Big Kids' Hightrail Waterproof Hiking Shoe | Brindle/Oak Buff

Those laces actually hold snug all day, which is rare with kids’ shoes—my son ran through mud and puddles on our hike and the waterproofing kept his socks completely dry. They’re light enough for him to forget he’s wearing them.

The laces cinch down tight enough that my son’s feet don’t slide at all on rocky descents, and the waterproofing held up through a full morning of puddle stomping. He’s already asked to wear them to school instead of his sneakers, which says everything about the comfort.

My daughter wore these on a rainy hike last weekend and her feet stayed completely dry. The standard laces made it easy to get a snug fit around her ankles, and she said they felt light enough for running.