Top 10 Best Hiking Shoes for Kids & Toddlers

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Top 10 Best Hiking Shoes for Kids & Toddlers

By Brianna Leonhard • November 9, 2022

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I was one of the last people to jump on the bandwagon for hiking shoes for kids. I truly always believed that tennis shoes would be just fine for the easier hiking trails that we go on with our kids.

However, I had a friend rave about a pair of REI kids hiking shoes she bought on clearance before a trip to the mountains so we decided to try them. I am going to be honest-they made a huge difference!

My son and daughter have different types of toddler hiking shoes, but they also now own kids hiking shoes that are waterproof. So, we personally own quite a few varieties on this list and have polled our closest friends for the remaining category winners.

We also did a quick reader review of the top kids hiking shoes right now. Here they are by category:

Keep reading to find out why these are the best shoes in each category and how you can order them!

Best Hiking Shoes for Kids

The best hiking shoes for kids will be different for every family depending on your child’s shoe preferences and what kind of hiking you will use them for. Your budget will also impact this decision.

We broke this list up into several categories so that you can easily find what you are looking for, whether it’s girls hiking shoes, hiking shoes for toddlers, or top brands like Salomon kids shoes/REI kids hiking shoes.

Best Hiking Boots for Toddlers : Northside Rampart Mid Hiking Boot

Toddler hiking boots may seem excessive to some, but those of us who have tried to hike a trail with a 3-year-old know how difficult that can be. Hiking boots for toddlers provide some much needed ankle support and foot stability that younger hikers need while navigating roots, uneven terrain, and slippery surfaces.

The top hiking boots for toddlers are Northside Rampart Mid Hiking Boots. They are unisex, made of leather and suede with rubber soles, contain a toe guard and heel stabilizer, and are all weather.

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$

Do little kids need hiking boots? Well, no, they do not need them. But, hiking with toddlers is hard enough. Let’s make this part a little easier on ourselves. Bonus points: Northsides are cheap hiking boots for toddlers!

You can find them here.

merrell toddler hiking shoes

Best Hiking Shoes for Toddlers : Merrell Trail Chaser Jr

Hiking shoes for toddlers differ from boots in style, weight, and flexibility. Toddler hiking shoes fall below the ankle, have more of a bend in the rubber sole, and are usually lighter in weight.

The top toddler hiking shoes are the Merrell Trail Chaser Jr. They are unisex (though they come in a variety of color combinations), made of leather, breathable mesh, and suede, they have rubber soles, and are extremely durable while being very flexible.

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$

While we are advertising them as hiking shoes for toddlers, they also come in bigger kid sizes!

You can find them here.

keen kids hiking boots

Best Kids Hiking Boots: Keen Kids Hiking Boots (Targhee Mid-Height)

Though these are listed as kids hiking boots, they also come in toddler hiking boot size as well! These Keen kids hiking boots come in three different colors, feature a bump toe, and are waterproof.

Keen hiking boots have been a top choice for adults for almost two decades and they are now making some of the best hiking boots for kids. They are breathable, durable, and feature an easy on and off design. The mesh upper also allows for airflow in warmer environments.

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$$

You can find them here.

youth hiking shoes waterproof

Best Youth Hiking Shoes (Waterproof): Merrell Oakcreek Child’s Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Merrell makes a wide variety of youth hiking shoes that are waterproof. The Oakcreek Child’s Waterproof Hiking Shoes come in a variety of colors and cost about the same as a regular pair of tennis shoes!

Youth hiking shoes can be difficult for children to put on by themselves but these low-lace shoes have a wide opening at the top for feet to slide in. Though they have laces, there is no tying required! These waterproof kids hiking shoes feature a durable rubber sole and extra grip for traction.

Reader Rating: ★★★★

Average Cost: $$

You can find them here.

salomon kids shoes

Best Kids Trail Running Shoes: Salomon Kids Shoes XA PRO V8

Salomon kids shoes are specifically designed for trail running. These kids trail running shoes have very specific features that separate them from kids hiking shoes: a snug sleek fit, adaptable design, and a Contrgrip outsole for superior grip.

Though these could be used in place of hiking shoes for kids, they are best used for trail running or walking since they do not provide as much support around the ankle. Salomon kids shoes are the top kids trail running shoes due to their durability and comfort!

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$$$

You can find them here.

girls hiking boots

Best Girls Hiking Boots: Merrell Chameleon 7 Access Mid WTRPF Hiking Boot

Let’s be honest: the unisex kids hiking boots are not very cute! My daughter wanted girls hiking boots that came in a pretty color (or at least something other than brown or gray).

The Merrell Chameleon is one of the “prettiest” looking girls hiking boots without losing any of the function of the boots. They feature a bump toe, durable leather outside with breathable mesh upper, durable rubber cup sole, and they are waterproof.

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$$

You can find them here.

girls hiking shoes

Best Girls Hiking Shoes: Merrell Moab Speed Low Waterproof Hiking Sneaker

Merrell wins the category again for having great color options! These girls hiking shoes come in two different color patterns that feature some brighter color choices. They also come in a variety of sizes (including wide) and other unisex hiking shoe colors.

The Merrell Moab is definitely the brightest pair of girls hiking shoes. However, they still meet the Merrell standard for quality and durability. They feature a bump toe, durable leather outside with breathable mesh upper, durable rubber cup sole, and they are waterproof. They are cut below the ankle making the girls hiking shoes suitable for other activities as well.

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$$

You can find them here.

keen water shoes kids

Best Kids Trail Shoes for Water: KEEN Unisex-Child Seacamp 2 CNX Closed Toe Sandal

If you are looking for youth hiking shoes that are waterproof then look no further. The KEEN Seacamp comes in toddler hiking shoes, kids hiking shoes, and youth hiking shoes. Each of those size groups offers a wide array of color choices as well.

The KEEN Seacamp is our top pick for a few reasons. They are extremely comfortable and flexible. They also feature a bump toe that most water shoes do not offer. Their durability also allows them to be passed down to multiple children, which makes them even more cost effective.

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$

You can find them here.

altra kids hiking shoes

Best Minimalist Hiking Shoes for Kids: Altra Youth Lone Peak

Some kids (and parents) prefer a very lightweight shoe that has the least amount of material and bulk. If that’s you, then you are looking for Altra youth shoes!

Altra Youth Lone Peak trail running shoes are zero-drop shoes that features some of the lightest materials throughout the shoe. The brand is known for its larger toe boxes and removable inserts that help the shoes last as long as possible, even when your child’s feet grow! These kids hiking shoes are very adaptable!

Reader Rating: ★★★★★

Average Cost: $$$$

You can find them here.

cheap kids hiking shoes

Best Budget Friendly Kids Hiking Shoes: Mishansha Kids Trekking & Hiking Shoes

Cheap hiking shoes for kids that also have great reviews are hard to come by. The Mishansha kids hiking shoe line has your answers! They feature sandals, shoes and boots for kids that offer a variety of styles and colors.

Mishansha kids hiking shoes have a quick pull lace feature but they also come with a velcro option. They are the cheapest shoes on the market (around $30) and feature the same bump toe, thick rubber sole, and breathable mesh that many of the others on our list have. Note: these are not waterproof.

Reader Rating: ★★★★

Average Cost: $

You can find them here.

Hiking shoes for kids vary in price, depending on the type of shoe you are looking for and the name of the brand. In general, the cheapest kids hiking shoe will be around $30 with the most expensive exceeding $100.

Choosing a child’s hiking boot size is the same as choosing a child’s regular shoe size. In fact, you want to make sure hiking shoes fit well so that children can navigate uneven terrain without falling. Different brands will be sized differently for kids hiking shoes, just like tennis shoes and sandals brands will vary in size/shape.

The exception to this rule would be if you are in the market for snow boots for kids. These can often use some extra space to accommodate thick socks, but you still usually only go up a half size.

Personally, I believe kids hiking shoes are extremely helpful for hiking through the woods/on trails. They protect little feet from sharp objects while also keeping them stable to prevent twisted ankles.

Hiking shoes vs hiking boots will definitely be a personal preference. Many parents like to buy toddler hiking boots to provide the extra ankle support for their young children. Hiking shoes do not provide this support but are lighter weight and usually not as easy to trip in.

They can, and they should! See our reviews above and take note of the shoes that are waterproof. Aside from specifically purchasing kids water shoes, you can buy one pair of hiking shoes that double as water shoes.

Check out our reviews above for hiking shoes that are waterproof. Specifically Keen makes a waterproof hiking sandal that is great for kids!

Kids can 100% hike in tennis shoes. However, kids hiking shoes have features that tennis shoes do not like waterproof mesh, bump toes, and lightweight material. All of these features make trail navigation a lot easier than tennis shoes will.

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