How to Choose Hiking Shoes for Kids
So you have decided to bite the bullet and get your kid hiking shoes
For families that want to adventure outdoors with their kids, the sheer number of outdoor gear that kids seem to “need” can be overwhelming. As a parent, it can be hard to know if your child really needs a certain type of gear and if they do, which of the 60 different versions you should buy.
To help you out, today I will be sharing with you a guide on what you should look for when buying kid hiking shoes. My goal is to help you feel a little less overwhelmed and a bit more confident in your buying decision. So let’s get started!
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5 Things to Look for in a Kid Hiking Shoe
Use
The first thing you want to consider when looking for a hiking shoe for your kid is how you plan on using them. This will help you narrow down what features you need or want in a shoe. Below is a quick guide of what features you may want based on use:
- Hot Weather Hiking: If you plan on doing most of your hiking in hot weather you will want to look for a well ventilated shoe. This will help keep your kids feet nice and cool. The last thing you want to do is strap on a pair of thick, insulated boots made for sub zero temperatures. Talk about torture! A good option would be to look for a hiking sandal such as the Merrell Unisex-Child Hydro Junior or the Keen Seacamp II CNX. These also work great for kids that love to wade waste deep into any body of water they come across.
- Average Weather Hiking: If you will be doing the majority of your hiking in the mountains or in average temperatures then I would recommend looking for a low cut shoe that is closed. While it is still nice to have a ventilated shoe, it doesn’t need to be quite as open as what you would see in a hiking sandal. Having a closed shoe will help keep rocks and debri out and help to regulate the temperature of your kids feet in different types of weather. Some examples of this type of shoe would be the KEEN Chandler CNX or the Merrell Trail Chaser Jr.
- Cold Weather Hiking: If you plan on doing most of your hiking in cold weather or wet conditions then be sure to get a mid to high cut waterproof shoe such as the Salomon Outward Climasalomon Waterproof Boot or the Merrell Chameleon 7 Access.
Fit
Aside from getting the right shoe for the right hiking conditions, the next most important feature you want to look for in a hiking shoe is fit! While there are a couple of hiking brands that outdoor moms tend to prefer the reality is if you can find a hiking shoe that fits well you are going to be winning at life. Even if that shoe is a knock-off brand or a used pair you picked up from a neighborhood garage sale. But finding hiking shoes that fit well has its challenges, especially when it comes to finding one that fits your kid. The main challenge you will be faced with is your child may not be able to tell you how the shoes feel, especially if you are buying shoes for a younger child. So you will need to use your parenting detective skills to find out the truth.
To set yourself up for the best chance of success you will want to do following three things:
- Take your child to the store to physically try on the shoes
- Have them wear the type of socks you will be putting them in for hiking (i.e. same thickness and texture)
- Go at the end of the day (after their feet have swelled)
Once you are at the store this is what you will want to look for as far as fit:
- Use the instore tool to measure your kids feet (be sure to check width not just length)
- You want the shoe to fit snuggly, but not be tight anywhere
- You want your kids to be able to wiggle their toes
Once you have found a pair you think fits well you will want to do the following:
- Try the shoe on BOTH feet. We all have one foot that is bigger than the other so you want to make sure the shoe you pick fits both feet.
- Have your child spend some time in the shoes. Have them walk through the store, go up stairs (if available), etc.
- Some hiking shoes for older kids have insoles. If they do, take the insole out of the shoe and have your kids stand on them. There should be a thumb width between your child’s longest toe and the end of the insole.
You may be tempted to get a size larger so the shoes will last more than one season. Resist the urge to compromise fit for longevity. This will only end in rubbed feet and tears for your kids. It is extremely important to get a good fit when it comes to buying hiking shoes.
What about getting used shoes?
Buying used outdoor gear is a great affordable option. The above suggestions are also applicable if you are buying used shoes or shoes online. Before you go on the hunt, figure out what shoes you want to try, find a store that carries them, and do your research.
Durability
When you are evaluating durability in hiking shoes you want to keep the following in mind. Kids (especially small kids) will most likely NOT wear their hiking shoes for more than one to two seasons. So when you look for durability you want to consider the following:
- How will the shoe hold up to basic wear and tear on the trail (e.g. mud and water – because we all know kids are mud and water magnets)
- Do you plan on passing them down to a younger sibling or
- Do you want to resell them when your child is done using them
To evaluate how well the shoe will hold up under basic wear and tear on the trail make sure the shoe has at least a moisture barrier that starts at the sole and goes partway up the side of the shoe.
As for long-term durability check out Amazon customer reviews or ask local outdoor moms to see if they have had experience with the shoe you are considering. I personally like using the Adventures Mamas Facebook group. This lets me ask LOTS of moms my outdoor questions and I always get amazing information from them. They have groups throughout the United States so you can check to see if they have one in your area.
Comfort
To avoid any unnecessary whining on the trails you want to make sure the hiking shoes you get are comfortable. Below are the two biggest factors that can affect comfort:
- Fit. I know I have already talked about this, but I can’t stress it enough. Getting a shoe that properly fits your child is essential. For example, if your child has wider feet make sure you get a brand that offers a wide option (such as Merrill) so that your child’s foot has enough room to function the way it needs to.
- Lacing. If your child gets shoes that has laces, check out this great REI guide to lacing techniques. We often don’t think about the impact that lacing can have on shoe comfort, but from personal experience I can say it does!
One additional tip is to have your child wear their new hiking shoes around the house, to the park, on errands, etc. before you take them on their first hike. Most kids hiking shoes don’t need to be broken in, this is just an easy way to make sure the shoe fits comfortably before you hit the trails.
Traction
One of the main benefits of getting hiking shoes is the additional traction they offer over traditional tennis shoes. So when looking at hiking shoes, be sure to check out the tread to get a feel for what kind of traction the shoe will offer and that it is made out of grippy material. This is especially important to check when buying a used shoe. You will want to make sure that there is very little wear on the tread of the shoe. If you end up buying a used shoe that has most of its tread worn off you won’t be doing your kid any favors.
The Kid Hiking Shoe that We Love!
This past summer we too decided to bite the bullet and get our three-year-old a pair of hiking shoes. The one we chose to get was the Merrill Kid’s Trail Chaser Jr. In the video below I share how we determined it was time to buy Madic hiking shoes, why we chose to buy this shoe, what we love about it, and one thing to be aware of.
Merrill Kid’s Trail Chaser Jr. Hiking Shoe Review
PROS:
- Holds up well against water and mud
- Well ventilated with breathable mesh
- Made out of durable suede
- Cushy EVA footbed
- Grippy, flexible, non-marking traction
- Cost: $40 on Amazon
CONS:
- Since it is a slip on shoe and is made to fit snuggly, it can be difficult for small kids to get on by themselves
Happy Trails
While it is true that summer is starting to wind down, fall is prime hiking season. Now is a great time to pick up a pair or to start looking for this year’s holiday gifts. So if you have been feeling overwhelmed by the hiking shoe buying process, just remember to look for: Use, Fit, Durability, Comfort, and Traction.
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