I'm getting really frustrated. That's how it usually is when clothes or shoe shopping. I'm looking for a good pair of hiking boots, since I'll be going on a week long hiking trip this summer and need a pair of boots that are durable and comfortable. Here's the deal: my feet are tiny. I'm 15 (soon to be 16) and I wear a size 6.5....youth. It's ridiculously annoying when trying to find shoes, especially when I need something good. Kids generally just don't need high quality footwear I guess, or that's at least what most companies think. So, do you know of any companies that make small boots or any way to find good quality boots for kids? Any suggestions would be really helpful, since this is really ticking me off. :grumpy:
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Help Needed! Hiking Boots for Small Feet
- Thread starter jmflem
- Start date
I gave up trying to find quality leather hiking boots or work boots for my kid.
Found these instead:
Vasque Breeze. They don't have leather uppers, but the soles are really nice. Supportive and protective with great treads. Don't know if they're just for little kids, or if they have larger youth sizes as well.
Found these instead:
Vasque Breeze. They don't have leather uppers, but the soles are really nice. Supportive and protective with great treads. Don't know if they're just for little kids, or if they have larger youth sizes as well.
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Have you tried Keen's youth sizes?
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An Asian friend used to buy shoes from Zappos.com because they carry small sizes: they carry men's hiking boots down to 5 M. But shopping online is problematic unless you know how a manufacturer's last fits your feet. "Runs true to size" doesn't help until you know this.
If you ever visit NYC, visit a shoe store or two in an Asian neighborhood. Asian men and women share your problem. If you go shopping in Queens, don't forget to visit Louis Armstrong's grave in Flushing Cemetery.
If you ever visit NYC, visit a shoe store or two in an Asian neighborhood. Asian men and women share your problem. If you go shopping in Queens, don't forget to visit Louis Armstrong's grave in Flushing Cemetery.
Does anyone know anything about these? They seem to be a climbing shoe so I don't know if they could work for hiking or not.
http://www.zappos.com/five-ten-guide-tennie-mid-black-asphalt
http://www.zappos.com/five-ten-guide-tennie-mid-black-asphalt
They'd be cool for wearing around town, and they look like great boating shoes. But hiking?
Watch the last few seconds of the promotional video - entirely too flexible for me and the type of hiking I do (rough trail and off-trail).
I believe the hike I will be going on will be completely on-trail, but these shoes are a little pricey. I'll keep looking but I'll keep them as an option.
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I think merell does good kids shoes, not so sure. But the Moab is a great shoe. One other option is to look as the womens version of merrels, they tend to keep things pretty toned down as far as the pink, but worst case, no one will steal your shoes!
I have the same problem too. I'm 16 and I only fit a size 6.5 also in boots. Everywhere I go I usually can't find a good pair in my size. It really sucks. I really hope it all works out for you though! Good luck!
How much weight are you carrying? What kind of terrain are you covering?
I ask because hiking boots are overkill in most situations IMHO. A stiff sole helps on really rough terrain and when packing serious weight... otherwise going light is the way to go. A pound on your feet is like five on your back.
If you are mostly staying on trail then a pair of sneakers would be my choice. Bring some lightweight foam flip-flops for use around camp in case your main shoes get wet.
Here is a random model from zappos to illustrate the style of sneakers I am talking about. You probably have some already... Perhaps some that are getting a bit grubby for civilized use but that are otherwise still serviceable.
http://www.zappos.com/nike-downshifter-6-black-anthracite-game-royal
I ask because hiking boots are overkill in most situations IMHO. A stiff sole helps on really rough terrain and when packing serious weight... otherwise going light is the way to go. A pound on your feet is like five on your back.
If you are mostly staying on trail then a pair of sneakers would be my choice. Bring some lightweight foam flip-flops for use around camp in case your main shoes get wet.
Here is a random model from zappos to illustrate the style of sneakers I am talking about. You probably have some already... Perhaps some that are getting a bit grubby for civilized use but that are otherwise still serviceable.
http://www.zappos.com/nike-downshifter-6-black-anthracite-game-royal
I feel your pain. I'm waaaay past 16 so have many years of getting boots/shoes that fit. I wear 5.5 and wear White's Smokejumpers for work ( they're great). Okay, I know that's not what you're looking for but someday. I've got older Vasques (Sundowner and some other style) that are over 25 years old...they're women's. I'm glad to be able to wear some kids shoes, but also check some womens hiking boots. They are pretty much the same except some aren't available in wider sizes. Oh, and sometimes the colors don't make them an option....at least for me! Good luck and you'll probably grow out o' this problem. 
Where are you going hiking? And is it actual backpacking, or a series of day hikes? Going to Philmont by any chance?
I haven't gotten the details yet but I know its in Pennsylvania. I think its about 5 days of hiking, camping out on the trail at night. It's all on-trail I believe.
lazy otter
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The 5.10 you asked about is more of an approach boot it have the tennis shoe version. They basicly are for climbing and bouldering so you would wear these on your trip if full climbing shoes were not needed.
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I agree, Merrell is one of the most comfortable hiking shoe manufacturers around. Keen, Salomon, and Vasque are good too, they have a decent sized toe box which is also a must if comfort is something of any importance. I don't think that finding a small size is impossible, there are kids sizes, but then again how small a foot are we talking about?
As far as the tactical stuff, that might fly for a work style boot, or even on weekends kicking around, but not if you want to be comfortable on a hike. Another thing, hiking means different thing to different people. Some friends use K-Swiss low tops for hiking, but they "hike" on mostly flat dirt roads in the desert. Other hiking includes climbing and walking over some rough terrain.
My advice is get yourself to a REI or similar place, get your feet properly measured, and get boots based on what you need. Get the correct socks for the boots you get. If you skimp out on boots, you are in for one miserable trip. I will skimp on everything else except shoes/socks, your feet (no matter how big or tiny) are your biggest investment.
My feet are about 6-6.5, depending on the brand. I will be hiking for about four days I think about 7-10 miles each day, all on trail. I don't think the trail is very difficult either.