet sturdy bad boys. I can also personally vouch for the waterproofing on TEVA boots – it has never let me down.
Women’s Newton Ridge BC Boot from Columbia: Brushed suede gives these boots a lovely classy look, while not compromising on style or comfort. Perfect for that awkward city-to-hike transition.
Women’s Bean Boots by L.L.Bean: These are some seriously tough boots made from leather and rubber and the inspiration for many of the ankle boots you see around today. They repel rain and snow and are a great long-term investment.
Adidas by Steel McCartney Eulampis Boots: Wow people with your spaceman skills in these fabulous green boots which just scream ‘fashion’. They’re waterproof AND they’re made from recycled and vegan materials.
Women’s Torrent Lace Up Boot from Sperry: Resembling the kind of snow shoe George Michael might have worn in the Last Christmas video, these “cool” waterproof boots are perfect for winter weather and feature extra traction for icy conditions. Brrrr.
Tracker Textile FG2 Women’s by Vivo Barefoot: Vivo Barefoot have a cult following for a reason. Not only are they supposed to be amazing for allowing the muscles in your feet to function at their most optimal, they are also barely-there in their design, meaning you can pair them (particularly a black pair like these) with anything.
Anacapa Mid GORE-TEX by HOKA: HOKA shoes are everywhere right now, so I couldn’t do a roundup without including at least one pair. These lightweight day-hiker shoes come in seven different colours and are stylish while still packing a serious punch in the features department.
S says
You definitely are confused. Only two pairs on this list are actually functional hiking boots.
Julia says
Hi Soph – The boots on this list are intended for backpackers/travellers who are going to be covering different terrains for long periods of time and need something more sturdy than just regular trainers (which is all a lot of people travel with). They’re not necessarily meant for multi-day mountain hikes, although a couple of the pairs suggested have, and can, be used for that purpose. And yes – I’m definitely a confused soul (no pun intended).