Love the outdoors, but need new shoes to tackle the trails? Here are our top picks for the best hiking shoes and boots with a wide toe box.
Love to hike?
Me too!
And over the years, I've found that one thing can make or break a hiking trip.
Your shoes.
Bad shoes can make your hike painful. They can even ruin your trip.
This collection of my favorite wide toe box hiking shoes and boots will give you a place to start when you're ready to shop.
Keep in mind that everyone's feet are different, so our favorite shoes and boots might not work perfectly for you.
Want more gear ideas? Check out our guide on how to buy a tent, finding a backpacking pack for petite women and the best backpacking gear!
Benefits of a Wide Toe Box for Hiking
What is a wide toe box? First of all, it has nothing to do with the width of the shoe. You can wear a narrow shoe and still have a wide toe box.
It means that the front of your shoe or boot (where the toes go) is roomy.
Ideally, it's roomy enough for your toes to spread out and not be crowded. A wide toe box puts less pressure on your foot and (anecdotally, from our experience) is less likely to cause blisters on trails with lots of elevation changes.
As an aside, hiking sandals, which typically have the least amount of toe constraint, can also be a great option.
What Else Makes the Best Hiking Shoe?
- If you tend to twist your ankle (or have badly sprained an ankle in the past), look for a mid-rise boot for extra ankle support.
- Flexible shoes are great (and they're my preference), but if you're carrying a heavy backpacking pack a rigid-bottom shoe will provide more support for your legs and back.
- If you're hiking over rocky terrain or rock scrambling, make sure to buy a shoe with excellent traction so that you don't slide around on the trail.
- If you're planning on hiking on ice and snow, you might want to invest in microspikes or a pair of crampons. For the best fit, crampons should be worn with mountaineering boots, not standard hiking boots.
What's the Best Hiking Shoe/Boot Brand?
The answer is — the one that makes shoes that fit your feet the best! Some of our favorite brands include Keen, Merrell and Altra.
We found that Keen boots typically have a wide toe box and are best for those with lower foot arches.
Merrell makes a barefoot-style trail runner that we love.
And we just love every Altra shoe we've tried! They're perfect if you want a zero-drop and wide toe box.
Zero-drop shoes keep the heel and the front of the foot at about the same level. They're said to provide benefits for your balance and muscle strength!
Best Wide Toe Box Trail Runners
Merrell Vapor Glove
If you love barefoot-style shoes, you'll love these Merrell Vapor Glove trail runners, a minimalist, zero-drop trail running shoe.
I've owned multiple pairs of these quirky sneakers over the years, and (in the past) would wear them running in the park (and on a treadmill) and they're perfect for hiking over easy terrain.
Keep in mind that these are warm weather shoes. When the ground is cold you'll feel it straight through the shoe!
I have found that the various versions of the Vapor Glove can have extremely different fits, so trying them on before purchasing (if possible) is a good idea.
Recently, I've had to stop wearing these barefoot sneakers because my (now not as young feet) no longer loved them.
Altra Lone Peak
More recently, my vote would be for the Altra Lone Peak sneaker. It's also a zero-drop shoe with a wide toe box, but provides more support and a sturdier base (compared to a barefoot-style shoe).
The Lone Peak is also a better in cold weather than the Merrell's, as it has a sturdier base that lets in less cold air than a barefoot shoe. It also happens to be my favorite sneaker to wear to the gym.
Recently, I've swapped hiking boots for these trail runners, and am loving the change!
Best Wide Toe Box Hiking Boots
Want an all-leather boot that both looks great, is comfortable for long hikes and has fantastic traction?
Keen Targhee and Keen Pyrenees
The Keen Women's Targhee is a classic hiking boot with a wide toe-box and excellent tread.
My husband wore the men's version of these shoes for years, and they were a reliable boot for all kinds of different terrain. In fact, they made the list for our favorite outdoor gear for men.
We've also used and loved the slightly pricier Keen Pyrenees. I found it to be a little more comfortable than the Targhee, and I preferred the look of the Pyrenees.
Both of these boots are fantastic, but note that they are heavy! I'd still recommend them as a cold weather boot where you want to keep your foot totally dry, or if you prefer a classic hiking boot over a trail runner.
Do you have other suggestions for the best women's hiking shoes? Let us know in the comments!
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