Starting out?

I notice Aldi are selling offer boots for £9. My sons (8 and 10) might go walking with me this summer. They were not enthusiastic about walking last time I took them last summer, so they may not want to go this summer either so I don't want to spend money on boots that won't be used. I'm therefore after a budget pair of boots and £9 is fine. We will walk up some small hills with gentl slopes and along landrover paths. My question is, are these good boots for the price or should I go for something else (e.g. perhaps Lidl usually sell better quality later in the year ) ?  Thanks, Alastair

You could also look at Decathlon's childrens boots and shoes.

My six year old is on his second pair and they have been very good.

As usual, check that whatever you get fits their feet!

I got some Peter Storm ones for ours in Millets.  They seem pretty good, they were ~ £20 in their "March Madness" sale.

First acid test of one pair yesterday, about 7-8 Km along the Tay from Wormit to Balmerino and back, passed with flying colours.

Available in shoe or boot styles, our wee girl preferred the shoes and our lad the boots, so that's what they got.  Both seem happy thus far.

Pete.

Hi Alastair,

second the Decathlon idea. My daughter's too young to need these yet but my godson (6) and his sister (8) both use them to good effect. 

I'd also say that unless you are covering particularly rough terrain, there's no advantage to getting boots over trail shoes. I did almost all of my walking in trainers until I was about 14 IIRC (feet stopped growing then) and barely ever suffered any foot problems until I was 'advised' that a good pair of leather boots were the way to go! Admittedly, I'm still a fan of decent leather boots when I'm carrying any weight or in winter but you could put your kids off if they feel that they are having to endure clomping around. 

We've had our kids go walking (and orienteering) in trainers and they're not a problem except the much higher chance of wet feet.  Wet feet aren't themselves a problem, but if it's cold that can mean cold feet much more readily for the sprogs than the likes of us.  We did have to abandon one O when cold, wet feet led to a round of considerable meepishness.

So while I'm not a fan of waterproof liners for myself, I think for the kids who are going that much slower and may be much more prone to having a bad time if there's noticeable discomfort it's worth having a pair as an option beside trainers (assuming the trainers have a decent outsold that will some grip on grass and/or rock).  If keeping water out is an issue then boots do have an advantage of being that bit higher when they want to jump in mud etc.

If all else is equal have the kids try them on and select the style they prefer.  Ours did, one selected the boots, one the shoes.  If it doesn't really matter then "I chose that!" can be a major plus point!

Pete.

Though the wee bear has been complaining of sore feet after the longer orienteering walks - they were fairly cheap trainers (but with a good rugged outsole) and I suspect the sole is a bit thin and she feels every stone she stands on. She also doesn't have the most elegant walking style so maybe she needs more foot support than they offer.

Anyway, she will probably outgrow them soon!

With the kids I have to unlearn my approach of only using good gear at serious outings - they may as well use everything whenever they feel like as they probably outgrow the gear before they wear it down.

Oops sorry Roos. Yes I can see that makes sense. Better to get as much use out of the boots/shoes rather than keep them only for use on those walking adventures (these are only likely to happen with us once per month unless of course they start to enjoy it !

Thanks again, best wishes, Alastair

Though that s-s jacket (actually Aldi) did cost remarkably little.  But outside of really cheap offers from German supermarkets the likes of Millets, Trespass and Mountain Warehouse seem to have some very reasonable stuff for kids at pleasantly sane prices, and almost as many sales as sofa warehouses.

There's nothing to gain by getting crap (except putting them off), but aside from them growing out of it soon it's worth remembering that what's a big roughty toughty adventure to them is a pleasant dander for us so cutting edge kit really isn't worth it for them, any more than top of the line Goretex climbing shells are really needed to wander round the local country park on a slightly grey day.  The wee bear does have a very nice Patagonia Capilene shirt, but it came from TK-Maxx and I can't see we'd splash out for one at the RRP (about £20, the Mountain Warehouse wicking Ts they have were a fiver each, down from ten).

In summary, look at "Ford Popular" rather than "Porsche", though still avoid "2nd hand Lada with alloys and spoilers" and if they want to play in the garden in them, that's fine.

Pete.