adidas Terrex Ax4r Mid Rain.Rdy Hiking Shoes Review: kids’ waterproof boots that actually survive puddles

I bought the adidas Terrex Ax4r Mid Rain.Rdy in size 5.5 UK for my kid, mainly for wet school runs and weekend hikes. We’ve had them for a few weeks now, through a mix of rain, mud, and playground abuse. I’m not a sneaker collector, just a parent who’s tired of shoes that crumble after two muddy afternoons. So I was looking for something that keeps feet dry, doesn’t weigh a ton, and survives rough use.

The first thing I noticed is they feel more like proper hiking shoes than fashion trainers. They’re mid-cut, a bit higher around the ankle, and have a fairly aggressive outsole for a kids’ shoe. My kid went straight to the nearest puddle to test them, obviously. After a full wet morning, socks were still dry, which is pretty much the only thing I really cared about at the start.

In daily use, they’ve been doing double duty: school during the week and forest walks or bike rides on weekends. So far, no torn seams, no sole peeling off, and the upper just needs a quick wipe. They’re not super light like running shoes, but my kid hasn’t complained about them feeling heavy, even after longer walks.

Overall, my first impression is that these are practical, no-nonsense waterproof shoes for kids. Not the coolest-looking pair on the playground, but they do the job: dry feet, decent grip, and they seem tough enough to last more than one season. They’re not perfect, especially on breathability and price, but they’re clearly built more seriously than generic kids’ trainers.

Price-wise, these adidas Terrex Ax4r Mid Rain.Rdy sit in the mid-to-high range for kids’ shoes. You can definitely find cheaper waterproof-looking boots in supermarkets or generic brands. The question is whether they actually keep feet dry and survive a season. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’d say you’re paying here for real waterproofing, better grip, and durability closer to adult hiking shoes than to disposable kids’ trainers.

Compared to cheaper pairs we’ve had, the difference is clear: those often start leaking at the seams after a few weeks or lose chunks of sole. With these, the construction feels tighter, and the Traxion outsole is on another level in terms of grip. If your kid only walks from car to school entrance, you probably don’t need this level of shoe. But if they walk a lot, spend time in parks, or go hiking with you, the extra cost starts to make sense.

The Amazon rating around 4.6/5 lines up with my feeling: people generally like them, with a few minor complaints likely around sizing or warmth. I’d say the main catch is that kids’ feet grow fast, so you might only get one season out of them. That’s not adidas’ fault, but it hits the value perception. If you have more than one kid and can pass them down, the value improves a lot.

Overall, I’d call the value good but not mind-blowing. You pay a bit more, but you get dry feet, solid grip, and a shoe that doesn’t self-destruct in the first month. If your budget is very tight, cheaper options exist, but you’ll probably compromise on waterproofing or lifespan. If you’re okay investing a bit more for fewer complaints and less emergency shoe shopping mid-winter, these are a sensible choice.

Design-wise, these Terrex Ax4r Mid are very functional and quite neutral. The Core Black / Grey combo is low-key, which means they don’t clash with school uniforms or random outfits. If your kid likes bright colours, these might look a bit boring, but for me that’s a plus: one shoe that fits almost any situation, instead of a neon boot that only works for hiking.

The mid-cut ankle is one of the main design points. It gives a bit more support and coverage, but it’s not as stiff as a full boot. My kid can still run, play football, and climb on stuff without complaining that it’s blocking movement. The padded collar and tongue are thick enough to avoid rubbing, and there’s a decent heel loop at the back that actually helps with pulling them on. Small detail, but kids use that a lot.

The lacing is classic, no quick laces or fancy system. For younger kids who hate tying laces, this could be annoying. For mine (who can tie laces fine), it’s not an issue. The eyelets feel solid, and the laces haven’t slipped or loosened more than normal. One thing I liked: the front bumper is slightly reinforced, so when the kid drags the toe against concrete or rocks, it doesn’t instantly destroy the material.

Overall, the design is more about durability and practicality than style. It’s not ugly, just very straightforward. If you want flashy branding and bold colours, look elsewhere. If you want a dark shoe that hides mud and doesn’t scream “hiking boot” with every outfit, this design hits the mark. I’d just have liked maybe one reflective detail more for visibility on dark school runs.

From the first wear, my kid didn’t complain about blisters or pressure points, which is already a win. We did a short break-in: one afternoon at the park, then a full school day, then a weekend walk of about 6–7 km. No red spots on the heel or toes, and no limping or moaning, which I would have heard immediately if something was wrong. The padding around the ankle is thick enough to keep it comfortable without feeling like a ski boot.

The cushioning is decent: the midsole absorbs shocks from running and jumping, and the insole has a bit of softness. It’s not like a super squishy running shoe, but for a hiking-style shoe it’s pretty comfortable for daily use. On longer walks, my kid said the feet felt “tired but not hurting”, which is normal after several hours of running around. No complaints about arch pain or anything like that.

On the downside, because of the waterproof membrane and thicker build, the shoes are warmer and less breathable than normal trainers. On a mild autumn day, the feet were fine. On a warmer day with lots of running, the socks came out a bit damp from sweat. Not a disaster, but if you live somewhere hot or your kid runs very hot, this is something to keep in mind. They’re clearly better suited for autumn/winter and wet spring days than for hot summers.

Weight-wise, they’re not super heavy, but they’re definitely bulkier than a casual sneaker. My kid noticed they felt “more solid” at first but quickly got used to them and now wears them without thinking about it. If your kid is very picky about shoe weight, you might want to try them on in-store first. Overall, comfort is solid for a waterproof hiking-style kids’ shoe, with the usual trade-off: warm and protective, but not airy.

The upper is mostly textile with synthetic overlays, and you can feel it’s built to take abuse. It has a ripstop-style weave that resists small snags. My kid scraped them on playground equipment and low branches, and so far there are no tears, just light marks that wipe off. The synthetic overlays around the toe and sides add some structure and protection where kids usually wreck shoes first.

Inside, it’s a textile lining that feels smooth, not scratchy. With medium-thick socks, my kid hasn’t complained about rubbing or hot spots. The RAIN.RDY membrane is hidden, obviously, but in practice it does its job: water stays out from rain and puddles. The flip side is typical for waterproof shoes: breathability is not amazing. After a full active day, the inside is warm and a bit humid, not soaked, but you can tell it doesn’t vent like a mesh trainer.

The sole materials are a bit odd on paper (textile mentioned), but in reality, the outsole is grippy rubber with Traxion lugs, and the midsole feels like standard EVA foam. The rubber feels firm enough that it shouldn’t wear flat in a month, but not rock hard either. We’ve used them on wet pavement, mud, and compact forest trails and the grip has been solid so far.

One thing to note: these are hand wash only, no washing machine. That’s pretty normal for this kind of construction, but if you’re used to throwing kids’ trainers in the washer, you’ll have to adjust. A wipe with a damp cloth and a soft brush for the sole has been enough for us. Overall, the materials feel more solid than basic supermarket kids’ shoes, closer to adult outdoor footwear, which partly explains the higher price.

Durability is always tricky with kids’ shoes because they usually outgrow them before they actually wear them out. But compared to other pairs we’ve had, these Terrex Ax4r Mid feel clearly more robust. After several weeks of mixed use (school, park, forest, rain), the outsole lugs are barely worn, and the stitching is intact everywhere. No peeling glue at the toe or heel, which is where cheap shoes usually start to fail.

The ripstop-style textile upper holds up better than I expected. My kid has dragged the toe while braking on a scooter and kicked stones more than once. So far, there are some cosmetic scuffs on the synthetic overlays, but nothing structural. The toe bumper really helps here: it takes the impact instead of the softer fabric. The midsole hasn’t compressed much yet, and the shoe still feels supportive, not flat.

Inside, the lining hasn’t pilled or torn, even around the heel where friction is highest. The laces are still in good shape and haven’t frayed. I’ve been careful to dry them properly after heavy use: I remove the insole, loosen the laces, and let them air out overnight. That probably helps preserve the materials and the waterproof membrane. I wouldn’t leave them soaked in direct heat, as that tends to kill adhesives and membranes.

Realistically, I think these shoes will easily last one full autumn/winter season, and probably still be fine to pass down to a younger sibling, at least for playground use. For kids, that’s already pretty good. There are tougher, heavier boots out there, but for the weight and style, durability is pretty solid. The only real limit will be foot growth, not the shoe falling apart.

In terms of real-world performance, these shoes do three things well: keep water out, grip on wet surfaces, and give enough support for rough play and light hikes. We’ve used them on wet pavement, muddy park paths, shallow puddles, and a rocky trail. The Traxion outsole bites well into dirt and doesn’t feel slippery on wet stones or tiles. Obviously, if the ground is pure mud, nothing is magic, but compared to normal trainers, the difference is clear.

The RAIN.RDY waterproofing has been reliable so far. My kid has stood in puddles up to the lower laces, walked through wet grass for a long time, and we got caught in a steady rain. Each time, I checked the socks afterward: still dry. That’s basically the main reason I bought them, and on that front they deliver. I haven’t seen any leaks at the stitching or around the tongue yet, which is usually where cheaper shoes give up first.

Stability is decent for a kids’ shoe. The mid-cut offers light ankle support without locking the joint. On uneven ground and small rocks, my kid felt secure and didn’t roll an ankle, even when running downhill like a maniac. Of course, this doesn’t replace teaching them not to sprint blindly down steep slopes, but the shoe itself gives a stable base and a flat heel that feels planted.

Where performance is a bit weaker is ventilation. After intense activity, the inside feels warm and slightly sweaty, and if you don’t let them air out overnight, they can smell a bit the next day. Nothing dramatic, but again: these are more rain and cold weather performers than all-season shoes. If you use them as intended (autumn/winter, wet days, hikes), they perform very well. If you try to use them as summer trainers, they’ll feel overkill and too warm.

On paper, these are mid-cut kids’ hiking shoes with a waterproof RAIN.RDY membrane, Traxion outsole, textile upper with synthetic overlays, and lace-up closure. They’re listed as unisex kids, and the colour I have is Core Black / Grey Four / Grey Six, so basically dark grey/black with some small contrast details. Nothing flashy, which is good if you want one pair that works for school and outdoor stuff.

In reality, the shoe feels like a scaled-down version of adult hiking boots, not just a normal trainer with a thicker sole. The ankle comes up a bit above the bone, giving a bit more coverage and helping keep out stones and mud. The outsole has real lugs, not just a flat rubber slab. The insole has the Adifit measuring tool, basically a printed size guide so you can see if the toes are getting close to the end, which is handy when kids’ feet grow overnight.

They’re advertised as water resistant with RAIN.RDY, and in use I’d say it behaves closer to proper waterproof than just “resistant”. We’ve done wet grass, shallow puddles, and light rain for a couple of hours, and I didn’t see any moisture inside. I haven’t dunked them fully in deep water, so I won’t pretend they’re fishing boots, but for normal kid chaos in bad weather they hold up.

If you’re expecting ultra-technical mountaineering gear, that’s not it. But as all-round autumn/winter outdoor shoes for kids, they’re positioned pretty clearly: more serious than basic trainers, less bulky than full-on winter boots. The product page mentions at least 20% recycled materials, but in day-to-day life that doesn’t change much besides giving you a small feel-good factor.