The best women’s walking shoes and boots—whether you need lightweight, breathable or waterproof styles

Whether you're a walking enthusiast or new to the activity, investing in the best women's walking shoes or boots is essential to protect your feet and ankles.

When it comes to a new hobby, it's easy to start splashing out on new gadgets straight away, whether that's buying one of the best fitness trackers or upgrading your camera to capture special moments on your walks. But, it's important to always invest in the basics first. And, a good pair of supportive and comfortable walking shoes or boots are a must-have to see you safely on your hikes.

However, finding the best women's walking shoes is no easy task. With a market full of options, we know it can be pretty overwhelming when it comes to walking shoe shopping! 

To help you with your search, we've tested a range of walking shoes and boots, from popular brands like Berghaus and Salomon to bring you a round-up of the best. While we highly rated all the walking shoes and boots featured in this round-up, the Berghaus Women’s Explorer FT Active Goretex Shoes were a clear standout. We loved them for their comfort, support and versatility. But, if they're a little out of your budget don't worry, as we have lots of other cheap walking boot options in our top picks.  

How we tested and selected the best women's walking shoes 

Over several months our testers headed outside and hit the trails to try out all the shoes and boots that made it into our best women's walking shoes guide. 

Walking on a mixture of terrains, including grass, tarmac, and earthy, rocky trails, and doing a range of activities, from walking the dog to Nordic walking, we put each shoe through its paces. 

We assessed each shoe or boot on how well it supported us as we walked, how comfortable it was and if it provided enough grip and kept us secure even on the rockiest terrain.

What you need to consider before buying walking shoes 

Before investing in a pair of the best women's walking shoes you'll need to consider if you want a walking shoe or a boot. Walking shoes cut below the ankle and are best for long-distance walks or walking workouts over reasonably stable terrain as they tend to be more lightweight than walking boots. But, while a boot can be heavier, it often provides much more stability and keeps ankles protected, especially if you're venturing across uneven terrain or battling the elements in rain or snow.

Next, you'll need to think about the type of material that will suit your walking trips best. You might need a pair of the best waterproof hiking boots for stormy weather conditions, but for day-to-day dry walks, weather-resistant shoes should do the trick. You'll also need to think about if you want leather or fabric walking shoes, and if you're willing to invest in a luxury pick or just looking for a budget buy. 

When it comes to trying on walking shoes or boots, Chris Nichols, from Cotswold Outdoors and Snow & Rock recommends always doing so with good walking socks to ensure you've got the right fit. "Good socks should stabilize the foot and provide all-day comfort, reducing the risk of blisters," Chris says. Your shoes should be snug and secure at your heel, with wiggle room at the toe. 

No matter what type of walking shoes or boots you decide on, you should feel supported and confident on your walks. Other things to consider include: 

• Support: The best women's walking shoes are designed to withstand rough terrain, harsh weather conditions and offer great support for your walking ventures. Look out for a sturdy footbed design and comfortable ankle cuff for protection and comfort while you hike.
• Good grip: All good walking boots have grip and traction that keep you steady and in place even on the most slippery of terrain. Look at the sole of the boot and go for those with smaller, deeper lugs.
• Comfortable fit: Try on as many pairs of walking boots as you can to get an idea of what is most comfortable for you. Look for options with well-cushioned insoles and made from breathable material for ultimate comfort while you walk.
• Planned activities: You should also consider what activities you'll be doing in your walking shoes. Are you planning on climbing mountains or walking the dogs? Do you need lots of support with a high ankle cuff, or will a low-rise cuff help you move quicker on everyday walks? How important is style and color to you?

The best women's walking shoes as chosen by our experts

The benefits of walking are endless and armed with the right walking shoes or boots, there's no stopping you. For us, the Berghaus Women’s Explorer FT Active Goretex Shoes tick all the boxes - easy to slip on, lightweight, breathable and supportive. 

Whether you like city hikes or off-road adventures, these shoes are so versatile and will suit a range of activities. The sole provides great traction, ensuring you feel secure and avoid any nasty slips. In fact, these shoes do everything a boot does – just without the extra bulk! From walking the dog in wet grass to hiking up the side of a mountain, they are a great alternative for anyone who hates the restrictive feel of a traditional walking boot. 

They are smaller and lighter than a lot of picks on the market, which is great for those who are always on the go. What’s more, they are also super comfortable, thanks to the Ortho-Lite Multisport footbed. 

We found the Berghaus shoes are a slightly large fit, so recommend sizing down half a size or wearing thick socks. 

See our full Berghaus Women’s Explorer FT Active Goretex Shoes review

Available in three colorways, the stylish Salomon Outline Mid GTX Boots are some of the best waterproof hiking boots on the market. The laces work hard to draw the boot snugly to your foot, and the long ankle cuff ensures ankles and feet are protected as you hike. Despite their high ankle cuff, they’re easy to get on and they’re lightweight, too.  

The boots combine a sleek look with a technical shoe – Salomon certainly knows a thing or two about grippy soles—plus, their Gore-Tex membrane makes them ready for those wet-weather excursions. They might be more expensive than others, but we think they’re a sound investment. However, it's worth noting they lack a little on the cushioning front compared to other walking shoes and boots. 

Want to go out in all weathers? Then you need a pair of walking boots that won’t let the elements in. Step forward, the Aku Trekker Pro GTX Ws. Sleek and stylish, these definitely have wow factor—but it’s not just about looks with this pick. They can be fully submerged in water and feet will stay dry and safe, and they are incredibly sturdy even on steep slopes. This is partly thanks to the toe caps, which allow you to really dig into terrain without harming your feet.

The grip is good when wet, thanks to the well-spaced, multi-directional deep lugs, making these ideal boots for walking in snowy conditions. They are heavier than some of the other options, but even with all the extra padding these walking boots are true to size, so you won’t have to bulk them out with ultra-thick socks. They are definitely a premium option, with a more expensive price tag than others, but you definitely get what you pay for with this pair. We love! 

See our full Aku Trekker Pro GTX Ws review

Gelert is a great brand to look out for when you're on a budget, and we were particularly impressed with its Ottawa Mid Ladies Walking Boots. Available in two colorways, we really rate the charcoal and purple pick, which at first glance, definitely looks just as pricey as some of the more expensive options on the market. 

Not only are these walking boots cheap, but they're also lightweight and supportive with a great fit. The boots feature seven eyelets to help control the fit and make it easy to tighten and loosen laces as you wish. The cushioned insole adds extra comfort and ensures these boots stay snug as you hike.

The only downside to the Gelert walking boots is that despite being a low-rise boot, they come up quite high at the front, making them tricky to put on and take off.

Low-rise with a sporty style, these get a spot in our best women's walking shoes round-up for being ultra-comfortable and fitting perfectly. Hanwag prioritizes a good fit when it comes to its walking shoes and boots and the Hanwag Belorado II Tubetec GTX shoes have laces that start much further down the toe box—so simple, but it can make a great deal of difference, especially if you have any type of injury and need to take special care of your feet or are doing some serious walking for weight loss. 

Made by Bavarian bootmakers, they’ve been designed for the mountains, so really keep out the elements (including wind and rain) when needed. This is thanks to the Gore-Tex lining, which definitely keeps feet dry. These shoes are so versatile, they would also work well at normal altitudes for dog walking, mucking out horses and long walks in the countryside. 

See our full Hanwag Belorado II Tubetec Lady GTX review

Planning a holiday in the Norwegian fjords or working outside in chilly conditions? The super-stylish Ariat Skyline Mid GTX boots are a modern twist on the classic walking boot and definitely the best women's walking shoes for winter. With multi-directional deep lugs, they grip well on slippery surfaces, while offering great stability, arch support and comfort.

Both the tongue and ankle area are very cushioned, which keeps your heels in place, and the midsole is comfortable, with just the right amount of bounce to help take pressure off your joints.

You won’t need to worry about them rubbing or having to break them in, as they are soft straight away. These are incredibly versatile boots, especially during winter, when they will keep feet feeling warm, even in harsh conditions. They definitely helped us keep going for longer on our winter walks! 

See our full Ariat Women’s Skyline Mid GTX review

Leather vs fabric walking shoes 

How do I clean my walking shoes? 

"It’s important to care for your footwear to both maximise the performance of the boots and make them last as long as possible," says Chris.

1. Always clean them after each use. "You can clean them with a damp cloth or water if they are really muddy. After a major clean they will need to be reproofed (made waterproof again using a specialist product)."

2. Use a suitable fabric proofer. "A fabric/leather boot can be re-sprayed with fabric or leather proofer."

3. Apply wax to leather boots. "A leather boot will benefit from a wax application, such as Nikwax or Grangers G Wax. Shoe polish will also help keep the leather from drying out."

4. Air dry leather boots. "Try to let leather boots dry naturally, rather than placing them in an airing cupboard or on a radiator, as this can crack the leather. Place newspaper inside the boot to dry out the inner more quickly."