The Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof is a junior trail shoe with a waterproof membrane, a one-pull quick-lace, and a tread built for mixed terrain. Our five-year-old, Cy, wore them across a Western road trip full of lakes and streams, then hiked the entire Delicate Arch trail in Arches National Park in them. Hot slickrock, loose gravel, the whole thing. They’re our top pick for kids’ hiking shoes. The one thing to know before you order: the toe box is rounded and a little chunky.
Take me back to the hiking shoe full guide
Best hiking shoe for kids overall
Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof (Junior)
Hiked all of Delicate Arch, kept feet dry in lakes and streams, and never felt hot. The most complete shoe we tested.
Sizes: 11 Kids to 7 Kids | Waterproof: Yes (adv.DRY membrane) | Weight (pair): 1 lb 0.93 oz | Closure: Quick-lace | Height: Ankle
Good for: Kids who hike everything from desert slickrock to lakeshores, and families who want one shoe that handles heat, water, and loose gravel.
Skip if: Your kid needs a roomy, flat shoe for long days, or you want the lightest option.
Is the Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof actually waterproof?
Yes. We were around lakes and streams for most of our road trip, and Cy walked into all of them. His feet stayed dry every time the water stayed below the ankle collar. Over the top is the only way water gets in, which is true of any low waterproof shoe.
Where we tested the Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof
The big test was Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah. It’s exposed, hot, and mostly slickrock with loose gravel on the climbs. Cy hiked the whole thing, start to finish, with minimal whining.
The rest of the testing happened on a road trip across the West, where “stop by the water” was a daily event. Lakes, streams, and every puddle a five-year-old could find. That’s why we love a waterproof shoe, every water source is an oppertunity for a dip.
Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof features: what actually stood out
Here’s a surprise: these are waterproof, and Cy never complained about hot feet. Not once, on a desert hike in the heat. We expected a sauna. We got a kid who didn’t think about his feet at all, which is the highest compliment a kid can give a shoe.
The grip is the other standout. The lugs are smaller and set closer together than on the Salomon Speedcross, and they bit into loose gravel on the Delicate Arch climbs. The tongue is attached at the sides, so gravel and grit stay out. A big pull tab on the heel makes them easy to get on, and the quick-lace has a little tag to tuck the toggle into once it’s pulled tight.
They feel more rugged than the Speedcross, like they can take rougher terrain. The heel-to-toe drop is 6 mm, lower than the Speedcross, which we like for kids.
What doesn’t work on the Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof
The toe box is rounded and chunky. There isn’t as much room for toes to spread as we’d like, and on long stretches we think that could be rough on a kid’s feet and gait. They’re also heavier than the Speedcross. And the toggle tag works, but the Speedcross’s tuck-away pocket is better.
How to care for the Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof
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 XA Pro V8 Waterproof sizing guide
We tested a size 13 Kids on Cy at age 5, where most of his other test shoes were a 12. Thirteen was the size available. The snug quick-lace and heel kept them stable on his foot, so the extra room hasn’t been a problem, and he’ll get more time out of them. In general, we recommend sizing hiking shoes to fit rather than to grow into.
Before you order, here’s how we measure kids’ feet.
Who is the Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof best for?
Families who want one shoe for every kind of trail. If your hikes include heat, water, and loose rock (sometimes all in one day), this is the one. It’s our top pick because it did the most things well, not because it’s the lightest. If your kid hikes long distances and needs more toe room, look at something roomier.
Pro tip: Tuck the quick-lace toggle into its elastic band before the hike starts, or it’ll swing around the whole way.
How the Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof compares to other kids’ hiking shoes
| Salomon XA Pro V8 Waterproof | Salomon Speedcross | KEEN Targhee IV Low WP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $80 | $80 |
| Waterproof | Yes (adv.DRY) | No | Yes (KEEN.DRY) |
| Weight (pair) | 1 lb 0.93 oz | 12.7 oz | 15 oz |
| Closure | Quick-lace | Quick-lace with pocket | Bungee and strap |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm | 11 mm | Not confirmed |
| Sizes | 11K to 7 | 10.5K to 7 | 8K to 13K |
| Size tested | 13K | 13K | 12K |
| Overall rating | 4.8/5.0 | 4.6/5.0 | 4.4/5.0 |
Roxy Dawson
I'm Roxy Dawson — New Yorker turned Coloradan, former full-time van dweller, outdoor industry veteran, and co-author of three Falcon Guides. I've spent the better part of a decade testing outdoor gear for adults across some genuinely terrible conditions. Then I had kids, noticed that nobody was doing that work honestly for the 0–14 age set, and built the site I kept wishing existed. Everything on Good Better Best has been tested by my actual children — currently ages two and five, with strong opinions and zero patience for gear that doesn't work. I test first. I write second. I don't recommend things I wouldn't buy with my own money.
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