The Best Women’s Hiking Boots For High Arches
The Top 5 Boots for High Arches
1. Our #1 Choice: Oboz Bridger B-Dry Hiking Boots
The Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot are made to fit the particular shape of women’s feet, which is why they feel comfortable and reliable in all our hiking experiences.
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- The boots are made of leather.
- They’re comfortable and provide good arch support.
- The boots have a B-Dry waterproofing system.
- They’re lightweight and look pretty.
- The tongue is a tad stiff.
- The sole could be more flexible.
The upper part of the boots is made with full nubuck leather for a longer life span and fit comfortably in time. The molded rubber toe cap will keep trail debris away from the boots’ inside, whereas the heel counter ensures a snug fit. The boots come with high-density EVA sculpted arch for better support and EVA deep heel cup (high-density) for increased support and stability. The EVA pods will improve shock absorption and rebound.
These boots are reliable for a day hiking, but strong enough to handle multi-day backpacking too. The TPU chassis makes them durable and reduces the risk of stone bruising, whereas the single-density EVA gives cushioning while on trails. The nylon shank creates support between the forefoot and the heel, and the TPU chassis will offer the torsional stability underfoot you need for hiking.
There’s a Granite Peak outsole in the boots to better support and protect against all rugged surfaces. The bottom of the outsole is molded and has the map of Granite Peak, the tallest peak in Montana. Talk about attention to detail!
Waterproofness is essential in hiking boots, and the Oboz Bridger don’t make an exception. The boots are made with moisture-wicking comfort top layer, and the waterproofing system allows sweat escape while blocking moisture from getting inside.
The boots don’t feel clunky and are relatively lightweight. The pink color makes them stand out, which may seal the deal for some hikers out there.
Even if the boots aren’t perfect, they tick most boxes within the category and manage to be both feminine looking and rugged for hiking. It’s something that not all hiking boots can do!
2. Ariat Women’s – Terrain Hiking Boot
Just because you go shopping on a low budget, it doesn’t mean that you have no good choices. It’s the case of Ariat Women’s Terrain Hiking Boot that manages to be reliable and comfortable for women with high arches, without emptying your wallet.
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- The boots are made with leather and rubber sole.
- They feature moisture-wicking lining.
- The boots are well-padded and supportive.
- The traction is good, and the boots improve posture.
- Some feel that the boots are a tad bulky.
- The toe box may be too large for some.
The boots are made of leather, but they don’t need much time to break in. The more you wear the boots, the more comfortable they will become. They are rugged boots made for the difficult outdoors, and the leather upper is one feature that makes them challenging.
You won’t have to worry about toasty feet as the boots feature moisture-wicking textile lining, making them drier and breathable even when hiking the entire day. The padded collar will improve your comfort on rocky trails, whereas the cushioned footbed with gel forefoot absorbs shock and lowers the skeletal impact stress on your hips, knees, and lower back.
The polyethylene cupped footbed chassis provides torsional stability for better traction on most surfaces. The heel cradle improves your support and stability, whereas the EVA midsole (very responsive) ensures comfortable padding and enhances shock absorption. The arch support provided by the boots will sustain a healthy posture and lower foot fatigue.
Thanks to Ariat’s exclusive ATS Technology TM, the boots’ flexibility and padding are better than average. The ATS composite fiber forked shanks ensures stability and comfort, whereas the Duratread TM outsole improves traction.
Lightweight and water-resistant, the boots are a reliable option for women, especially considering the price.
A penny saved is a penny served, and the boots make an excellent option for women with high arches, especially when shopping on a tight budget.
3. Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 MID GTX W Hiking
Tailored specially to the female anatomy, the Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 MID GTX W Hiking will take your hiking experience to the next level.
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- The boots are comfortable and pleasant looking.
- They are supportive and grippy.
- The break-in period is minimal.
- They provide significant traction and support.
- The laces may become untied unless you tie them twice.
- The tongue is a tad thick, so lacing is trickier than expected.
These boots are good to wear once you open the box, and there’s minimum break in period needed. They’re made with 100% synthetic, but have the features and build that makes them incredibly comfortable.
Thanks to their build, the boots will keep your feet in place all day hiking, and even throughout the technical descents, preventing slippage. Your descents will feel safe and stable as the boots are grippy and provide stability and traction on all surfaces and wet terrain. There are two kinds of rubber well-placed on the sole, which give the boots’ excellent grip. The heel’s particular patterned zone will bite into terrain more aggressively, which provides you more control while hiking.
These boots are all about the build, and the asymmetrical chassis is made for a woman’s anatomy, for increased stability and cushioning, while reducing fatigue on rough terrain. They’re also made for the challenging hikes, and the protective mudguard around the base of the foot will protect the medial and lateral areas when you’re on some muddy terrain. The mesh upper has anti-debris ability, keeping debris away from your feet.
Comfort is probably the best word to use when describing these boots, and the Energy Cell midsole with high-performance EVA foam reduces shock, which also translates in comfortable wear.
Women with high arches, plantar fasciitis, or regular feet will find the boots the best buy for their future hiking experiences. Lightweight and supportive, the boots don’t skip to check the aesthetical box either. The yellow accents match the yellow-spotted laces, and the boots look great all together.
Regardless of the inherent flaws, the boots can become the best pair of shoes you have for hiking as they’re comfortable, supportive, grippy, and pretty. Isn’t this what women want in hiking boots?
4. Lowa Women’s Renegade Gore-Tex Mid Boots
Most leather boots require a break-in period, but that’s not the case with Lowa Women’s Renegade Gore-Tex Mid Boots. Unlike other leather boots, these are ready to wear right out of the box, without causing any hot spots or blisters.
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- The boots are made of leather.
- They’re waterproof and breathable
- They don’t need to be broken in
- They’re durable and aesthetically-pleasing
- The stability could be improved on wet surfaces
- They run a bit narrow
The leather hiking boots are waterproof as they have the Gore-Tex membrane. You may step into puddles without worrying about getting your feet wet. Moreover, the boots remain breathable, so your feet won’t get moisty after a long day hike in late summer. The climate-control footbed will wick away sweat or moisture, increasing your comfort.
The padded tongue and collar make the boots comfortable, whereas the boots’ build recommends them for women with high arches. The boots feature full-length nylon stabilizing shank, so the boots feel sturdy and reliable when hiking. The derby-style lacing will let you tie the laces as snug as you want, for best fit and comfort. The corded lace-up vamp and speed-lacing grommets at the top are effective and matter for the boots’ overall performance.
The Monowrap frame will reduce the weight, so the boots remain rugged and tough, without becoming heavyweight.
As they’re made with tough Vibram outsole for better grip, the boots deliver good performance for traction too.
The stitching is impressive, and the boots have a durability feel. The subtle details, with pink accents on toe box and laces, make the boots a practical and pretty looking option for women hikers.
Cute looking, durable, and supportive for women with high arches, the boots stand out as a wise investment for your hiking.
5. Vasque Women’s Breeze 2.0 GTX Hiking Boots
Finding a good pair of hiking boots isn’t difficult when you know what you need. After all, the market is incredibly generous and there are so many options to choose from. But if your arches are high, the selection process gets trickier, especially if you have no clues about the features that work for you.
Save yourself some time and take our word on the Vasque Women’s Breeze 2.0 GTX Hiking Boots, as they provide amazing support for high arches.
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- The boots have a breathable and waterproof gore-tex membrane.
- They feel comfortable even after a long time.
- The toe cap is molded and spacious.
- The boots look nice
- Some think that the boots are a tad narrow.
- The waterproofness isn’t as reliable as expected, according to some.
In a nutshell, the boots are made with leather for durable wear, have rubber sole for traction and all the other features that give people with high arches the comfort they need when hiking.
You will not have to avoid any watery trails, snow or rain since this boot is waterproof and has a breathable Gore-tex membrane, with extended comfort technology.
The air-mesh panels are abrasion resistant so that the boots will take a beat. They also count for the ventilation, so your feet don’t get toasty after a long hike.
These boots are made for impressive comfort, and the toe cap is another feature that gives that comfort. It’s spacious and molded toe cap so that your feet don’t get crushed while you’re climbing up or down.
The dual-density EVA foam foot bed will add comfort to your high arches while hiking. The EVA foam midsole with molded TPU stability plate will mean a lot on the rocky trails, any time. The grip is good, and the boots feel safe on all sorts of terrains.
Despite the rugged build, the boots are less massive than you’d expect. The reflective piping is subtle and makes the shoes instead of lovely looking.
We know it’s not easy to find a good pair of hiking boots for high arches, which is why you should simply give these boots a chance!
A Buying Guide – What aspects matter the most when looking for hiking boots for high arches?
If you have high arches, not wearing the proper pair of shoes may cause incredible pain. Should you go on a long day hike, the wrong pair of hiking boots will make your experience drag and cause you a lot of pain too.
The proper amount of arch support is essential so that your posture doesn’t take much pressure throughout the day. The right pair of hiking boots will make hiking a joyful activity, so here are the most important aspects to consider when picking your hiking boots.
Features for comfort
Just by looking at your hiking boots, you cannot see if they’re going to be suitable for your high arch or not. However, you can look for the features that provide efficient arch support for the entire arch, eliminating the pressure on your foot’s heel and ball. The insole arch should be similar to the arch of your foot, maintaining the shape throughout the long time use. Here are the features leading to better arch support:
Rearfoot support
The rear third of the arch is essential for the pronation control so that your feet are well supported when hiking.
Pronounced heel cup
The insoles of the boots should cup the heel efficiently for the best comfort. Hiking boots with deep heel cups will give a foot with high arch the support and comfort required for strenuous hiking activities.
Arch extension
You want your boots to be supportive and comfortable, but without losing flexibility. You need smooth and even support throughout the entire boot’s arch.
Dynamic support
Obviously, it would help if you put the boots on to figure out some of the features. When trying your hiking boots (always do it at the end of the day), you should be capable of pressing the arch down, but the boots should show some resistance.
Rugged build
You don’t want to buy hiking boots twice a year, so long lasting boots is ideal to get from the first time. Good stitching, suitable- quality materials, and attention to detail are characteristics of reliable hiking boots.
Waterproofness & breathability
When you go hiking, the chances are that you’ll walk in a couple of puddles. Ideally, you want your hiking boots to be waterproof, but water-resistant boots are also reliable if you know that you’re not going to go on a sunny day.
Also, you want the ventilation in the boots to be effective. If moisture collects, the hot points and blisters develop, ruining your day. In a nutshell, you want hiking boots that keep water from entering, but allow moisture inside the boots to escape.
Stability, traction, and grip
The soles of the boots are fundamental when hiking. A reliable pair of hiking boots will provide stability and efficient traction on all surfaces, whether they’re rocky or not, dry or wet. Deep lugs, rigid materials, and craftsmanship count for the traction, whereas a good build, with proper ankle support, keep your feet stable no matter the terrain.
Comfort and overall value
Numerous things make hiking boots comfortable, which is a personal matter at the end of the day. An effective lacing system will allow you to get the snug fit you want, whereas a padded collar will improve your comfort. Shank and midsoles that efficiently absorb the shock will make your outdoor activity less strenuous for your ankles and knees, while a generous toe box will make descending a breeze.
As you can see, hiking boots have to meet many criteria for making the right choice. And when you want them to be supportive of your high arches, the problem only gets trickier.
Frequently asked questions about high arches
Q: How can you tell if your arches are high?
A: Figuring out if your arches are high or not is easier than you think. It would help if you stood on a large piece of paper, as your feet are wet. Allow the moisture from your feet to seep into the paper. If your arches are high, the imprint left behind will display only the foot’s heel and front, with nothing in between. A light footprint between the two extremities of the feet means that your arches are moderately high.
Q: Are high arches bad for your body or health?
A: Plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia (sharp pain in the ball of your foot), hammertoes (the toe is bent in the middle joint), claw toes (the toe buckles in, curling downward), and instability of the ankles and feet are some of the side effects of having high arches. Even if there are remedies for each of the symptoms, having high arches can make daily life a struggle, especially when not wearing the proper pair of shoes.
Q: What’s the essential feature to look in high boots for high arches?
A: People with high arches require more padding than usual. They can also turn to arch support insoles, as they will distribute evenly the impact of walking. Most of the time, off-the-shelf arch supports make the leading solution for people with high arches.
Q: How do you identify the proper length of your hiking boots?
A: It’s essential to measure the boot’s length while standing up so that your entire weight puts pressure on the foot. Lace the boots so that your foot comfortably sits in the heel cup.
One thumb width between the end of your boots and the longest toe is the recommended length for hiking boots.
If the upper of the boots is too stiff (it can happen with some shoes) and it’s tricky to check your toe, you may pull the insole out, placing the foot over the top. The length is good if it’s the same when you’re standing.
Q: Should people with high arches wear wider hiking boots?
A: Unless they have wide feet, they shouldn’t look for wide hiking boots. It’s not the width that provides the extra support and padding they need for the high arches. That doesn’t mean that width isn’t essential when choosing a hiking boot.
You may run your thumb across the top of your boots, without skipping the forefoot. You want to have a subtle ripple in the material. If you’re able to pinch a bit the upper with your fingers, the boots are too wide for your feet. You may always use some insoles if the boots are too wide, but only if the arch support is impressive.
Q: Can you still wear hiking boots with orthotics?
A: Some people don’t want to take any chances with their shoes, so they use orthotics. It’s best that you wear your hiking socks when trying boots. The chances are you need hiking boots a bit wider, with a generous toe box that will allow a comfort fit with orthotics, without sacrificing the arch support.
Q: Can hiking boots feel comfortable from first wear?
A: You know that your boots are good for you if they’re ready to take on a hike from the moment you open the box. It may not be possible with some leather boots, which typically require a break-in period. Even if new hiking boots may cause some blisters, you should be able to feel the support for your high arches from the moment you put them on.