Kids are tough on their stuff, and kids’ combat boots are not cheap. So how do you make sure you’re getting a good pair and at a solid price without breaking the bank, but balancing the fact that this pair of boots will likely not get the care and attention it rightly deserves?

Well, with this guide. Let’s jump into it.

Upper Qualities

What the upper is made from is one of the primary drivers of price not just in kids’ combat boots, but in all combat boots.

Many boots are made with leather, which is durable but expensive. Genuine leather is the lowest grade and prone to cracking and delamination. Top grain and full grain leather exhibit better quality but they are more expensive and will need additional care.

Synthetic leather uppers are cheaper and in a pair of kids’ combat boots might represent better value simply because the boots are probably going to get beaten up pretty bad.

Other materials include ballistic nylon and cotton canvas, both of which are extremely tough and which need minimal care and maintenance. They are also usually breathable and quick drying, which makes them preferable in jungle boots.

Cotton canvas and ballistic nylon are also much cheaper (usually) than leather, which also makes them attractive.

A Welted Sole

All else being equal, any pair of boots, for combat or not, should have a welted sole. The welt is an interposing strip of material, often leather, through which the upper is stitched into the sole.

Because of the design, welted soles can be easily replaced, whereas soles that are either glued on, or stitched directly to the upper, cannot.

Now, welted construction is more expensive than soles that don’t have a welt. Kids also grow pretty fast. There’s a balancing act you need to execute here. If you think the kid will outgrow these boots in a year, don’t waste your money.

However, if you’re buying for a young teenager who’s almost fully grown, get a pair of boots with welted soles. When the soles wear down, you will be able to replace the soles instead of buying a whole new pair of boots.

Other Sole Considerations

You should also consider the style of soles that are paired with the boots. Wedge soles are smoother and are better for finished surfaces, like blacktop or indoors, or on decks, such as in a building or on a boat.

Conversely, lug soles, which have deeper, much more aggressive treads, are better on the earth. They perform better in snow, on mud, and in sand, and everything in between.

The bottom line: boots used outdoors on earth should have lug soles, boots used either indoors or on finished surfaces should have wedge soles.

Speed Laces

Little kids are not the best with dexterity or fine motor skills and eyelets can be trouble for them. If you can, get a pair of boots with speed lace eyelets that are a lot easier and quicker to work with.

Price

Lastly, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: price. Combat boots are expensive, and you don’t want to throw good money after bad if you can help it.

If this is a beater pair of boots, don’t break the bank. To some degree, kids' combat boots are intended to be disposable anyway since kids outgrow them.

Where to Get Your Next Pair of Kids’ Combat Boots

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