Are you a huge fan of hikes but your wide feet makes it hard to find a pair of comfortable hiking boots?If you are going hiking in a pair of boots that are too narrow, you will create all sorts of issues with your feet and you won’t end up enjoying your hike. Are you aware that women’s hiking boots in wide widths exist? Hiking boots for women have become very popular for the versatility that they provide. I have compiled a list of the best wide hiking boots for women. Some styles are even available in extra wide widths.
Most women with wide feet miss out on buying hiking boots simply because they don’t know that there is also a selection of hiking boots that fit wider feet. I feel like a hiking boot is so much more versatile than a snow boot since it is much lighter, flexible, supportive, and you can wear it for longer periods of time.
What Makes the Hiking Boots I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?
In addition to being labeled as wide (W), the hiking boots I recommend provide 2 key features:
☑️ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent your toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another or the side of the boots. Check out the difference between one of the hiking boots that I recommend (right image) and a different style. Both boots are the same size in length, but my recommendation has a much rounded toe-box:
☑️ Extra Depth: This feature is particularly important if you happen to have a high instep. Shoes that provide extra depth allow the feet to fit deeply inside the boots and prevent the top part of your foot (instep), from rubbing against the top part of the shoes.
It is very important that you protect and support your feet every step of the adventure by using a good pair of hiking boots that are supportive and waterproof. Hiking boots are not just for going on hiking adventures, they are also great for those yucky, rainy days when we want to keep our feet warm and dry!
Choosing the right type of hiking boots is surely not an easy task since they all come with different features. Some of the features are:
- Better traction.
- Support.
- Waterproof.
- Insulated.
- Higher ankle coverage.
I always recommend hiking boots that are waterproof since that feature makes it a much more functional shoe and allows you to also wear them in the snow, as long as it is insulated as well!
Hiking Boots vs Snow Boots – Learn the Difference!
The principal difference between these two is that you can wear a hiking boot daily, on rainy or snowy days, or when you go for a hike in the mountains! However, a snow boot is only meant to be worn for a very short period of time (no more than 5 hours a day) since they tend to be heavier and less flexible than hiking boots.
Essentially, snow boots are only meant to be worn when it snows or when there is extremely cold weather. Of course, some women prefer to get both a hiking boot and a snow boot, but if you are looking to save some money, I would recommend that you get yourself a pair of insulated hiking boots.
Keep in mind that hiking boots tend to be much more comfortable than snow boots since they provide better support. You can rest assured that you will get much more use out of them, and you will also be able to wear them in the rain and snow!
Waterproof Hiking Boots – Get all the Benefits!
At the shoe store where I work, most of the hiking boots that we carry are waterproof. The main purpose of a hiking boot is to keep your feet warm and dry when going for a hike or even when walking on a rainy day! You have to be careful when choosing a hiking boot for you since most of them are not waterproof!
To make sure the hiking boot is waterproof, it must say so on the boot! So, if you don’t see a label that says waterproof, then it means that it’s not. See the picture below for clarification:
In addition to the waterproof feature, hiking boots must provide good traction. This is meant especially for when walking on wet surfaces, since our feet may slip more. But, a hiking boot that provides good traction will prevent your child from slipping and falling!
Below you can find a selection of the best wide hiking boots for women that come in wide widths, are waterproof and provide good traction. 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.
The Best Wide Hiking Boots for Women ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Make sure that you choose the correct shoe width (W) and click on the image to see all available colors the boots are available in.
- 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
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
You won’t be able to order the correct boot size online if you don’t know your exact foot length and whether you have wide, or extra wide feet. In addition, do you know whether you have a high instep or not? I help women determine their exact foot size and shape from home. Take a look at the article below:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
Can you imagine going for a hike in hiking boots that are pinching your feet and toes? It will not only create all sorts of foot problems, but it will also make your experience and adventure much less enjoyable.
Do you have a child that needs a pair of wide hiking boots? Keep in mind that a lot of children have wide or extra wide feet and parents don’t realize this. I have another website dedicated to children’s shoes and I wrote an article where I describe the best wide hiking boots for children and you can find it here:
The Best Hiking Boots for Kids – Finding a Wide and Waterproof Hiking Boot!
Always Wear the Correct Type of Socks with Your Hiking Boots!
You should know that certain socks feel better on your feet when hiking! The socks should be the same length as the hiking boot and I strongly recommend having you try the hiking boots with the same type of socks that you will be wearing with the boots!
Certain socks provide more warmth and cushioning for those really cold days. Also, using socks specifically meant for hiking boots will allow your feet to breathe better. The socks described below are made of merino wool, an ultra-soft, naturally anti-microbial, breathable material. Below you can find a selection of the best hiking socks for women:
- 74% Merino Wool, 20% Nylon, 6% Lycra Spandex
- Impact Support Zones(strategically reinforced zones) for added durability
- Machine washable
- 59% Merino Wool, 39% Nylon, 2% Lycra Spandex
- Micro crew height which means that the sock peeks just above the top of a standard hiking boot
- Machine washable
- 56% merino wool, 31% recycled nylon, 11% nylon, 2% elastane
- Breathable body-mapped mesh zones
- Virtually Seamless™ toe for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- 65% merino wool, 24% recycled nylon, 10% nylon, 1% elastane
- Utilizes full cushioning at the heel and sole of the foot to provide warmth and a little impact absorption
- Bracing on the arch provides additional support for all day comfort
- Machine washable
Perks of Hiking – Get Your Hiking Boots Ready!
You might already know that hiking outdoors has plenty of perks: fresh air, awesome views, and the incomparable sounds and smells of nature. Did you know that hiking is a powerful cardio workout that can do the following things for you?
- Help control your weight
- Lower your risk of heart disease
- Improve your blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Strengthen your core
- Boost your mood
- Boost bone density, since walking is a weight-bearing exercise
- Build strength in your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles in your hips and lower legs
- Improve balance
However, nobody wants to hike in a pair of boots that are too narrow, since this will actually lead to foot issues such as blisters, calluses, or corns.
Research shows that hiking has a positive impact on combating the symptoms of stress and anxiety,” says Gregory A. Miller, PhD, president of the American Hiking Society. “Being in nature is ingrained in our DNA, and we sometimes forget that.”
If you hike with any regularity, consider investing in a good pair of hiking boots for yourself so that you can be prepared for the changing trail conditions, including hills, uneven surfaces and rocks. Moreover, going on hiking adventures is a great way to exercise and spend time outdoors and also enjoy nature! Remember, wearing the correct type of hiking boots is a great way of keeping your feet healthy and also enjoying a hike full of adventure and comfort!
Have you tried any of the hiking boots described in this article? Are there any particular hiking boots that come in wide widths that you recommend? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all benefit from them!
I *just* found this website through your companion site for fitting children’s shoes. Thank you for providing such good information. Visiting the REI store and several other stores in my area, and then using Amazon Prime Wardrobe, I tried on at least 20 pairs of hiking boots last year in search of one that would fit my short but extra wide (early bunion) feet. I ended up buying the Merrell Moab 2 (waterproof) shoe that was your #1 recommendation in the wide width. They felt the best of all the ones I tried. Unfortunately, after taking them on our family’s Yellowstone trip, I discovered that even those hurt my bunions after a few miles. I had to go to alternate ways to lace (skipping eyelets) just to make it through the rest of our trip. I have very short but very wide feet. In length, I am usually on the short side of a size 5. In width, though, I need at least a 5.5 or 6 to fit. This puts many dress shoes out of my reach, since those really need to fit properly in length, and can’t be fudged a bit like athletic shoes or boots. Do you have recommendations on brands to try or specialized stores to visit to fit my problem feet? I really need dress shoes most of the time for my work. The shoes I wear most often are Ecco and Clarks. Neither sells a wide in size 5, so I’m usually sizing up to 5.5 or even 6 in their boots (often with an insert), or wearing a very soft leather flat that’s more forgiving in width. I also love my new Allbirds wool sneakers for weekends. Thanks for any input you may have!
Hello Jennifer,
I am glad that you find the website informative! Have you considered using a shoe stretcher for the boots? It seems like you have exhausted all options and it might be worth trying a shoe stretcher in the ones that feel the best.You can lean about shoe stretchers in an article I wrote called:
Do Shoe Stretchers Work?
Have you ever considered purchasing kids’ shoes? A women’s shoe size 5 translates into kids’ shoes size 3.5. The reason why I mention this is that there are a couple of kids’ dress shoes available in extra wide widths. Take a look at a couple of examples:
Extra Wide Dress Shoe: Option 1
Wide Dress Shoe: Option 2
Let me know your thoughts!