9 Best Women’s Mountaineering Boots In 2023

The Nepal Cube Gtx Women’s boot has a full shank which makes it well-suited to technical climbs. It has toe and heel welts for crampon compatibility and a lacing system that makes it easy to dial in the tightness and fit. It also features a rubber toe that lets you climb easy rock patches.

The Nepal Cube Gtx has a Gore-Tex lining that is waterproof and traps heat well, keeping your toes comfortingly warm. In addition to great ankle protection, it also has a gusseted tongue and removable tongue insert to customize the fit to your liking. Also, I like that the Nepal Cube is specifically designed for women.

These boots are on the pricier end though, and one of the heaviest boots I’ve reviewed. But when you need to perform well on technical ice, the Nepal Cube GTX is my choice for the best all-around mountaineering boot for women.

The Kento Pro High GTX is a technical boot from Mammut with a super lightweight rubber sole. It is specially designed by Vibram and Mammut with a focus on grip and performance. The boot also has a Gore-Tex lining to protect it from water.

The Kento is lined with 3D Memo Foam that feels very comfortable around the feet even when walking over rocky or snowy terrain. It also has a flexible inside that offers good ankle support. The Kento Pro High GTX is one of the few boots that have a narrow toe box and a roomy heel. It has a heel welt, which allows for semi-automatic crampons.

I find the lace closure system quite basic and time-consuming, given the environment. The boots also lack gaiters, which would have provided better protection from the cold and snow. But for a strong lightweight mountaineering boot for women, the Mammut Kento Pro High is a winner.

La Sportiva’s Trango Tech GTX Women’s is a streamlined, jack-of-all boot that impressed me with its features. It’s lightweight and performs well on hiking trails, as well as in moderately rocky or snowy areas.

This mountaineering boot has a sticky sole that gives good traction and allows for some low-grade climbing. The Trango Tech GTX is also compatible with a strap-on crampon in case you need to navigate over ice.

Most boots offer two of these three things: weight, durability, or price. The Trango Tech GTX is made from lightweight materials, but this comes at the cost of durability. It shows signs of abrasion after a few days in the mountains.

I also find the Trango Tech a little too flexible for serious alpine pursuits. Still, if you’re looking for a boot that bridges the gap between hiking and mountaineering, the Trango Tech GTX is the boot for you.

The Scarpa Phantom Tech’s stiff sole and crampon-compatible heel and toe-welts are perfect for mixed climbing. This boot is popular among seasoned mountaineers for good reason. It´s lightweight, built for precision, and the single boot does a smashing job of keeping your feet warm like a double boot.

Scarpa’s HDry membrane and a watertight zipper keep your feet perfectly dry, even when the ice starts dripping mid-climb.

The only real question here is the cost, but it’s worth paying more for a boot that offers excellent warmth, precision, and durability. The Scarpa Phantom Tech is an extremely well-made unisex mountaineering boot meant for technical ice climbing.

Arc'teryx is known for the superior quality of its products and that rings true for the Acrux LT GTX. The Acrux LT GTX is a well-designed, single-layer boot that's lightweight and versatile. 

Equipped with a grippy Vibram Mont rubber sole and a stiff carbon-plated sole, this alpine boot navigates trails with precision and efficiency on snow as well as over rocks.

While the Acrux LT is a unisex boot, the fit is narrower than other boots and adapts well to most women’s feet.

The Acrux LT might be a bit too rigid for approach hikes, but that’s a small drawback for a boot of this caliber. The Arc’teryx Acrux LT GTX shines as the best three-season mountaineering boot for women.

The Elbrus has a comfortable interior and a softshell upper that keeps you going on the trail without restricting your foot. The shank is stiff enough for clambering over rocks. The Elbrus is also compatible with C1 and C2 crampons if there is a chance of ice or snow on the trail.

The Elbrus GV is not warm enough for colder temperatures and is not waterproof. However, the boot is comfortable for summer mountaineering and performs well in good weather. That’s why it’s my choice for the best women’s summer mountaineering boot.

La Sportiva G2 Evo is the mountaineering boot you splurge on when you decide to do some serious peak-bagging. The G2 is a double boot with a removable liner. The insulation is top-notch and keeps your feet warm even in a snowstorm. The high gaiter offers a nice layer of protection from the cold and wind.

This is a lightweight, waterproof boot with a Cordura shell that is super durable. The intuitive dual BOA lacing system is easy-to-use, even on the go. The carbon insole guarantees stiffness and lets it perform well in cold, rocky, icy, and high-altitude environments.

The only drawback here is the cost. Serious alpinists will not have a problem with it, but intermediate and novice mountaineers might look for other options like the Trango Tech GTX reviewed above.

Finding mountaineering boots that fit wide feet is a task that Scarpa has solved perfectly. The Mont Blanc Pro Gtx features a roomy toe box and a wider fit.

This Mont Blanc mountaineering boot features a waterproof leather upper, a Gore-tex lining, and toe- and heel-welts for automatic crampons. It is a great all-rounder boot for alpine ascents in lower elevations and light technical climbing.

The insulation of the Mont Blanc Pro Gtx Wmn is a little lacking. But they are an ideal alternative to the Nepal Cube GTX, especially if you have wide feet and want a more affordable price.

The La Sportiva Spantik is a unisex boot that runs narrower than others and lends itself to women’s narrow feet very well. The sole is rigid enough for technical climbing but also supple enough for approach hikes.

The Spantik has a water-repellent, synthetic outer boot. It´s not waterproof but has a removable inner boot that you can keep dry inside your tent. The double layer makes sure your feet are nice and toasty inside.

This unisex mountaineering boot has the simplest lacing system that´s easy to adjust even with gloves on.

The Spantik doesn’t seem to be very durable when used for longer periods. Some women might also feel a slight heel lift when walking with this pair of boots. Despite these drawbacks, this La Sportiva boot has been popular with serious alpinists for about a decade. It’s my choice for the best women’s mountaineering boot for narrow feet.