adidas Terrex Ax4r Mid Hiking Shoes Review: solid kid hikers that can actually take a beating

I’ve had these adidas Terrex Ax4r Mid Hiking Shoes in size 6 UK on my kid’s feet for a few weeks now. We’ve used them for school runs, muddy park sessions, and two proper hikes with wet ground, roots, and loose stones. So this isn’t a “tried them on in the living room” review. They’ve seen abuse from an actual child who doesn’t care about keeping shoes clean.

Right away, what stood out is that they feel more like real hiking shoes than just sporty trainers with a fancy name. The mid-cut around the ankle, the Traxion outsole, and the gusseted tongue are not marketing buzzwords here, they actually show up in day-to-day use. My kid definitely treated them like tanks: kicking stones, jumping in shallow puddles, dragging feet on the pavement.

They’re advertised as water resistant, not waterproof, and that’s exactly what I noticed. Dewy grass and light drizzle were fine, but standing in a puddle for more than a few seconds ended with damp socks. So if you expect proper winter boots, this isn’t it. As mid-season hikers for kids who like to run more than walk, they make more sense.

Overall, my first impression is: pretty solid shoes for active kids, with a few trade-offs. They’re not cheap, and they’re not magic. But compared to random supermarket kids’ hikers, these actually hold up, protect the feet, and don’t look destroyed after a month. In the next sections I’ll break down design, materials, comfort, performance, durability, and value based on real use, not just the product sheet.

Price-wise, the Terrex Ax4r Mid sits above basic kids’ trainers and cheap hiking boots, but below premium leather or full Gore-Tex style models. For what you get—good grip, mid-cut support, decent cushioning, and solid build—I’d say the value is pretty good if your kid actually spends time outdoors on trails or in rough playgrounds. If they mostly walk from car to classroom and back, this might be overkill.

Compared to cheaper no-name kids’ hikers we’ve tried, the difference is clear: those usually start falling apart around the toe or sole after a month of real use. With these adidas, after weeks of abuse, they’re still structurally sound. So you’re basically paying for not having to buy a new pair every two months. The fact that they use some recycled materials is a small bonus, but I wouldn’t base the purchase on that alone.

On the flip side, they’re not waterproof, which at this price might bother some parents who expect a more all-weather option. If your main need is winter rain and snow, you might be better off putting the same budget into a proper waterproof boot. Also, the lace-only design could be a drawback if your kid is younger or not great with knots; a cheaper shoe with Velcro might be more practical day-to-day.

For a kid who hikes on weekends, plays hard outside, and needs one pair that can handle school + trail, I think the price is justified. For a kid who barely leaves paved surfaces, you could get away with a simpler, cheaper trainer. Overall, I’d rate the value as good, with the condition that you really use them for what they’re built for: regular outdoor adventures, not just walking to the shop.

The design is pretty straightforward: mid-top height, closed toe, flat heel, and a fairly robust shape around the ankle. The mid-cut is not super high, just enough to give a bit of support and to stop small stones and debris from getting in easily. On our hikes, my kid walked through loose gravel and dry leaves, and we didn’t have to stop every ten minutes to empty the shoes, which is already a win compared to low trainers.

The gusseted tongue is a small detail but very useful. It’s attached to the sides of the shoe, so it doesn’t slide around and also helps keep dust and light splashes out. When my kid stepped in wet grass and shallow mud, you could see water and dirt sliding off the upper without instantly rushing inside. Again, it’s not a waterproof boot, but the design helps avoid the usual “wet sock in 5 minutes” problem.

Visually, the stripes and overlays give the shoe a structured look, but nothing crazy. I’d call it “practical sporty” rather than stylish. For a kids’ hiking boot, that’s fine. My kid liked that they looked like “real hiking shoes like adults have” and not like toy shoes. If your child cares about looking a bit older, that’s a plus. If you wanted something bright and cute, this colourway is the opposite: it’s muted and functional.

My only gripe with the design is the lack of any quick fastening system. For outdoor shoes that might need to be taken on and off at school or at a friend’s house, a toggle or Velcro strap would have been handy. Also, there aren’t huge reflective elements, so for dark winter evenings, I’d prefer a bit more visibility. Overall, the design is sensible and trail-focused, but not very kid-convenient in the fastening department.

Comfort-wise, these did pretty well. My kid wore them for full school days (8+ hours) plus after-school park time, and I didn’t get the usual “my feet hurt” complaints. The EVA midsole gives a soft but not squishy feel. On pavement, they’re perfectly fine for daily use. On rocky paths, my kid said they could feel the ground a bit but not in a painful way. So they’re cushioned enough for kids without turning them into unstable marshmallows.

The inner volume is regular, not super wide or super narrow. My kid has average-width feet, and the fit was spot on. If your child has very wide feet, I’d be cautious, as the mid-cut design plus overlays might feel a bit snug. The adiFIT measuring tool printed on the sockliner is actually handy: we checked the foot length quickly to confirm sizing, and it matched what we ordered. I’d still say: if you’re between sizes, go half a size up, especially if you want to add thicker hiking socks.

Inside, there are no rough seams or hard bits that caused blisters in our case. We did a short break-in period: one day at school, one light walk, and then straight into a longer hike. No hot spots, no rubbing around the ankle. The padded collar does its job. My kid also liked that the tongue didn’t slide to the side, which is usually a source of irritation with some trainers.

The only minor negative on comfort is the lace-up only closure. For adults it’s normal, but for kids who are constantly putting shoes on and off, it’s a bit tedious. Also, if they don’t tie them properly, the support around the ankle is less effective. But once laced correctly, they stay comfortable and stable. Overall, I’d rate comfort as solid for all-day wear for active kids, as long as you nail the size and use decent socks.

The upper is mainly textile with synthetic overlays, and the sole is listed as textile as well, though in practice the outsole feels like a standard rubbery compound with the Traxion pattern. The EVA midsole keeps things light. When you pick them up, they’re noticeably lighter than old-school leather kids’ boots. My kid didn’t complain about heavy feet, even after a full afternoon running around the park and trails.

The textile upper has pros and cons. On the plus side, it makes the shoe more breathable and flexible. My kid’s feet weren’t sweaty messes after two hours, unlike with some clunky winter boots. On the downside, textile marks more easily. After the first muddy hike, they looked pretty rough, but with a bit of hand washing (as recommended) and a soft brush, they came back to a decent state. If you want pristine shoes, these will annoy you; if you just want something that survives and can be cleaned to “good enough”, they’re fine.

adidas mentions at least 20% recycled materials, which is nice from an environmental angle, but in day-to-day use you don’t really notice it. They feel like normal modern hiking trainers. Stitching and overlays on our pair are clean, no loose threads or weird glue marks. The gusseted tongue is made from a softer textile that didn’t rub on my kid’s foot, which is often a problem with stiffer boots.

One thing to flag: because they’re textile-based and only water resistant, not waterproof, they soak through if the kid stands in a deeper puddle or slush for a while. We tested that unintentionally, of course. After that, they needed overnight drying with paper inside. So for heavy rain, deep mud, or snow, I’d still go for a more waterproof leather or membrane boot. For mixed, light-wet conditions and general autumn/winter use, the materials are a decent compromise between comfort, weight, and durability.

After a few weeks of fairly rough use, the overall shape and structure of the Terrex Ax4r Mid still look good. No peeling overlays, no separated sole, and the stitching is intact. My kid dragged their feet on concrete, scraped them on rocks, and kicked plenty of stuff, and the shoes took it without falling apart. The toe area in particular seems well reinforced; that’s usually where cheaper kids’ shoes start to open up.

The textile upper does show cosmetic wear faster than leather. Scratches, dried mud stains, and a slightly worn look appeared after the first few muddy walks. But after a hand wash with a brush and some mild soap (as per the care instructions), they came back to an acceptable look. They don’t look new anymore, but they definitely still look usable and not wrecked. If you’re picky about aesthetics, this might annoy you; if you just care that they function and don’t tear, you’ll be fine.

The outsole lugs are wearing at a normal rate. After several mixed-surface walks (pavement + trail), there’s some light smoothing on the heel but nothing alarming. For a kids’ shoe that will be outgrown before it totally wears out, I think the balance is reasonable. The midsole cushioning hasn’t packed down yet, and the ankle padding is still firm.

Realistically, I’d say these should easily last a full season or two of active use for one child, assuming they don’t have some extreme growth spurt or drag the shoes behind a bike. You could probably pass them down to a younger sibling if you’re not too fussy about them looking slightly used. They’re not bulletproof, but compared to cheap supermarket or bargain-brand kids’ hikers, they feel clearly more robust and better built.

On actual trails, the Traxion outsole is where these shoes shine. My kid tested them on wet leaves, compact mud, and loose gravel. I watched pretty closely, and there were far fewer slips compared to the generic trainers they used before. The lug pattern is not huge like a hardcore mountain boot, but it’s deep enough for kids’ hiking and rough playgrounds. Climbing over roots and small rocks felt controlled; no awkward sliding around.

The mid-cut design gives a bit of ankle support, which matters when kids run downhill like maniacs. On one hike with lots of uneven terrain, I noticed fewer wobbly ankle moments than usual. It’s not a medical brace obviously, but it’s better than low trainers. My kid said they “felt more stable”, which is pretty much what you want. The gusseted tongue also helped keep small debris out, so we didn’t have to stop constantly to shake out stones.

In terms of water resistance, they handle light rain, wet grass, and occasional splashes without instantly soaking through. During a drizzle and some damp ground, socks stayed dry. But when my kid stood in a puddle for around 20–30 seconds (because of course they did), water eventually came in through the textile. So for real wet-weather hiking or snow, you’ll hit the limit quickly. They’re more “resist a bit of moisture” than “dry no matter what”.

For everyday use, they transition well from trail to city. My kid wore them on tarmac, at the park, and even in the schoolyard without issues. They don’t feel clunky, and the grip isn’t so aggressive that they’re awkward on flat surfaces. Overall, performance is solid for light to moderate hiking and general outdoor play. If you’re planning proper mountain routes or very muddy winter hikes, you’ll want something more serious, but for normal family outings and weekend adventures, they get the job done nicely.

On paper, the adidas Terrex Ax4r Mid is a kids’ hiking shoe with a mid-cut shaft, textile upper with synthetic overlays, EVA midsole, and Traxion outsole, all wrapped in a black and grey colourway. In reality, it feels like a lighter, kid-friendly version of adult Terrex boots. It’s not a chunky mountain boot, more like a beefed-up trainer with extra ankle coverage. My kid could run and even play football in them without complaining they were too heavy.

The pair we have is the Core Black / Grey Four / Grey Six combo. In person, it’s quite understated, which I like. Dirt doesn’t show too much, and it doesn’t scream “neon kids’ shoe”. If you want something that goes from trail to classroom without looking weird, these do the job. The styling is clearly outdoorsy but not over the top. No flashy patterns, just some subtle striping and the usual three-stripe vibe worked into the upper.

One thing worth noting: these are lace-up only, no Velcro or quick-pull system. For a size 6 UK kid who can tie their shoes, that’s fine. For younger kids or those who hate laces, it might be annoying. The laces hold well though; we didn’t have them constantly coming undone like on some cheap trainers. The gusseted tongue also helps keep the fit snug without needing to over-tighten the laces.

In terms of target use, adidas positions them clearly for hiking and general outdoor fun in autumn/winter. That matches my experience: they’re too warm for hot summer days, but they shine in cooler, damp conditions. You’re not getting a full-on snow boot or a technical mountain boot, but for forest trails, rocky paths, and rough playgrounds, they’re clearly built with that in mind.