Best Hiking Boots for Women with Flat Feet – Supportive and Waterproof!

Do you love the outdoors? Hiking is such a great way to admire the beautiful nature that surrounds us while getting some exercise, improving your balance, and taking care of your mental and physical health. However, women who have foot conditions such as flat feet and experience foot or leg pain usually have a hard time finding a comfortable pair of hiking boots. I am going to show you a list of the best hiking boots for women with flat feet based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

It is very important that when you go hiking you do it with the appropriate shoes, especially if you have flat feet. Although hiking trails are all different, the paths are mostly irregular and rocky, and you may encounter many obstacles. It doesn’t matter if you are going on a paved trail hike or a very challenging one with inclines and barely any defined paths, you need to be comfortable. Wearing the wrong shoe will cut your hike short.

My Experience Fitting Women’s Shoes – 10 Years of Shoe Fitting Experience!

For the past 10 years, I have been working for a family shoe store where we specialize in helping women with varied foot shapes and foot conditions such as flat feet. I have fitted hundreds of different shoe styles and shoe brands and I am familiar with which boots are better than others when it comes to hiking when you have flat feet!

Main Reason Why You Can’t Wear Any Boots When You Have Flat Feet

Having flat feet means that your feet have little to no arch. In order to figure out if you have flat feet you should look at your feet from the side, if it lays completely flat on the ground then you have flat feet! It’s important to note that not all flat feet are the same, there are different degrees of flat feet. I get contacted by women who have flat feet on a daily basis, and these are some examples of flat feet:

When you have flat feet your weight is not distributed efficiently and is harder to maintain balance, it affects your posture, it can cause the tendons to strain, and it will make your feet hurt. If you don’t look for hiking boots with certain key features, you will have to cut your hikes short and might suffer other consequences (ankle pain, feet pain, problems with your spinal alignment – which causes pain in your hips, knees, and lower back!). If you choose a shoe that fits properly it will help reduce your pain and it even might eliminate it completely!

What Makes a Hiking Boot Effective for Flat Feet?

1️⃣ Supportive Outsoles: This helps realign your feet and prevents them from collapsing. Hiking boots with supportive outsoles also help attenuate the impact that your feet take when they come in contact with the ground.

2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This is the back part of the boot, and it provides good ankle and heel support. Press on that part of the boot, it needs to feel firm and sturdy. This will prevent your feet from turning inwards. 

3️⃣ Lightweight and flexible: this will prevent you from getting easily tired. The sole of the boot should bend but not feel floppy. If it is too flexible it will not move with your feet and provide you with the support you need while hiking.

4️⃣ Straight Lasts: this is important to prevent the forefoot from pushing out. Try to trace a straight line from the middle of the toe box to the middle of the heel. If you can, then it is a straight last!

What Else Do You Need to Look in a Hiking Boot?

➡️ Deep treads – A sole that has lugs on it will help you not slip, feel more stable, and hike more comfortably.

➡️ Durable materials – you don’t want to get hurt and cut your hike short. You need a hiking boot that will be able to take bumps into rocks, thorns, or any other obstacle you might encounter on your hike.

➡️ Reinforced toe caps – protection is key when we are outdoors. A reinforced toe cap will protect you against anything in your way.

➡️ Waterproofed capabilities – there is nothing worse than having your feet wet. It will make you feel uncomfortable and want to end your hike quicker. 

➡️ Comfortable padding underfoot – most of the time when you are hiking you will walk through different surfaces, you need to be comfortable while doing so.

Are You Wearing the Right Shoe Size? – Do You Know Your Exact Foot Shape?

There is nothing more uncomfortable than wearing the wrong size shoe! Be aware that your foot shape and size can change over time. This can happen because of pregnancy, aging, and weight gain or loss. The ligaments and tendons also lose strength due to aging and make our arches decrease which can flatten and lengthen the foot and toes. Because of this, I recommend you get your feet measured every 6 months. Additionally, when it comes to sizes you don’t only need to look for the length of your foot but also the width!  Quality measurements start with expert consultation, so let me help you retrieve your exact foot length and shape:

How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!

Now to the recommendations…

Best Hiking Boots for Women with Flat Feet

Take a look at the description below each hiking boot to find out if it can accommodate your foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.

Make sure that you tie your hiking boots correctly so you can get the full support and stability that the boots have to offer.

Don’t Forget the Socks! – Extra Cushion for Your Feet

When choosing the right hiking boots, you need to pair them with the right socks. They play a very important role in keeping your feet healthy and preventing blisters, calluses, and corns!

You would also want your feet to breathe better so avoid wearing cotton socks as your feet will perspire and you will end up with cold and damp feet. I recommend merino wool socks, this material will keep your feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer due to its amazing breathability capabilities! Below you can find a list of the best hiking socks that I have fitted before:

Still Can’t Decide? – Contact Me

Do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about which hiking shoe will work best for your feet or if you are looking for a different pair of shoes for your flat feet:

comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com

What Are the Best Sneakers for Women with Flat Feet?

I created a different resource that showcases a list of the best sneakers for women with flat feet. Go to the link below:

Best Sneakers for Women with Flat Feet in 2023 – Stop Your Foot Pain!

Let me know in the comment section below if you have found a specific hiking shoe you love! I am sure other women with flat feet will benefit from reading about your experiences!