Customer Reviews Merrell Kids Alpine Puffer Waterproof (Little Kid/Big Kid)

This review is for these boots when buying them for younger children (our son is five). Not great for younger kids, as the zipper requires a lot of strength to zip up (I as an adult have to pull hard to zip it up). Otherwise the boots are pretty good: lightweight, warm, waterproof. Our five year old couldn’t use them at school: no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t zip them up on his own. We practiced and practiced at home, but it was impossible for him. Additionally, sand from the sand box got into one of the zippers at the school playground, and it almost failed. I would not recommend these boots for younger children, but they may be a great choice for older kids. Please also note that you cannot tighten the top of the boots, so expect snow to get in them if your child is playing in the snow. We ended up using ours only when he gets dressed at home (so that I could help, even though he can dress himself with all his other shoes), and only for walks on cold winter days when there is no snow on the ground. Not very practical for such expensive boots.

These boots are warm, waterproof and easy to take on and off. Just as needed!

Boots look great and my son loves them. The soles are stiff and not flexible, though, and the top of the collar is quite wide with no way to cinch, so snow can easily get in. Must tuck pant leg into the boot to make them work.

Huge gap at the ankle lets all the snow in! Feet and toes got wet easily. Not a good design