As the taste for outdoor adventure continues to increase around the world, so does the desire for parents to take their children along for the ride. And while many already love to play outdoors, it’s recommended that these little ones sport the correct foot protection so as to avoid adventures turning into misadventures. That’s why parents often take the time to choose suitable footwear for their kids’ specific needs.
In this article, we will explore six children’s hiking boots that allow kids to walk to their heart’s content and give parents peace of mind in 2024.
Table of Contents
Analyzing the global hiking footwear market size
6 of the best kids’ hiking boots in 2024
What retailers should consider when choosing hiking boots for kids
Bottom line
Analyzing the global hiking footwear market size
The global hiking footwear market was worth an estimated USD 19.95 billion in 2023 and is forecast to grow at a 3.40% CAGR to hit USD 26.94 billion by 2032. The market’s growth opportunities include the rising demand for hiking boots through online retail stores, increased average spending power, and the importance of recreational activities.
6 of the best kids hiking boots in 2024
1. Low-cut hiking boots
Low-cut hiking boots are all about flexibility, making them a top choice for young adventurers. However, in offering added ankle mobility, these boots sacrifice some protection. Regardless, low-cut hiking boots are perfect for various outdoor activities, including hikes on flat terrain, nature walks, or casual outdoor adventures.
While low-cut hiking boots don’t offer as much ankle support as high-cut boots, they make up for it with excellent breathability. Additionally, they often include features like quick-dry materials and durable outsoles for different surfaces.
Low-cut hiking boots raked in 1,000 searches in July 2024, according to Google ads, a drop from 1,300 searches in the previous three months.
2. Mid-cut hiking boots
Mid-cut hiking boots are the sweet spot between support and mobility. They offer more ankle coverage than low-cut boots, giving extra protection against rocks, debris, and minor twists while also allowing for flexibility. These boots are ideal for hikes on varied terrain, including gentle slopes, rocky paths, and even some light scrambling.
While heavier than low-cut options, the added support and protection make mid-cut hiking boots perfect for many young adventurers. According to Google data, consumers searched for mid-cut hiking boots 210 times in July 2024, down 10% from the previous month’s 260 searches.
3. High-ankle hiking boots
High-ankle hiking boots are the ultimate choice for kids wanting to tackle more challenging terrain. They offer maximum support and stability by resting above the ankle, better protecting against twists and sprains on uneven ground, rocky trails, and steep inclines.
They may not be super flexible, but the added security is invaluable for preventing injuries. More importantly, a proper fit is crucial for these boots—they should be snug but comfortable around the ankle, providing support without stopping kids from playing, climbing, and exploring.
The monthly search volume for high-ankle hiking boots in May and June was 590 dropping by 20% in July to 480 searches.
4. Waterproof hiking boots
Waterproof hiking boots are necessary for keeping kids’ feet dry and comfortable in unpredictable weather. With waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex, these boots protect against rain, puddles, and even shallow streams.
While they may not be as breathable as non-waterproof options, many modern waterproof boots include ventilation systems to prevent overheating, which is to keep kids’ feet dry. Waterproof boots are perfect for hikes in damp environments, muddy trails, or areas prone to sudden rain showers.
Waterproof hiking boots are more popular than previous options. They raked in 22,200 searches in June and July 2024 but dropped by 10% from 27,100 in the earlier months.
5. Insulated boots
For hiking adventures in cold weather, insulated boots are the way to go. Thanks to layers of Thinsulate or down, these snow boots can keep feet warm and cozy even in freezing temperatures, without sacrificing comfort.
Plus, their outer materials are typically waterproof or water-resistant to guard against snow and wet conditions. Insulated hiking boots are also great for snowshoeing and other cold-weather activities. However, they may be bulkier than regular hiking boots.
Insulated hiking boots aren’t ideal for summer hikes and adventures, so it makes sense that searches for them from April to July are incredibly low. However, search volumes increased to 5,400 searches in December 2023 and 4,400 in both January and February 2024.
6. Hiking sandals
Hiking sandals are a fantastic alternative for warm-weather adventures, offering a great mix of comfort, breathability, and protection. They usually feature quick-drying materials and open designs to prevent sweaty feet and blisters.
Their open designs are also perfect for hikes near water, campgrounds, or casual outdoor explorations. In addition, hiking sandals are practical due to their grippy outsoles, which give them impressive traction on various surfaces.
The best part is hiking sandals are lightweight and easy to pack, making them great for travel. However, they provide less protection than closed-toe shoes, so they might not be suitable for rugged terrain or cold weather.
Hiking sandals attract significant attention in 2024, averaging 74,000 searches in July 2024, up 110% from 22,200 in January.
What retailers should consider when choosing hiking boots for kids
1. Weather conditions
If target consumers are more interested in summer adventures, they will want well-ventilated footwear for their kids. These include open shoes (hiking sandals) or breathable, closed boots to protect feet from debris.
For cooler mid-season or mountain hikes, hikers will want closed shoes for their kids, preferably with water-repellent treatment or waterproof Gore-Tex-like membranes. Lastly, winter hiking and adventures demand waterproof boots with high uppers and insulated lining or apres-ski insulated boots for short snow hikes and activities.
2. Size
Finding the right hiking boot size for little kids can be tricky due to their rapidly growing feet. That’s why it always pays for retailers to stock a broad range of options.
3. Closure
Kids’ hiking boots can come with three closure types: shoelaces, elastic, and velcro. Lace-up hiking boots are the most common, though these can prove trickier for younger children. Velcro and elastic closures are therefore optimal so that children can wear and adjust them without help.
Bottom line
Going on outdoor adventures is now a regular part of many children’s growing up. For this reason, parents are always on the lookout for the best ways to protect them from potentially harsh conditions. For this reason, hiking boots are becoming an increasingly popular item among families who spend lots of time walking and in the wild.
Are you ready to create a fantastic kids’ hiking boot inventory? Make sure to stock a range of hiking sandals, low-cut, mid-cut, high-ankle, waterproof, and insulated hiking boots to better offer your customers options to suit their specific needs. For more details on other trending sports-related topics and products, make sure to subscribe to Alibaba.com Reads’ sports section.
