Nothing cuts short a family hike quite as effectively as cries of “my feet hurt!” from the kids. Investing in a great pair of children’s walking boots is the simplest way to keep sore feet and dreaded soggy socks at bay, but which ones are worth the spend? The best walking boots for kids offer great support (particularly around little ankles), comfort and excellent grip, so you can enjoy outdoor adventures without resorting to piggybacks a mile in.
To encourage kids outside, whatever the weather, I’d recommend looking for boots that are waterproof (essential) and warm. But you also want them to be breathable – sweaty socks are as bad as soggy ones. Extra points if the boots are easy for little ramblers to get on and off themselves, too.
As a family of walkers, we love to be outside, whether that’s daily dog walks through our local countryside or hiking holidays to the Lake District. I’m a mum to a six-year-old and a nine-year-old and have been reviewing parenting and kids’ products for years, so I understand first-hand what makes a standout walking boot for children. With all that in mind, here’s my pick of the best.
The best kids’ walking boots for 2025 are:
How I tested
With the help of four children aged between six and sixteen, we tested a range of walking boots – specifically designed for kids – on hikes and various terrains throughout October. Spoiler alert: it was wet. From countryside rambles to some proper mountain climbing in the Lake District, each pair was thoroughly put through their paces. My testers shared their honest feedback on which boots felt comfortable, which kept their feet dry and which provided proper grip.
Keen big kids’ zionic waterproof boot
Best: Kids' walking boots overall
Size range: Junior 13 to 6
Why we love it
- Foam insole with arch support
- Excellent grip
- Cool design
- Very lightweight
Take note
- Limited choice of colourways
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.
Buy now £75.00, Keenfootwear.co.uk
Mountain Warehouse trail kids waterproof walking
Best: Budget kids' walking boots
Size range: Junior 13 to 5
Why we love it
- Padded ankle support
- Durable material
- Hooks for tight lacing
Take note
- Bulkier than some other designs
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.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon.co.uk
Scarpa RS Pro WP-Y
Best: Comfortable kids' walking boots
Size range: Junior 11.5 to 6.5
Why we love it
- Waterproof
- Flexible leather upper
- Lightweight
- Sturdy sole
Take note
- Expensive
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.
Buy now £90.00, Scarpa.co.uk
Regatta kids’ vendeavour junior walking boots
Best: Kids' walking boots for ankle support
Size range: Junior 9 to 6
Why we love it
- Comfortable EVA footbed
- ISOTEX membrane for breathable waterproofing
- Lightweight
Take note
- Quite a roomy fit
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.
Buy now £31.95, Amazon.co.uk
Lowa maddox pro GTX mid vic jr boot
Best: Lightweight kids' walking boot
Size range: Junior 12 to 5
Why we love it
- Very lightweight
- Good for all weathers
- Cool design
- Easy to get on and off
Take note
- Expensive
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.
Buy now £110.00, Lowa.co.uk
Berghaus kids’ explorer mid waterproof hiking boot
Best: Kids' boots for a good fit
Size range: Junior 10 to 6
Why we love it
- Good value
- Vegan friendly
- Toe protection bumper
Take note
- Chunky tongue can rub if not positioned correctly
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.
Buy now £62.00, Blacks.co.uk
Salomon X ultra mid gore-tex
Best: Kids' walking boot for grip
Size range: Junior 10 to 6
Why we love it
- Chunky tread
- Easy to tighten laces
- Cool look
- Very lightweight
Take note
- Expensive
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.
Buy now £95.00, Salomon.com
Young Soles Eddie ankle-high hiking boot
Best: For countryside walks
Size range: Junior 7 to 2.5
Why we love it
- High quality leather
- Side zip for easy on and off
- Padded ankle collar
Take note
- Not suitable for serious hiking
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.
Buy now £86.00, Youngsoles.com
Helly Hansen juniors' and kids' marka boot
Best: Walking boot for teens
Size range: Junior 6 to 6
Why we love it
- Secure bungee-style laces
- Chunky sole
- Comfort insole
Take note
- A little heavier than other boots
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.
Buy now £85.00, Hellyhansen.com
Keen big kids’ targhee IV waterproof hiking shoe
Best: Kids' walking boot for summer
Size range: Junior 13 to 6
Colourways: Dark Olive/Gold Flame, Black/Steel Grey and Reef Waters/Daiquiri Green
Why we love it
- Reinforced toe
- Spacious toe box
- Breathable
Take note
- Not as much ankle support as a mid-cut boot
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.
Buy now £65.00, Keenfootwear.co.uk
What are the best kids’ walking boots?
All of the boots have earned their place in the list for good reason. But after careful consideration, the Keen Zionic boots were considered the best kids’ walking boots. Incredibly comfortable, fully waterproof and providing all the right support for growing feet – not to mention coming in very cool colourways – I feel they’re well worth the spend. If you’re after a more affordable option, the Regatta vendeavour boots pack in plenty of great features at just over £40.
How I selected the best kids’ walking boots
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s product reviews section, IndyBest, employs knowledgeable reviewers to test products as you would use them in real-world settings, to bring you an impartial list of the very best.
Sarah Dawson is a writer with a great deal of experience when it comes to recommending the best parenting buys and products for kids having tested everything from the best bikes to dumbphones. As with all IndyBest reviews, Sarah's testing process involves assessing factors such as quality and value for money, along with any potential pitfalls. By calling in assistance from younger testers when writing this article, she was able to see how different boots actually go down with kids.
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