Best Women’s Hiking Boots (Reviews) for Flat Feet
Hiking is a beautiful activity, with both challenges and happy moments. However, it’s also a very strenuous activity for our body and feet, and people who already experience foot conditions may have difficulties when hiking.
Even if having flat feet isn’t a foot condition per se, it still poses problems, especially when not wearing the proper shoes. People with flat feet need footwear with adequate arch and ankle support, comfortable footbed, and adequate material to reduce hiking pressure.
Top Women’s Hiking Boot Reviews for Flat Feet
1. Lowa Women’s Mauria Gtx Ws High Rise Hiking Boots
If there was just one word to use for describing Lowa Women’s Mauria Gtx Ws High Rise Hiking Boots, “tough” would be it for sure.
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The boots are made with nubuck leather, so you won’t need to wait to take them on a hike. The tough leather comes with Gore-Tex waterproof liner for breathable wear while protecting your feet against the elements. Talking about protection, we have to highlight the protective rubber toe and heel caps. The heel has a snug fit, and the toes are protected against rocks and stone bruising.
Comfort inside is provided by the DuraPU polyurethane with the midsole’s SPS system, whereas the stiff nylon stabilizer improves stability. The LowaFlex lacing system has ball bearing lace loops for free-moving tabs. Pulling the laces is effortless, and the pressure on your feet is significantly reduced.
The collar has a specially designed, and it’s well-padded for the best support of the ankle. The tongue is also padded for more comfort, and the boots feel cozy for many hours. The Vibram Aptrail outsole ensures grip and traction on all trails, and the shoes are a significant investment to make, even if you pay the extra buck for them.
2. Scarpa Mistral Gore-Tex Women’s Walking Boots
Scarpa Mistral Gore-Tex Women’s Walking Boots bring numerous positive aspects to the table, and make an excellent choice for many hikers, no matter if they have flat feet or not.
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Wet elements won’t be a problem, no matter where they’re coming from as the boots come with the Gore-Tex membrane. Gore-tex is waterproof and breathable at the same time, so your feet will stay dry throughout hiking. The material inside is also wicking moisture, so the risk for toasty feel is minor.
The toe box is spacious, so your toes won’t get cramped, and the risk of stone bruising is reduced. Additionally, the boots come with protective rubber in delicate areas, which only increase the comfort.
The lacing system is improved, with a wide range of fit, so that you may set the laces as tight/loose as you need. Moreover, you may lock the laces into the eyelets for safer use. The tongue and collar are padded for soft support for the ankle and minor risk for chafing. The EVA midsole protects, cushions, and provides support for the foot, whereas the midsole’s bottom layer will absorb shock efficiently. At the top, the EVA is more cushioned for better comfort. The structured ribs of the midsole give support and flexibility at the same time. On top of everything else, the boots come with Vibram outsole for reliable grip and traction on the most trail.
As long as you’re ready to buy longer laces (the boots have relatively short laces), it would help if you always considered the shoes as your next pair of boots.
3. Vasque Talus Xt Gtx Women’s Boot
We’re pretty much sure that looks will be the first thing you notice on Vasque Talus Xt Gtx Women’s Boot, but the boots are more than meets the eye.
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The footwear rocks a feminine yet rugged appearance and has a durability feel to it. It’s made with thick waterproof nubuck leather, so it’s comfortable right out of the box and resistant to wear. The Gore-Tex membrane ensures waterproof and breathable wear, as it makes moisture escape away from the feet and doesn’t let water get inside.
The dual density-EVA footbed provides the soft support and comfort you need for flat feet, whereas the molded EVA and TPU shank will give support and distribute shock while hiking. The padded tongue and collar ensure soft support for the ankle, whereas the mesh inserts improve ventilation around the ankle area. The heel cup is contoured so that heel stays in place and helps with ankle support.
The lace-up system allows you the best fit for the boots, and the Vibram MegaGgrip gives aggressive grip and traction on various trails. The shoes may run small, so double-check the sizing when buying.
What aspects count the most when selecting hiking boots for flat feet?
Hiking with flat feet with the wrong pair of hiking boots can cause pain and ankle sprains, heel spurs, or tendinitis. Choosing the right pair of boots is essential, but it’s challenging to do it when you don’t know which aspects count the most for your flat feet.
Arch and ankle support
Hiking puts a lot of pressure on your foot, and it’s even more difficult when you have flat feet and the wrong pair of hiking boots. Arch and ankle support isn’t something to see at a glance, and trying the shoes will be the best way to tell.
Some features count for arch and ankle support, and you may check them effortlessly. Softly padded tongue and collar will provide ankle support, whereas a contoured heel cup will keep the heel in place while hiking. Heel stability also helps with ankle support, reducing the risk of ankle spray.
EVA midsole provides soft support and comfort, whereas a stability shank will increase stability. If you use insoles, you may look for boots that are roomy enough to accommodate the inserts.
A lace-up system is also essential for support and comfort. Some designs allow adjustment for various areas of the foot so that you feel comfortable.
Cushy footbed
A comfortable footbed is essential for hikers with flat feet. The footbed should come with the proper amount of padding for creating an arch, and ease out hiking without tiring your feet. Keep in mind that padding shouldn’t impact structure and support, which is why you should try the boots before buying.
Fit
No matter how the shoes look on paper, they should always fit you right. You don’t want the boots to be too broad, as you risk chafing, blistering, and lose stability. At the same time, the shoes shouldn’t be too narrow because….it’s going to hurt.
Ideally, you should try the boots later in the evening, with your typical hiking socks and customized insoles (if necessary). Keep in mind that the heel is the only area where the boots should feel loose. You want a snug fit, with a spacious toe room, but snug fit for the heel so that you gain stability and ankle support.
Material
The more you want to use the hiking boots, the higher the material you wish to. Durable boots made with high-quality materials are more expensive, so think twice before buying.
If you’re hiking once a year, it’s not wise to pay the high dollar for the best boots in town. But if you’re an avid hiker, you will want to get the most durable hiking boots. And if you’re as avid as you claim, the chances are that you already know that great boots come for a high price.
FAQs
Q: How do you know that you have flat feet?
A: If the arch inside your feet is flat, causing the whole sole touch the floor when standing up, the chances are that your feet are flat.
Q: How do flat feet develop?
A: Having flat feet doesn’t pose problems per se, and they often develop when you’re a child. Sometimes, injury and aging can cause flat feet.
Q: What kind of problems cause flat feet?
A: Most of the time, you shouldn’t worry about having flat feet. But when you’re engaging in challenging and stressful activities for the feet like hiking, you may experience knee and ankle problems. The flat feet may affect the alignment of the legs. But it’s nothing to get treated for. Wearing the proper pair of hiking boots will always improve your alignment and comfort.
