How to choose junior hiking footwear?

Getting children the gear they need for hiking mainly means choosing the best footwear for them or with them. It is essential to take into account certain criteria. We detail the important elements so that your child can explore without any discomfort.

In fact, at what age can you start hiking?

In principle, your child can go hiking with you from an early age, carried in a baby carrier, physiological or with a hard structure, depending on your preference. Then, as soon as they are able to walk, your child can start to follow you on short hikes! It’s essential to equip them with hiking boots adapted to the different types of ground they will encounter in the forest, in the mountains or by the sea! But the most important thing, of course, is to listen to your child and to go at their pace so that you can go hiking as a family and have a great time.

How do you choose the right walking shoes?

When learning to walk, it is recommended that the child's foot can feel the ground and establish balance. Two characteristics should be taken into consideration for this:
- grip: This is defined by the size of the crampons. The deeper and more sculpted they are, the more they will be able to withstand different ground conditions (mud, sand, snow, etc.) and therefore the grip will be better.
- the traction: this is explained by the material: if the material is softer with a slightly shallower depth, it will have a greater "suction effect" on the terrain (rocky, for example). For children, it is better to favour a rather flexible sole, not very thick and slightly serrated. It provides comfort and grip on all types of paths.

2/ GOOD FOOT SUPPORT

Stability when walking is essential and depends on both the sole and the upper (the upper part of the shoe). Foot support can be optimised using the adjustment system on hiking boots

:- the hook and loop strap: this system is simple and practical for everyday use. It allows children to be more independent when putting on and taking off their children’s hiking boots

.- traditional lacing: this is the most customisable system. The longer and higher the lacing, the more the boot can be adjusted, which improves ankle support. Some models are equipped with a "Quick lace" system, which makes lacing quick and intuitive, so they are easier for children to use and guarantee a good fit.

Quick lace selection

There are different footwear models, they can be low, mid or high.
Low shoes are lighter and more flexible, offering greater ease of movement. They are ideal for using on paths that are not too demanding as children can run, jump and climb with great freedom of movement.

High boots, on the other hand, provide greater support for walking on more challenging paths. The height protects the ankle from the external environment. This will protect them from a variety of terrains, as well as changing weather conditions.

Another big question is water resistance. Even if it is unlikely that you will go on a hike when it's raining, children love walking through puddles whenever possible! Most leathers and other synthetic components used on hiking boots are already treated to be water-repellent, i.e. repel water, or even equipped with a waterproof-breathable membrane. At best, this membrane is completely waterproof, making the shoes more waterproof.

It’s best to ensure that your children’s hiking boots are waterproof at the very least so that you can take your child out in all weathers. If you regularly go on longer hikes, waterproof shoes will probably simplify your daily routine and make it easier to organise yourself because they will keep your child’s feet dry!

For your information, it is possible to spray the water-repellent treatment yourself or to reactivate it using a spray. Remember to regularly reactivate the water-repellent properties with a spray to maintain performance!

Temperatures don’t significantly change the criteria, but some materials may be preferable.

We recommend open shoes, such as sandals, or shoes with breathable materials such as microperforated synthetic components; or for the sake of comfort in order to evacuate perspiration and prevent the foot from "macerating" during your summer hikes.

During winter, footwear padded with a lining or padding to insulate against the cold. Components such as wadding retain heat better. But the most important thing to consider in cold weather, especially on mountain paths prone to snow or ice, is to have a sole to walk safely in the snow! With SnowContact® technology, Quechua offers children’s hiking boots with grip thanks to the shape of the crampons, and traction thanks to the material on the sole!

During your walks or short hikes, boots that are fairly flexible will be enough to ensure you have grip and feel comfortable. In other words, on paths that are not too demanding and where the gradient is low, you can opt for lightweight models.

On mountain hikes, however, you should opt for models with greater protection and sturdiness as the paths on your itinerary may be steep. The terrain is often more variable and the elevation higher.
Conversely, hiking footwear are not designed for trail running. They are two different sports with different particularities and needs.

Are there any differences between boys’ and girls’ hiking boots?

There is no difference in morphology or shape between girls and boys. Before adolescence, foot typologies are not yet characterised. The choice may change depending on the design, colours or accessories.
We do not recommend opting for footwear with an arch: indeed, the latter will gradually take shape as the foot muscles strengthen when walking; no need to artificially support it.

Ultimately, there are no perfect brands. The fittings are different according to the brands. The most important thing is that the boots are adapted to your child’s walking habits. It is therefore strongly recommended to go and try them on in the store to see if they feel good and comfortable when in action. In addition to this, here are a few tips and some advice on how to test whether the boots are right for your child:

- Take a size above the “classic” size so that the footwear offers enough volume around the toes and that the toes do not touch the tip of the footwear. During exercise, feet swell, the larger size therefore allows for more space. In addition, it will also save you from buying a new pair every two weeks.
- Pass a finger behind the Achilles tendon and the upper to position the foot correctly and check the previous criteria.
- Try on the shoes, imitating as best you can the conditions and movements of the activity. Some stores offer on-site modules to test multiple terrains and angles.

Discover our favourite, the shoe that lasts and is child-resistant!

The importance of hiking socks is often downplayed, even though they are the link between the sole and the boot. At the heart of the movement, the sock can create friction zones if it’s badly chosen.
To answer this, there are different sizes of uppers and models with various zones that are more reinforced, more breathable or more stretchy in certain zones. It’s therefore important to have hiking socks that provide maximum support and comfort.

BONUS: What is the life span of a child's hiking boot?

As a general rule, the lifespan of hiking boots is measured in kilometres rather than years. We’re talking around 5,000 kilometres. The only (but huge) difference between children's and adult hiking boots is that children's feet grow! You may need to change them before the 5,000 kilometre mark. You should also be careful to use them regularly and store them properly to avoid hydrolysis: moisture and heat can damage the polyurethane (PU) soles, which will then come unstuck. In any case, the fact that children don’t wear their shoes until they’re completely worn out because of their growth shouldn’t affect the comfort and safety of their precious little feet!

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