Columbia Drainmaker XTR - Kids Hiking Shoe Review
On an international trip with limited space, we packed one pair of closed shoes for Siena on our summer in the Black Forest and the Vosges. They took her along forest trails near Seelbach, round the campsite paths at Huttopia, up into the trees on a zipline course and out for dinner in the evenings. By the end of the trip they'd earned their place as a great all rounder that we would happily recommend to a family trying to pack light.
Our Verdict on the Columbia Drainmaker XTR for Kids
The Columbia Drainmaker XTR is sold as a kids' water shoe, but in our house it's a hiking shoe that happens to handle water. It's light, grippy, easy enough for a six-year-old to put on herself, and comfortable all day once it's worn in. It isn't a mountain boot, and there's no ankle support, so it's best for family trails rather than serious terrain. For a child who wants one shoe for trail, campsite and everything in between, it's hard to beat.
Why we'd buy them again
One pair covered every day of a two-week trip, adventure days included
Bungee lacing she manages herself, no bows coming undone on the trail
Straight into the washing machine and out looking new
Where they fall short
They need a few days of wearing in before a big walk
Low cut with a flexible sole, so not the shoe for rocky or steep ground
How We Tested Them
We tried them on in a Columbia store in Dubai, however bought them on Amazon as it's cheaper. Siena has worn them since the start of summer as both her everyday shoe and her adventure shoe, so this is months of real use rather than a weekend trial.
Most of that wear came on our trip through Germany's Black Forest and France's Vosges mountains, where she had them on from breakfast to bedtime: forest trails, gravel campsite paths, a zipline course and the walk to wherever we were eating. Since we got home, they've stayed her go-to outdoor shoe.
What We Love About the Drainmaker XTR
Comfortable all day, once they're worn in
Bungee laces she can do herself
The kids' version uses a pull-tight bungee lace rather than traditional laces, so Siena slips them on, pulls the toggle and goes.
Light enough for small legs
At around 175g a shoe in the smallest big-kids' size, they're noticeably lighter than a traditional children's hiking boot. Columbia's Omni-Grip LT sole uses a ground-contact foam with rubber pods in the high-wear spots, rather than a full rubber sole, which is where most of the weight saving comes from.
What Could Be Better
They need wearing in
Good to know: like most new shoes, these need a few days before they're properly comfortable. Siena had a small blister on the very first day. Once they'd softened up, they became her comfiest pair. Our tip: buy them a couple of weeks before a trip, wear them around home and to the park first, and pack a plaster for day one regardless.
Not for rough or rocky ground
Heads up: this is a low-cut shoe with a flexible sole, so there's no ankle support and less protection underfoot than a proper hiking boot. That's exactly what makes it light and comfortable on family trails, but if you're planning steep, rocky routes or longer mountain walks, look at a mid-height boot instead.
Sold as a water shoe
Columbia designs the Drainmaker XTR for water first, so the mesh upper that drains so well also lets cold and wet in. It's a summer and warm-weather shoe. For autumn walks in rain and mud, a waterproof shoe will keep feet warmer.
Are the Columbia Drainmaker XTR Good as Kids' Hiking Shoes?
For the kind of hiking most families actually do, yes. Forest trails, nature walks, campsite paths and day trips where you're on your feet for hours are exactly where these shine, and they double as an everyday shoe so you're not packing two pairs. Where we'd draw the line is technical terrain: rocky scrambles, steep descents and anything where a twisted ankle is a real risk. For those, a mid-cut hiking boot with ankle support is the safer choice.
Sizing and Fit Tips for Kids
We found them true to size. Siena wears a EU 32 in her other shoes and took the same in these, worn with socks. Columbia sizes the big-kids' range in US sizes, so check their size chart against your child's current shoe before ordering. With growing feet, leave the usual thumb's width at the toe, and remember the bungee lace gives a bit of adjustment if they're between sizes.
Who Should Buy the Columbia Drainmaker XTR (and Who Shouldn't)
Perfect for: families who hike on forest trails and nature paths, children who want to put their own shoes on, warm-weather trips where water might be involved, and anyone trying to pack one pair of shoes for an active holiday.
Skip it if: you're tackling rocky or steep mountain routes, your child needs ankle support, or you need a shoe for cold, wet walking.
FAQ
Are Columbia Drainmaker XTR shoes good for hiking? For family hiking on forest trails and nature paths, yes. They're light, grippy and comfortable once worn in. They're low cut with no ankle support, so we wouldn't use them for rocky or steep terrain.
Do the Columbia Drainmaker XTR kids' shoes run true to size? We found them true to size, worn with light hiking socks. Check Columbia's size chart against your child's current shoe size before you order.
Can you machine wash Columbia Drainmaker XTR shoes? We washed ours in the washing machine after a muddy summer and they came out looking as good as new. Check the care label on your pair first.
Do kids' Drainmaker XTR need wearing in? Ours did. Siena had a small blister on her first day, then no problems at all. Wear them around home for a few days before any big walks.
The Verdict
No regrets, it's what you want from a kids outdoor shoe: light, comfy, easy enough for her to manage herself, and tough enough that we're not buying another pair halfway through the holiday.
Check current price on Amazon → We bought these shoes ourselves and only recommend gear we'd buy again. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our link, at no extra cost to you.
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