Review on Waterproof Hiking Boot for Kids - Merrell Chameleon 7 Mid with Alternative Closure by Heath Cullinan

Well I wanted to love these boots. I have children who are Boy Scouts and we do a lot of outdoor family activities. For life in PNW it was important that my children had "waterproof" walking shoes. We've tried many brands but always come back to Keen or Merrell as top contenders. Both with their weaknesses. The biggest downside has always been the price - something I could justify initially because when I started buying hiking boots for my kids 8 years ago (when my eldest was 4) they lasted at least two kids. Both companies have redesigned their #1 seller (first flag in hindsight – a redesign simply means making something cheaper and charging more for it). Now I'll be lucky if I get at least one full season from them, regardless of the child's age. I buy for The quality has deteriorated significantly. These boots were purchased on 12/1/22 (so we received them some time later). it is now 3/2/23 and worn less than 3 months and we have holes, broken laces (the ones that broke within the first month and let me tell you they seemed cheap at first) and the hard sole is starting to buckle loosen the fabric upper. Children have a hard time with shoes. They run, they jump, they climb...why can't they be a quality brand that, if they charge money for their product, can withstand the wear and tear of children? I can't justify having multiple pairs of the same shoes before they grow up because they don't even survive one winter season.