adidas Terrex Mid Gore-TEX Hiking Shoes (Kids) Review: solid waterproof boots for muddy adventures

I tested the adidas Terrex Mid Gore-TEX Hiking Shoes in size 5 UK on my kid over about a month, mostly on wet weekend walks and school runs in the rain. So this review is based on real mud, real puddles, and a kid who doesn’t care about "taking care" of shoes. He wore them roughly 4–5 days a week, so they got a proper workout.

My main expectation was simple: keep his feet dry, don’t fall apart in two weeks, and be easy enough to put on without a full family drama at the door. We’ve had cheap hiking-style trainers before that looked the part but soaked through fast or lost grip on wet leaves. So I wanted to see if paying a bit more for adidas and Gore‑Tex actually changes anything in daily use.

Overall, these Terrex hold up pretty well. They’re not magic boots, but they do the job for normal hikes, forest walks, and rainy days. The waterproof part is clearly better than basic kids’ trainers, and the grip on wet ground is decent. There are a couple of details that annoyed me, especially around sizing info and some confusion between "mid" cut and the spec saying "low top", but in day‑to‑day use my kid didn’t complain much, which is usually a good sign.

If you’re looking for hardcore mountain boots for serious trekking, these might feel a bit light. But for parents who want one pair that can handle school, park, and weekend trails without the kid slipping around or coming home with soaked socks, they’re a pretty solid option with a few quirks you should know about before buying.

Price-wise, these Terrex Mid Gore‑Tex usually sit above basic kids’ trainers and budget hiking shoes, but below premium leather boots from more specialist outdoor brands. So you’re paying a bit extra for the Gore‑Tex waterproofing and the adidas name. The question is: is it justified? If your kid spends most of their time indoors or in the car, honestly, you can probably save money and go for a simpler shoe. But if they walk to school daily, play outside in all weather, and you do weekend hikes, then the extra cost starts to make sense.

Compared to cheaper "water-resistant" kids shoes we’ve had, the difference is clear: those usually start leaking after a few weeks or were never properly waterproof to begin with. Here, Gore‑Tex actually keeps socks dry in puddles and wet grass. That alone can save you from constantly drying shoes on radiators and dealing with smelly, damp insoles. Also, the Traxion sole and better build quality mean you’re less likely to see them fall apart halfway through the season.

The Amazon rating of 4.5/5 from 300+ reviews lines up with my experience: generally positive, with probably the occasional complaint about sizing or laces. I wouldn’t call them cheap, but they feel like fair value if you use what they offer: real waterproofing, decent grip, and durability. If your kid only needs one pair of autumn/winter shoes that can handle both school and hikes, it’s easier to justify the price than buying separate fashion trainers plus proper boots.

So in terms of value, I’d say they’re good but not a bargain. You’re paying for functionality, and you do get it. If budget is tight and you don’t need Gore‑Tex, there are cheaper options. But if you’re tired of buying shoes that soak through or fall apart fast, this is a more reliable choice that should last at least a season of hard use.

The design is clearly focused on practicality more than style, which I actually appreciate for kids’ outdoor shoes. The Core Black / Grey Three combo hides dirt really well. After a muddy forest walk, they looked bad, but a quick rinse and they were back to "acceptable" without me scrubbing for half an hour. If you want something that stays presentable for school and doesn’t show every scratch, this color choice makes sense.

The shape is a bit bulky around the sole, but that also gives a decent feeling of stability. The ankle area is padded, and the mid-cut gives some support without being stiff. My kid could still run and play football in them at the park. So they’re not those stiff boots where the child walks like a robot. Visually, think sporty outdoor shoe rather than classic leather hiking boot.

The speed lacing system is the main design feature that stands out. There’s no strap, no velcro, just the lace and a small plastic toggle. For school mornings, that’s gold: pull, slide, done. No knots that come loose in the middle of the playground. On the downside, the lace is quite thin. I didn’t have any breakage in a month, but I can see this being a weak point after a full season if your kid yanks on it hard every day. It would be nice if adidas included a spare lace in the box, but they don’t.

Branding is pretty discreet for adidas. There are stripes and a Terrex logo, but nothing too loud. If you care about matching outfits, they’re easy enough to pair with jeans, tracksuits, or hiking pants. From a pure design perspective, I’d say they’re functional and low-key, not eye‑catching. My kid didn’t comment on looks at all, which usually means "fine" in kid language. For me, the main thing is they look like they’re built to be used, not just worn twice and forgotten.

Comfort-wise, my kid adapted to these pretty fast. There was no real break‑in period; he wore them for a full school day right away and didn’t complain about rubbing or blisters. The padding around the ankle is soft enough, and the inside textile lining feels smooth. He has fairly standard-width feet, and the fit looked regular, not super wide or narrow. So if your kid has very wide feet, I’d be a bit careful and maybe size up or try them on first.

adidas mentions an Adifit length-measuring insole. That’s basically a printed guide on the insole that helps you check if the size is right when the foot is inside. It’s a small detail, but useful if you’re not sure between two sizes. I pulled the insole out and it has the markings; easy to use. Cushioning from the EVA midsole is decent: enough to absorb impact when running on pavement, but not as soft as a pure running shoe. My kid had no leg or foot complaints after long walks, which for me is the main test.

Breathability is okay for a Gore‑Tex shoe, but let’s be honest: any waterproof shoe is warmer than a mesh trainer. On cooler autumn days and winter, it’s perfect. On a milder day with lots of running, my kid’s feet were a bit warm but not drenched in sweat. If you want super airy shoes for summer, this is not it. For the intended autumn/winter use, it fits well. I paired them with normal cotton socks and later with slightly thicker hiking socks, and both worked fine.

Ease of putting them on is a big plus. The speed lace closure means my kid can do it himself, and the opening is wide enough to slide the foot in without a fight. Compared to some stiff hiking boots where you have to force the foot in, this is much more practical. Overall, I’d rate comfort as pretty solid for everyday and light hiking, as long as you use them in the right season and your kid doesn’t have very specific foot issues.

The upper is a mix of textile and synthetic with abrasion-resistant overlays. In the hand, it feels like a sturdy mesh with tougher panels in the zones that usually take hits: toe, sides, and heel. No leather here, which helps keep the weight down and makes them easier to clean. I basically hosed them down after a muddy walk and let them dry at room temperature, and the materials handled it fine with no warping or peeling.

The big selling point is the GORE‑TEX membrane. In practice, that’s what keeps water out. I tested this the basic way: kid stomping through puddles that covered the lower part of the shoe, plus walking in wet grass for a good 30–40 minutes. When we got home, socks were dry. That’s already better than regular trainers that usually soak through at the toes pretty fast. Of course, if water comes in from the top (deep puddle above the ankle), nothing will save you, but for normal rainy walks it does its job.

The midsole is EVA foam, which is standard in sports shoes. It gives a bit of cushioning without being squishy. The outsole is rubber with Traxion pattern. The rubber feels grippy, not the hard plastic-type sole you sometimes get on cheap kids shoes. After a month, the lugs show minimal wear, mostly on the outer heel, which is normal. I don’t see them bald after one season, so from a durability standpoint, materials seem decent for active kids.

One thing to note: adidas says there’s at least 20% recycled materials and around 50% recycled content in the composition. Honestly, my kid doesn’t care about that, but as a parent it’s a small bonus. It doesn’t change the feel or performance, but at least it’s not 100% new plastic. Overall, the materials feel like a good balance between toughness, weight, and waterproofing. Not premium leather-boot level, but clearly a step above budget kids’ trainers that fall apart at the first real hike.

After about a month of regular use (4–5 days per week), the shoes still look in good shape. The abrasion-resistant overlays on the toe and sides are doing their job: no peeling, no holes, and only some light scuff marks on the front. For a kid who drags his feet sometimes and kicks random stones, that’s a good sign. The stitching is intact, and I don’t see any glue lines opening up around the sole.

The rubber outsole shows some normal wear on the heel, but the lugs are far from worn down. Given this pace, I can see these lasting at least one full autumn/winter season, probably more, assuming the kid doesn’t outgrow them first. Compared to cheaper no-name kids hiking shoes we’ve tried, these feel more solid and less "disposable". I don’t baby them: mud, rain, playground, bike, all included, and they’re holding up fine.

The only part that worries me a bit long term is the speed lace system. The lace itself is thin, and the plastic toggle feels okay but not bulletproof. So far, no fraying or breakage, but if something is going to fail after a year, I’d bet on that. You can probably replace the lace yourself if needed, but it’s not as straightforward as swapping regular laces. I would have preferred slightly thicker laces or a spare set in the box.

Cleaning is easy, which helps them age better. I just rinse off mud with lukewarm water and use a soft brush if needed. They dry overnight at room temperature without losing shape. Since there’s no leather, you don’t have to worry about cracking or conditioning. Overall, for kids who actually use their shoes outside, I’d say durability is good enough for at least one solid season of abuse, maybe more if they don’t grow out too fast.

In actual use, these Terrex shoes do what they promise for kids who spend time outside. On wet forest paths, the Traxion outsole grips well enough. My kid ran over wet leaves, small roots, and slightly muddy slopes. He still slipped once or twice on very slick mud (any shoe would), but overall there were fewer "ice rink" moments compared to his old generic trainers. On gravel and packed dirt, no issues at all, he seemed stable and confident.

The waterproof Gore‑Tex is the biggest win. We had a couple of proper rainy days with long puddles and soaked grass. I checked socks every time: dry. That’s a big difference compared to non-waterproof trainers where the front gets wet fast. For school days with wet playgrounds and walks to and from school, it’s very practical. Just don’t expect miracles if your kid jumps into deep puddles that go above the ankle – water will still come from the top.

For everyday life, they handle mixed use quite well. My kid used them for: walking to school, playing football in the yard, bike rides, and weekend hikes of around 5–7 km. They never seemed to hold him back. He didn’t complain about heavy feet or sore spots. The flat heel and overall profile make them usable as all‑round autumn/winter shoes, not just "special hiking boots" that sit in the closet most of the time.

One thing I noticed: on very smooth indoor floors (like polished tiles in a supermarket), the aggressive outdoor sole can feel a tiny bit slippy if there’s water on the floor, but nothing dramatic. Outside, on normal terrain, grip is reliable enough for kids. So in terms of performance, they’re clearly above normal trainers and close to light hiking boots, without the stiffness and weight of serious mountaineering footwear.

On paper, these are sold as kids’ hiking shoes with a Gore‑Tex membrane, EVA midsole, and Traxion rubber outsole. In real life, they feel like a mix between a chunky trainer and a light hiking boot. The model I had is the Core Black / Grey Three / Core Black version, so visually it’s mostly black with some grey details – very practical for dirt, because stains don’t show much. If you hate constantly cleaning bright shoes, this colorway is your friend.

adidas calls them "Mid" height, and that’s accurate on the foot: they sit around the ankle, a bit higher than a regular trainer, so there’s some extra support and better protection from splashes. The Amazon specs say "Low Top" but ignore that, it’s clearly more mid-cut in reality. They’re marketed as unisex kids’ shoes, and honestly the design is neutral enough for both boys and girls – no flashy colors, no cartoon stuff, just a sporty outdoor look.

The closure system is a speed lace style, not classic laces. That means there’s a thin lace you pull and lock with a small slider. My kid managed it alone after a couple of tries, which is a big plus compared to boots that need double knots. The downside is you can’t fine‑tune the tightness as precisely as with normal laces, especially if your kid has very narrow or very wide feet; it’s more "one pull and that’s it". For daily use, it’s convenient, though.

In terms of weight, they’re lighter than traditional leather hiking boots but heavier than running trainers. My kid didn’t complain about them feeling heavy on longer walks of 1–2 hours. They look and feel like shoes made for active use, not just fashion. If you’re used to cheap supermarket boots, you’ll notice the build feels a bit more solid and thought out, but still clearly aimed at kids, not mini mountaineers.