How to Choose Hiking Boots

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Tackle tough terrain or hop on your neighborhood loop in the women's Altra ALL-WTHR Mid 2 hiking boots. With a waterproof bootie construction and upgraded TPU kick plates, they're ready to romp.
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View the Altra Lone Peak Product LineView all Altra Women's Day Hiking BootsBest Use | Hiking |
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Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Upper | Waterproof bootie construction |
Lining | Nylon |
Midsole | Altra EGO |
Outsole | MaxTrac |
Can Be Resoled | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 8 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | |
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U.S. Women's | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11..5 | 12 |
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
EU | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 |
Altra’s unique FootShape™ toe box and zero to low shoes are built to place your foot in a natural position, with a stable and confident foundation to run on. When fitting, be sure to allow a full thumb’s width in front of your toes. If your feet are used to cramped toe boxes, Altra shoes may feel a little big at first. Give your toes some time to get used to the newfound wiggle room.
Altra offers a range of FootShape fits:
Original Fit: The fit that started it all, Original is the roomiest of the 3 options from Altra.
Standard Fit: The most common fit from Altra is right in the middle of Original and Slim.
Slim Fit: The slimmest-fitting Altra option still allows room for your toes to spread out naturally.
IS THIS SHOE TRUE TO SIZE? The product Features above will provide a suggestion if Altra advises you to size up or down in this particular shoe. If no such note exists, please order your regular size.
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After hours and hours of trying on different sizes and genders and brands of shoes in store, and 2 purchases that resulted in returns later, I finally was able to source these from REI’s website and they are absolutely perfect! I don’t have narrow feet but I guess they’re a little bit more slender and I have very high arches. I’m surprised that the wide toe box actually makes a considerable difference for me. I’ve now been to Big Bend, Palo Duro, and a few other places in these and they’ve been great. The only thing I might prefer as far as improvements go might be more cushion for rockier terrain.
Bought these boots for a trip to Colorado while it was still snow-packed (for the most part). I wore these shoes, brand new, and the waterproofing broke within the first 2 miles of wearing them. Right at the seal where the show bends. I was so utterly disappointed and had to continue to wear these boots during my trip. So, I had boots that would constantly get my socks and feet wet. If all you ever need these boots for is dry hikes, then save your money and get the regular boots. Or, if you fancy having to reseal your boots every day, buy these. The fit and feel were fine, I was just mad that I paid all this money for the waterproofing and was left wanting.
I have worn several pairs of low-rise Altras for hiking over the years, but these are my first boots. After only a few times wearing them on sidewalks and relatively well-groomed trails, I notice tears in the uppers on both left and right shoes. My other Altras have never shown this wear, even after many times hiking on the same trails. I’m so disappointed! I expected better durability from these Altra boots.
My SECOND pair of Altra Hiking boots. Matter of fact, I’ve been on the edge of my seat waiting for this year’s stock to be released! The neutral heel, the wide toe box, the absolute comfort, the water resistance… perfect for my hiking needs. I’m not an aggressive hiker. I do 3-7 mile stretches in south central Montana (Beartooth Mountains area); Small stream crossings, scrabble, elevation gains of 100-400’. The grip is perfect. Following a diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma in the balls of each foot, and subsequent surgery- I changed my footwear. No more problems! I LOVE these boots- they keep me on my feet trail after trail!
I have several different styles of Altra trail runners and love them all. They are so very comfortable. I bought the Altra Lone Peak Mids to backpack 1/3 of the Wonderland Trail, assuming they would keep my feet at least partly dry. In light rain, my socks were completely saturated within 15 minutes and I had to hike another 11 miles with soaked feet. Multiple holes developed in the outer fabric where they crease as toes bend. These have been used for less than 100 hiking miles. Not at all impressed and these will be returned. Not sure why this particular model failed me so completely, since I really love all my other Altra shoes.
I had a pair of Altras that I’ve loved for the past 7 years. Sadly they are completely worn out and have holes in them. I bought these new ones thinking that the fit and quality would be the same. They are not even close! I tried over and over to get the lacing tension right, finally I gave up on lacing them up fullly because there was so much tension. I set out to hike a very easy dirt trail. Within 200 meters I could barely walk, they were chaffing my ankle bones on both sides. So painful! I took them off and hobbled barefoot back to the car, that’s how painful and poor fitting these boots are. Total disappointment.
Very happy with the comfort of these boots, but the quality of the material is poor. They started developing small holes in the fabric within a couple of weeks, and by now, there are big, frayed holes after having them for only 4 months. They are also not waterproof at all, even before the holes. I also don't like hiking in them, because my toes bash against the front of the boots no matter how I lace them. However, they are very comfortable work shoes. I'm on my feet all day walking on concrete floors, and these keep my feet and lower back happy all day. While I don't regret trying these boots, I won't buy another pair.
REI staff member went above and beyond for two hours bringing out the boots I thought I wanted, finding my correct size (I measure 8 -8.5 possibly wide, but because of how one foot fits, I take a 9.5), and I have to say, I have never had better hiking days! No break in before these boots tackled moderate level 4-6 mile hikes over lots of rocky terrain and tree roots, creeks and up and down hills. My feet, hips and back have never liked boots more. Wore with polypropylene liners and darn tough merino-nylon hiking socks and feet were really happy. They are just right on cushion and support yet my toes really could grip through them - hard to describe but fun and energizing to experience. Once more, I’m so happy that REI offers the level of service and expertise from outdoorsy folks who really know their merchandise and what works locally. I rarely leave reviews but honestly, what a great experience!
Sadly, the design of these boots has changed and now they are too narrow for my feet. I loved the last version of these boots, but this version gives me pain.
Comfortable from day one! I wear a size 9 normally and ordered that. I have an average width foot. I do wear a nice hiking sock and find my foot does not slide around. I haven’t done any super long hikes, but I did do a seven mile very comfortably. The trail was muddy and these shoes kept me from slipping. I’m super pleased with them! I am 5’7”, 130 lbs, 64 years old with feet that pronate slightly, sacro-iliac instability, and hips that are prone to being tight. Altra shoes have been so helpful for all those conditions (I own 5 different types now). I used to also have knee pain which is gone now. I do think zero drop shoes with some padding (barefoot is too extreme for me) have been key! Hope all that personal info helps you.