How to Choose Hiking Boots

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Say hello to the future of hiking and backpacking. The women's REI Co-op Flash TT (Technical Terrain) boots keep you light on your feet with recycled components and design input from thru-hikers.
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View the REI Co-op Flash Product LineView all REI Co-op Women's Day Hiking BootsBest Use | Hiking |
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Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | HydroWall waterproof/breathable membrane (70% recycled polyurethane) |
Upper | FirmaWeave 90% recycled polyester |
Lining | 75% recycled polyester |
Midsole | TerraLoft+ Hike (20% recycled; 10% bio-based material) |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip Litebase rubber |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 7 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials From a Climate Label Certified brand |
6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | |
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U.S. Women's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 |
UK | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 |
EU | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 |
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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These are great hiking boots right out of the box. I found there was no break-in period and they fit true to size. Out on the trail the boots performed above expectations. They are extremely comfortable and after wearing them for 8+ hours on the trail and in town I was ready for more. The boots are very breathable and won't suffocate your feet as you traverse your route. The color is excellent and accepts lots of outfit options. The high top boots have been well thought out for hiking and trail use. the back of the boot dips down to allow freedom of movement. They have a sufficient toe box for slight toe wiggle, but are sturdy enough to hold the heel in place. I have narrow feet and these performed wonderfully.
These boots are really cute and I wanted them to work. They have good arch support and a roomy toe box. I liked the color combo of navy and olive. It is a heavily cushioned boot and was comfortable out of the box. What didn't work for me is these felt more like a running shoe than a hiking boot. More like one of the popular heavily cushioned rocker type running shoes. For a mid-rise boot, they sat about ankle level and I like to have my boots just a bit higher for better ankle support. The lacing is like a running shoe and not with hook type closure so not as easy to adjust the tightness. The sole extends beyond the heel (and sides) which is also different and gives is bigger footprint which may help with traction, but it made the boots feel bigger and a bit clunkier than they should have. The sole does come up over the toe and there is a plastic/rubber type coating around the toe which should help minimize scuff marks and improve durability on the trail.
I wore these boots on a recent hike up Mission Peak in the East Bay. It had just rained two days ago so I figured this would be a great opportunity to assess their traction and how waterproof they are. Firstly, I am very impressed with how comfortable the shoes are. They have a seemingly thick sole that really offers a lot of comfort and cushioning. Moreover, the upper synthetic material is very thin and lightweight and was immediately comfortable. So they are a pair of hiking boots that require minimal to no wearing-in and can be worn immediately. My favorite feature about these shoes is definitely how comfortable they are all around. They are also absolutely waterproof and kept my feet dry despite the heavy mud we encountered on the trail. They are now my go-to shoes on rainy days, as they are also very lightweight and okay to wear every day. The vibram rubber sole seems pretty standard and provided more than enough traction for me even on the muddy terrain. I think they are a very good pair of hiking boots if you don't require a lot of support. This is the only potential downside to these shoes: They only go up to the ankles and not over and since the material is so lightweight and breathable they don't offer a lot of structural support. This is just the trade-off that comes with having lightweight, synthetic material. I think they are overall very good shoes and REI gets a real plus from me for trying to make as much of the synthetic material as possible from recycled material.
These are epically light and have some amazing features. Great ankle height and arch support. The soles are wide and give extra traction. I felt very safe from slipping. No break in time at all and tongue doesn’t move around which is my pet peeve. This color combo is super nice- the blue is a combo of a matte and ripstop grid pattern. And the tapenade is an olive gold that matches the sole. Love that the upper soles are grey and not white. And love that they are made from recycled products.
I’m usually somewhere between a size 9 and a 10, but I snagged these in a 9.5, and they fit great. There’s room to wiggle my toes without feeling like I’m swimming in them. Could’ve even gone for a 9 for a snugger fit. By the second time I wore them, they felt like mine. It didn't really require any breaking in which I love. They have bit of a higher arch support that provides almost a rocking motion when you walk. The ankle support is solid, making me feel stable and secure no matter the trail. The more I wear them, the more I seemed to enjoy them. Even the colors I really liked after a few wears. The only reason I am giving a 4 out of 5 stars is because personally, I have flat feet so the higher arch support isn't my first choice in hiking boots. However like I said, the longer I wear them the more fond I grow of them.
These are comfortable and lightweight. The sole design gives me sort of a spring in my step. The shaft height is high enough to support one's ankles but not too high that you will get hot and feel constricted. I really like that they are built mostly from recycled materials. I suggest going by the size chart if you happen to know your European sizing. I went by the Euro size that I am for my xc ski boots, translated into US sizes. I am normally between 8.5-9 for regular shoes, and I generally size up to 9.5 for hiking boots, but I got these in 9 and they fit well, with enough room for thick-ish socks and a bit of foot swelling if need be. I am planning on using these mostly for warmer weather hiking. I think the only thing I would change is to make the sole all "gum" instead of mostly white, but I suppose that would add to the weight.
I wore these shoes on a recent trip to California. I didn’t break them in before I left which could have been bad but they were perfect! I wore them walking San Francisco, tide pooling, and on several park hikes in the rain. They kept my feet dry and comfortable the whole trip. They fit my wide feet comfortably, and had good ankle support without being too high. I like the supportive arch and heel. Will be my go to shoe for day hiking.
The hiking sneakers are great! I had them for 2 months now. They are indeed waterproof! I love the color! They match with a lot of other hiking gear surprisingly! If you need arch support this is defiantly for you. Has very good grip on the bottom. I used to feel uneasy walking downhill. Not with these shoes! Could have had more padding in the heel but can't complain since it still feels good. I bought it in the orange color too!
I'm really impressed with my new boots. Took them for a spin on a 5-mile hike that was mostly uphill, rocky, uneven terrain. Wore them witg my smartwool socks and was pleasantly surprised. The tow box is comfortable and the soles made me feel bouncy every step of the way. No blisters or sores yet. I love my boots! I will even venture to say that they're better than my Hoka hiking boots.
So comfortable, right out of the box! I bought these for a 10-day trip to Scotland because my La Sportiva hiking boots seemed a bit overkill for the traveling, walking and sightseeing but I wanted a study shoe that would give me support. I wore these straight out of the box the day we got on the plane and didn’t take them off until I got home 10 days later. My feet never hurt, they were supportive and because they kind of look like tennis shoes, they looked ok with my casual clothes, mainly leggings. We were in rain, sun, walking in the mountains and on cobblestone streets and I was never happier with a pair of shoes. The sole is rugged and grips well. I’m so excited to have them as an option for hiking this summer. My only critique is that they are warm-I feel like they don’t breathe very well BUT my feet stayed dry every day so I can be ok with that. I highly recommend, especially for the price point. Well done, REI.