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Chinese Hiking is a great outdoor activity. Everyone should try hiking at least once and experience how great it is to be in nature. For parents who love outdoor activities, consider taking your little ones on a hike. Before letting your child's feet touch the trail, you should get them kids' hiking shoes.
Your children's feet are still developing, and they need proper care. That includes when going for a hike. You can not pick random shoes and hope for the best. If the shoes are too tight, they will restrict movement and feel uncomfortable. Loose-fitting shoes can increase the risk of tripping and can cause blisters from friction.
Why Should You Buy Kids' Hiking Shoes?
Good outdoor shoes for your children will protect them on the trails from sharp rocks, uneven paths, and slippery terrain. Regular sneakers are not durable enough to handle a hiking trail’s punishing environment. Wearing any random pair of shoes that do not meet the challenge can be dangerous for your loved ones.
Sneakers are designed to be comfortably worn all day in urban spaces, such as when going to school or the mall. Urban environments mostly have flat and even terrain that is well maintained. The outdoors do not have the luxury of flat and even terrain, so proper kids’ hiking shoes for the occasion are important.
Maybe you think that it is better to buy bigger shoes so that your children will grow into them. That may save you some money in the short term, but it is not good advice for hiking. In general, it is better to buy well-fitting shoes. In addition, you also need to look out for features in shoes that are good for hiking.
Features to look for in Kids' Hiking Shoes
Now that you know regular shoes are not fit for hiking, you wonder what kind of kids’ hiking shoes are good enough. When you are out shopping for hiking gear for the little ones, you might not even know what to look for. Do not worry, this article will explain the features for you.
Not all shoes will have all the features for all occasions. Some brands will present them differently. There is no one shoe to rule them all. After learning the features, you should still be mindful of what you actually need for which trail. Here are the key features you should look for in kids' hiking shoes.
Ankle support
You need ankle support to prevent ankle twisting in rough terrain and protection from the elements. However, be mindful not to sacrifice comfort for protection. Remember, comfort is still important to give your children the best hiking experience. The support you get depends on the collar height. Here is a quick explanation of the different collar heights.
Low-cut shoes sit below the ankles and feel more flexible but offer less protection.
Mid-cut shoes go around the ankles and provide moderate protection against debris.
High-cut shoes cover the ankles, providing strong ankle support, but are heavier and stiffer.
If you do not plan on taking your little ones to the mountains, high-cut shoes only become uncomfortable. For moderate trails such as going through a forest, mid-cut shoes should be sufficient. When walking through a well-maintained hiking path, even low-cut shoes are good enough and are more comfortable.
Grip or traction
When hiking, there is a risk of slipping on wet rocks and muddy terrain. Awkward footholds or gravelly paths also risk slipping. When buying kids’ hiking shoes, make sure they have wide, deep lugs. These features give a good grip on gravel and mud and help shed dirt when walking.
Water resistance
The outdoors is wet, so your kids’ hiking shoes should be waterproof. Depending on the trail, you can opt for waterproof shoes or water-resistant shoes. It is water-resistant enough for most things, such as wet grass and shallow puddles. Take waterproof shoes when the environment is consistently wet, such as for hiking in snow or if river crossing is expected.
Preparing Your Child for a Family Hike
After learning about the features, you have good shoes for your children. However, the journey does not stop there. After buying the shoes, you should not immediately take them into the mountains. You should have your kids wear them around the house first. This is to make sure they fit correctly after the break-in period. It is important that you also get specialised hiking socks that manage moisture and prevent blisters.
When you finally go out with your children on an outdoor walk, make it the best experience for them. Remember to bring enough water and snacks to keep them happy on the trails. Once you have everything finally prepared, you can start looking at beginner-friendly trails that are fun for the whole family.
Family-Friendly Hiking Around Senaru
After you have bought good-fitting outdoor footwear for your children, you might wonder where you should take them. Luckily, there are good family-friendly trails near Mount Rinjani. If you come from the north side of Lombok, you can go through the Senaru village in the Bayan district, West Nusa Tenggara.
From there, you can choose to go on a short forest hike towards the waterfalls. The Sendang Gile waterfalls are close to the Senaru village, taking about 20-minutes. If you choose to go further, you can go on a more adventurous trail through a river crossing towards Tiu Kelep Waterfall. These two trails are beginner-friendly because of their shorter distance.
Get the best hiking experience for your kids with the Rinjani Trekking Center!
Now you have the knowledge to choose the kids' hiking shoes you need. The right shoes ensure your children get the best experience when trying hiking for the first time. A good first impression helps your little ones become more confident and encourages them to go on more hiking trips.
Rinjani Trekking Center is the top guide that will help you enjoy the best hiking trip. You can go on a day hike to the Senaru waterfalls for a fun day hike with the whole family. Our experienced trekking crew will ensure the safety of your children so you can focus on getting the best experience. So, book a trip on the RTC website now and spend quality time with your children.