Best Hiking Boots for Kids

Going off to a hiking adventure can be a great family bonding moment, and it’s never too early to introduce your kids to a healthy activity; and who knows, they might develop a love for nature that can last a lifetime. One of the most important part of any outdoor activity is choosing the best shoes for the occasion. Getting the wrong footwear can mean the difference between an enjoyable outing or a miserable one. In this article, we’ll provide a guide on how to choose the best hiking boots for your kids and review the ones which are available in the market today.

Choosing the Best Hiking Boots for Kids

Comfortable Kids Hiking Boots

There are several factors to think about when choosing the best kids hiking boots, but the first consideration should be comfort. If your child’s hiking boots are uncomfortable in any way, chances are that they’ll ask to be carried and a day hike will turn to just a one-hour walk. Older kids are more likely to leave uncomfortable hiking shoes in the closet, instead of on their feet. Unlike adult hiking boots, kids hiking shoes should be comfortable from the get-go and should not require breaking in. Look for boots with cushy padding, especially around the ankle area where blisters can form.

Children’s Hiking Boots Sizes

The right size matters, and the best children’s hiking boots should have at least a half-size allowance for their feet. This is important when you’re planning to take your kid on an easy climb and scrambling downhill. The half-size allowance will act as an air cushion for little toes when going down, especially if your kid is one who only knows to run and not walk. If you’re planning longer or tougher hikes, allot for at least one size larger to accommodate foot swelling and also room for thicker socks. The best kids hiking boots should also offer varying width sizes for a more personalized fit. You’ll appreciate that size allowance when your kid’s feet shoot up in size faster than Jack’s beanstalk.

Durability of Hiking Boots for Kids

Granted that kids feet don’t stay the same size for long, and that they’ll outgrow their hiking boots, you still need to keep durability in mind. Children are tough on their shoes, and more so on hiking shoes. You don’t want to be deep into a 5-mile hike only to see a shoe sole left behind because the plastics deteriorated after being left in the box for a season or two. It happened to me, although thankfully not on a hike. Getting durable children’s hiking boots means you can pass them on to another child later on.

Kids Hiking Boots Materials

Your kids hiking boots construction materials like the uppers, the outsoles, the fastening systems, and even the laces should be considered. The uppers and seams will influence the breathability and waterproofing of the boots. The outsole materials and design will influence traction. Traction might not be top of mind when choosing shoes for kids, but believe me, once you’ve experienced slipping and sliding on packed mossy earth, you don’t want your kids to experience the same. Slips and falls are the leading causes of injuries when hiking, and a good way to prevent this is to get the best hiking boots for kids with good traction. Most shoe manufacturers have developed a combination of shoe outsole materials along with tread patterns and drainage channels that give the best traction for kids hiking boots.

Anyone who has dressed a wriggling bundle of energy knows that sometimes, all you want is a Velcro fastener for your young kid’s hiking shoes. Elastic laces also don’t outlast kids enthusiasm at lacing up their own hiking boots. Take into consideration your child’s age and the activities you have in mind in choosing the best kids hiking boots for you.

Review of the Best Hiking Boots for Kids

Merrell Kid's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

The Merrell Kid's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot has a leather and mesh upper for that combination of waterproofing and breathability. Most of the Merrell shoes I’ve owned have always had this comfortable feel on the feet right out of the box, and this is no exception. My 11 year old kid is prone to blisters on his feet and any shoe that causes this gets confined to the back of the cabinet, which has not happened with the Merrell Kid’s Moab 2 hiking boots.

My only issue with Merrell is the durability of its plastic and outsole materials. Remember my story about a shoe where the sole left the body? That was a Merrell. Although it was partly my fault because I didn’t use it for two years, having forgotten it existed. That being said, I still love these pair that I got for my kid. When it says waterproof, it really delivered even in the toughest of circumstances. Another great thing going for this pair of boots is the traction. It’s got great grips on the toes for scrambling on rocks, and soft soles that makes them really grippy. Overall one of the best hiking boots for kids.

Vasque Breeze Ultradry Kids Waterproof Hiking Boot

The Vasque Breeze Ultradry Kids Waterproof Hiking Boot is another pair that doesn’t require breaking in. It’s ultra-comfortable from the get-go, and you just know that this is one pair that won’t get consigned to the back of the cabinet. My 11 year old wore them with thick socks and he didn’t complain at all about the fit or mentioned any discomfort – this is even after getting them wet after running through rain puddles! Which brings us to the waterproofing and traction that this pair of kids hiking boots have. It didn’t dry up fast enough after getting them submerged in water. It’s waterproofed and keeps my kid’s feet dry, but of course, not if you submerge them and get water over the top. The traction, though, is still tops with my kid still gallivanting about and not falling even in slippery conditions.

I also appreciate the fastening system where you can just tie the laces up one time, and hook and unhook them as you go. For parents with very young kids who are not yet adept at putting shoes on, this will be godsent.

Columbia Kids Newton Ridge Waterproof Hiking Boot

The Columbia Kids Newton Ridge Waterproof Hiking Boot looks as classic as they come. Its PU-coated leather upper together with its seam-sealed membrane bootie construction make these pair of boots one of the best waterproof hiking boots for kids in the market today. But of course, since it’s mostly leather, it’s not as breathable as some of the boots we’ve reviewed which have a greater percentage of mesh upper construction. Forget about wearing it the day after your kid submerged his whole feet in water. It’s going to stay damp for a bit longer.

Overall, though, this is a decent pair of children’s hiking boots. Very sturdy with solid construction, the traction was great even in snowy conditions. It’s also very stylish, and my child loves to wear them daily.

Teva Kids Arrowood 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

The Teva Kids Arrowood 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots performed great in tough and wet conditions, like most shoes and sandals under the Teva brand. Don’t be fooled by its mostly mesh upper, it has a waterproof membrane that protects small feet and keeps them dry. The price point is great for budget-minded parents, especially if you have a growing kid who outgrows their shoes pretty fast. The boots’ traction is also great for rugged terrain, something which Teva sandals have been known for.

The range of colors are pretty, and much appreciated by kids who are opinionated when it comes to choosing styles. My 3 year old niece liked her hiking boots so much that she wears it every day. The bungee-cord fastening system also makes it easy to put on or take off. The only “negative” thing that I can observe about this children’s hiking boots is that it’s made for narrow feet, so you might want to try them on and see if this suits your kids if they have wider ones.

Mishansha Kids Water Resistant Hiking Boots

The Mishansha Kids Water Resistant Hiking Boots are the ones for you if budget is your prime consideration in choosing your kids’ shoes. At the same time, you don’t need to worry about how it will perform in rugged conditions because it delivered when it was tested out by my niece. She had no complaints about the “pretty” hiking boots she was wearing and she was quite rough on it as she jumped around and ran about. So you can tell that these kids hiking boots are big on style and are great for children who are fashion conscious, like my niece who likes everything pretty.

These boots are lightweight enough for toddlers, and the hook and loop fastening system makes putting them on and taking them off a breeze.

The outdoors are waiting for you and your kids. Hope this review and guide on how to choose the best kids hiking boots serve you well.