8 of the best kids' walking boots and shoes
Get kids ready for adventure with our selection of walking boots and shoes for kids, starting from £4.99
If your kids are spending a lot of time outdoors on long walks, a sturdy pair of walking boots are great for providing extra support and comfort. There are kids' walking shoes with flexibility and grip for warmer days and more agile activities, while there are also robust, fully waterproof children’s boots for longer hikes in all weathers
To help you choose the best walking boots for your child, we’ve pulled together a list of options below with a range of features and at various price points.
Plus, if you’re looking at other ways to keep children warm and dry while out and about, we’ve found the best kids’ wellies and best kids’ umbrellas as well as the best thermals for kids and best coats for kids, so they can really layer up in the cold.
What to look for in walking boots for kids
When choosing kids’ walking boots or walking shoes there a few considerations to make before you buy.
What activities will they be doing? – If you need something for long, outdoor hikes in all weathers then a more robust pair of kids’ waterproof walking boots will be best. For more adventurous activities such as abseiling, a lighter, more flexible shoe will likely be the most suitable.
What will the weather be like? – For the dryer months in fair weather, waterproofing will be less of a concern. There are also water resistant options which can cope with lighter showers and splashes when you’re out and about.
Extra features – Other elements such as mesh or membrane liners and shells will make the shoes more breathable for little feet, while extra padding and structure can help with comfort and stability.
Price – Lightweight shoes and those without waterproofing will be the more affordable options, while boots with extra features and more structure will be towards the higher end of the price scale.
Here's our pick of the best kids' walking boots...
1. Regatta Samaris Mid JNR Kids' Walking Boot, £25
Best for breathability
Sizes: 1 to 13
As well as being water resistant, these walking boots for kids are breathable thanks to an additional bootee liner on the inside. The padded collar and tongue should make them a comfortable fit while the lightweight construction means they’re still agile for active kids.
Reviewers on the Go Outdoors website described them as “easy to clean” and “comfortable and durable.”
One parent of an 8 year old said their son found them "so comfy and easy for him to lace up". They added, "He has been on camp all weekend and said they kept his feet warm and comfy."
Available from: Go Outdoors
2. Quechua Kids’ Waterproof Lace-Up Hiking Shoes, £24.99
Best for a strong grip
Sizes: 2.5 to 5
These kids' waterproof walking boots are designed for hiking, climbing, running and more across a range of terrains. This is thanks to the sturdy soles which makers, Quechua, say have been grip tested for smooth, rugged, dry and wet surfaces.
The shoes are also waterproof tested so they should keep little feet dry on wetter walks.
Reviewers appeared to agree, praising the “great, sturdy shoe” for its “strong grip” and describing them as “great value for money.”One parent added, “My child has used them all week on a school trip doing a variety of outdoor activities including a 7 hour hike."
Available from: Decathlon
3. Mountain Warehouse Trail Kids Waterproof Boots, from £37.99
Best for durability
Sizes: 1 to 5
Walking boots are bound to experience some wear and tear but this pair are made with 'Rip Stop' fabric, designed to stop potential tears.
Water resistant fabric helps with durability, while the mesh upper shell makes them more breathable too.
The children’s boots received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, from over 500 reviews. Parents described them as “good quality shoes” which are “comfortable and very lightweight.” Other reviewers said they were “really well made and have a good thick sole on them,” and added that they “cleaned up well.”
Available from: Amazon
4. Quechua Kids’ Hiking Shoes, £4.99
Best walking boots on a budget
Sizes: Child 6.5 to 5
These kids' walking shoes are a more economical choice and are designed for hikes on dryer days according to makers, Quechua.
They’re available in a choice of either a striking blue and lime green (pictured) or crimson and carbon grey.
You won't need to worry about compromising on quality, as parents who purchased these kids' walking boots described them as “great value” and added they were “impressed with the grip/treads on these shoes.”
Available from: Decathlon
5. Peter Storm Kids' Rivelin Walking Boots, £40
Best for a smart look
Sizes: 13 to 5
Made with faux leather, these kids' waterproof walking boots are smart as well as robust.
Fully waterproof with a breathable membrane, they should be ideal for long days of adventures in the great outdoors. There is a built-in midsole to help keep little feet supported and stable, plus rustproof locking eyelets for faster lacing at the ideal tightness every time.
The rubber sole should also provide grip and further stability.
Available from: Blacks
6. Crossrock Mountain Hiking Shoes with Rip-Tab, £19.99
Best for a secure fit
Sizes: C6.5 to UK 1.5
These walking shoes are designed with mountain hikes in mind, with a grip that's been tested across different surfaces.
The Velcro strap provides an extra secure fit and make them easy to put on for kids who aren’t quite ready to do their own laces.
Previous buyers praised the “great design” and “great grip on slippery surfaces.” One parent reviewing the children’s boots on the Decathlon website said they were a "good price for a sturdy comfortable shoe" and added their daughter “walked 6 miles and was comfortable in them."
Available from: Decathlon
7. Mountain Warehouse Oscar Kids Walking Boots, £32.99
Best for extra cushioning
Sizes: 1 UK Child to UK 5
The cushioned footbed, moulded for extra support beneath the foot arch, makes these Mountain Warehouse walking boots ideal for long walks. The padded tongue around the ankle helps to keep little ankles protected too.
Reviewers on Amazon scored this pair an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 600 reviews.
One reviewer who took them for a 6km walk said there was "no leaking" and described the soles as "rigid and well constructed". Another parent who purchased the kids' walking shoes said their daughter “loved them” and said that while they weren’t fully waterproof, they were “a good summer boot that’s been hard wearing to date.”
Available from: Amazon
8. Vitike Snow Shoes, from £28.99
Best trainer-style walking boots
Sizes: 12.5 to 6.5
For fashion-conscious kids who like a pop of colour, these walking shoes come in a vast range of designs with a choice of 21 colours to select from.
They still boast plenty of practical features though, with rubber soles that should improve grip in outdoor settings and an inner membrane for breathability.
While not fully waterproof, reviewers on Amazon described them as “very comfortable and cosy, great if you can guarantee a dry day.”
Others described them as “sturdy, a good fit [and] look good.” One parent of a 7 year old sent their son to Beavers camp in this pair and said, “they look really good, fit really well and he loves them. He says they are comfortable and wont take them off!”
Available from: Amazon
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