The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof – Kids’ Hiking Boot Review

The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof is a youth mid-height hiking boot with a DryVent waterproof membrane, a ripstop upper, a mudguard, a reinforced toe cap, and traditional laces. Our five-year-old, Cy, wore them across the jagged lava field at Craters of the Moon in Idaho, jumping from rock to rock the whole way. They protected his feet and, in his words, made him “bouncy.” The one thing to know before you order: it’s the heaviest pair we tested, and a young kid can’t tie the laces alone.

4.2/5.0

Best for rugged terrain

The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof (Youth)

They look like moon boots. That turned out to be fitting on a lava field at Craters of the Moon.

Shop at Amazon$100 Shop at REI$100 Shop at The North Face$100

Sizes: 10 to 7 (whole sizes) | Waterproof: Yes (DryVent membrane) | Weight (pair): 1 lb 1.8 oz | Closure: Laces | Height: Mid

Is The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof worth it?

Only for rugged terrain. On jagged lava rock, it earned every bit of its $100 and extra weight. For everyday trails, most kids will be happier and quicker in something lighter.

Where we tested The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof

Craters of the Moon, Idaho. It’s a lava field: sharp, broken rock that chews up shoes, plus a lava tube you hike straight through. Cy scrambled, climbed, and jumped across the whole thing.

We biked from camp to the trailhead that morning, and he wore these on the bike too. They still fit on the footrests of his shotgun bike seat.

The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof features: what actually stood out

At first glance, these look a little ridiculous. They’re a grown-up hiking boot shrunk down to kid size, like tiny moon boots. Then they got to work on actual moon-looking terrain, and suddenly they weren’t so crazy looking.

On the lava, they protected his feet completely. He jumped from rock to rock, landed, and jumped again, and he felt confident doing it. The lugs are big for traction. The toe box is roomy, so the big toe isn’t squished, which helps stability. There’s a large pull tab on the heel to help get them on, and a cute topo-map print on the footbed.

The laces are a mixed bag for little kids, but they let you tighten different parts of the boot or lace it differently for a dialed-in fit.

What doesn’t work on The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof

They’re heavy, the heaviest pair we tested. The weight didn’t slow Cy down much, but he wasn’t carrying a backpack. If your kid is, you’re balancing shoe weight against pack weight, and we’d be cautious. They’re laces only, no strap, so at five, we tie them for him. And the lava left them scuffed up, though they still look pretty nice.

TNF lists them as waterproof with a DryVent membrane. We didn’t test the waterproofing.

How to care for The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof

The North Face says not to machine wash its trail footwear. Clean with hot water, a rag, and a cleansing agent, then stuff the boots and let them air dry. Avoid heat sources like heaters or hair dryers.

The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof sizing guide

We tested a size 12 on Cy at age 5, and they fit him well. The toe box is roomy without being a barefoot-style shoe. TNF sells them in whole sizes only, so if your kid is between sizes, the laces let you tighten or loosen the fit.

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

Who is The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof best for?

Kids heading into rugged terrain: lava fields, rock scrambles, and long hikes that need more support. It’s a specialist, not an everyday shoe. For older kids who can tie their own laces, it’s an easier call.

How The North Face Fastpack II Mid Waterproof compares to other kids’ hiking shoes