The R CORD Women's Hiking Boots sell for around $70, roughly $100 less than a Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof. For that price you get a mid-cut boot with a waterproof membrane, an EVA midsole and a lugged rubber outsole. What you don't get is a name-brand membrane, a wide width or a track record of lasting several seasons.
This review sticks to what R CORD actually publishes about the boot and what the listing confirms. We haven't run a lab waterproof test, so you won't find invented creek-crossing stories here. What you will find is a clear picture of who this boot suits and who should spend more.
Quick Verdict
Buy it if you hike a few times a month on dirt and gravel trails, want a waterproof mid-cut boot under $100, and wear a regular-width size between 6 and 10.
Skip it if you carry a pack over 20 pounds, need a wide width, or hike often enough that you want a boot built to last three or more seasons. The Merrell Moab 3 is the safer spend for that.
Check the current price of the R CORD Women's Hiking Boots on Amazon
R CORD Women's Hiking Boots: Specs
| Spec | R CORD Women's Hiking Boots |
|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 on the R CORD store (R CORD, retrieved 2026-09-24). Amazon pricing changes often, so verify the current price. |
| Upper | Mesh and suede |
| Waterproofing | AX-TEX membrane (R CORD's own), closed tongue design to keep out rain, mud and sand |
| Midsole | EVA |
| Insole | Memory foam with arch support |
| Outsole | Rubber with multi-directional lugs |
| Toe protection | Rubber toe cap |
| Lacing | Metal hooks at the top |
| Height | Mid-cut, padded collar |
| Sizes | 6 to 10, including half sizes. No wide width. |
| Colors | Varies by listing: black, brown, beige, pink and a black/green combo have been offered |
What the R CORD Gets Right
A waterproof mid-cut for the price of a trail sneaker
Most waterproof hiking boots from Merrell, KEEN or Columbia start well above $100. The R CORD pairs a waterproof membrane with a closed tongue design, which the listing says keeps rain, mud and sand out. That matters because the gap beside the laces is where water usually gets into cheap boots first.
That combination is enough for wet grass, rain and shallow puddles on a day hike. It is the main reason this boot sells.
Soft, sneaker-like feel
The mesh upper, EVA midsole and memory foam insole make this boot feel closer to a high-top trail runner than a leather hiker. Reseller and review-site write-ups consistently describe it as lightweight with a sneaker feel. That means little to no break-in period, which suits people who hike occasionally and don't want to spend weeks softening leather.
Lugs that handle normal trail surfaces
R CORD describes the outsole as deep, multi-directional rubber lugs for dirt, gravel and wet surfaces. On a groomed park trail or a gravel fire road, that is plenty. The brand doesn't publish a lug depth or rubber compound, so we can't compare it directly with a named outsole like Vibram.
Where It Falls Short
AX-TEX is an in-house membrane, not GORE-TEX
AX-TEX is R CORD's own waterproof membrane. The brand doesn't publish a waterproof rating or any third-party testing. GORE-TEX, by contrast, is licensed and tested by W.L. Gore before a brand can use the name. If you want to understand why that matters, our GORE-TEX vs waterproof leather guide covers how membranes hold up over time.
In practice, expect the R CORD to keep your feet dry in rain and puddles when new. Don't count on it for regular stream crossings or all-day rain after a season of use.
EVA midsole and a soft upper limit support under load
EVA foam is light and cushioned, but it compresses faster than the firmer midsole compounds in pricier boots. Add a flexible mesh upper, and there isn't much structure to hold your foot steady under a heavy pack. This is a day-hiking boot. If you carry 20 pounds or more, or hike steep, rocky ground, look at our best waterproof hiking boots for rocky and steep trails instead.
No wide width
R CORD lists sizes 6 to 10 in one width only. If you normally buy wide shoes, the Moab 3 Mid Waterproof comes in a separate wide version, and our women's waterproof hiking boots for wide feet roundup has more options.
Durability is the unknown
There is no long-term testing data published for this boot, and budget boots usually give out first at the mesh near the toe flex point and where the sole is glued to the upper. Plan on it as a one to two season boot for regular weekend use, not a pair you'll resole.
Sizing: True to Size or Half Size Up?
R CORD lists the boot as true to size. The main reason to go up a half size is sock thickness. If you hike in thick, cushioned hiking socks, or your feet swell on longer hikes, order a half size up. If you wear thin socks, stay with your usual size.
Try them on at the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest. Walk down a staircase at home. If your toes touch the front on the way down, the boot is too short for the trail.
Returns differ by where you buy. The R CORD store lists a 7-day return window, while Amazon's return window depends on the seller, so check the listing before you order.
R CORD vs Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
The Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is the boot most people compare the R CORD with. Here is how the published specs line up.
| R CORD Women's Hiking Boots | Merrell Women's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 (R CORD store) | $175 list (Merrell, retrieved 2026-09-24) |
| Membrane | AX-TEX (in-house) | Merrell waterproof membrane (GORE-TEX version sold separately) |
| Outsole | Rubber, multi-directional lugs | Vibram TC5+, 5mm lugs |
| Midsole | EVA | Super Rebound Compound |
| Wide width | No | Yes |
The Merrell costs about $105 more. What the extra money buys is a known outsole (Vibram TC5+ with a published 5mm lug depth), a wide width option and a long track record. The R CORD makes sense when the budget is fixed, or when you're not sure yet how often you'll hike. If hiking becomes a weekly habit, the Moab 3 is the upgrade. Another budget option we've covered is the NORTIV 8 women's hiking shoe, if you prefer a low-cut shoe.
How to Make Them Last Longer
Brush off dried mud after each hike, because grit wears through mesh fastest at the flex points. Let the boots air dry away from heaters and car vents, since direct heat weakens the glue between the sole and upper. Pull the insoles out to dry separately. A waterproofing spray made for fabric and suede helps the outer fabric shed water, so the membrane underneath doesn't do all the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are R CORD hiking boots waterproof?
They use R CORD's AX-TEX waterproof membrane and a closed tongue design. That is enough for rain, wet grass and shallow puddles. R CORD doesn't publish a waterproof test rating, so don't treat it as equal to a GORE-TEX boot for frequent stream crossings.
Do R CORD boots run small?
R CORD lists them as true to size. Size up a half size if you wear thick hiking socks or your feet swell on long hikes.
Are R CORD boots good for backpacking?
Not for loaded backpacking. The EVA midsole and mesh upper are comfortable for day hikes but don't give much support under a pack of 20 pounds or more.
Is R CORD a good brand?
R CORD is a budget outdoor footwear brand sold mostly through Amazon and its own store. Its boots trade proven durability and name-brand components for a low price. For occasional hiking, that trade works. For heavy use, a Merrell, KEEN or Columbia boot has a longer track record.
Do R CORD boots come in wide sizes?
No. They come in sizes 6 to 10, in one width. See our wide-feet hiking boot picks if you need extra room.
The Bottom Line
The R CORD Women's Hiking Boots are a reasonable buy for a casual hiker with a regular-width foot and a sub-$100 budget. You get real waterproofing features and a soft, sneaker-like feel. The trade-offs are an unproven in-house membrane, a soft platform that isn't built for heavy packs, and unknown long-term durability.
If you hike a few times a month on park trails, buy the R CORD on Amazon and size up a half if you wear thick socks. If you hike weekly, carry a pack or need a wide fit, spend the extra on the Merrell Moab 3.
