The Best Women’s Hunting Boots of 2021
From mountain hunting boots to those that will keep your toes dry in the duck blind, these are the best women’s hunting boots on the market today.
Your hunting boot may be one of the most important gear choices you make. They are your single connection point to the terrain, and a bad boot almost always means a bad hunt. You can walk a long way with a lot of bad gear, but once your feet are done, you’re done.
It wasn’t always the case, but women’s hunting boots have come a long way, and I’m glad to say that we have a lot of options. Not long ago, we had to make do with nonspecific hiking boots or winter boots. Today, we have what feels like endless options of hunt-specific women’s boots.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for.
- Best Overall
- Best for Mountain Hunting
- Best Budget Non-Insulated
- Best Budget Insulated
- Best PAC
- Best Upland
- Best Rubber Boot
- Best Hiking Boot for Hunting
- Best of the Rest
To help you wade through all the options, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide at the end of the article.
The Best Hunting Boots for Women of 2022
Best Overall Hunting Boot for Women: Schnee’s Kestrel
The Schnee’s Kestrel ($389) has been a favorite men’s hunting boot for years. It may seem lame to get excited about a women’s version, but I was stoked. The opportunity to have one of the first women’s pairs off the line gave me a chance to put them through the paces, and they met and exceeded all my hopes.
The Kestrel could have landed as the best hiking boot, best early-season boot, best non-insulated boot, best upland boot, and more, which is exactly why it found itself here. The boot is supportive without being cumbersome. It is lightweight and feels more like a hiker than a mountain hunting boot. It is comfortable and waterproof and breathes … and … and … and … I love them.
They just get the job done in a plethora of hunting scenarios.
I wear my Kestrels in the early season and only swap to an insulated boot when the temps really drop or I need a higher ankle to help with snow protection.
Otherwise, this is a boot that fits most hunting scenarios that you’ll run into, and it does it comfortably.
If you’d like to read our full review of the Women’s Kestrel, check it out here.
Best Mountain Hunting Boot for Women: Kenetrek Mountain Extreme
This boot is stiff. Seriously stiff. That’s the goal. The Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boot ($510) is designed for side-hilling steep country, seriously supporting ankles while descending, and providing an extreme exoskeleton of relief in tough conditions. It was our top boot for mountain hunting last year, and it holds the spot this year.
If you’re hunting elk, sheep, or mountain goats in high-alpine territory, the Mountain Extreme is a mid-to-late season boot designed to give you support and keep your feet dry and warm while doing it. This boot is certainly a specialist, and its $460 price tag speaks to that.
Promising review: “The boots kept me on my feet when other ladies were struggling to stay upright on ice, slush, mud, and snow. Feet were warm and dry no matter the conditions. No problem with my saddle stirrups. I knew there had to be a reason my guides all had these boots and now I know why. Great investment.” — Amy Ray (see the whole review)
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Sportsman’s Warehouse
Best Budget Non-Insulated Women’s Hunting Boot: Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Hiking Boots
The Oboz Sawtooth X ($165) is not a dedicated hunting boot, but for an early-season, budget-friendly option, it checks all the boxes. It has B-DRY waterproof membranes with nubuck leather and CORDURA fabric mesh uppers to keep your feet dry and comfortable by allowing some breathability.
Weighing in at just over 2 pounds, the Sawtooth X boots are super lightweight when compared to just about any other boot on the list. These things are designed for covering ground, so if you need a non-insulated boot that doesn’t break the bank, this is a solid option.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Best Budget Insulated Hunting Boot for Women: LaCrosse Clear Shot (800g Insulation)
The LaCrosse Clear Shot ($190) offers 800 g of insulation under $200, which is tough to beat. With a leather and nylon upper and a waterproof lining, your feet should stay protected from the elements and dry. The 8-inch build provides excellent ankle support, and the outsole has the aggressive tread needed to keep you steady when things get slick.
The classic brown and tan combo gives it a bit of a modern tactical look, which does nothing for performance — but hey, it looks cool.
If you need warmth and durability without taking out a loan, the Clear Shot should get the job done.
Check Price at Sportsman’s WarehouseCheck Price at LaCrosse
Best PAC Boot for Women: Kenetrek Cowgirl
The classic PAC boot has serious staying power, and the Kenetrek Cowgirl ($320) is likely one of the best options available for women. If you plan to ride your way into the backcountry, this boot is designed for just that. A dedicated spur shelf keeps your hardware from sliding down your heel and works as a leverage spot for pulling your boots off if your other ride isn’t a horse.
The leather upper with detailed stitching and the two-tone rubber sole give this boot a more country feel than the rest. The three-part liner makes it a boot that will hunt, fix fences, and work in a shop when the temperatures are low.
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Cabela’s
Best Women’s Upland Hunting Boot: Danner Wayfinder
Danner’s Wayfinder ($180) is a boot you’ll find on most lists of the best upland boots. They are comfortable and capable in more than just upland conditions. Notoriously warm for the price tag, 400 g of insulation helps to keep your feet cozy on long days in marshy walking.
With a lacing system that runs nearly to the toe, the Wayfinder gives you a bit more control of where snugness occurs on your foot. The thinner outsole helps them stay light and feel a bit more like a shoe than a boot. These are a great choice for the bird chaser in both the spring and fall seasons.
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Scheel’s
Best Rubber Hunting Boot for Women: XTRATUF Legacy 15″ Boot
The Xtratuf 15″ Legacy Boot ($143) is simple and it works. Likely found on every fishing vessel and dock on both coasts, it’s become a staple piece of gear. If you’re in Alaska and someone tells you to grab your boots, odds are, they mean these.
In the hunting world, these indestructible boots are perfect for waterfowl hunting, chasing early-season turkeys, or any other hunting where the muck is deep and the water is everywhere.
I’ve worn them upland hunting in areas with spongy ground. They’ve climbed with me into a tree stand. My feet have stayed dry in them on a horse through deeper-than-desired water. I lived in them fly fishing across Iceland. I’ve probably worn these more often than any other boot, to be honest.
Are they giving you any ankle support? Not really. Are they the most comfortable boots I own? Nope. Do they live at my front door because they can handle anything? Yup. Do they get tossed into my truck for every adventure? You know it.
Want to learn more about this boot? Read our full review!
Check Price at REI Check Price at Amazon
Best Hiking Boot for Hunting: Lowa Renegade GTX
The Lowa Renegade GTX ($245) is a hiking boot with staying power. They’ve been around for years, and for good reason. At just over 2 pounds, they’re lightweight compared to a typical hunting boot, yet incredibly supportive and comfortable to cover ground in. A waterproof liner keeps feet dry, while Vibram outsoles keep you steady on your feet.
Winner of multiple awards over the years, it’s a boot that just works. In hunting applications, if you’re trying to get miles behind you and get in deep, these are a great option.
Check Price at REI Check Price at Backcountry
Best of the Rest: Women’s Hunting Boots
Zamberlan 4014 Lynx Mid GORE-TEX RR Boa Hunting Boots
The Zamberlan 4014 Lynx Boa Hunting Boot ($460) has one clearly identifiable feature: the Boa Fit System. Popular in cycling shoes, ski boots, and wading boots, the Boa system replaces traditional laces with an enclosed dial system. Twist to tighten, pop out to immediately loosen. Several of my boots feature this Boa Fit System, and I love it. No more muddy laces caked together, no more untied boots mid-trudge.
Aside from fancy laces, it’s a solid early-season women’s hunting boot that will accomplish pretty much everything you want to accomplish.
Check Price at Cabela’sCheck Price at Bass Pro
Magellan Women’s Snake Defender 2.0
Sometimes, you need a snake boot. The Magellan Women’s Snake Defender ($120) will give you peace of mind when trudging through rattlesnake country. I’ve had too many rattlesnake encounters to number at this stage of my hunting career, and the older I get, the more I become interested in snake boots.
As technology improves, these boots continue to get a bit lighter and more streamlined while still providing the protection you need to prevent a punched-in you by nature’s biggest jerk faces.
Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX Trail
The Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX ($150) is a trail running shoe, so why is it on this list? This is one of the shoes you find on many hunters’ feet back at camp (a runner-up to Crocs).
They’re an awesome hiking option and have the aggressive tread required for some rugged terrain while still just being a lightweight shoe that is really comfortable.
After 3 or so days of straight hunting, I tend to dread putting my boots on in the morning. If the conditions are fair and I’m not summiting rocky peaks, the Salomons will get some field days beneath my bow.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Why You Should Trust Us
We hunt a lot, and we hunt in a variety of conditions. Boots are one of the most essential pieces of gear a hunter can wear, so we make it a point to get a lot of boots on our feet. It may sound cliché, but they can make or break your hunt.
After wearing so many different boot styles and covering countless miles on rugged terrain, we feel confident that we’re helping you make the best decision you can in your boot choice.
Hunting boots are often a big investment, and we don’t take that lightly. We wear our boots through streams and mud, across loose shale, and in frigid conditions.
If there’s a chance to ruin a boot, we take it. Our goal is to put these boots through things you’d never dream of doing to your own. We intensionally try to find the weak points, so you never have to.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Hunting Boot
Choosing the right boot is a deeply personal endeavor. Your foot is not shaped the same as mine. Your arch may be different. You may have a wider toebox requirement. Finding the right pair of boots is a matter of finding the crossroads of what fits your foot and what fits your activity.
The best rubber waterfowl boot on the market is worthless if your foot is covered in blisters by the end of the day. The most comfortable pair of hiking boots you own is just as worthless if your foot is soaked from inclement conditions.
Here are a few tips that can help you find the best boot for your foot and needs.
If you need more detailed info, check out our 20 tips on buying the perfect boot.
Know Your Size, Fit, and Be Flexible
If you were to ask me what size boot I wear, I would default to a 6. The reality is that I own and wear boots anywhere from a 5.5 up to a 7. Each boot fits a little differently, and depending the season, sock choice, and build of the boot, the sizes you need may vary pretty drastically. If you have the ability, get into a physical store and try them on.
Pro tip: Try on boots at the end of the day, as feet tend to be just slightly bigger after hours of being on them.
Even if you plan on buying your boots online, it’s best to get them on your foot first. If you can’t try them on, make sure the boots you pull the trigger on have a decent return policy in the event they don’t work out.
It’s good to know that the way the best women’s hunting boots fit should vary, pending your activity. For intense mountaineering-style hunting, you want a snug but comfortable boot to prevent your foot from sliding around inside the boot, causing injury and pain. For even terrain hunting, you may want a little extra room for walking comfort.
Best Women’s Hunting Boots: Avoid Hot Spots & Get Your System Down Early
I cannot stress this enough: Wear your boots. As soon as you make the decision to buy a pair of hunting boots, wear them to the office, grocery store, park, around the house, and up and down every flight of stairs you can find. The sooner you have them on your feet, the sooner you discover any issues that could wreck your hunting experience.
The break-in period for the best women’s hunting boots is crucial, and the earlier it starts, the better.
You should also make sure to wear them with their corresponding socks. If you’ll be wearing thick wool socks during hunting season, you better wear them during pre-season.
If you find they aren’t comfortable after breaking them in a bit, there are some other things you can do. An insole can be a game changer. Superfeet is a favorite, and the brand has a plethora of insoles to choose from for various scenarios.
Additionally, you can try multiple lacing systems to get the fit of your boot just so. Sock liners are another mode of defense over hot spots.
Where Are You Going?
Are you heading to steep, rocky, elevation-gaining terrain? You’re going to need a stiffer sole, serious traction, and solid ankle support.
Going on a late-fall hunt with a heavy pack in the Northwest? Now we’re talking waterproofing, traction, and warmth.
Not sure what types of terrain you’re getting into? An all-around boot with water resistance and serious comfort may be your priority features.
Final Tidbits of Advice
Someone has already worn the best women’s hunting boots you’re considering. Read reviews. Read lots of reviews.
Don’t go for the most expensive boot just because they’re expensive. The highest-cost boot might be the worst boot you’ve ever owned. On the other end of the spectrum, don’t go for the cheapest boot. There’s a reason they might be the lowest cost, and that reason might spell the end of a hunting trip.
Don’t get hung up on boots. If you have a pair of hiking boots in your garage that fit, are comfortable, and are waterproof, they’ll likely work for most hunting situations. If you get caught up trying to find the right boot and can’t decide, grab your old Keens and get out there. The elk don’t care what boots you’re wearing.
The Best Hunting Arrows of 2022
The Best Binoculars of 2022
The post The Best Women’s Hunting Boots of 2022 appeared first on GearJunkie.