At first opening them, they do smell, I put them outside and a couple of days later its faint.  And we had some trouble at age 2 putting them on, I find it easier to put them on his feet while sitting, then having him stand up to have his foot slide in correctly. We are getting faster at it, which means he is learning how to move his foot in properly. I agree with getting them a size too big, and did so per other reviews comments. Every time we go out, he wants to wear his boots.