The Best Hiking Boots for Kids – Finding a Wide and Waterproof Hiking Boot!

I am going to provide you with a selection of the best hiking boots for kids that are capable of accommodating different foot shapes such as medium, wide, and extra wide feet. The hiking boots that I recommend are fully waterproof, supportive, lightweight, and flexible at the same time. After having fitted children’s shoes for over a decade, I became familiar with the best shoe brands and styles.

Not all children have medium width feet. In fact, most children that visit the shoe store that I work for have wide feet. If your child has a “complicated” foot shape such as wide feet and a high instep, don’t worry, the list of hiking boots that I have put together can accommodate different foot shapes.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience

I have been fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years, working for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses on children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best hiking boots for kids with wide feet.

Kindly note that if you are in a rush and would to like go directly to the selection of the best hiking boots for kids, you can click here.

The Advantages of Providing Your Child with a Pair of Hiking Boots

Hiking boots for children have become extremely popular because of the versatility that they provide. For example, some parents who live in areas where there is cold weather decide to purchase an insulated waterproof hiking boot instead of a snow boot.

I think this is a smart decision since your child can wear hiking boots for long periods of time and for different activities, while snow boots are only meant to be worn in the snow.

Going on hiking adventures with your kids is a great way to exercise and spend time together as a family. You need to protect and support your kids’ growing feet every step of the adventure by providing them with a supportive, waterproof, pair of hiking boots.

I always tell parents that I love the versatility that hiking boots provide since they are not just for going on hiking adventures, they are also great for those yucky, rainy days when you want to keep your children’s feet warm and dry. I always recommend hiking boots that are waterproof since that feature makes them more functional, and allows your kids to be able to wear them in the snow, as long as it is also insulated.

It is not easy to choose the right type of hiking boots since they all come with different features:

1️⃣ Some have better traction

2️⃣ Some are waterproof

3️⃣ Some are insulated

4️⃣ Some come in wide widths

5️⃣ Some come up higher on the leg than others

How to Tell If the Hiking Boot is Waterproof – Check the Label!

Most of the hiking boots that we carry at the children’s shoe store that I work for are waterproof. The whole point of a hiking boot is to keep your kids’ feet warm and dry when going for an adventure or when walking on wet surfaces on a rainy day.

You have to be careful when choosing a hiking boot for your child since most of them are not waterproof. To make sure that the hiking boot is waterproof, it must be labeled on the boot. If you don’t see a label that says “waterproof”, then it means that it’s not. Take a look at the picture below for clarification:

In addition to the waterproof feature, hiking boots must provide good traction. When walking on wet surfaces your kids’ feet may slip more, and a hiking boot that provides good traction helps prevent your child from slipping and falling.

How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online – Retrieve Your Child’s Foot Length

Before I show you a selection of the best hiking boots for kids, let’s make sure that you know how to provide your child with the correct shoe size. The link below explains to you the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:

How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width

In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best hiking boots for kids. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world. 

The Best Hiking Boots for Kids

Below you can find the best selection of waterproof hiking boots that provide good support, are lightweight, flexible, durable, and can fit different foot shapes. Take a look at the description below each hiking boot to find out if it can accommodate your child’s foot shape.

What Boot Size Should You Order?

In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

What Makes the Hiking Boots I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?

The boots I recommend provide a rounder toe-box: This feature helps prevent your kids’ toes from rubbing against the side of the boots or from overlapping one another. Let me show you the difference between a boot that provides a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t:

The hiking boots that I recommend also provide extra depth to accommodate the shape of children who have high insteps. Take a look at the difference between a hiking boot that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:

Do Hiking Boots Come with Velcro Closure?- Let’s Find Out!

Most hiking boots come with velcro closure and some other ones come with toggle shoelaces instead of shoelaces. If your child doesn’t know how to tie his shoes yet, you can definitely find a hiking boot with velcro closure or toggle shoelaces.

This will give your children the independence of putting their shoes on and taking them off by themselves, and it will avoid the frustration of having to constantly tie the boots. Below is a picture of how a hiking boot with velcro closure looks like:

You can actually purchase a hiking boot with shoelaces and then replace the shoelaces with toggle shoelaces. I wrote a post where I describe the best toggle shoelaces for kids. Go to the link below:

Toggle Shoe Laces – Never Tie Your Shoes Again

Certain socks help cushion and protect your kids’ feet when hiking. The socks should be the same length as the hiking boot, and I strongly recommend having your children try the hiking boots with the same type of socks that they will be wearing with the boots.

The Best Socks to Wear with Hiking Boots

For those really cold days, certain socks provide more warmth and cushion than others. Also, providing your child with hiking socks allows your child’s feet to breathe better since they are made of merino wool, an ultra-soft, naturally anti-microbial, breathable material. Below you can find a selection of the best hiking socks for children:

What is the Main Difference Between a Hiking Boot and a Snow Boot?

The main difference is that hiking boots are a lot more versatile. Your child can wear a hiking boot on a daily basis, on rainy or snowy days, or when you take him for a hike in the mountains. However, snow boots are only meant to be worn for a very short period of time since they tend to be heavier and less flexible than hiking boots.

This means that snow boots are only meant to be worn when it snows or when there is extremely cold weather, and for very short periods of time.

Some parents decide to get their child both a hiking boot and a snow boot, but if you are looking to save some money, I would recommend that you get your child a pair of insulated hiking boots instead of a snow boot.

Your children will get a lot more use out of them, and they will be able to wear them in the rain and the snow.

Insulated hiking boots are more expensive than your regular hiking boots, but you are getting two boots in one since your child will be able to use them not only as their pair of hiking boots but also as their pair of snow boots. I actually created a resource that describes the best insulated hiking boots for kids:

Warm Hiking Boots for Kids – Waterproof, Insulated, Durable and Affordable!

Do you Happen to Need a Pair of Hiking Boots for Yourself?

If you need a pair of hiking boots for yourself I suggest that you take a look at a different resource that describes the best waterproof hiking boots for women:

The Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Women – Keep your Feet Dry and Warm!

A hiking adventure is a great idea to get your children away from the TV or their electronic devices. It will not only provide good exercise for them but also promote good, quality time with the family! For your children to have a pleasant experience and ask to do it more frequently, you should provide them with the right type of boots.

Remember that hiking boots for children with wide or extra wide feet do exist, and they will guarantee your kids’ comfort when hiking, going to school on rainy days, or playing outside in the snow.

Does your child already own a pair of hiking boots? Have you found a particular style that he/she loves the most? Please share your experiences below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.