Do Kids Need Hiking Boots? Five Ways to Decide

Hiking is an inexpensive hobby compared to many, but you can wind up spending more than you expected if you buy special gear and clothing. Many parents find themselves wondering if they need to purchase hiking shoes or boots for their children.

Kids don’t need dedicated hiking boots in most situations. In general, child-friendly trails can be hiked while wearing running shoes, as long as the soles are durable and have enough traction. For some special situations, such as backpacking or cold and wet conditions, shoes or boots designed for hiking might be necessary.

It might be hard to decide if your children need better-quality hiking shoes for your type of excursion. I recommend looking at four main factors when you’re thinking about buying hiking boots for your kids:

How often you hike
Where you are hiking
How old your children are
Whether you can afford expensive shoes

Hiking Shoes vs Hiking Boots: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between hiking shoes and hiking boots is their height. Hiking boots are taller and provide ankle support, while shoes allow more freedom of movement and are lighter in weight. Whether hiking shoes or boots are better is mostly a matter of preference.

While both options are good for hiking and each one has its supporters, you will have to decide for yourself which you prefer. Most of the people in my family have large feet for their frames, so we prefer shoes because they are lighter to lug around. Boots can feel like carrying a weight on your feet after a few miles of walking. I also personally prefer my children not to have the extra ankle support because I want their ligaments and muscles to have the freedom of movement and become stable through use.

Other hikers prefer boots, often because they need a waterproof layer on their ankles and lower legs, because they are hiking in snow, or they will be hiking off trail and want the extra protection. Some people have weak ankles and feel safer hiking with the support of boots. Others simply like the way boots feel.

How Often Do You Hike?

If you aren’t hiking very often, you don’t need to worry about adding hiking boots to your child’s wardrobe. If you only hike once or twice a year during camping trips, a pair of running shoes or sneakers will suffice as long as they have good traction and are sturdy.

On the other hand, if you hike frequently or for long periods of time such as those experienced while thru-hiking, hunting, or backpacking, you might find your child does better with dedicated hiking shoes or boots. You don’t want to be out on a long hike and find out your kid is wearing shoes that hurt his feet or slip easily.

Location?

Another factor to consider when planning whether or not to buy hiking boots is the location you will be hiking in. If you will be mostly walking on smooth, manicured trails you won’t need special shoes. This surface won’t be much different than the ones you and your child walk on regularly.

If you are going on wilderness trials that may have varying levels of roughness, obstacles, and steepness, you may want to consider more carefully. While these types of trails don’t automatically call for hiking boots, they can be easier to navigate with proper footwear, especially if you may encounter wet or snowy conditions or there are any drop-offs nearby.

How Old Are Your Kids?

When kids are toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged, they grow so fast that it doesn’t always make sense to buy them expensive hiking shoes. They will often outgrow them after only a few hiking trips, especially if you only go hiking during the summer. in addition, kids of these ages aren’t usually hiking long or rugged trails that would require boots.

Once our kids became teenagers, we started looking for more expensive hiking shoes that would last them longer. You know your own children best and know when their growth has slowed sufficiently to make more expensive shoes a more viable option.

One caveat: If you have a large family with several stair-step children, buying expensive shoes for the oldest and using them as hand-me-downs can be a good option that is often overlooked. If you plan to pass shoes down to several children, it makes sense to buy the highest quality and most durable shoes so they will last longer.

Can You Afford Hiking Boots?

Finally, decide if you can afford hiking boots for your children. If, in your situation, your money is better spent elsewhere, you can be sure that your children won’t be missing out or taking a risk by not wearing expensive shoes when hiking. It’s much better for children to get to experience an outdoor life than it is to be perfectly attired.

We do not buy our children new hiking shoes until their feet are nearly done growing. At that point, we will buy them a pair of more expensive shoes from a well-known outdoor brand that will last them for several years. For our younger children, we scour thrift stores and garage sales for gently used or like-new shoes that we can wash and reuse. We have purchased Keen, Merrell, Obez, and similar brands for less than $10 this way.

What Shoes Are Good for Kids to Wear When Hiking?

So, if you aren’t going to buy hiking boots for your kids, what are acceptable alternatives? Can they wear their typical tennis shoes or do they need something a bit better?

Kids need stability, protection, and traction in the shoes they wear hiking. In most cases, running shoes or other athletic shoes with good tread are perfect for this use. You need to find sports shoes with high-quality rubber tread, not shoes with foam plastic soles.

You also want shoes that fit well, don’t rub, and have flexible but supportive soles. Since you will spend more time walking in these shoes than you usually do in day-to-day activities, it’s especially important that they fit well. You will also need to consider whether you want waterproof shoes and what material you want the uppers to be made of.

Here are some of the most important considerations for the shoes your kids will hike in:

Waterproof or breathable?
Leather, synthetic, or fabric?
High-top or regular?
More flexible or more supportive?
Is the toe box wide enough? (Important for foot development and comfort)

Conclusion

Whatever style and type of shoe you choose for your children to wear when hiking, the most important thing is that they are comfortable and provide the protection and support they need for their growing feet. If you find that the shoes you chose are causing pain or making them tired, accept the mistake and try something else. The most important thing is that your kids learn to love hiking and spending time outside, and they can’t do that with blisters on their heels.