Category: hiking

Kids hiking boots are often difficult to come by since the demand for these boots is not as high as for men’s and women’s hiking boots. There are different outdoor supply stores that carry children’s lines of outdoor clothing and equipment such as kids hiking boots. Since children are more likely to step into streams and puddles for the fun of it, waterproof hiking boots are usually a great idea to prevent wet feet on a trip from being an issue.

What to Look For

When looking for kids hiking boots or other hiking material for toddlers and elementary students there are very few stores that carry quality equipment. REI is one store that offers many different choices in children’s outdoor wear and equipment. Patagonia also carries many different children’s hiking equipment, but both of these places are rather expensive unless sales and off season sales are found.

Kids hiking boots mainly need to offer the young child traction, comfort and support for their ankles. Since young children will not usually be carrying a pack, a really stiff boot is not needed, so a lightweight one should suffice. It is a good idea to get young kids hiking boots in waterproof material so that if they accidentally step in a puddle or stream their feet still remain warm and dry. If the climate is cooler, for hiking in the fall or winter, insulated kids hiking boots will keep their feet warm without needing to have extra socks that can be bulky and uncomfortable, sliding down into the boots at times.

Older children, such as teenagers, can fit into women’s or men’s hiking boots rather than having to stay with the limited choices in kids’ hiking boots. Teenagers are also able to carry heavier packs which mean they have different needs in their hiking boots. If they are only doing day hikes with small or no backpacks, then they can choose a lightweight hiking boot or hiking shoe which provides more traction than tennis shoes but still maintains the flexibility of a tennis shoe. Lightweight hiking boots are also flexible but also provide some ankle support which is important in rockier terrain.

If the teen is carrying a heavier backpack, such as for an overnight or week long camping trip, then he will need a mid-weight hiking boot which is stiffer and provides more support to the foot so that the additional weight and time on his feet will be more comfortable and cause less fatigue.

There are many considerations to take into account when searching for the best hiking boots, whether it is a kid’s hiking boot or an adult’s hiking boot. The best hiking boots are those that will provide the hiker with the flexibility that is appropriate for the terrain he is going into, the breathability that is adequate for the climate, and the support that he needs for his ankle.

Considerations

Many hikers and backpackers have more than one pair of hiking boots and hiking shoes so that they can choose the best hiking boots to meet their needs for that particular trip. If the trip is going to be taken in rainy weather, snow, or across streams or rivers where the boot could be submerged, the best hiking boots are waterproofed, which means the foot will not get wet when the boot is submerged in water.

Snowy or cold conditions also mean that the boot should be insulated so that the foot is kept warmer. There are Gor-Tex socks that can also be worn to promote these insulation properties in waterproof boots that are not insulated. If the boots are unlikely to be submerged in water, or if it is only a light rain or shallow snow, then water resistant boots are probably the best hiking boots because they breathe more yet also provide water protection for the foot, but will let water through if the boot is submerged.

Another consideration for the best hiking boot is whether the trip is for multiple days carrying a pack with an average amount of weight in it, such as twenty to thirty pounds. If this is the case, then a medium weight boot is usually needed to provide a moderate amount of support to the foot and ankle, increasing the length the hiker can go without fatigue to his legs and feet. These boots feel a little awkward to the foot since the soles are thicker than a normal shoe and do not bend with the foot as much when hiking. They also need a longer period of time to break in before a trip so that the hiker does not get blisters.

A hiking boot that is the best for day hiking trips is a lightweight hiking boot or a hiking shoe. Lightweight hiking boots are very flexible so that the boot bends and moves with the foot, providing a comfortable fit. Since it is a boot, it also gives more support to the ankle, which is important when going through rough terrain, even if it is only a day hike without a pack.