Finding a good pair of hiking boots isn’t just about comfort. For me, ankle support became particularly important after I sprained my ankle on a hike while wearing shoes that simply didn’t provide enough support.
That’s what led me to the Foxelli Women’s Hiking Boots.
I’ve now had these boots for about two years and have worn them on countless hikes and outdoor adventures. They’ve been used on dirt trails, gravel, loose rock, steep uphill and downhill sections, and even through streams and creeks. After two years of putting them through real-world use, I’m still very happy with them. In fact, they’re one of those pieces of hiking gear that I don’t really have to think about anymore. I put them on and go.
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Why I Chose These Hiking Boots
The biggest reason I bought the Foxelli boots was ankle support. After spraining my ankle on a hike while wearing shoes that didn’t provide enough support, I wanted something more substantial for hiking. I wasn’t necessarily looking for the lightest hiking shoe available. I wanted something sturdy that would give me good ankle support while still being comfortable enough to wear for long hikes. These boots have turned out to be a very good balance between those things. They’re definitely sturdier than a lightweight trail shoe, but I wouldn’t describe them as extremely heavy.
Fit and Comfort
The fit has been excellent for me. The sizing was accurate, and I’ve had no problems with uncomfortable pressure points, rubbing, or needing a long break-in period.
More importantly, they’ve remained comfortable on both shorter hikes and longer outings. I’ve worn them for countless hikes over the past two years, and comfort has never been an issue. That’s particularly important because a hiking boot can technically provide great support but still become miserable after several hours on the trail. I haven’t experienced that with these.
Excellent Value for the Price
Another reason I like these boots is the price. At around $100 on Amazon, I think the Foxelli Women’s Hiking Boots are an excellent value for what you get. After two years and countless hikes, the fact that they’re still in great condition makes the value even more apparent. You’re getting a sturdy hiking boot with good ankle support, waterproofing, reliable traction, and excellent durability without spending several hundred dollars on a premium hiking boot.
For someone who hikes regularly but doesn’t want to spend a fortune on footwear, these are almost a no-brainer at around $100. Obviously, prices can change, but when they’re available around that price point, I think they’re particularly easy to recommend.
Excellent Ankle Support
For me, this is probably the biggest reason I’d recommend these boots. The ankle support is excellent. That’s exactly what I was looking for after my previous ankle injury, and the boots give me substantially more support and stability than the shoes I had been using before. When you’re hiking over uneven terrain, loose rocks, or steep sections of trail, having your ankle properly supported can make a big difference.
I’ve used these boots on:
- Loose rock
- Gravel
- Uneven dirt
- Steep uphill sections
- Steep downhill sections
- Rocky trails
- Streams and creeks
I’ve never had an issue with the boots feeling unstable. Obviously, no hiking boot can prevent every possible ankle injury, but having a sturdy boot around the ankle gives me much more confidence when I’m hiking on uneven terrain.
Waterproofing
The waterproofing has also been excellent in my experience. I’ve taken these boots through wet conditions, including streams and creeks, and they’ve kept my feet dry as long as the water stays below the height of the boot. That’s an important distinction with any waterproof hiking boot. The waterproofing can be excellent, but if you step into water deep enough to go over the top of the boot, you’re obviously going to get wet.
Within the limits of the boot’s height, though, I’ve had no complaints about waterproofing. For hiking in wet conditions, crossing shallow streams, or dealing with wet trails, they’ve performed very well.
Grip and Traction
The grip has also been reliable across the types of terrain where I normally hike. I’ve used them on dirt, gravel, loose rocks, uphill and downhill sections, and generally uneven terrain without having any problems with traction. I’m not someone who buys hiking boots just to walk on perfectly maintained trails. A lot of my hiking involves more variable terrain, and the boots have handled that use very well. The combination of the sturdy construction and good grip makes them feel dependable when the trail gets rough.
Are They Actually Lightweight?
This is one area where I think it’s worth being realistic. These aren’t ultralight hiking shoes. They’re sturdy hiking boots, and you can feel that they’re built for support and durability. But I also wouldn’t call them extremely heavy. For me, the weight is a very reasonable tradeoff for the ankle support and protection they provide. If your priority is shaving every possible ounce from your feet for fast-and-light hiking, there are probably lighter options. But if you want a traditional hiking boot that provides good support without feeling excessively heavy, I think these strike a good balance.
How Have They Held Up After Two Years?
This is probably the most impressive part for me. I’ve had these boots for approximately two years and have used them on countless hikes, yet they still look remarkably good. I’ve taken them over dirt, gravel, loose rock, steep terrain and through water, and I haven’t experienced any significant wear problems. I haven’t had the soles come apart, the upper deteriorate, or the waterproofing suddenly stop working. They’re still going strong! That’s a big reason why I feel comfortable recommending them.
A hiking boot can look great when you first take it out of the box. What matters much more to me is what it looks like after a couple of years of actual hiking. These have held up extremely well.
What About Hiking in Hot Weather?
I haven’t found heat or breathability to be a significant problem with these boots. Obviously, any sturdy waterproof hiking boot is going to feel different from a lightweight mesh trail runner, particularly in very hot conditions. But during my normal hiking use, I haven’t found the boots uncomfortably hot. For me, the additional support and waterproofing are worth the tradeoff compared with a much more minimalist hiking shoe.
What I Like Most
After two years, the three things I appreciate most are:
Ankle support. This was the main reason I bought them, and they’ve delivered.
Comfort. Despite being sturdy boots, they’ve remained comfortable even on longer hikes.
Waterproofing. They’ve kept my feet dry through wet conditions and shallow stream crossings as long as the water doesn’t go above the boot.
And then there’s durability. I wasn’t expecting to still have these boots looking this good after two years of use.
What I Don’t Like
Honestly, I don’t have any significant complaints.
The only thing I’d mention is that they’re not ultralight hiking shoes. They’re sturdy boots, so if you’re specifically looking for the absolute lightest footwear possible, these probably aren’t what you’re looking for. But for the type of hiking I do, I consider the weight a reasonable tradeoff for the support and durability.
Would I Buy Them Again?
Absolutely! After two years and countless hikes, I have no hesitation saying I’d buy these boots again. They’ve given me the ankle support I was looking for, they’ve remained comfortable, they’ve kept my feet dry in wet conditions, and they’ve held up exceptionally well. Most importantly, I don’t have to think about them when I’m hiking. And that’s probably the best compliment I can give hiking footwear.
When I’m out on a trail, I’m thinking about the scenery, the route, where the trail is going, or what I’m going to discover next. I’m not thinking about my feet hurting or wondering whether my boots are going to hold up. These boots have simply become reliable gear.
Final Verdict
After approximately two years of use, I’d give the Foxelli Women’s Hiking Boots 5 out of 5 stars.
They’re comfortable, supportive, waterproof, durable, and capable of handling the kind of varied terrain I encounter on my hikes.
They’re not the lightest hiking footwear available, but that’s not really their purpose. They’re designed to give you a sturdy, supportive boot that you can depend on.
For hikers who want good ankle support, waterproofing, comfort, and durability without going to an extremely heavy boot, they’ve been an excellent choice for me.
And after two years of use, I’d absolutely buy them again.