This is a beautiful, sturdy shoe, and I chose it because I trust the Merrell brand. I know boys are hard on shoes, especially when they only wear one pair day in and day out. This one has held up well in the structure and soles EXCEPT for the velcro.

The velcro came off from the nice leather strap it was attached to, and now the shoe cannot be closed. It's annoying, because it is truly a "weak link" in the shoe that makes the whole shoe not work. I am going to try to fix it somehow but the leather is too tough to run through my sewing machine. Might have to get a heavy duty needle and a rock...

But for the price and this happening within three months, eh, not so great. Disappointed in that because the rest of the shoe is very good.