9 best kids’ walking boots for covering all terrains

Available in junior size 10 right up to adult size 5, these cute printed boots ticked every box on our walking-boot wishlist. They’re waterproof, they’re breathable and our mini testers found them comfortable to wear during walks on all types of surfaces.

Inside, the hiking boots have a moulded EVA insole for snug cushioning, and heel-toe bumpers for added protection, should your little one try to kick logs or stumble on the path. We also noticed these walking boots have a rugged outsole, to provide stability, which was especially useful during wet walks through soggy, slippy autumn leaves.

What we liked most about these boots was that they can be worn year-round. Although they’re quite sturdy and built to keep the elements out during winter, they’re breathable enough for summer, thanks to Mountain Warehouse’s IsoDry technology, which keeps out the rain but allows moisture from within to escape.

Made from the softest nubuck leather, these boots are easy to get onto toddler feet – even those belonging to kids who are not that enthusiastic about leaving the house. Nubuck is a type of leather that’s been brushed and sanded, to create a velvety feel, and our youngest tester had no complaints while wearing these boots. In fact, he wanted to wear them as his everyday shoes and had a tantrum when we tried to put him back in trainers, which is a great endorsement for the timber’s comfort.

A double strap fastening provides a secure fit for different widths of feet, which is important for youngsters who might need more support when tackling challenging terrains. Bobux says these boots have been designed to accommodate a range of motion, from stomping and running to gripping and changing direction quickly, all of which our toddler was able to do during testing, without being held back.

Available in five different colourways, these boots were deemed to look the part, according to our mini testers. The hiking boots are made from riptop suede, which is a fabric that combines ripstop weaving with suede panels, for strength, comfort and style. When our eldest tester slipped his feet inside this pair, he emitted an audible sigh, telling us the footbed felt “like heaven”. The midsole is made from phylon foam, which is known for its elasticity and responsive feel. Then there’s a layer of EVA foam on top, which moulds to the foot, for a bespoke fit. Basically, these boots have more support and cushioning than most.

They also have a higher level of water-resistance than others we tested. The ripstop material is waterproof, and there’s a waterproof membrane at the bottom of the shoe – we found it could withhold water for several hours. If you’re likely to be hiking somewhere soggy, muddy or boggy, these boots will save your children’s feet, and save your ears from complaints.

Traditionally, hiking boots haven’t always been the coolest things to wear, but Adidas has combined the style and lightweight feel of a trainer with the stability of a walking boot. We think you could also use this pair as snow boots, thanks to the PrimaLoft insulation, and the rubber tread, for stability on wet surfaces.

Ideal for older children and teens, as these boots go up to an adult size 6.5, there’s a choice of black, maroon or burgundy to please girls and boys. We like that these walking boots are made with recycled materials as part of Adidas’s ambition to avoid plastic waste, but this comes at a price as they are on the more expensive side.

If your little monkey likes to run up hills or mountains, they’re going to need a boot that tackles tougher ground. The Tog24 Ducklington hiking boot is high-cut, with special loops around the top of the laces to make sure kids’ ankles are fully supported. There are also alignment loops in the tongue, to keep the whole foot secure and prevent foot pain, blisters, and chafing. Meanwhile, a layer of EVA foam in the midsole provides cushioning, which our testers enjoyed.

The sole is lightweight and flexible – it’s made from thermoplastic rubber (TPR), which is inherently waterproof and durable, however, it offers a little less traction and grip than natural rubber. Although these hiking boots start at a junior size 10, we found children need a lot of help to do up the laces, which is something to factor into the time it will take you to get ready for an adventure.

Lined with a soft fleece, these have the slipper-like feel of an Ugg boot, but with a waterproof upper that can survive puddles. Our tester said putting on this pair made him feel ready for anything, which is the optimism we appreciate at the start of a walk.

With a lightweight yet sturdy design, these hiking boots ensured our tester could move at speed, while their growing ankles and arches were also supported. The boots feature a high-traction outsole that prevents slips on rough or uneven surfaces, too. The sole is so thick our tester was able to walk across stony paths without complaining his ankles hurt, which is something he’d do when wearing trainers.

The chestnut colour appealed to our mini testers, but it might not be colourful enough for some.

These boots have a  reflective heel trim to help children stay visible in low lighting, while an anti-scuff mudguard protects against debris and rock scuffs. It was the feel of the boots that pleased our testers the most, though. They said these hiking shoes had ‘bounce’, which is partly due to Regatta’s TECFOAM open foam insock. This is designed to absorb shock from the impact of walking in a flexible and breathable way. Shock absorption panels are also built into the heel, so each stride feels lighter, and long journeys appear more manageable. Turn the boots over, and you’ll see the tread is full of lines and bumps, which all work together to help keep your child upright on all surfaces, even when they get excited and run off a little faster than they should.

These M&S boots are built for comfort, with cushioned insoles and a supportive, padded ankle design, providing both stability and protection for active outdoor play. The riptape fastening is especially convenient, making it easy for children to put on and take off the boots themselves, while still ensuring a secure fit that will stay in place during vigorous activity. They start off in a junior size 4 (which is the smallest size available in all of the boots we tested), and would keep a small one’s feet dry, no matter how many puddles they jumped in.

As these hiking boots are unlined, we wouldn’t choose them for snow or freezing conditions but they’re ideal for summer and the milder days of spring and autumn, thanks to the breathable upper that enables heat and moisture to escape from inside the boot. It’s a shame they’re only available in a green and orange colourway, as they did not appeal to our girl testers as much as they did to the boys.