Shoes for my kids: it’s my least favorite piece of gear to shop for. Every adventure starts with their feet, so I feel extra pressure to select the best hiking shoes for them. Happy feet equal more miles hiked, more routes climbed, less tears and more smiles.

My oldest has sensory issues, so all the planets have to be in line for him to agree to even try on a pair of shoes, especially if they were my suggestion and not his.

Trying to understand how my oldest experiences the world around him has taught me so much, but I was never expecting it to make me an expert on shopping for kids’ hiking shoes. But it has, and I’m happy to share what I have learned to make this often arduous process easier for you.

The best pair of hiking shoes for your kid will: match their style, provide comfort and age appropriate support, have ample grip, be easy to use by themselves, and be breathable, washable, and durable.

Below we explore these features from a sensory perspective, as well as offer recommendations for how to enjoy your WildKind discount with Merrell. Don’t forget, in October WildKind members receive 40% off their entire order.

Sight: Kids Hiking Shoes Must Look Confident

Any time my youngest tries on a pair of shoes you had better believe the first thing I say is “Oh wow! Those look fast!” When you’ve just mastered walking, keeping up with the big kids on trail is the main goal.

As my oldest gets older, he has a very specific (and seemingly ever-changing) vision of what a perfect shoe will help him achieve. So, I have learned to insert different adjectives to describe how the shoes look, like “grippy”, “cool”, and “hardcore”.

Like any piece of outdoor gear, kids’ hiking shoes should give them a boost of confidence to help them hike further, climb higher, and cover unstable ground faster, and that starts with how they look.

If you’re looking for shoes that handle trails and also look stylish for school, try Merrell’s Big Kid’s Ontario 85 Waterproof boots. They perform well on the trail, and look great on picture day.

Touch: Comfort and Grip

Comfort is key for kids hiking shoes. Before you even have your kids try them on, check for flexibility. Young walkers need bendable soles that mimic barefoot movement. If the bottoms are rigid, they are fine for older walkers, but move on if your kid is under three.

Once your kids try on the hiking shoes, ask questions about how their body interacts with the shoes, like, “does the shoe dig into your ankle/leg when you change directions quickly?” Higher cut boots should support ankles, but if they are too rigid, they will not allow your kids the freedom to move how they want, which will lead to grumpy or even angry hikers.

For toddlers, Merrell has a Bare Steps® line. These shoes mimic the natural shape of your kid’s feet. It has a minimal sole that mimics the natural shape of your kid’s feet, and keeps kids from tripping on trail.

Once your kids are three and older, they will have the ability to navigate a thicker shoe, and benefit from a grippier sole. Many Merrell kids’ shoes have the M Select® GRIP feature, which provides flexible, non marking traction.

Sound: Quiet on the Commute and the Trail

Can your child make the “Mom! There’s a cricket in the back of the car” sound when their shoes are wet by sliding their big toes inside the shoe - repeatedly? (I’m looking at you Newport Keens.) If you are easily annoyed when trapped in the car on the drive home from a long adventure, then make sure the shoes you choose pass the cricket test! You will thank me later.

In all seriousness though, kids’ hiking shoes should prevent unnecessary noises, especially those related to “ouchies”. Kids need to have grippy soles made of strong material that will keep thorns and other sharp objects from piercing their feet.

I need my kids’ hiking shoes to be age appropriate when it comes to ease of use. While trying to get our gear and ourselves out the door, the last things I want to hear are whines about not being able to get a shoe on. Do your sanity a favor and select hiking shoes for your kids they can put on themselves. Take into consideration their dexterity and patience when you select from velcro, slip on, or lace up options..

Smell: Washable and Breathable for the Win

My oldest plays hard, and by the end of the day his feet are stinky. Whether or not the stink is hereditary, or thanks to layers of dirt, sweat, and creek water, is up for debate. To combat this we need shoes made of breathable materials that I can toss in the washer occasionally.

Even if your kids do not have stinky feet, look for kids hiking shoes that are “breathable” and “machine washable”. Regardless of the shoe, resist the urge to toss them in the dryer. Besides the noise, high heat can warp the shape of the soles and affect the glue and other materials holding them together.

Merrell’s Big Kid’s Trail Quest shoes are machine washable, have breathable mesh uppers, and have antibacterial properties in the lining to prevent bacteria and control odors. Can you say “total package”!

Taste: Kids Need Durable Hiking Shoes

This one may seem like a stretch, but stay with me. My guess is that most shoes only taste good if you’re desperate, aka a teething one year old, in which everything tastes good enough to gnaw on. Will your kids’ hiking shoes survive freshly cut chompers?

Durability is key! Let me tell you, I love the flexible soles of toddler Nikes, but baby (and puppy) teeth can shred right through them. They also do not hold up well on scratchy sandstone and tough granite.

Another real life durability test most shoe designers probably do not consider: repeatedly using said shoes as brakes while cruising around on a balance bike. The Little Kid’s Trail Chaser Jr. shoes by Merrell not only pass the smell test for my oldest, but these soles have substantial balance bike abuse as well as normal wear from hiking and climbing.

Kids Hiking Shoes: Checklist

Whether you choose Merrell or another reputable brand for your kids’ hiking shoes, keep your five senses in mind as you shop. Here’s the list of the best features for kids hiking shoes: