10 best kids’ walking boots for covering all terrains

After hours of testing, my team of testers and I found the Keen big kids’ zionic waterproof boot to be the best kids’ walking boot. First impressions were great. The pink, navy and orange colourway elicited cries of “I need to wear them, now!” from my six-year-old. They’re available in junior size 13 right through to adult size 6 (as well as smaller sizes in a slightly modified design, featuring bungee-style laces and a Velcro strap).

Beyond my kids’ opinion on the design, I was impressed with how lightweight they were, particularly as they feature a deep, multi-directional lug pattern tread that absolutely means business.

We put them to the ultimate test, hiking to the top of Blencathra in dodgy October weather, and they kept my little one’s feet dry, despite a few stumbles in puddles. The boots have a contoured fit, which, paired with the traditional lace-up design, meant they stayed in place very well, with no slipping. The foam insole, with arch support, added another level of comfort on long walks; my daughter practically bounced down the mountain in these.

At £75, I think these offer excellent value for money – they are made to last and be handed down, so worth every penny.

If you’re after a serious walking boot for kids that doesn’t cost a fortune, Mountain Warehouse’s trail kids waterproof walking boots tick all of the boxes.

They are very padded, particularly around the ankle, which provides extra support and stability on walks. But this did make them a little trickier for my youngest tester to get on and off herself.

Something I really liked was the hooks at the top of the laces, which helped get a secure fit – essential with such a high ankle boot. Once on, these were voted as super comfy by my tester, and they did a great job of keeping her toes cosy on long walks. The boots feature Mountain Warehouse’s IsoDry technology – essentially, this means they’ve been designed to allow moisture out while preventing any water from getting in. My little one found they did a good job at keeping feet dry, even during torrential rain, and they offered a good level of breathability, despite the cosy feel.

Comfy (thanks to the EVA cushioning), durable and lightweight (if a little heavier and chunkier than the likes of the Keen zionic or Scarpa boots), these are a fantastic all-season budget buy.

Scarpa has taken the traditional walking boot and given it a bit of a glow-up. The flexible nubuck upper provides the level of protection and waterproofing you’d expect from a premium leather boot, but without the weight. These boots performed spectacularly well on the wettest of walks around Buttermere, keeping my son’s feet bone dry. Nothing short of a miracle if you ask me.

The springy midsole feels supportive, and the deep tread was sturdy without being clumpy – it was a welcome touch for my tester as they clambered up rocks post rain shower.

Something I particularly liked was the nicely spacious toe box. My nine-year-old could comfortably wear the boots with normal socks, or with a pair of walking socks layered inside, without any discomfort or toe squishing. The padded ankle cuff and tongue provided even more comfort.

They really are a premium pair of boots, as the price suggests, but if you’re a family that’s into walking, they are a worthy investment. I’d just recommend cleaning the boots regularly and treating the leather upper when needed to increase their lifespan.

The Regatta vendeavour walking boot is such a great all-rounder, whether you’re after a robust boot to cope with mountain climbing or a reliably waterproof boot for school residentials. A lot of thought has gone into designing these, from the mudguard to protect the boots from scuffing to the angled lugs and side channels for traction and braking (because we all know there’s nothing more appealing to kids than bombing it down a hill).

The mid-cut collar is nicely padded without being too bulky, and I felt the boots provided just the right level of ankle support for hiking and mountain climbing. My 10-year-old tester loved the lime green and navy colour way – it’s also great for visibility on darker or misty days – and really rated the comfort factor. Her only quibble was that she would have preferred hooks at the top of the boots to tighten the laces up a little easier. My tester usually sizes up in walking boots to allow extra room for thick walking socks, but this has already been taken into consideration – the roomy fit means you’re better off sticking with their usual size.

You might think that you have to sacrifice an element of durability when you choose a really lightweight pair of children’s walking boots, but that’s definitely not the case with this premium pair from Lowa.

My team of testers and I were wowed by these boots, which are a dream to wear, according to my teen. Easy to slip on thanks to the flexible bungee-style laces, my teen appreciated the addition of the thick Velcro ankle strap to provide more stability on steep uphill climbs. They did find these came up a little small, so if you like wearing walking socks with your boots, I’d suggest you size up.

What really impressed my tester was the comfort factor. Declared “by far the comfiest walking boots I’ve ever worn”, these great-looking boots feature a three-dimensional cradle, which is essentially a support frame for the foot when you walk over uneven ground. Another feature which helps boost the comfort factor is the PU foam material in the midsole, designed to retain its cloud-like cushioning even after prolonged wear.

The bright orange colourway was a big hit with our fashion-conscious tester, who loved that these looked as far away from a traditional walking boot as you can get. The Lowa boots are the most expensive in our round-up, but it’s hard to find anything to criticise.

These Berghaus boots are built for comfort and durability. If your family goes on regular walks and hikes, these are a reliable option. Everything from the chunky tread to the PU covering makes these boots built to withstand all sorts of outdoor adventures, and my nine-year-old tester really rated them for comfort.

Made from PU rather than leather or suede, these are a vegan-friendly option and are fully waterproof and breathable. These boots kept my tester’s feet nice and dry even after navigating some very boggy land during one of our walks.

Something that really stood out during testing is how well these boots support growing feet on longer walks. The padded ankle collar and internal cushioning helped cradle my tester’s feet in a healthy position for walking, and there were zero complaints of sore feet with these.

The thick lace and reinforced metal eyelets at the top of the boot helped to get a snug and secure fit – in fact, I’d say they offered the best customisable fit out of all the boots my kids tested.

This is Salomon’s junior version of its iconic X ultra shoes, and it’s as high-spec as you’d expect. What catches the eye first is the angular, futuristic look – my nine-year-old voted these the coolest of the lot – but it’s not just stylish good looks to love here.

The deep tread gives unbeatable traction and grip – these boots made light work of slippy rocks, so much so that my testers were practically skipping up the Wainwrights like mountain goats. It also has great ankle and arch support for extra comfort on longer walks, which was appreciated.

Featuring bungee-style laces – the thinnest of all the boots tested – these Salomon boots are ideal for younger children who haven’t mastered the art of tying their own laces. My tester found these easy to get to grips with, and after a few attempts, was able to get the secure fit he was after. Personally, I found these the easiest of all the bungee-style laces to tighten and loosen.

Balancing a waterproof outer and breathable lining, these are a reliable, durable and versatile (not to mention very cool looking) pair of boots that will go the distance. My nine-year-old reaches for them on repeat.

Out of all the boots we tested, this gorgeous pair from kids’ shoe brand Young Soles had the most traditional look. With a super-shiny chestnut leather outer, suede collar and red laces, they definitely looked the part, and my six-year-old loved putting these to the test on dog walks and countryside rambles.

Featuring both a lace-up fastening and a side zip, they are really easy for little kids to get on and off themselves, and my little tester thought they were very comfy and warm. The boots kept her socks completely dry even after a long walk through very wet grass. The synthetic leather lining is nicely breathable, so it prevents feet from getting sweaty too.

Despite their sturdy looks, these boots are surprisingly lightweight, and the chunky sole felt springy and durable, although it lacked the thick tread of the other boots in this guide. While these aren’t designed for mountain climbs or serious hikes (stick with something like the Scarpa or Keen boots instead), they are perfect for family walks in the countryside.

If it’s a battle to get your teens to join you in your outdoor adventures, these stylish black boots from Helly Hansen may help. My teen tester raved about the chunky all-black style and thought the bungee-style laces were a cool touch. On a practical note, I found the toggle a little stiff to begin with, but after just a few tries, the mechanism loosened perfectly, and even our youngest testers could operate it with ease.

The boots were boot to the test in some truly awful October weather, and my teen tester’s feet stayed dry and warm. She also really rated the boots for comfort – the mid-cut ankle collar padding gives great support, while the insole provides a nice spring.

What I really loved about these boots is how robust they were. Like mini tanks for your kids’ feet, the marka boots can take on anything thanks to the impressively rugged tread and durable outer.

Keen’s waterproof hiking shoes are perfect for warm months. Offering more support than a pair of trainers, but without the bulk of a mid-cut walking boot, the boots are a light, durable and comfy option for summer hikes.

While we didn’t get to try these out during a heatwave – instead, during some rainy autumn walks – my teen tester loved that the shoes were fully waterproof (just like Keen’s zionic shoe). While they are lightweight, my tester found them to be heavier than the Lowa boots she tested. This may be down to the chunky sole and tread, which helped even the ground when faced with slippery mud and leaves.

The bungee-style laces made it easy to get a secure fit, and the laces were just the right length, without too much extra to tuck away once tightened. The toe box felt nicely roomy, without affecting the overall fit, and my teen also scored these highly on style.