Brands of women's hiking boots

I'm in the market for a pair of hiking boots, and I'm looking for personal recommendations. Yes, before anyone suggests it, I can use Google/go to a sporting goods store, etc. etc., but I would like to see if there are any avid hikers here who can recommend a particular brand/model of boot.

Specifications: made for women's feet, intermediate level/hiking difficulty, obviously good ankle support, mid-price

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Lowa and Meindl are good brands and as far as quality goes I think there's no difference. I have had (and still have) various models - no women's models but I believe if they're doing a good job for men's models, why should the women's models be bad.
I have not yet come across a brand that does women's models only.
There are many more brands like Hanwag, Asolo (Italian), Raichle (Swiss), Salomon. There are a few more. I would definitely go for a brand name product here, the cheap shit is not worth it. I guess the only "brand" I wouldn't buy is "Jack Wolfskin" - I just find the whole brand annoying and the quality is not on a level with the price.

No matter what brand -always- go for a VIBRAM sole, the best soles/rubber mix out there.

Check the REI website for more information or www.globetrotter.de (German only, but at least you can compare prices)

Can't recommend any brand but if you want a good deal then head over to the Kaufhof outdoor sports shop at Theresienhohe as they have a closing down sale and there are some great bargins to be had.

I have a parir of ASOLOs and I love them. But, it just depends on your foot. Just like for ski boots. If you have a low volume foot (ie, you have skinny-ass feet) then some boots are just not gonna fit you right. It's just important that your feet don't slide around too much in there or when you are going downhill, you're gonna be hating life and your toenails will never be the same (ok, I'm exaggerating a bit here). The boot will also depend on what kind of hiking you want to do - day hikes with light packs or multi-day hikes with heavier packs. All important questions to ask when you start looking.

Totally agree. Only posers wear Jack Wolfskin.

I have a pair of Lowas that I like. I don't do a lot of heavy hiking, but I have been wearing them a lot around town lately what with all the snow, etc.

They are very comfortable and they keep my feet dry! I think I bought them at Sport Scheck in Sendlinger Strasse.

I also wear LOWA and aren't 100% happy with them. They are heavy and too warm on a hot day. However, as we only have a few hot days in Germany I guess it's not that important. I went to Karstadt Sport at Stachus and this guy really took his time on me. They seemed to fit nicely in the store and are comfortable when I either go straight or uphill. Downhill they give me blisters though, my feet look like a horror after a hike. So all in all I don't know whether I could recommend LOWA to you.

I have feet that I have to pay property tax on but they are also quite narrow and the best fitting climbing boots I've ever owned are a pair of Meindl Island. According to the marketing the special foam lining warms up after a short period of wearing and moulds to your foot better than a normal pair of boots. Whatever is in them it works. These boots are both light enough to actually run in and strong enough to handle very rough hiking.

Island Lady is available in three different models including a extra narrow one. If they are anywhere near as good as the men's version I can wholeheartedly recommend them.

Lowa Lowa Lowa!
These are the only pair of shoes in my entire life which were extremely comfortable as of day 1 and which I didn't have to break in - not 1 single blister!!!

Of course it depends on your foot shpae and size, but these were amazing if not a tad pricey (ca. €150).I've done hill walking and city walking in them (they're so comfy I never want to take them off unfortunately).

@UA

I guess my feet are funny besides being way too small for my hight. They are flatish as well (can't see that when I look at them, but my doc says they are). I have to wear inlays for running. Maybe that's why LOWA isn't right for me. Yeti's recommendation sounds interesting though. I might get myself a pair this season. Boy I am looking forward to tomorrow! What beautiful weather we currently have! Tomorrow we are going for our first hike.

I'm pretty happy with my Salomon boots. I really think that you're better off going into a good shop and trying on boots and walking around, up and down a slope/stairs a few times than taking any recommendation.

@ majorbummer - u might wanna bring snowshoes along or are u just gonna hike along the Isar?

Err, what you mean mista? I no can do mountain? No possible?

I prefer Raichle boots. I've had a pair for ten years and been all over the world with them. Took them straight from the box, to hiking the mountains of colorado, no break in peiod, and never a blister. That's the definition of a quality boot.

i have a few pairs. the ones i brought w/ me over here are Columbia brand and i think the type is "trail grinder low".
they are super lightweight and more of a boot/trail running shoe mix. i originally got them b/c they were on sale cheap, but they are super comfy and also reliable and stable. i've done a week hike in the grand canyon, random day hikes, and the porcupine mountains in them (among other stuff) and have yet to complain.

other brand suggestion- Merrell
(some of my friends also like Montrail and i've had good experiences w/ their products during adventure races)

these stores don't exist in Germany (that i know of), but check out the websites for ideas-- Cabela's or rei

I also like my Montrails...great value for the price, though when on wet surfaces they do not have the best grip and are a bit slippery.

Good for nice weather, light to medium hikes.

Never had a blister and are very lightweight.

I am off in an hour to buy some hiking shoes for my aunt. So any other suggestions would be great. Especially what stores here in Munich offer the best selection & sales help.

Shops: Schuster, Basecamp, Scheck, Karstadt Sport Theresienhöhe
Brands: depends on what you are going to be doing and your feet. If you are just going to be doing Wandern / Mountain Walking with easy to moderate difficulty I would recommend Lowa. As others have said here, they are the most comfortable and from day one. If you will be on more difficult terrain, rocky scrambling then I would go for 3 season boots from Meindl. Even more technical / alpine then you will need 4 seasons, personally I prefer salomon in this category, but here you really need to try a few pairs on.

I have all 3 but do mostly medium difficulty hikes with the Lowas. Only thing I would note is that I need to change the Lowas nearly yearly. Mind you I am out (nearly) every weekend of the year.

I then did buy myself some new ones: Meindl's "Air Revolution". I am very happy with them and can recommend them. They are ideal for people who have wide, flat feet. Lowa is better for people with slim, long feet. The "Air Revolution" is relatively light as well. Weird colour-job though (red and grey/braun). I got them at Sporthaus Schuster after trying several different pairs. Important to remember is the difference in style in comparison to the shape of your foot. I will not use my Lowas for hiking anymore.

People shopping at Sporthaus S******r - bah!

I was actually thinking of you while I went in there and did feel slightly guilty(although I have never met you)! They do have a very large selection though..
//runs off and hides

Hello,

Me and my husband are planning to climb up to the Zugspitze and we were informed that we would be needing climbing spur (steigeisen). Does anyone know where we can rent them for reasonable prices in Munich?

Thank you so much!

Cheers,
Christine

EDIT: I just called up at the DAV but they just rent climbing spurs to the members and we are not one of them. So please any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am looking to buy a new pair of hiking boots. My good boots are at home in Fredericton packed in storage amongst all my belongings. I am going to be doing some camping and hiking in Iceland in August so I need to get a new pair. Any suggestions??
Topics merged by admin

There is a Timberland factory outlet just outside Munich City, accessible by S-Bahn.
TT thread on the shop

I've had the same pair of Brasher boots for over 20 years and can't recommend them enough. Very comfortable, lightweight but robust, with a flexible sole that's strong and doesn't slip. The company will also repair the boots and resole them.

I really knew the difference a couple of years ago when I bought another pair of women's boots (Italian brand, can't remember the name): not only did the rigid rubber soles slip (I was crossing a wooden bridge that was wet and the boots had absolutely no purchase at all) but the leather upper was so rigid that my ankles were in agony for the next two days. Not blistered but just sore from the pressure. They were very expensive and I've only worn them once. Never again!

If it was me, and I've been to Iceland too, I'd consider taking two types.
Lowa for a boot, mine are similar to the Banff style purely as they were the best fit for me (I have a narrow fitting) and have started then stayed comfortable.
Teva Karnali Wraptor for a sport sandal. The reason why I'd say these is that you can often get really surprisingly warm weather in Iceland, these are also good for hiking when you might go through wetter conditions as they drain excellently. Very comfortable, had mine on today in fact, but again Tevas are known for fitting narrowly, so they do not fit all. Also love the toe protection, saved me many a time.
Now can be a pretty good time to shop, lot of sales are on. There's some not bad basic trail runners for about 40€ in the North Face store I noticed...

meindl get in them and go!