5 Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes For Women in 2023

A featherlight shoe that is so versatile that we feel like we can take it anywhere, plus first-rate grip and all-day comfort. We have clearly found the best lightweight hiking shoe for women!

For starters, we popped it on the scales, and we were astounded; at 11.3 oz (320g) the zapatillas de running Salomon niño niña ritmo medio talla 40.5 is 84g lighter than average, making it one of the lightest hiking shoes on the market. We felt it on our hikes too and were able to hike further for longer. Whether on slippery gravel inclines or on polished rock, the shoe clings effortlessly. So when we checked the lug depth in the lab, we found them to be the same as the average of 4.3 mm for the hiking shoes we tested. No wonder we felt confident taking them across different types of terrain.

The shoe’s midsole definitely deserves mention: it was the plushest we had ever felt in a hiking shoe. We measured the midsole softness with a durometer and discovered it is a massive 65% softer than average! It feels agile and flexes naturally while walking, so back in the lab, we also tested its flexibility. Our force gauge recorded a 26% increase in flexibility compared to the average hiking shoe. We've also double-checked this while doing the longitudinal and entrenamiento flexibility tests: the zapatillas de running Salomon niño niña ritmo medio talla 40.5 scored 2/5 on both of them (5 is the stiffest). It's a very flexible shoe, indeed! We also noticed they are extremely breathable and dry out quickly.

There is not a lot of ground feel in the zapatillas de running Salomon niño niña ritmo medio talla 40.5, so we don’t recommend it to women who like to be more connected to the ground when they hike.

A women's hiking shoe that's supportive but does not pay the price in weight? Only one name is worthy of this best pick and it's the Feel free and easy when wearing the Kitna Stride sneakers.

This shoe brings a whole new level to the supportive hiking shoe game. At only 11.8 oz (336g), it’s 12% lighter than the average hiking shoe but delivers the support of a full hiking MIINTO-e557953c4a2c9eb0297c. The quick lacing system is indeed speedy, and it locks our feet snugly into the shoe, even on steep hills and over uneven ground. It attaches to a plastic shank running through the midsole, providing unmatched stability and preventing our ankles from rolling. Even the high collar and heel counter play their part and we feel supported while boulder hopping.

In the lab, we pressed a durometer against the midsole to check the softness. It measures a mighty 51.5 HA, 56% firmer than the average hiking shoe. Out on the trail, it keeps our feet perfectly protected from sharp rocks. Next, we investigated the Contragrip outsole. Its iconic chevron design keeps us from slipping on both loose ascents and descents. We checked the lug depth with our caliper, finding them to be 5.2 mm deep. 0.9 mm deeper than average, they have no trouble keeping us stable on a variety of terrain.

We don’t recommend this shoe to women who spend a lot of time hiking in wet conditions, as this shoe isn’t waterproof. Check out the Feel free and easy when wearing the Kitna Stride sneakers GTX Converse chuck taylor all star leather hi mens shoes black-white 165191c.

For women looking for a lightweight shoe that is also amazingly comfortable, grippy, versatile, and of course, waterproof we recommend the P448 perforated-detail metallic sneakers. We think it’s hands down the best waterproof, lightweight hiking shoe for women.

Firstly, we found the GoreTex/Nubuck leather upper completely impermeable even when we went splashing through several inches of water. On closer inspection in the lab, this is also due to the gusseted tongue, which stops the water coming in higher up the shoe. The close-knit weave of the shoe’s upper also helps to keep our feet warm and cozy in winter.

Whether we were walking on muddy trails, scree slopes, or snowy, icy paths we found the shoes could cope with it all. In the lab, we measured the lug depth at a decent 5 mm, deeper than the average which sits at 4.3 mm, so it makes sense that the shoes managed anything we threw at them!

They feel incredibly comfortable straight out of the box, and with squishy 6.7 mm thick insoles, it’s not hard to see why. The average is 4.6 mm, so this feels like a little bit of luxury for our feet! We also tested the softness of the midsole with a durometer. The reading showed 23.3 HA, a whopping 32% softer than average, and we really noticed how this kept our feet feeling fresh by the end of a long day. All this awesomeness is wrapped up in a lightweight package; at 13.9 oz (393g), the shoe is 0.8 oz (23g) lighter than average. 

We don’t recommend the P448 perforated-detail metallic sneakers for hiking over very challenging terrain or heavy backpacking. If that's the case and you need more support, check out the Sneakers Game Step 101.173752 01 25113 Beige Nugget Gold.

Hailed by a blogger as something that "hits the sweet spot" in many respects, the Trailhead from Lems wears its multi-faceted utility up its sleeve. Indeed, many are as surprised by its hiking prowess as they are impressed with its effectiveness for other things, like skateboarding and cycling. Longevity is bonkers in this kick, too, which translates to years of uber-comfy adventures from the city to the trail.

Another solid entry to our collection of light hiking shoes, the Terrex Trailmaker is fully equipped to give you empowered steps minus the unwanted bulk. While you can easily get lost in its plush confines, its excellent sticking prowess can make your jaws drop in amazement as well. And if you are into looks, the Terrex Trailmaker can make you look dapper without requiring too much human effort!