Salomon Speedcross — Kids’ Hiking Shoe Review

The Salomon Speedcross is a lightweight kids’ trail shoe with a one-pull quick-lace, a pocket to hide the toggle, and some of the deepest lugs we’ve seen on a kid’s shoe. Our five-year-old, Cy, wore them on forest trails and granite boulders near Redfish Lake, Idaho, and then kept wearing them to school every day after. He loves them. The one thing to know before you order: the 11 mm heel-to-toe drop is steep for a kid, and the toe box is narrow.

4.6/5.0

Best kids' hiking shoe for everyday wear

Salomon Speedcross (Junior)

The lightest shoe we tested and the one Cy reaches for first. School to trailhead, no laces to tie.

Shop at Amazon$80 Shop at REI$80

Sizes: 10.5K to 7 Youth | Waterproof: No | Weight (pair): 12.7 oz | Closure: Quick-lace with pocket | Height: Ankle

Is the Salomon Speedcross worth it?

For a lot of families, yes. It’s the lightest pair we tested, Cy can put it on and take it off without help, and it’s the shoe he chooses on his own every morning. We’d pair it with a flatter, roomier shoe rather than make it the only one.

Where we tested the Salomon Speedcross

We hiked near Redfish Lake in Idaho: forest trail, granite boulders to scramble over, and a wooden footbridge over a creek. We also spent time on the lakeshore and the dock, which, predictably, ended with Cy walking straight into the lake.

After the trip, they became his daily school shoe. That’s a lot of playground, a lot of blacktop, and a lot of mornings getting out the door fast.

Salomon Speedcross features: what actually stood out

The closure is the whole story for a five-year-old. Pull the quick-lace tight, then tuck the toggle into a little pocket in the tongue. Cy finds that hideaway genuinely delightful.

The tongue is attached at the sides, which keeps rocks and grit out. The lugs are the most aggressive in our lineup, deep and spiky, made for soft and loose ground. They’re not waterproof, but after the lake they dried out pretty well.

What doesn’t work on the Salomon Speedcross

Two real flaws. The toe box cuts in pretty aggressively, so there isn’t much room for toes to splay. And Salomon lists an 11 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is a lot for a kid’s shoe. We’re fans of flatter, roomier shoes for kids, and our take is that wearing a high-drop shoe every single day isn’t ideal for a young kid’s natural stride. So we rotate these instead of making them the only pair. There’s also no heel pull tab.

How to care for the Salomon Speedcross

Salomon recommends brushing off dirt and mud after each use with a soft, wet brush and clean water. Never put them in the washing machine. Let them dry at room temperature, away from any heat source, including direct sun.

Salomon Speedcross sizing guide

We tested a size 13 Kids on Cy at age 5. Most of his other test shoes were a 12, but 13 was the only size available. The snug quick-lace and wrap-around fit kept them stable, so he has room to wear them a while. If your kid has wider feet, the narrow toe box may be tight even at the right size.

Before you order, here’s how we measure kids’ feet.

Who is the Salomon Speedcross best for?

Kids who want to go fast, and parents who want a shoe that gets on without a fight. It’s the pick for school-to-trail days, muddy ground, and the kid who won’t wear anything else. Just keep a flatter shoe in the rotation.

Pro tip: Show your kid the toggle pocket on day one. It turns shoe-tying into a game.

How the Salomon Speedcross compares to other kids’ hiking shoes