10 best women’s hiking boots, tried and tested in rugged Cornwall

Altberg boots are iconic for good reason. Hallmarked by high-quality craftsmanship and enduring durability, Altberg is the last remaining British walking boot manufacturer still producing in the UK. So beloved and trusted are its boots, the brand even manufactures for the police and military.

I tested the fremington walking boot, a pleasingly traditional-looking leather boot. With half sizes and five width options, the scope for getting the perfect fit is endless.

One of my favourite features is the bellows tongue, which connects to the upper meaning no gaps for water or debris to enter. Plus, the six-point lacing system provides a great fit, and the waterproof membrane lining keeps feet toasty and dry. The soles also perform reliably across terrains, and the padded cuff supports the ankle comfortably.

They're not cheap, but considering the quality of construction and lifespan (they are resoleable), they're a smart investment and impossible to beat. For a cheaper but still traditional-looking leather boot, I’d recommend Scarpa’s Cyrus 2 mid GTX WMN. But really, Altberg’s fremington walking boot is hard to beat.

If you’re looking for a pair of waterproof women’s hiking boots for less than £100, you’d be hard-pressed to beat these. Slip them on, and they feel firmly in the territory of trainers in terms of comfort.

Considering how good value they are, there are a surprising number of nifty features. The midsole (which is made out of flexible and durable foam) is a joy to walk on, and, at just 378g per boot, these aren’t going to fatigue your legs on longer walks.

The decent grip, provided by way of generous 4.5mm gripping spikes, makes these ideal for proper hikes. There’s also a waterproof membrane lining, promising eight hours of waterproofing and the chunky rubber stone guards to the front and rear will keep your feet protected.

The quality of materials and the overall finish simply can’t compete with the high-end models, but given the low price and features, these boots are a steal.

The newly updated cyrus 2 mid GTX WMN aims to strike the perfect balance between a lightweight pair of walking shoes and a supportive boot. A tricky line to walk – but one they pull off.

First off, they're a dream to walk in. Soft leather uppers, generous ankle padding and a spacious toe box means these are comfortable fresh out of the box. No blisters, no rubbing and no awful breaking-in period.

The material, nubuck leather, feels supple, almost suede like, around the ankle, yet it provides excellent support on challenging walks. And when it comes to keeping your feet dry, the Gore-Tex ePE lining keeps the water out without the use of PFAS chemicals, sometimes called forever chemicals.

If you can’t justify the price tag, look at the Berghaus women's expeditor ridge 2.0 for a cheaper leather pair.

First impressions, these are a smart pair of walking boots. I found them tricky to get on and a tight fit overall, so I’d consider sizing up if you have a wide foot. Once on though, they’re surprisingly comfortable and my ankles felt incredibly well supported, yet still mobile: the goldilocks formula of walking boots.

Once on, the boots are easy to adjust, with just one single metal hook at the top making lacing a doddle. Said laces did feel quite short though, I would have preferred a touch longer length to secure better. I loved the two-tone colour scheme though.

If you like to cover punishing ground, you’ll appreciate the positively cavernous lugs on these - at 5mm they provide excellent stability on hard, slippery and uneven ground. It comes at a cost though and these are priced in the upper end, though resoleable tread extends the life of the boots significantly.

Speaking of good-looking boots, if you like your boots to be show stoppers, check out the Jack Wolfskin wild hike texapore mid W (£120, Jackwolfskin.co.uk) in rose pink for another stylish pair at a cheaper price point.

If you want boots that don’t feel like boots at all, you’ve found them in the moab speed 2 mid. Sitting somewhere between a shoe and a boot, these super lightweight boots feel like a trainer straight out of the box.

The grippy Vibram sole and Gore-Tex waterproofing both perform well and, call us vain, but we appreciate the choice of colours here. Who said walking boots had to be black or brown? Not the good people at Merrell.

Light as a feather and minimalist in design, you do lose a bit of ankle support here. They are an appropriate option for moderate hikes, but if you’re keen for big challenges you’d want something more robust, like the AKU alterra II GTX or Scarpa cyrus 2 mid GTX WMN.

Everything about these AKU boots screams quality. Crafted out of durable Italian leather, topped with a robust toe cap and sat on a high-traction Vibram outsole, these made in Europe boots have been built to withstand adventure.

Even if it’s lashing it down! The Gore-Tex membrane underneath will keep your feet completely dry. As well as top tier materials, these boots are just straight up comfortable and I’d gladly pick them for a multi-day trek.

Plus, if you struggle to get a good fit, AKU could have the answer. The asymmetrical lacing system is divided between the lower and upper foot, with two blocking loops, effectively allowing you to tighten each area as needed. This clever system allows for a very snug closure of the forefoot and midfoot. You can check out Columbia women's geoterra outdry leather hiking boot for a similar, though not quite as customisable, style of lacing.

If you're after a pair of leather walking boots without a hefty price tag, the expeditor ridge 2.0 boots are an excellent contender. At £140, you get a lot of bang for your buck. The midsoles feel really cushioned and their trademark opti-stud soles provide excellent grip on the most untrustworthy of surfaces.

The tough leather is also scuff resistant. But obviously, by their nature, walking boots take a bit of a beating. Berghaus offers free repairs, you just pick up the postage cost. If you’re after something even more robust, consider the Altberg fremington walking boot.

If you’ve got a wider foot, Craghopper’s unisex dura pro could be a great fit. Men and women's feet are, on average, quite differently shaped. Across the population, women tend to have narrow heels and a wider footfoot, along with higher arches and more flexibility in the joints and ligaments. Suffice to say, a unisex shoe is a bit of a gamble – but Craghoppers have pulled it off.

My feet are wider than average, and these shoes felt decidedly more roomy than its peers I tested in the same size bracket. That said, avoid it if you have very narrow feet. For styles better suited to narrower feet, look at the La Sportiva aequilibrium hike woman GTX or for a more wallet-friendly pair, the Columbia women's geoterra outdry leather hiking boots.

These are supportive, yet comfortable enough that you can rack up the miles without paying for it later. If you’re partial to tough terrain, the deep lugs and heel brakes perform well. Plus, the lacing system reaches the toes providing fantastic control – a lovely touch for such a well-priced model.

These well priced leather walking boots offer a full grain leather upper, with robust textile collar and really decent ankle protection.

Our favourite part though? The lace-webbing style, which effectively allows you to tighten the lower and upper parts of your foot separately, similar to the idea behind the AKU boots. This smart lacing style enables both security and flexibility across difficult terrain.

The Vibram midsole is comfy enough, but don’t expect it to be like walking on clouds. Meanwhile the outsole provides good traction on a variety of terrains. For the price you also get waterproofing, by way of outdry technology, a waterproof membrane bonded directly to the leather and textile upper.

I found these boots a touch on the skimpy size width size. I’d definitely consider a half size up if you’ve got wider feet, or look at the Altberg fremington walking boot or Craghoppers unisex dura pro for a budget option.

In a world of black and brown, these gorgeous pink walking boots from Jack Wolfskin truly pop! But this is not a case of style over substance.

The EVA midsole is plenty cushioned, and the waterproofing is from Texapore, the brand's proprietary weatherproof material that aims for breathable waterproofing.The outsole is a grippy rubber, and performs well across a range of terrains.

At 585g this is on the heavier side of a mid cut boot. If you like long hikes, you might want a lighter pair, like the Merrell women's moab speed 2 mids.