Between school, weekend hikes, and my daughter’s constant outdoor adventures, we needed hiking shoes that could actually keep up with an active 8-year-old’s lifestyle. Last spring, after her previous pair fell apart mid-trail, the Merrell Kids Moab 2 Low Lace Hiking Sneaker caught my attention during our urgent gear replacement mission. Sarah here, and as a mom who’s learned the hard way that kids’ shoes are either a fantastic investment or an expensive mistake, I was cautiously optimistic but realistic about expectations. That’s why I spent 6 months putting these through every real-world scenario I could think of – from school playgrounds to rocky trails to muddy creek crossings. Here’s whether they live up to the Merrell name for active families.
