Kids and hiking.

Indeed, Ankle hiking boots are a must IMHO.

Also, its very exposed, you can get very strong winds and it can get cold quick. Treat it like a proper mountain hike, bring hats, gloves, raingear etc even if the day starts out beautiful.

Last time we did it it was perfectly clear when in the carpark. By the time we got to the top we had 1 meter visibility and it was baltic cold.

Looked nice up there yesterday when we were passing on the way to and from Mweelrea.
It always seems to me to have slightly better weather than the surrounding area.
Might be Pat's influence
I like about Croagh Patrick that you climb from sea level so you earn every metre of the mountain.

I agree with hiking boots for adults, but I'd be open minded about them for children.
Kids in my (limited) experience are less likely to twist an ankle than an adult, they're younger and more supple.
If the kid has a pair of runners that they're comfortable in, a climb like Croagh Patrick which is dry all the way, might be more enjoyable for them in runners than in a pair of heavy hiking boots.
Also an injury on Croagh Patrick where there are lots of people, has a better 'worst case scenario' than on a more remote mountain where there may not be anyone around to help.
You'll have a good idea what works best with your children.
For any boggy hikes, I'd go with boots for the kids.

obi604 wrote: »

Have a question about myself. I see there are hiking boots that generally seem to go above the ankle……
and then hiking shoes that are just the standard type shoe below the ankle.

Is the hiking shoe just a waste of time or does it have a function?

Seems the common sense thing would be to go for a hiking boot over a shoe?

Hiking shoes are good for trails where the ground is even, eg roads, coilte access roads etc. Much lighter.
Hiking books if on uneven ground where you need lateral support or if the mud/puddles are over shoe height

obi604 wrote: »

For Croagh Patrick, are hiking boots really a necessity?

Seeing as people have done it in their bare feet and for hundreds of years in non technical shoes etc.

They do it for penance and punishment:-)
I personally would, as it's easy to slip on the scree, and I'd have a pole too, but I've seen people in sandals and runners.
Like any safety gear you only miss it when something happens.
In saying that, a comfortable pair of well fitting, stiff soled shoes would probably be fine.

Depends on the going. If it's wet and boggy, which most routes would be this time of year, then it would be better to have boots so that they're not miserable with wet feet all walk long. It there are only going to be a few wet/boggy patches, then go with runners and they can be given a piggy back where needed. Some like to have the kids booted for scree also, but we usually don't.