Best Lightweight Hiking Boots for Women: 7 Light Picks, Weights and Who Should Skip Each

The 7 Best Lightweight Hiking Boots for Women at a Glance

Seven women’s boots that independent outlets list as light. Tap a photo or the button to see the boot on Amazon. For the general list, see our best hiking boots for women guide.

Price category reflects current US listings: budget is roughly under $150, mid-range roughly $150 to $200, premium above $200. Prices change, so confirm on the product page.

Published Weights Compared

Light boots are not all light in the same way, so here are the published weights. Outlets use different bases, so treat the numbers as a guide and not a ranking.

Which Boot for Which Hiker (and Who Should Skip Each)

Who should skip each boot

The Lightest Women’s Hiking Boots

The lightest boots named for women, in the 1 lb 6 oz to 1 lb 9 oz range.

Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX (women’s)

Best for: fastpacking and light, fast days

CleverHiker’s women’s list names it Best for Fastpacking at 1 lb 6.2 oz, lightweight yet supportive, with excellent traction, reliable waterproofing and comfort out of the box.

What this means for you: one of the lightest waterproof boots named by our sources.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker says narrow.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists a narrow fit that may pressure wider feet, durability that is not the best and minimal ankle support. Only CleverHiker covers it among our sources.

Skip it if: you have wide feet or want maximum ankle support.

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX (women’s)

Best for: light, fast hiking and wet spring trails

GearJunkie names it Best Lightweight at 1 lb 8 oz, with no break-in needed, super waterproofing, great energy return and excellent traction. RunRepeat also names it Best Lightweight at 14.1 oz, praising stability for its light build, fantastic durability and a wide width option. REI gives it an Editors’ Choice Award and lists 1 lb 8.7 oz for the women’s boot.

What this means for you: the lightest GORE-TEX option with a roomy toe box. It is not the one for hot days.

Fit and sizing: GearJunkie says it fits true to size in length with a roomy toe box. Wide sizes are offered per GearJunkie and RunRepeat.

Men’s and women’s versions: Women’s version: 1 lb 8 oz to 1 lb 8.7 oz.

Watch for: GearJunkie says it is not the most breathable and the heel can feel a little loose, and RunRepeat says it lacks breathability, dries slowly, has a flat ride and a frail inner mesh. REI says one tester bruised a big toe on long descents.

Skip it if: you hike in hot weather or carry heavy loads.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX (women’s)

Best for: steep, rocky and technical ground in a light boot

GearJunkie names it Best Technical Terrain at a measured 1 lb 9 oz, with excellent grip on steep rocky ground and a secure precise fit. Treeline Review names it best waterproof at 1 lb 9 oz, praising grip, agility and water resistance. Switchback Travel picks it for fast-packing at 1 lb 9.1 oz.

What this means for you: a light boot for scrambling and fast mountain days, if the fit suits you.

Fit and sizing: GearJunkie says it suits narrow to medium feet and is not available in wide.

Men’s and women’s versions: Women’s version: about 1 lb 9 oz.

Watch for: GearJunkie says it runs small, so size up at least a half size, and Treeline Review lists a narrow fit, moderate ankle support and a short break-in. Switchback Travel found the heel wide and hard to keep in place on steep descents.

Skip it if: you have wide feet or want plush cushioning.

Light Women’s Boots for Comfort and Room

Light boots that favor comfort and room over speed.

La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX (women’s)

Best for: agile hiking with good support and sticky grip

Treeline Review names it best overall women’s boot at 1 lb 13 oz, praising agility, sticky Vibram rubber, support and comfort. CleverHiker’s women’s list lists the leather version at 1 lb 12.4 oz, with excellent Vibram traction, reliable waterproofing, a roomy wide toe box and comfort on long hikes.

What this means for you: light and grippy, with a roomier toe box than the Ultra Raptor.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker says roomy with a wide toe box.

Men’s and women’s versions: CleverHiker reviewed the leather version.

Watch for: Treeline Review lists minimal cushion. CleverHiker lists limited hot-weather breathability, a flexible collar that gives less support and fabric eyelets that may fray.

Skip it if: you want plush cushioning or hike in hot weather.

Altra Lone Peak 9 Waterproof Mid (women’s)

Best for: ultralight hiking with a wide toe box and no break-in

CleverHiker’s women’s list lists it at 1 lb 10.9 oz as its ultralight pick with a wide toe box, calling it very breathable with no break-in required.

What this means for you: a light, roomy shoe-like boot.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker says wide toe box.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists it as less durable than most and not very supportive.

Skip it if: you want ankle support or high durability.

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped (women’s)

Best for: a light, low-cost boot for easy trails

CleverHiker’s women’s list names it Best Entry-Level at 1 lb 11.6 oz, calling it affordable, comfortable right away and beginner friendly, with a roomy fit for wider feet or thicker socks.

What this means for you: a cheap way into lightweight boots.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker says roomy.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists it as not very breathable and not the most supportive.

Skip it if: you want strong support or hike in heat.

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof (women’s)

Best for: comfortable light day hiking with little break-in

CleverHiker’s women’s list lists it at 1 lb 11.1 oz as its Best Budget pick, and Treeline Review names it best for day hiking at 1 lb 12.9 oz with a minimal break-in. RunRepeat names the Gore-Tex Moab 3 Mid its best overall at 17.5 oz.

What this means for you: a sturdy mid-weight option that is easy to live with.

Fit and sizing: Wide sizes are offered per CleverHiker.

Watch for: Treeline Review and RunRepeat both say the mesh tears easily, and CleverHiker lists it as bulkier and not as supportive as some.

Skip it if: you want the lightest boot or hike muddy ground.

Also worth knowing: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (women’s)

We did not find a women’s X Ultra 5 listing on Amazon, so it has no buy button here. CleverHiker’s women’s list names it Best Lightweight at 1 lb 12 oz, calling it light, nimble and needing no break-in, with exceptional traction, a snug fit best for narrow to medium feet and less ankle support than some. Treeline Review names it best lightweight at 1 lb 11.6 oz, and RunRepeat names it best stability at 15.4 oz per boot, noting the midsole runs slightly narrow.

Also named

CleverHiker lists the KEEN Zionic Mid Waterproof at 1 lb 0.2 oz as the lightest boot on its list, with a snug fit, limited ankle support and a soft outsole that wears quickly, and the Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 WP at 1 lb 12.2 oz with a wide toe box. Treeline Review lists the Salewa Pedroc 2 Leather Mid at 1 lb 9.4 oz with a narrow toe box, and RunRepeat names the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 at 15.0 oz for energy return. We have not matched these to a current US women’s Amazon listing, so there are no buy buttons.

Our Lightweight Boot Evaluation Framework

We score each boot on five questions using only what the named outlets published.

1. Source agreement. How many outlets name it?
2. Published weight. How light.
3. Fit. Narrow, medium or roomy.
4. Support. Ankle support and stability.
5. Recurring drawbacks. Complaints the outlets raise.

Source agreement counts outlets that name the boot in a women’s ranking. The rest summarizes what those outlets wrote.

How to Choose Lightweight Hiking Boots

• Weight is a trade. CleverHiker lists the lightest boots as less supportive, with minimal ankle support on the Katabatic LT and Zionic.
• Match fit to your foot. The Ultra Raptor 3 and Katabatic LT run narrow, while the Lone Peak 9 and TX Hike are roomier.
• Consider breathability. Waterproof light boots can run warm, so check the Drawbacks.
• Know your terrain. For heavier loads, see our best hiking boots guide.

Where the Expert Reviews Disagree

Moab Speed 2 durability. RunRepeat praises fantastic durability while also calling the inner mesh frail.

X Ultra 5 weight. CleverHiker lists 1 lb 12 oz and Treeline Review 1 lb 11.6 oz per pair, while RunRepeat lists 15.4 oz per boot, which is a different basis.

Moab 3 weight. CleverHiker lists 1 lb 11.1 oz and Treeline Review 1 lb 12.9 oz, so published weights differ by outlet.

Questions About Lightweight Hiking Boots, Answered

“What is the lightest women’s hiking boot?”

CleverHiker lists the KEEN Zionic Mid Waterproof at 1 lb 0.2 oz, and the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX at 1 lb 6.2 oz.

“What is the best lightweight waterproof boot?”

RunRepeat and GearJunkie name the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX Best Lightweight.

“Are light boots supportive enough?”

Several outlets list less ankle support on the lightest boots, so choose a stiffer boot for heavy packs.

“Which light boot suits wide feet?”

CleverHiker lists a wide toe box for the Altra Lone Peak 9 and La Sportiva TX Hike.

“How do I care for them?”

See our hiking boot cleaning guide.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying

• Buying light for heavy loads. Several outlets list less ankle support on light boots.
• Ignoring width. Several light boots run narrow.
• Comparing weights across outlets. Some list per pair and some per boot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lightest women’s hiking boot?

CleverHiker lists the KEEN Zionic Mid Waterproof at 1 lb 0.2 oz.

What is the best lightweight waterproof hiking boot for women?

The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX, named Best Lightweight by GearJunkie and RunRepeat.

Are light boots good for backpacking?

CleverHiker names the Oboz Katabatic LT for fastpacking, but lists minimal ankle support.

Which light boot suits wide feet?

CleverHiker lists a wide toe box for the Altra Lone Peak 9 and La Sportiva TX Hike.

Which light boot is cheapest?

The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus is in our Budget category.

Do light boots need break-in?

Several outlets list little or no break-in, including the Lone Peak 9 and X Ultra 5.

Do these come for men?

Most do. See our best hiking boots for men guide.

How do I clean hiking boots?

Follow our hiking boot cleaning guide.

The Short Version

Pick the Merrell Moab Speed 2 for a light GORE-TEX boot, the Oboz Katabatic LT for the lightest waterproof weight, or the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 for technical ground, and check the width before you order.

Keep Reading

Sources

• CleverHiker: Best hiking boots for women
• Treeline Review: Best women’s hiking boots
• RunRepeat: Best women’s hiking boots
• GearJunkie: Best women’s hiking boots
• Switchback Travel: Best women’s hiking boots
• REI: The best hiking boots