Did you recently notice that you have high arches or have you always known that you have high arches and shoe shopping is a constant challenge? Women with high arches might experience a range of problems, from occasional pain to permanent structural changes. High arches can impact how you walk and stand, and wearing the correct type of footwear can help improve your foot posture, walking gait, and prevent foot pain. I have put together a list of the best hiking boots for women with high arches that can also accommodate different foot shapes such as narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet
Hiking boots are critical to your comfort on the trail. Some of the most common reasons why people wear hiking boots are to protect their feet from rocks, dirt, thorns and other debris on the trail. For women with high arches, wearing supportive hiking boots is a must to keep their feet healthy and prevent foot pain.
Women with high arches are more prone to experience ankle instability, which might lead to pain and increase your risk of ankle sprains. These are the most common complications of having high arches:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Metatarsalgia
- Hammertoes
- Claw toes
- Ankle instability
How Does a Foot with a High Arch Looks Like?
Take a look at the image below to visualize how a foot with a high arch looks like. I have seen women with higher arches compared to the image below, and the higher the arch is, the more challenges it presents.
The image below shows the feet of a different woman with high arches. Do you notice how she is putting extra pressure on the outer part of her feet?
Are Boots Able to Help Women with High Arches?
There are certain hiking boots that are more capable of accommodating and supporting foot with high arches, which can make walking more comfortable.
Several women who walk to the shoe store complain that they are not able to wear hiking boots because of their high arches, and they have to end up wearing sneakers for their hiking adventures. The main issue with wearing sneakers when going hiking is that your feet won’t be as supported and they might get wet depending on the type of terrain that you are walking on.
What Makes the Hiking Boots that I Recommend Ideal for Women with High Arches?
The hiking boots that I recommend provide extra padding and support to targeted areas of the foot to help distribute the impact of walking evenly. They are also capable of accommodating orthotics, in case you need extra support from the boots. The hiking boots that I recommend provide these 3 key features:
☑️ Substantial Outsoles: The boots that I recommend provide a thick and cushioned outsole that helps provide targeted support for your arches and heels (a bonus for women who suffer from plantar fasciitis) while also keeping your feet dry. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
☑️ Firm Heel Counters: The boots that I recommend provide targeted support right below your heels and ankles. This feature is essential for pronation control. The hiking boots that I recommend provide deep heel cups that will give your foot with high arch the support and comfort required for strenuous hiking activities. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
☑️ Lightweight and Flexible: The hiking boots that I recommend are supportive but lightweight and flexible at the same time:
Don’t Insist On Getting the Same Shoe Size You Have Always Wore
Your foot shape and size can change over time, and some of the factors that contribute to this change are pregnancy, aging and weight gain or loss. Over time and because of gravity, our feet might get longer and wider. As we age, the body’s ligaments and tendons lose their strength and ability to spring back. This means that our arches decrease, which flattens and lengthens the foot and toes.
This often results in an increase in shoe size by a half-size or more. You might also experience a change in foot width, meaning that even though you always ordered wide width shoes now you might have to start ordering extra wide shoes.
How to Find Out Your Exact Foot Length
Do you know your exact foot length? Do you know whether your feet are narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide? Don’t insist on getting your shoes in a specific size simply because that has been the size that they always wore. I usually have to insist to them that they need to at least try the shoes in a different size to see how they feel.
Learn How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
Buying shoes online can be a challenge. If you are unsure of your current foot length, I suggest that you take a look at a free resource I created where I help women determine their exact foot shape from home:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
Now that you know what features your hiking boots must provide and how to retrieve your exact foot length and shape, let’s take a look at the best hiking boots for women with high arches. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Hiking Boots for Women with High Arches ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Take a look at the description below each boot to check whether it can fit your specific foot shape and the size you should order to prevent your longest toe from rubbing against the front part of the shoes.
- Available in medium and wide widths
- No break-in periods
- Omni-Tech™ waterproof breathable construction
- Removable footbeds
- Padded collar
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Multiple cushioning layers of support
- Lightweight ergonomic outsoles with a mild rocker design provide superior cushioning and enhance stability
- Seam-free fabric interior ease pressure on the foot
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Toe Protect technology helps protect feet from rocks, roots and trail debris
- Fresh Foam X midsole delivers our most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort
- Comfortably padded tongue and collar
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Scotch Gard treated suede and mesh upper with padded collar and tongue
- Removable footbed
- Order this boot a half size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seam-sealed Omni-TECH™ membrane supplies waterproof, breathable protection from outside elements
- Non-marking Omni-Grip™ rubber outsole delivers reliable traction in wet and dry conditions
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- Waterproof women’s hiking boot with rugged lug sole for exceptional traction and stability for outdoor activities
- Lightweight ergonomic outsoles with a mild rocker design provide superior cushioning and enhance stability
- Premium orthotic insole and arch booster
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% nubuck
- Breathable Open Cell PU moves moisture from foot for a cooler, healthier footbed
- Lightweight, cushioned EVA midsole with high-traction rubber outsole
- Order this boot a half shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% leather
- Protective toe cap
- Kinetic Fit ADVANCED removable contoured insole with reinforced heel cushioning for medium support
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seam-sealed Omni-TECH™ membrane supplies waterproof, breathable protection from outside elements
- Comfortably padded tongue and collar
- Non-marking Omni-Grip™ rubber outsole delivers reliable traction in wet and dry conditions
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Toe Protect technology helps protect feet from rocks, roots and trail debris
- Fresh Foam X midsole delivers our most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort
- Comfortably padded tongue and collar
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seam-sealed Omni-TECH™ membrane supplies waterproof, breathable protection from outside elements
- Non-marking Omni-Grip™ rubber outsole delivers reliable traction in wet and dry conditions
- Comfortably padded tongue and collar
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
Are Any Other Hiking Boots Available? – Contact Us for Personalized Recommendations
If you are looking for a different hiking boot to accommodate your high arches or if you have any other questions you can email me at:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Can You Fit Orthotics/Insoles Inside These Hiking Boots?
Depending on the degree of your high arches and whether you are experiencing severe foot and leg pain, you might have to fit an orthotic/insole inside your hiking boots for additional comfort and support.
The great news is that, in case you need to, you will be able to fit an orthotic inside all of the hiking boots that I recommended, since most of them are available in wide widths and provide extra depth.
There is actually one specific orthotic I recommend for women who need additional support from their boots. The orthotic I recommend is made of a lower profile to fit inside the boots but provides excellent arch and heel support at the same time. Below is the most effective orthotic for women with high arches:
- Medically approved insoles with targeted cushion right below the arch and heels
- Deep heel cup
- Built-in metatarsal raise
- Made from lightweight yet supportive Q-E.V.A. and cushioning, shock-absorbing forefoot and heel padding
- Provides relief from plantar fasciitis (heel pain and spurs), fallen arches, ball of foot pain, and other foot complaints
- Deep heel cup offers maximum support and shock absorption
- High density foam cushions the foot for long lasting comfort
- Stabilizer cap supports the rear foot
- This orthotic insoles help stabilize and relieve stress on feet, ankles and back, and work with your body for maximum foot support
If you decide to try this orthotic don’t forget to remove the original insoles of the boots first. If you place the orthotic on top of the original insoles you will be raising your feet, which will cause overall discomfort.
If you are wondering what socks work best for hiking I suggest that you take a look at the article below:
The Best Hiking Socks for Women — Breathable, Soft, Comfortable, and Durable!
Have you found a specific pair of hiking boots that worked well for your high arches? Do you have a favorite shoe brand or shoe style that you can recommend for other women with high arches? Let me know in the comment section below so other women can benefit from learning about your experiences.
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