Best Walking Shoes for Women 2026 | Tested and Reviewed
I've been testing women’s walking and hiking shoes on UK trails and these are my top picks, suitable for all types of adventures from long-distance trekking and backpacking, right through to daily walking.
With help from our women’s gear testing team, I’ve been out testing a whole range of walking shoes on UK trails and mountains to find out the best options for hiking, scrambling and more.
From long-distance hiking and daily dog walks, to grade three scrambles and multi-day backpacking – walking shoes are a versatile option for the outdoor adventurer. In particular, they’re great for lightweight hiking when you want to feel a little more nimble out on the trail. While hiking boots have their unique advantages in this arena, walking shoes are a great alternative if you’re focusing on agility and breathability – particularly in those hotter months – or if you simply fancy a change of scene.
The Scarpa Moraine walking shoes being tested on a muddy hike.
But what makes a good pair of walking shoes? During our testing process, the top three things we look for are durability, foot support and overall reliability on the trail. We want a shoe that can withstand a variety of terrains for a long period of time without sacrificing too much in the way of comfort. We also like a pair of shoes that protects you from the rocks and rubble beneath your feet without blocking out all the ‘feel’ of the trail.
Here at Outdoors Magic, we’ve been testing walking shoes for many years now. Each shoe has been tested and reviewed by our women’s gear testing team, and has been hand selected for this article. You’ll find a bunch of different styles here, including options for long-distance adventures, rocky terrains, everyday walking, fast hiking and more. Here’s a run-down of the shoes that have been the standout performers for us.
The Best Walking and Hiking Shoes for Women 2026
Including options from The North Face, Arc’teryx, Scarpa and more; there’s a lot of variety here. We’ll be continuing our testing as the months go by so keep an eye out for any changes and new additions to our list.
In our cushioning ratings, 1 represents a hard shoe while 10 represents a very soft one. With the stiffness levels, 1 represents a very flexible shoe and 10 represents a very stiff one.
1. Salewa Alp Trainer 2 GTX
Best Overall Walking Shoe for Women
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Salewa Alp Trainer 2 GTX
Our tester’s verdict: “This ticks just about every box for me. It’s light but protective and supportive, it’s grippy over a variety of terrain and it’s comfortable over long distances too. What I really like is that the sole unit has just the right balance between flexibility and stiffness that you want when you’re taking on hikes that involve varied trails with big mileage.”
Price: £185 Weight: 370g Best for: hiking, long-distance trekking, scrambling What we liked: durable construction, quality materials, comfortable build What we didn’t like: the toe is quite narrow
Light but protective and supportive, grippy over a variety of terrain, and comfortable over long distances too, whether it’s a morning of scrambling or a whole day on a trail, I found that the Alp Trainer 2 is right at home in whatever situation.
The Salewa Alp Trainer 2 walking shoes out on test in the Highlands.
Salewa’s Alp Trainer 2 comes armed with all the ingredients you’d want from a walking shoe, such as a grippy and robust Vibram outsole and waterproofing courtesy of a Gore-tex liner. At 370g, they’re lighter than much of the competition, making them a solid choice for adventurous peak baggers, scramblers, hut-to-hut hikers and long-distance trekkers.
Impressively, the women’s version is made with a women’s specific last designed to properly cater for female feet. There’s also a mid cut variation for those who prefer a higher ankle.
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Gore-tex Extended Comfort / Outsole: Vibram Alpine / Drop: 8mm / Cushioning rating: 5/10 / Stiffness level: 7.5/10
2. Salomon X Ultra 350 Edge
Our Runner-up for Best Walking Shoe
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Salomon X Ultra 350 Edge
Our tester’s verdict: “These are some of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn. I just love pulling them on. They provide a lot of confidence on slippery ground and they let me take in my surroundings instead of having to keep my eyes fixed on the trail.”
Price: £155 Weight: 333g Best for: hiking and mountain walks, fast-hiking What we liked: grippy outsole, lightweight build, breathable What we didn’t like: less effective for edging on scrambly ascents
With its aggressive sole, light build and breathable upper, the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge might be a walking shoe but this thing encourages you to move quickly. The Contagrip outsole is very grippy on a range of surfaces – though, like most shoes, it has its limits on wet rock – and the whole sole unit is protective and shock absorbing. There’s plenty of flex to it too, which makes this great for those long distance days.
The Salomon X Ultra 350 Edge walking shoes being tested here on some trails in Wiltshire.
If you don’t want anything too solid, durable and heavy and appreciate an agile boot then you’ll like the overall lightweight construction here. The breathability is good for a waterproof shoe too, so these are excellent for those warmer weather hikes over landscapes where a sandal or trail shoe won’t cut it.
One of our women’s gear testers Hannah said: “these are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I just love pulling them on. I think what I love most about them is that they provide so much confidence on usually slippery ground and they let me take in my surroundings instead of having to keep my eyes fixed on the trail.”
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Gore-tex / Outsole: All-Terrain Contagrip / Cushioning rating: 7/10 / Stiffness level: 4/10
3. Scarpa Moraine
Best Walking Shoe for Rocky Trails
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Scarpa Moraine
Our tester’s verdict: “I’ve found that these shoes particularly excel on those rockier trails – the ones where you can really feel it if you’re not wearing the right trainers. They have a very stable feel to them too thanks to the grippy outsole combined with the Moraine’s fairly stiff shank.”
Price: £162.95 Weight: 800g per pair Best for: rocky and rugged terrains What we liked: sturdy materials, breathable mesh, grippy sole What we didn’t like: stiffness make it more suited to rocky trails than soft ones.
The Moraine GTX from Italian mountain footwear experts Scarpa is a great choice for rocky and rugged terrains. I recently tested the low version in a ‘mineral’ colour-way featuring a nubuck and mesh upper, a Gore-Tex membrane, and a Presa outsole.
Designed to work both as a first hiking shoe and as a seasoned walker’s shoe, I’ve been using the Moraines for two years now and have found the outsoles to be very grippy across a wide variety of terrains. Including boggy forest paths, muddy thru-hiking trails, and bumpier routes too, I’ve found that the shoes particularly excel on those rockier trails. They have a very stable feel to them thanks to the grippy outsole combined with the Moraine’s fairly stiff shank.
The Scarpa Moraine out on test in the north of Ireland.
I really liked how tough the shoe feels too. The nubuck and mesh combination really makes your feet feel protected. I can see how it might feel a little too stiff for some hikers, but that depends on your tastes really. The toughness extends to the sole too. I hiked along some rocky trails in Ireland this winter and felt very protected underfoot, particularly at the heel. The flip side is that you lose some of that ‘feel’ for the trail. Another handy feature is the RECCO system that helps emergency services trace you in the event of an emergency.
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Gore-tex/ Outsole: Presa HK-04 / Cushioning rating: 6/10 / Stiffness level: 7.5/10
4. Keen Targhee IV
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Keen Targhee IV
Our tester’s verdict: “This is a very versatile hiking shoe. I’ve been using these for two years now and have worn them for everything from everyday dog walking and gardening right through to trail walking in Eryri.”
Price: £145 Weight: 577g Best for: people who like a relaxed fit at the toes, three-season hiking and backpacking What we liked: roomy fit, comfortable padding, good value What we didn’t like: toe might be wide for some people, lacked grip on wet rock
The Targhee has been a real mainstay in the Keen collection and it’s one of their hugely popular offerings, probably owing to its good value and very comfortable fit. I found this new iteration had the same fit and feel as previous iterations, most notably with its roomy and relaxed toe box. The main update is in the way Keen attach the sole to the upper. With previous Targhees the two parts of the shoe were glued together but now they’re fused, and in a way that creates a much stronger bind that supposedly won’t ever delaminate. For me, it’s so far so good. No issues there.
The Keen Targhee IV shoes on test in Ireland this winter.
Its outsole has reasonable bite and there’s a good bit of cushioning and ankle support. From my experience, it’s not a shoe for super technical terrain but it makes for a good versatile option that you can wear for country walks and that you can also call upon for more demanding trips too – things like hikes along national trails or weekend wild camping escapes in summer. If you like a narrow and precise toe, look elsewhere. If you like a bit of room at the toes, then you should like the way these fit. It’s main limitation? Wet rock. I found this struggled to grip onto any solid that was the slightest bit greasy.
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Keen.Dry/ Outsole: Keen.Rugged/ Cushioning rating: 6/10 / Stiffness level: 4.5/10
5. La Sportiva Akyra II GTX
Best Lightweight Walking Shoe
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La Sportiva Akyra II GTX
Our tester’s verdict: “The deep lugs and tacky outsole on these shoes gives you some pretty incredible traction on the trail – you can really feel the benefits of La Sportiva’s trail running knowledge here. In that sense, I’ve found these shoes to be the perfect option for fast hiking.”
Price: £159.95 Weight: 330g Best for: fast hiking, trail running What we liked: impressive traction, extremely grippy, breathable What we didn’t like: not for those with wider feet, thin upper
La Sportiva’s Akyra II GTX is one of the grippiest hiking shoes I’ve tested. This is mostly down to the high-tech outsole – La Sportiva uses their own Frixion XT Red technologies here which consist of a dual compound mix designed to give good durability and bite on tough terrains. The shape of the lugs are also specially designed to grip in all directions, ensuring traction whatever the shape and form of the terrain. On test, I’ve found that this makes them very suited to fast hiking, especially across muddy terrain.
La Sportiva’s Akyra II walking shoes held up well on some very muddy trails.
Elsewhere you’ll find a KPU 3D grid construction in the upper which keeps your foot snugly in the shoe with virtually no foot slippage whatsoever (you can really feel La Sportiva’s trail running knowledge come in to play here). On the flipside, I think they’re probably a big snug for wide-footed individuals so I’d either recommend sizing carefully, or checking out the Keen Targhees or the Meindl Ontarios as an alternative.
The PFC-free Gore-Tex membrane held up very well when trudging through puddles and the all-around comfort of the shoe was very appreciated on some longer walks. That’ll be thanks to the moulded EVA midsole combined with an OrthoLite insole that lightly cushions each step. I also like how versatile the shoe is – if you’re looking for a hiking shoe that you could also get away with a few sneaky runs in, I think these are a great shout.
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: PFC-free Gore-Tex Extended Comfort / Outsole: Dual Compound Frixion XT Red with Trail Rocker+ Impact Brake System Mountain Running / Cushioning rating: 7/10 / Stiffness level: 5/10
6. The North Face Vectiv Fastpack
Best Cushioned Walking Shoe
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The North Face Vectiv Fastpack
Our tester’s verdict: “The Fastpacks make hiking feel light and fast and you can feel the shoes propelling you forward – it’s impressive stuff. The 4mm lugs offer decent enough traction and the waterproof membrane makes these shoes ideal for summer, spring and autumn which means you should get a lot of wear out of them.”
Price: £78 Weight: 323g Best for: trail hiking, general wear What we liked: rocker geometry at the sole creates forward propulsion What we didn’t like: it’d be good to see more recycled content used
We found that these waterproof walking trainers from The North Face tick all the right boxes for us and they passed our tests with flying colours.
The outsole had good grip on muddy surfaces and performance across slightly wet boulder fields too. The North Face’s proprietary membrane, called Futurelight, did what we wanted it to do in wet weather and the sole unit had a nice bit of flex while still being very good at blocking out sharp rocks and roots.
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack out on test in Wales.
It also features The North Face’s clever Vectiv technology which involves a lightweight and flexible 3D printed plate that’s embedded within the midsole. Combined with a rocker geometry at the sole, this creates a touch of forward propulsion and a natural rolling feel. From our experience with this, we found it does create a smooth and quite natural feel, saving you from jarring heel shocks while also potentially creating energy savings too.
“The fit is comfortable and supportive, all thanks to the spongy foam cushioning, moulded spandex collar and the stable heel positioning,” said our tester Emma. “I also liked the fact it has a double-punched lacing system which means the fit can be fine-tuned to ensure maximum stability when moving over varied ground.”
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Futurelight / Outsole: Surface Control / Cushioning rating: 7/10 / Stiffness level: 6/10
Our tester’s verdict: “All in all, if you’re looking for a shoe that’s a cross between a walking shoe and a trail running shoe, but specifically targeted towards fast hiking, I think you’ll get on well with the AKU Rockets. From my experience, they’re a very tough and technical shoe with excellent grip and waterproofing abilities.”
Price: £171 Weight: 620g Best for: trail hiking, light scrambling, fast hiking What we liked: innovative design, good quality materials, comfy sock-like fit What we didn’t like: quite warm
Designed as a low-cut fast hiking shoe, the Rocket DFS shoes are choc-a-bloc full of details and we’ve liked what they bring to the table. They use AKU’s impressive Dual Fit System (DFS) coupled with the Elica Natural Slide System to create a dynamic shoe that’s suitable for a variety of terrains and activities. They’re ideal for three-season trail hiking and they’ll handle some light scrambling too.
OM tester Jazz using the AKU Rockets out in North Wales. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.
While the Vibram Megagrip outsole is, as always, impressive; it’s the traction lugs that really stole the show for us. They basically consist of stacked 4mm lugs that are made up of smaller lugs placed on top of larger lugs which Vibram claims improves traction by up to 25%. Both these lug sections have tiny serrated edges to increase that contact and friction with the ground even further.
“On test, I wouldn’t know how to measure that 25% claim”, said our tester, “but I would say that the grip on these things is very impressive. Like most walking shoes, they have their limits on wet and greasy rocks, however I had no issues across other terrains. Vibram’s traction lug technology is particularly good across muddy and boggy sections where I felt very stable, even when moving fast.”
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Gore-tex / Outsole: Vibram Megagrip combined with Vibram Rocket Traction lugs / Cushioning rating: 6/10 / Stiffness level: 7.5/10
8. Meindl Ontario Lady GTX
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Meindl Ontario Lady GTX
Our tester’s verdict: “My grip felt very secure in these shoes, especially when accompanied with the precise, ankle-tight lacing. I felt very confident when moving fast across uneven sections of trail.”
Price: £135 Weight: 320g Best for: all-terrain walking, approach What we liked: variofix lacing system, tough materials, good grip What we didn’t like: not the most cushioned
The Meindl Ontario GTX shoes are made from suede and mesh at the upper, with a Meindl Magic Active sole underfoot. There’s also an Air Active foot bed to ensure breathability and moisture management, along with a slick design that would fit in well both on the trail and in the city.
I really liked the lacing system that wraps around the shoe. It pulls your heel right into the back of the shoe and feels very secure when you’re out walking. It meant that there was no slippage whatsoever which is usually what tends to happen to me with walking shoes.
The Meindl Ontario Lady walking shoes have an impressive lacing system. Photo: Cinthia Lilen.
I took them for a spin on some rocky trails in Ireland and the suede upper felt very protective. The grip was very secure too, especially when accompanied with that ankle-tight lacing. I felt very confident when moving fast across uneven sections. On the flipside, they’re not the most cushioned walking shoes, so you might want to look elsewhere if you’re after something for long-distance comfort or for low-level hikes.
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Gore-tex / Outsole: Meindl Magic Active/ Cushioning rating: 5/10 / Stiffness level: 6/10
9. Arc’teryx Kopec
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Arc’teryx Kopec
Our tester’s verdict: “During my tests, I found these shoes comfortable and competent on trail hikes and think they transfer well as an around-the-town shoe that needs to withstand some milage.”
Price: £160 Weight: 260g Best for: everyday wear, day hikes What we liked: roomy toe box, light weight What we didn’t like: not the grippiest or most technical
The Arc’teryx Kopec Gore-Tex shoes are a solid option for everyday walking. They were actually specifically designed with day hiking in mind. While I wouldn’t use them on anything too technical, I still found they were comfortable and competent on trail hikes and they transfer well as an around-the-town shoe that needs to withstand some milage.
The construction is pretty minimalist and features a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, a Vibram Megagrip outsole, a dual density foam midsole, and a durable Cordura upper. Elsewhere on the shoe you’ll find a padded tongue combined with a wide toe box and a moulded toe cap.
The Arc’teryx Kopec walking shoes are a good option for everyday use.
During my tests, I was impressed with how protective the shoe felt despite not being targeted towards technical terrain. That’s thanks to the reinforcements at the toe and heel, and the supportive integrated shank which blocks out rocks and roots well. I wouldn’t say it’s the grippiest of shoes, and found that it struggled in slimy mud and wet rock, but the Gore-Tex membrane managed to keep out water (from both puddles and rain) well.
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Gore-Tex/ Outsole: Vibram Megagrip / Drop: 7.7mm / Cushioning rating: 6.5/10 / Stiffness level: 5/10
10. On Cloudrock Low WP
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On Cloudrock Low WP
Our tester’s verdict: “I’ve found these a great option for casual hiking days – the cushioning makes for a very luxurious walk.”
Price: £142 Weight: 332.4g Best for: day hiking, all-terrain walks, fast hiking What we liked: ultra comfy, flexible, lightweight What we didn’t like: struggles on wet surfaces
Built on their “Running On Clouds” mantra, Swiss-based On Running look to make road, trail and hiking shoes with a unique concept; with clouds under your feet. Here, however, we have the On Cloudrock Low, specifically designed with hiking in mind.
Featuring recycled polyester and TPU in the upper, and MissionGrip rubber on the outsole, they are a sturdy feeling shoe with some immense cushioning underfoot. That’ll be thanks to the Helion superfoam in the midsole. Elsewhere, you’ll find an X-shaped speedboard, a handy TPU mudguard, and toe protection to keep you safe and agile out on the trail.
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Waterproofing?: Cloudtec / Outsole: MissionGrip/ Cushioning rating: 8/10 / Stiffness level: 4/10
