they'll love walking, mine do. You'd be suprised how far little legs can walk (at a slow pace).
Printable View
they'll love walking, mine do. You'd be suprised how far little legs can walk (at a slow pace).
A good pr of thongs is all they need !
Hi Nat130,Quote:
Originally Posted by Nat130
If they loved it, then no, you didn't walk them too far.
It's important that it be a highlight experience for kids, otherwise you can turn them off bushwalking for life.
No you're right...... we've got nothing !
Interesting isn't it?Quote:
adm333: No you're right...... we've got nothing !
I remember as kids we always had proper walking boots. As with jik22 we would have had ours bought in the UK not here.
They love it when we take them on bush walks, I show them everything from fungus and funny shaped trees to identifying animal droppings to work out what animal it might be...they never seem to get bored.
On the way back we generally all do some singing as that distracts them from the distance they need to walk back to the car :D
My son started wearing a decent pair of boots when he was about 10yo: Meindl
Late addition. I first started wearing meindl's myself about 6-7 years ago and found them the most comfortable boot I'd ever worn. Have trekked in Nepal and Africa and not a single blister. So when it came to choosing a boot for my son, I looked far and wide in Australia and you just can't get a properly designed boot, so I ventured off shore. yes they cost more - but they are worth it. He has just outgrown his now.
If your after a boot for yourself - do yourself a favour and try meindls - the good people at Stager Sports will help you out. (They do not sell childrens or youths boots so you will still have to look offshore).
I agree, Meindl boots are the choice for our kids as well. As children's feet are very "formable" (up to the point that children's feet don't even feel if a shoe doesn't fit properly) it is paramount to buy quality shoes to avoid future health problems (that might become obvious after some decades at times).Quote:
Originally Posted by mittadisco
The first choice is going barefoot (not an option all th etime, of course), the second is quality footwear.
Try Paddy Pallin or if that fails the best I can think of would be Mountain Equipment Co-op in Vancouver, BC Canada - www.mec.ca. If MEC doesn't have them, no-one will (think Bunnings size outdoor/camping/etc store :cool: :cool:).
Our sample showroom has some fantastic little hiking boots, perfect for what you are looking for but thats just it .... they're samples. We didn't end up putting them in the range.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nat130
There is a LYNX boot that my (5YO) son wears that is similar to a blundstone but much more comfortable and has a set of different size insole inserts you can use to get maximum wear out of the boot. Thats all he wears when we go 4wd'ing. They have a good solid rubber sole. Thats the closest thing we've got.
I can check for sizes, availability at your local store if you're interested.
Do not buy any elastic sided boots. They provide very lttle support to the ankle and generally the elastic side deteriorates quickly. My pick of the work boots are Blue Steel or Oliver. They may them down to a size 3 Adult which should fit your kids, my 7 year old is in 4s already, 12 year old in 5s. These boots are very comfortable and take no wearing ins. Sorry but Blundstones have gone to crap and would be the last on my list as would most of the cheap brands. As also said try some specialist outdoor/hiking shops.