RAYVE Lahti Kids' Barefoot Winter Insulated Boots Pink/Gold

RAYVE Lahti kids' barefoot winter boots in pink and gold, with a leather upper, waterproof membrane and velcro that your child can fasten alone. EU 23-36, inner length 152-236 mm.

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I chose the RAYVE LAHTI boots for my youngest son to wear at nursery and they passed with flying colours: grass, woods, tarmac and damp autumn weather. The sheep wool lining keeps his feet warm without sweating, and the water-resistant membrane copes with wet conditions. They fit his wider foot and higher instep, and thanks to the velcro he puts them on all by himself at nursery. They also look really stylish, so I'm already considering them for my two older children. I would definitely recommend them to all parents looking for comfortable winter boots for an active child.

5 out of 5

Lenka Dolenská

mother of three, author of the Instagram profile monte_sorry_aktivity

The RAYVE LAHTI insulated winter ankle boot comes in a pink and gold combination of smooth and nubuck leather. It is designed for your child's everyday wear in town, at nursery, in the park and on lighter terrain. Under the foot there is a 4 mm rubber outsole and a 1 mm insole, with the heel and toe at the same height. Inside is a full lining of 100% natural organic certified sheep wool and a TEX waterproof membrane.

Who they are for

• Children with wider feet. The inner width runs from 70 mm in size 23 to 88 mm in size 36, so there is room for toes to grow.
• Children who want to put their shoes on themselves. Two velcro straps and a heel loop, no laces.
• Town and pavements, the park, light terrain and snow. Autumn and winter.
• Beginners in barefoot shoes. The model is also suitable for the transition from conventional shoes.
• Places where wet snow and slush are expected: the leather upper is complemented by a waterproof TEX membrane.
• Children with a medium instep and medium ankle shape. The boot is high and holds above the ankle.

How they feel to walk in

Four millimetres of rubber and a millimetre of insole mean your child feels the ground through the sole: kerbs, roots and frozen lumps of snow. Winter boots with a thick, cushioned foam layer do not allow this, whereas here the feedback from the surface is preserved.

The sole is flexible and bends with the foot when pushing off and when climbing on a climbing frame. The heel has nothing extra, with zero drop (0 mm), so the foot lands flat on the pavement and your child does not tip forwards in the boot.

The heel counter is slightly reinforced, so the heel stays in place, but the foot is not locked in. The high cut over the ankle gives more support in snow than a low boot, yet the ankle can still move normally.

What makes them different

• A 4 mm sole instead of the layered winter platform of typical kids' snow boots.
• Insulation with sheep wool fleece certified to OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 instead of synthetic fur.
• Two velcro straps and a heel loop instead of laces, which a child cannot manage alone at nursery.
• Zero drop and a slightly reinforced heel counter instead of a raised heel and a rigid ankle cuff.

Specifications in practice

Fit and sizing

Trace your child's foot on paper while standing, ideally in the afternoon when the foot is at its largest. Measure the distance from the heel to the longest toe, which need not be the big toe. Add an allowance of 7 to 12 mm to the measured length and look for the result in the boot's inner length, not the EU size. Inner lengths run from 152 mm in size 23 to 236 mm in size 36, with widths from 70 to 88 mm.

Bear in mind that the wool fleece inside takes up some space and flattens over time. The cut is built for a medium instep and medium ankle, and suits wider feet better than narrow ones. If you are unsure, use the Premium Barefoot measuring tool at home to avoid being off by a whole size.

Measured on the insoles of each size. Choose the size where the inner length is 7 - 12 mm longer than the foot.

Frequently asked questions

Transitioning to barefoot

If your child has so far worn shoes with a raised heel and cushioned sole, let them walk in the LAHTI for shorter outings at first and gradually extend the time until they wear them all day at nursery. The calves and Achilles tendons get a different job than before. If your child complains of pain that does not ease by the next day, put the boots aside for a while and consult a physiotherapist or podiatrist.

Care

Brush off coarse dirt, wipe the boots with a damp cloth and let them dry at room temperature, never near a heater. Use Collonil Nubuk Box Classic on the nubuck parts, and nourish smooth leather with JPwax natural beeswax waterproofing. Waterproof regularly, and use COLLONIL CARBON COMPLETE 125 ml on all materials, including the membrane.

Collonil Nubuk Box Classic - cleaning block for nubuck

Cleaning for nubuck

COLLONIL CARBON COMPLETE cleans and waterproofs all materials 125 ml

Waterproofing, universal and suitable for nubuck

PFAS-free waterproofing spray for all types of footwear - COLLONIL CARBON PRO 400 ml

Mechanical cleaning brush for all types of nubuck - COLLONIL

Nourishing grease for leather footwear - COLLONIL LEDERFETT 150 ml

Why wear barefoot shoes