The Perfect Women’s Hiking Boot for Minimalists
After a lot of searching, we can say we found the perfect women's hiking boot for minimalists. And by "we", we mean Kelsey.
Since we travel a lot but also have a minimalist wardrobe, Kelsey wanted a versatile shoe. It had to be decent enough for hiking but also work for checking out new cites.
Basically, something that allows for adventures in both. It turns out most hiking boots are made for just hiking...crazy right?
So Kelsey was always on the lookout for a minimalist hiking shoe perfect for travel. After two years of searching, she found the perfect pair.
The first pair lasted through many outdoor adventures, but then wore down. Since we're always looking to improve, the first pair was retired and a new option came along.
Since minimalism is all about owning less, we want to make it clear that we do not support owning more than one hiking boot at a time. We wanted to share both boots with you because they both worked great and this way you can pick the one right for you.
Both hiking boots are perfect for minimalist travel and allow for a more stylish trip along the way. We can't decide which one is better but maybe one will fit right for you.
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Contents
North Face Women's Ballard Lace Boot
About
We didn't even know North Face made boots until we found this pair. After some time on Amazon, this pair came up and was perfect.
They have high ankle support and grips to help with more treacherous trails. The colors are either dark brown or light brown which is perfect for a minimalist wardrobe.
Why They are Perfect for Minimalists
Matches Minimalist Chic
Kelsey likes to think of herself as a minimalist chic fashionista. Finding boots that are stylish and match everything was crucial.
The shades of brown matches everything, even our all-black wardrobe. They also look great with clothes other than hiking gear.
Slender
Hiking boots are typically big and bulky so finding a slender boot is amazing. Even with the high ankle support, the boots are very narrow and slender.
Since we have to pack our boots when we travel, having a slender hiking boot is extremely helpful. This way we can fit everything in our carry-on luggage.
Why Kelsey Loves Them
The biggest reason why these boots are amazing...they are adorable. It may sound crazy for hiking boots but having a stylish shoe that ALSO works for hiking was perfect.
They also work great for hiking and helping around at our family's farm. It's nice having an easy boot to put on, that gives support and gets the job done.
Merrell Women's Eventyr Bluff Waterproof Boot
About
Merrell has always been known for higher-end hiking boots. These shoes are waterproof and have some ankle support.
There are grips on the bottom but nothing too crazy so be wary of trying to hike in the snow. Most of the colors are basic neutrals with coral tones in the sole and shoestrings.
Why They are Perfect for Minimalists
Versatile
Probably the best part of the boots is their versatility. We each have a 100 item wardrobe so having a boot that is only good for hiking wouldn't work.
Kelsey needed something that can be used for hiking but also looks good with her clothes to wear while walking around cold, rainy cities.
These boots are perfect for outdoor adventures and have a great grip for steeper hikes. When we are not hiking the boots also work great for city adventures without looking bulky.
Light Weight
If you have hiking boots then you know most come pretty big and bulky. We lived in a tiny home for years and now live in a small downtown apartment so space and weight are important for everything we own. These boots are perfect as they aren't too big so they don't weigh as much.
It's also important that even though they are smaller they still provide support. You still get decently high ankle support and have grips on the bottom.
Good Quality
Quality is a must for any minimalist. These boots do not disappoint with their quality.
Since buying them years ago Kelsey has hiked all over from Washington in the US to Iceland with still no problems.
They are still waterproof and perfectly intact. Plus even ad they get dirty from adventures they are easy to clean by simply wiping off.
Why Kelsey Loves Them
Phil is a much better hiker than Kelsey so anything to give her an edge is appreciated. Having the proper footwear helps with not falling behind.
These boots allow for many more hiking adventures, even on the more difficult hikes. Plus we travel a lot and at times that includes cold and rainy places.
These boots are perfect for keeping Kelsey warm and dry. They are her go-to boots whenever we travel to any place that may have bad weather in the forecast.
Honorable Mentions
Trail Shoe
If you're not a big hiker and you know deep down you don't really need a hiking boot, a trail running shoe might be a good option. Kelsey bought the Altra trail running shoe and for lighter hikes it gets the job done.
Since it's not a hiking boot you are saying goodbye to ankle support and they will soak up water in a second. The nice thing is that they are a slight step up from normal gym shoes.
The grips on the bottom do well on flat rocks or a decently paved trail, even with an incline. Keep in mind though, if there are a lot of loose rocks the grip won't help.
This is an excellent option for anyone who knows the extent of their hiking will be the occasional trail that's not too steep. The grips are spaced well enough that when you're not hiking they make a great running shoe.
Vivobarefoot Minimalist Hiking Boot
Vivobarefoot is a company that specializes in minimalist shoes for outdoor adventures. Phil owns the Men's version and loves them.
Currently, we can't say too much about their women's version since we haven't tried it yet. The goal is to try them once the current hiking boot needs to be replaced but we at least wanted to give them a mention since they are on our radar.
If you are on the lookout for the perfect Women's minimalist hiking boot then give these boots a try. They are stylish but still meet the needs of a traveler looking for adventure.
Check Out the Boots on Amazon