The 10 Best Women's Hiking Boots for New England's Trails: Tested for Mud, Granite, and Snow
- Amber in New England
- Oct 31, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
If you’ve ever hiked in New England, you know the trails don’t play nice. One minute you’re on dry granite; the next, you're wading through a surprise mud pit or scrambling over an icy patch that showed up out of nowhere. Between the humidity, the unforgiving rock, and the four seasons we experience in one afternoon, a basic sneaker just won’t cut it. Period.
That’s why I’ve spent years putting different hiking boots through the wringer, from budget-friendly to high-end insulated, across trails in New York, Vermont, and the entire White Mountains. My goal is simple: to find the pairs that actually hold up to real New England conditions, not just marketing promises.
In this expanded guide, I’m sharing my honest, no-BS reviews of ten hiking boots I’ve personally had experience with, so you can skip the trial-and-error, save your ankles, and, most importantly, avoid the blisters.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I genuinely trust and use myself.
Quick Comparison: My Top Women’s Hiking Boots
Boot Reviewed | Best For | Key Pro | Key Con | Amber’s Rating |
Merrell Thermo Chill Mid | All-Season/Extreme Durability | Lightweight, warm, extremely durable | Not the most modern look | 10/10 |
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX | All-Around Agility & Traction (NEW) | Unmatched grip on wet granite | Not ideal for heavy packs | 9.5/10 |
Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP (NEW) | Best Budget Pick / Beginner | Unbeatable comfort out of the box | Durability can lag on rocky trails | 9/10 |
LOWA Renegade EVO GTX Mid (NEW) | Heavy Backpacking / Max Support | Legendary ankle support and stability | Requires a longer break-in period | 9.5/10 |
KEEN Targhee IV WP (NEW) | Wide Feet / All-Terrain Comfort | Classic wide toe-box, excellent protection | Bulky and heavy compared to lighter options | 8.5/10 |
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX (NEW) | Technical & Fast Hiking | Aggressive lugs, incredible lightweight support | Sizing runs notoriously small | 9/10 |
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II (NEW) | Best Under $100 | Extremely low price, surprisingly decent grip | Low durability for intense weekly hiking | 7.5/10 |
Adidas Terrex AX4 Mid Gore-Tex | Sturdy Day Hikes / Style | Great style and solid build quality | Limited insulation for cold weather | 8/10 |
North Face VECTIV™ Fastpack Mid | WARNING: Light, smooth trails only | Ultralight and modern design | Fabric split on rugged terrain | 5/10 |
Converse Run Star Hike Platform | Short Strolls / Aesthetics | 100/10 for aesthetics/style | Heavy, zero technical support | Style Pick Only |
🥾 The Best of the Best: My Top 3 for New England Terrain
1. Merrell: The New England Workhorse (Best Winter & Durability)
Model: Merrell Women’s Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof
Best For: Cold-weather hikes, all-season durability
These boots are my genuine ride-or-die pair for over four years. They’ve handled snow, ankle-deep mud, and thousands of vertical feet on rocky terrain, and my feet have never once been cold. Despite all the abuse, the leather is still solid, and the insulation is a lifesaver for those unpredictable New England shoulder seasons. They’re not flashy, but they are built to last a war.
2. LOWA: The Bulletproof Backpacking King (Best for Support)
Model: LOWA Renegade EVO GTX Mid
Best For: Multi-day backpacking, heavy loads, hikers needing serious support.
Listen, the hype is real. These are expensive, but the comfort is legendary. They feel supportive and perfectly broken-in right out of the box. The mid-height cuff and durable nubuck leather give you amazing ankle stability when you’re carrying a heavy pack over rugged, uneven trails. If you're tackling the full Presidential Traverse, or just want a "buy it once" boot, this is the investment.
3. Merrell: The Modern Comfort King (Best All-Arounder)
Model: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
Best For: Day hikes, short overnights, minimal break-in time.
The Merrell Moab line has been a favorite for a reason, and the new Moab 3 is the best yet. They are unbelievably comfortable with great arch support and a roomy-but-not-sloppy toe box. They feel broken-in from day one. They are my go-to recommendation for almost any hiker, but just be aware that the waterproof liner can make them feel a bit warm on humid summer days above 70 degrees.
🏃♀️ Lightweight & Technical Picks
4. Salomon: The Fast & Precise Performer
Model: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
Best For: Speed, agility, and technical trails where precision is key.
If you like to move fast, this boot is a total beast. It’s lightweight, but the advanced chassis and high-traction Contagrip outsole make you feel incredibly stable on tricky terrain. The fit is snug and precise (maybe too narrow for some), which means you feel connected to the trail, not sloppy. It's built like a trail runner but with the ankle protection of a boot—perfect for scrambling up rocky New Hampshire peaks.
5. La Sportiva: The Trail Runner's Boot Hybrid
Model: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX
Best For: Rocky trails, hikers coming from a trail-running background.
These feel like an aggressive, high-top trail runner. They’re super lightweight and responsive, excellent for quick, intense ascents. The one drawback I found is that the shallower lugs, great for rock, don’t bite well into thick, sloppy New England mud. If your trails are mostly rocky and dry, grab these. If they’re a swampy mess, maybe not.
6. Adidas: The Modern Sturdy Pick (Most Promising)
Model: Adidas Terrex AX4 Mid Gore-Tex
Best For: Non-winter trails, hikers who value style + function.
I’m a huge Adidas fan, and the Terrex line is solid. The AX4s are sleek, sturdy, and comfortable. Perfect for day hikes where you don’t need the heavy insulation of a winter boot. The build feels solid, and they look great, giving you performance without sacrificing style. I haven't logged major miles in them yet, but they’ve earned my confidence so far.
💸 Budget, Fit, and Durability Warnings
7. KEEN: The Wide-Foot Savior
Model: KEEN Targhee IV WP Wide
Best For: Hikers with wide feet, or those who need extra room in the toe box.
KEEN's signature is the generous toe box, and the Targhee IV is their most durable version yet, featuring a fused, glue-free construction that should prevent the sole from delaminating. For me, the wide version was a dream, letting my toes splay naturally. Just a friendly warning: while they feature "Eco anti-odor technology," they will still get stinky. Keep them aired out!
8. Columbia: The Affordable Starter Boot
Model: Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II WP
Best For: Beginners, occasional hikers, and those on a strict budget.
This boot is a reliable option for the price. It offers strong ankle support and a surprisingly good grip for a budget option. However, it’s not comfortable out of the box. You’ll need about 25 miles to break them in. Also, while they're called "waterproof," my testing (and many others' reviews) show the waterproofing wanes quickly, so don't bank on them for a deluge. Still, for $100 or less, they're a great entry point.
9. North Face: Lightweight, But Watch Out (Durability Warning)
Model: North Face Women’s VECTIV™ Fastpack Mid Waterproof
Best For: Short hikes, light loads, groomed trails.
I truly wanted to love these. They are ultralight, breathable, and look amazing, but they didn't last. After about 15 miles on a steep backpacking trip, the fabric on both shoes split at the sides. They were comfortable up until that point, but for the price and brand name, I expected better. They’re fine for smooth, easy trails, but I cannot recommend them for rugged, abusive New England terrain.
10. Converse: The Casual Hiker (Best Style Pick)
Model: Converse Run Star Hike Canvas Platform
Best For: Easy, flat trails, or stylish walks in town.
Okay, let’s be real. These aren’t "technical hiking boots." They are a fashion statement. I got a pair as a gift and turned them into my fun, casual trail shoes. They’re surprisingly comfy for short, flat walks, but the heavy platform sole is a liability on any real terrain. Think fashion-meets-function... for a gentle stroll to a scenic overlook only.
🧭 Final Thoughts: Which Hiking Boots Are Worth Your Money?
If you’re tackling real New England terrain, from the Whites to the Catskills, you need a workhorse. The Merrell Thermo Chill Mid is my hands-down winner for its toughness, and the LOWA Renegade EVO is the ultimate choice for support and comfort under a heavy pack.
For the best blend of modern comfort and performance, the Merrell Moab 3 is the smart buy for nearly every day hiker.
Whichever you choose, remember: even the best boots can’t save you from soggy socks if the rest of your layering and hiking gear isn't right.
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