What Are the Key Features to Look for in Waterproof Footwear for Children

2 weeks ago

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Children playing in puddles wearing black and white waterproof boots for kids

The monsoons are a unique season. They are enjoyable for children but challenging for parents. That’s because children love to play and splash about in the puddles and run through muddy grounds.

However, these activities ruin their socks and shoes and lead to cold feet. And if their children have school the next day, parents have to clean the shoes and socks to prevent infections.

As a parent, if you’ve been facing these issues with your children, then it’s time to switch to waterproof boots for kids. But what features should you consider before selecting these boots?

Let’s explore below.

Table of Contents

How Are Waterproof Boots Different from Water-Resistant Boots?

You might consider waterproof boots and water-resistant boots to be the same thing. However, they are not.

Waterproof footwear refers to shoes wherein the water or any form of liquid does not penetrate the shoe material. In other words, these shoes let your children splash about in the puddles without their socks getting wet.

You should consider these shoes for your children during their school week or when they have to be out frequently.

Water-resistant shoes, on the other hand, will keep water out for a certain amount of time.

Eventually, the water will manage to penetrate the shoe fabric. So, these shoes are ideal for light activity or spending minimal time in the rain.

Let’s now consider the parameters you should consider when choosing waterproof shoes for your children below.

Which Parameters Should You Consider Before Selecting Waterproof Shoes?

You should consider the following parameters when selecting waterproof shoes for your children.

Construction Material

You should look for materials like leather, nylon, Neoprene, rubber, and Gore-Tex.

Leather shoes are quite durable and resistant to water. They are also quite comfortable and adapt to the shape and size of your children’s feet. You can maintain these shoes with the help of conditioners and waterproof sprays.

Gore-Tex shoes are considered a global standard for durable, waterproof footwear. These shoes will keep your children’s feet dry, irrespective of the weather. They are also quite lightweight, making it easy to commute.

You can consider Gore-tex if your children are particularly active.

Neoprene waterproof boots for kids will allow your children to move about freely and keep them warm, even when the water gets cold.

Rubber shoes will let your children run and play about on slippery surfaces. These shoes are also easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about maintenance.

Seam Closures & Breathability

The waterproof shoes, like pink rubber boots or black velcro shoes, you select should have sealed seams or edges. This ensures that the water is unable to get in. You should also look for inner waterproof membranes, as they will provide additional protection.

In case the shoes you choose have zippers, they should be waterproof as well. If you have toddlers or young children, you should look for Velcro straps. These will allow your children to easily remove their shoes from their feet.

You should also look for gusseted tongues on the shoes. These will prevent the water from penetrating their feet even when it splashes on the shoes.

Easy to Clean and Quick to Dry

You should choose waterproof boots for kids that are easy to clean. The less time you spend on maintenance, the better it is in terms of convenience. That’s why you should look for shoes that can be wiped clean or machine-washed.

For example, leather shoes can be maintained with the help of conditioners and waterproof sprays.

Check the label on the inner gusseted tongues on the shoe. These labels will demonstrate whether they can be machine-washed or not.

They should also have inner linings that dry quickly and removable insoles. The removable insoles will allow you to clean them separately and more efficiently.

Breathability and Comfort Inside

You should opt for waterproof shoes that will ensure the comfort of your children for the duration that they are wearing them. That’s why you should look for moisture-wicking inner linings. These linings are made up of polyester, nylon, or composite mixes.

Both polyester and nylon are lightweight materials. Some examples of composite mixes would be spandex and polyester or nylon and spandex.

The shoes should also have padded insoles. These will ensure that your children are comfortable when moving about for long periods. You should also opt for shoes that have mesh weaves at strategic intervals.

The mesh weaves would expel sweat while the waterproof shoes would keep out water.

Slip Resistance & Sole Grip

You obviously would not want your children to fall or slip when they’re running or playing in the rain. That’s why you should look for waterproof boots for kids with a firm grip. For example, rubber shoes have a firm grip and can help your children gain traction easily.

These shoes have tread patterns that ensure slip resistance and let your children walk about without falling.

Your children will be able to run on both natural terrain and hard surfaces.

Special Mention: Do Not Forget to Get a Kid-Friendly Design & Appeal

Finally, you should not forget to buy visually appealing shoes, like pink rubber boots for your little girl. Try searching for bright colours or shoes with reflective strips. These will ensure that they can see steps even in the dark.

If you can find shoes with custom designs like favourite characters or illustrations, you can opt for them.

Wrapping Up

The waterproof shoes you choose for your children should be durable, have sealed seams, and be easy to clean. They should also have sealed seams and be slip-resistant. You should also look for shoes with attractive designs.

They will appeal to your children and help them stay safe due to the high visibility.