The first time you watch your kid slide on wet Acadia granite in cheap sneakers, you understand why this matters. Maine trails are rougher on shoes than almost anywhere a kid hikes in the Northeast. Wet pink granite slabs in Acadia. Root networks that catch toes on every step in Western Maine. Mud sections that swallow a foot in spring. Stream crossings that come up faster than the map suggested.
Adult hikers know the difference good boots make. Kids need the same protection, but in a body that grows two sizes a year and a budget that does not love spending $80 on shoes the kid will outgrow before October. The seven picks below balance grip, waterproofing, durability, and price. Two of them are sandals because Maine summer hiking with kids often involves water.
| Shoe | Price | Type | Waterproof | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Moab Speed Mid (Kids) | Mid-range | Mid hiker | Yes | Overall best |
| KEEN Targhee Mid WP (Kids) | Mid-range | Mid boot | Yes | Wide feet |
| KEEN Newport H2 | Mid-range | Sandal | Drains | Tide pools / summer |
| Salomon XA Pro V8 (Kids) | Mid-range | Trail runner | Yes | Fast confident kids |
| Columbia Newton Ridge Youth | Mid-range | Mid boot | Yes | Best value |
| Merrell Trail Chaser (Toddler) | Mid-range | Low hiker | No | Toddlers |
| Astral Brewer 2.0 | Mid-range | Hike + water | Drains | Hike + paddle |
How We Chose These
We focused on the shoes families actually put miles on across Maine trails, from a 3-year-old in the Merrell Trail Chaser riding in a kid carrier to a 12-year-old on her second pair of KEEN Targhees doing full-day Acadia hikes. Then we matched each shoe’s grip, waterproofing, durability, and fit against the conditions Maine kid hikes throw at footwear, and weighed that against owner and parent reviews.
The conditions that mattered most:
- Wet granite slabs on the Jordan Pond Loop west side after rain
- Coastal tide pools at Wonderland and Ship Harbor
- Muddy root sections on Bradbury Mountain Tote Road
- Stream crossings on Step Falls and various Western Maine trails
- Daily kid abuse at camp (rocks, fire ring, kicking trees)
1. Merrell Moab Speed Mid Waterproof (Kids)
Best overall hiking shoe for kids on Maine trails
The kid version of the Moab adult line is the easy first answer for a parent buying real hiking shoes. The Moab Speed Mid is lighter than a traditional boot, more flexible for natural foot movement, and waterproof enough for Maine streams.
The Vibram outsole is the key for Acadia granite. Parents report kids walking up wet slabs that adults in trail runners would have to side-step. The mid-height upper gives mild ankle support without being so stiff that a kid hates them.
Sizing runs slightly narrow. If your kid has a wider foot, look at the KEEN Targhee.
Best overall hiking shoe for kids on Maine trails
2. KEEN Targhee Mid Waterproof (Big Kid)
Best for wide feet and serious hiking
The Targhee is the kid version of one of the most-recommended adult hiking boots in the country. It is built heavier than the Merrell Moab Speed and has a wider, more generous toe box. For kids with wider feet, KEEN is almost always the right brand to try first.
The Targhee handles full-day Acadia hikes well, breaks in over the first 3 to 4 outings, and lasts long enough to hand down to a younger sibling. The KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane is genuinely waterproof through extended rain. Owners report dry feet on damp shoulder-season hikes where lesser shoes soak through.
The downside: heavier and slower to break in. For a kid who hikes occasionally, the Merrell may feel better out of the box.
3. KEEN Newport H2 Kids’ Sandal
Best summer / coastal / tide pool shoe
The Newport H2 is not a hiking sandal in the Chaco sense. It is closer to a closed-toe water shoe with a hiking sole. That sounds limited, but for Maine summer kid hiking it is the most useful single shoe a family can own.
Why it works in Maine:
- Closed toe protects against rocks at the beach and tide pools
- Drains water in seconds (so kids can wade and then keep hiking)
- Bungee laces let kids put them on themselves
- Sole has enough grip for short hikes to swim spots like Step Falls and Moxie Falls
We do not recommend the Newport for technical hikes or shoulder-season cold weather. For July beach-and-trail days, it is the right answer.
Best summer / tide pool / waterfall swim shoe
4. Salomon XA Pro V8 CSWP (Kids)
Best for confident kid hikers who move fast
The XA Pro is more trail runner than hiking shoe. For a kid who is past the cautious phase and runs the trail, the Salomon’s athletic profile and Contagrip sole are perfect. The Quicklace system is faster than tying laces and stays tight all hike, particularly useful for kids who can’t yet tie their own shoes well.
The CSWP (Climashield Waterproof) membrane handles mud and shallow streams. Salomon runs narrow, so this is not the right call for wide feet.
5. Columbia Youth Newton Ridge
Best value kids hiking boot
If you cannot stomach $80 on shoes a kid will outgrow in 8 months, the Columbia Newton Ridge Youth is the right compromise. It is a real hiking boot at a real price. Waterproof leather upper, decent grip, mid-height ankle support, and it looks legitimately like a hiking boot.
Owners report getting through a full Maine season with no major failures. The sole wears faster than premium options and the leather takes longer to soften. For families dipping into kid hiking without committing to expensive gear, this is the safe first buy.
6. Merrell Kids Trail Chaser (Toddler)
Best hiking shoe for toddlers and young kids (sizes 5-13)
Toddlers do not need waterproof boots. They need flexible, lightweight shoes with grip and toe protection. The Trail Chaser hits all three. The rubber bumper around the toe protects against the constant kicking of rocks and roots that toddlers do. The hook-and-loop closure means a 3-year-old can put them on without help.
These are not waterproof and they wear fast under heavy use, but for kids in the 2 to 5 age range doing short trails, they are the right shoe. When the kid graduates to longer trails, step up to the Moab Speed.
7. Astral Brewer 2.0 (Big Kid)
Best for kids who paddle, swim, and hike on the same day
The Brewer is a paddling shoe with a hiking-grade sole. Astral’s G.15 rubber is widely regarded as the stickiest sole on wet rock in any kid’s shoe, and the reviews back that up. It is the kind of grip that lets a 9-year-old walk straight up a wet slab on the Sebago shore that adults in trail runners would not attempt.
If your kid does mixed-activity days (paddling at Moosehead, then a short hike, then a tide-pool stop) the Brewer covers all of it. Pricier than the others, and not appropriate for cold weather.
Sizing and Fit Tips
Buy hiking shoes a half size up so they last through the season. Kids’ feet grow fast, and a snug shoe in June will be unwearable in August. The extra room also lets you double-sock for shoulder season.
A few things that will save you money:
- Order in February or March. End-of-winter sales hit kid hiking gear hard. The summer model from last year still works.
- Try them on with the socks they will hike in. Cotton socks change the fit. If they will wear merino hiking socks, buy with those on.
- Use the “thumb test.” With the kid standing, you should be able to fit your thumb between their longest toe and the front of the shoe. That extra room handles growth and downhill foot slide.
- Buy in person if possible. Outlet stores in Freeport (LL Bean) and Kittery have good kid hiking selections and let you try multiple brands.
Caring for Kids’ Hiking Shoes
Kids destroy shoes faster than adults. A few habits extend lifespan:
- Rinse off mud and salt after coastal hikes. Salt corrodes the membrane and degrades the upper.
- Air dry, never machine dry. Heat from a dryer kills waterproof membranes.
- Use a leather conditioner on Columbia or KEEN leather uppers once a season.
- Stuff with newspaper between trips to absorb moisture and hold shape.
A well-cared-for kid hiking shoe will last through one full season of regular hiking and often gets handed down to a younger sibling for a second season.
What About Brand Direct vs. Amazon?
For kid hiking shoes, Amazon is usually the right place to buy. Prices are competitive and returns are easy if sizing is wrong. The only exception: REI and LL Bean both have generous return policies and let you return shoes a kid has hiked in if they do not work out. For first-time hiking shoe purchases, that policy is worth using.
Trails to Test Kid Shoes On
These are the Maine trails where shoe quality actually matters. If your kid’s shoes pass on these, they are fine for almost any kid hike in the state:
- Jordan Pond Path west side: Wet granite, root sections. Tests grip.
- Bradbury Mountain Tote Road: Mud, roots, steady climb. Tests waterproofing.
- Wonderland Trail end: Tide pool rock scramble. Tests rubber and durability.
- Step Falls: Wet smooth granite slides. Tests wet-rock grip (this is where cheap soles fail).
Do kids really need waterproof hiking shoes for Maine?
For spring and fall hiking, yes. Maine trails have stream crossings, wet granite, and mud sections almost year-round. For July and August day hikes on dry trails, non-waterproof trail runners work fine and are more breathable. We recommend waterproof as the default if you are only buying one pair.
What size hiking shoe should I buy if my kid grows fast?
Buy a half size up from current shoe size. With the kid standing, you should be able to fit your thumb behind their longest toe. This handles 4 to 6 months of growth and gives room for thicker hiking socks. Sizing too big is worse than sizing snug, sloppy shoes cause blisters and trips.
Are hiking sandals okay for kids on Maine trails?
Closed-toe hiking sandals (KEEN Newport, Astral Brewer) work well for summer trails, tide pools, and waterfall swim hikes. Open-toed sandals (Tevas, flip-flops) are not appropriate for any Maine trail because of root strikes, rock kicks, and ticks crawling onto bare skin.
Do toddlers need real hiking shoes?
Toddlers (1 to 3 years) primarily ride in carriers, so dedicated hiking shoes are less critical. A pair of flexible closed-toe shoes with grip (Merrell Trail Chaser or similar) is enough. Save the investment in real hikers until the kid is independently walking trails, usually around 4 to 5 years old.
How long should a pair of kids' hiking boots last?
One full season of regular hiking (about 30 to 50 days of trail use) is typical before the kid outgrows them or the sole wears down. Premium brands (Merrell, KEEN) often last two seasons and can be handed down to younger siblings. Budget brands wear out faster but cost less to replace.