The 10 Most Comfortable Women's Boots of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Vivaia Regina Booties

$149 at Amazon View on Vivaia.com

Vivaia is a newer footwear brand, but in the years since its 2020 launch, it's become known for exceptionally comfortable styles. We were thoroughly impressed with these square-toe boots. The sock-style knit uppers offer a snug, supportive fit without feeling constricted, while the cushioned footbeds and chunky heels provide stellar stability. We even tried them without socks, and they felt just as good.

These boots were comfortable on the first wear. Even after a long day, we never experienced any discomfort, pinching, or blisters. One thing to note is that the stretchy textile uppers don't provide much ankle support, but they're far from flimsy. Unlike leather, the material doesn't scuff, and it's water-repellent, so you can go out in the rain and step in puddles without a second thought.

We found these boots easy to dress up or down and wear with numerous outfits. They pack easily in a suitcase, and the breathability makes them good for travel days. In the end, we think the price is absolutely justified.

The Details: Sizes 5-11 | Knit | Slip-on | Water-repellent

Best Combat

Thursday Boot Co. Quest Boots

View on Thursdayboots.com

If you like the grungy, utilitarian vibe of combat boots, the Thursday Quest might be right up your alley. The quality of the leather was apparent right off the bat, but it wasn't uncomfortably stiff, so the boots didn't require a break-in period. We appreciated how the memory foam cushioning formed to the shape of our feet and that the thick lug outsoles offered traction underfoot.

"My feet felt supported all day long, even when I walked 4 miles around New York City in them, so they'd be great for sightseeing trips or city getaways," says Travel + Leisure testing editor Jackie Cucco. "Though the boots are heavy, they have shock-absorbing memory foam insoles that make them comfortable to walk in." Just a heads up: we found that the black leather dye rubbed off on white socks.

We like that these have a classic lace-up style, but the side zippers make them much easier to get on than traditional combat boots — and made them more comfortable than shoes that zip-up in the back. The brand recommends ordering a half size smaller than you normally wear, and we thought this was accurate. All things considered, we think these comfortable, durable boots are worth the investment.

The Details: Sizes 5-12 | Leather | Zip and lace-up

Best Ankle Boot

Cole Haan Hampshire Buckle Bootie

$200 $170 at Amazon $200 $119 at Zappos View on Colehaan.com

We also liked these pared-down, clean-cut ankle boots from Cole Haan. They have a modest heel height, rubber soles that offer good traction, and inner-ankle zippers that make them easy to get on and off. Our feet felt supported, and we found it easy to walk on various outdoor surfaces without worrying about slipping.

Hampshire Buckle Boots have a high-quality look and feel. After wearing them many times, they looked just like new. They're versatile, too, pairing well with casual streetwear, preppy outfits, sweater dresses, jeans, cardigans, leggings, maxis — you name it.

We should mention that these booties run slightly narrow. If you have narrower feet, we suggest getting the regular width, but if your feet are more average, go with the wide width. Also, the upper edge rubbed into our skin on one side, so you may want to wear taller socks or stockings. Still, those looking for a simple boot with a shorter shaft height will be pleased with this pair.

The Details: Sizes 5-11 (medium and wide) | Leather | Zip-on

Best Knee-high

Naturalizer Deesha Knee High Boot

$265 $220 at Amazon $106 at Nordstrom $220 at Zappos

We found these knee-high boots incredibly comfortable to wear for hours on end. They have cushioned footbeds and solid traction, despite having a narrower heel. We never slipped and felt supported with every step. "I love how comfortable these are for heeled boots," says T+L associate editor Anna Popp. "The kitten heel is perfect for wearing these all day, and the leather is soft enough to fold the shaft to pack in a suitcase." Not only that, but the leather gets softer over time, molding to the shape of your feet and calves without looking worn down.

These boots aren't water-resistant, so we don't recommend wearing them in the rain. But on dry days during the chilly season, you'll be glad to have them on hand. We walked for miles in them, and our feet never felt tender. 

The Deesha Boot fits true to size, and wide widths are available. Plus, there's a hidden stretchy panel inside the shafts to offer more space for wider calves. Since tall boots require more leather to make, and considering how remarkably comfortable they are, we think the price is totally warranted.

The Details: Sizes 5-12 (medium and wide) | Leather | Zip-up

Best Western

Ariat Heritage R Toe Western Boot

$160 $143 at Amazon $160 at Zappos $160 at Zappos

Whether you're hopping on the Western fashion trend or have always loved the aesthetic, these boots are a purchase you won't regret. From the tapered R toe and stacked heel to the high-quality leather and four-row stitch pattern, the classic cowboy details have an authentic appeal.

We were shocked by how comfortable these boots were. They were slightly tight on the first wear, but on the second day, they felt completely broken in — no pinching, chafing, or blisters to report. Our feet felt supported, thanks to the arch support and padded insoles. These boots also have excellent grip, keeping us stable when walking outside and up and downstairs.

They aren't the most breathable, so you may not want to wear them in a hot, muggy climate with, say, a sundress or mini skirt. But they go well with jeans, maxi dresses, and leggings with an oversized cardigan or flannel.

The Details: Sizes 6-15 (narrow, medium, and wide) | Leather | Pull-on

Best Budget

Asgard Ankle Chelsea Boots

$48 $33 at Amazon

Looking for durable winter shoes that don't break the bank? The Asgard Ankle Boots might be your best bet. The Chelsea-style design is well-constructed and fits true to size, albeit somewhat narrow. Both the outsoles and uppers are rubber, offering waterproof protection in wet or slushy conditions. While we found these boots comfortable, they're not very cushioned and may not be ideal for all-day wear, especially on heavy-walking days. Still, they make excellent rain boots, and the simple silhouette is versatile enough to rock on various occasions. And you really can't beat the price.

The Details: Sizes 4-12 | Rubber | Slip-on | Waterproof

Best Snow Boot

Ugg Adirondack III Boot

$250 at Amazon $250 at Nordstrom $250 at Backcountry

The Ugg Adirondack III Boots are our pick for the most comfortable snow boot we've ever tested. They felt good on the first wear with no break-in pain to speak of. The brand's signature sheepskin lining makes these shoes exceptionally cozy, and the cushioned insoles offer excellent support. With superior traction and waterproofness, they're ideal for snowy and icy conditions. Though the rubber soles are thick, they're flexible and not as heavy as many other snow boots.

After reading buyer reviews, we ordered a half size up, and this turned out to be the right choice, as we found they run slightly small. However, size 10 and up do not come in half sizes. These winter boots are on the pricier end, but we think they're worth the investment considering the high-quality materials, durability, exceptional warmth, and comfortable feel right out of the box.

The Details: Sizes 5-12 | Leather or waterproof suede, sheepskin | Lace-up | Waterproof

Best for Cold Weather

Overland Major Shearling-Lined Waterproof Suede Boots

View on Overland.com

We also like this suede pair of waterproof boots from Overland for cold weather. Despite the 2.5-inch heels, these boots were surprisingly comfortable to walk around in. Our feet didn't hurt after walking over a mile — in fact, they felt great, thanks to the ample cushioning and built-in arch support. The thick shearling and wool linings add insulation and a luxurious quality. These boots aren't the most breathable, but if you need cold-weather footwear that will keep your feet warm and toasty while still looking stylish, you can't go wrong.

The rubber outsoles also provided good traction on wet and icy ground, and the waterproof suede exteriors showed no signs of damage after several jaunts in inclement weather. They fit true to size, though the shafts might be too tight for people with wider calves. Additionally, these boots weigh 3 pounds, which didn't feel too heavy while wearing them, but you'll want to account for the added weight if you're packing them in a suitcase.

The Details: Sizes 36-42 | Waterproof suede, Merino shearling, wool | Waterproof

Best for Hiking

Danner Mountain 600 EVO

$175 at REI $250 at Backcountry $250 at Zappos

If you're looking for boots to carry you through a hike in unpredictable weather, these are the ones — we crowned them the most comfortable hiking boot we’ve ever tested. We tested them in rainy conditions in Tasmania and warmer weather in Switzerland, including treks ranging from 1-6 miles, and they were immensely comfortable.

These boots were ready to rock right out of the box. There was no break-in period, and we didn't have to wear BandAids to prevent blisters. They work with different types of socks, since you can pull the laces together for a snugger fit. Though they're breathable, our feet still got slightly sweaty — but this is to be expected when hiking.

The waterproof design kept our feet dry when stepping through ankle-deep water, and the traction was great on wet, rocky, bumpy, and muddy paths. The price is steeper for a hiking boot, but we think avid hikers will get their money's worth.

The Details: Sizes 5-11 (medium and wide) | Leather | Lace-up | Waterproof

Best Rain Boots

Hunter Short Rain Boot

$150 $99 at Amazon $150 at Nordstrom $150 at Zappos

Hunter is a reliable maker of high-quality rain boots, so it's no surprise this pair is the most comfortable of all the rain boots we’ve tested. The durable rubber is thick enough to prevent twigs and other sharp things from poking through but not so heavy that it slows you down or adds too much weight to a suitcase.

While these boots only come in whole sizes, we thought they fit true to size. They don't have as much arch support as the nonrain boots we tested, but they have some cushioning in the footbeds and are definitely comfortable.

The slip-resistant outsoles performed well on the rain-soaked, often mossy sidewalks of Seattle. They kept our feet dry and our legs steady while stepping in puddles and trudging through wet grass. After wearing them outside several times, there were no signs of wear and tear.

The Details: Sizes 5-11 | Rubber | Pull-on | Waterproof