Hello there! I'm always on the lookout for honest reviews on kids' shoes because I want to make sure my kid wears the best. Last time I wrote about demisasonal boots from 'ZenDen' (check it out). My little one absolutely fell in love with them, but we need to think about winter, and our winters are harsh. I remember it was -35 degrees for two weeks.
I went to several stores and couldn't find anything good. I didn't want to buy cheap stuff, but spending 6-7 thousand rubles wasn't in my budget either. A friend suggested I take some shoes that were leftover from her son. She said, 'Just take them, and you can find some new ones for special occasions.' I thought it was a decent idea, so I paid 500 rubles for them. And, as a bonus, she gave me two more pairs of shoes. So, by the end of it, we had three pairs of shoes from different brands for winter.
One of the pairs was DEMAR DOGGY kids' winter boots in blue. Let me get ahead of myself - when my son was 1.6 years old, they were uncomfortable for him. He refused to wear them, so I put them aside for 'later use'. I thought maybe they'd be better suited for my kid when he was a bit older.
Take two. When my son was a bit older, around 2 years old, I decided to dig out the DEMAR DOGGY boots again. Many people raved about them, and I thought maybe, just maybe, my son would like them. The boots look like snow boots - simple and tasteful, not the most stylish, but I prioritize warmth over style.
They have a strap to keep the foot in place. These DEMAR DOGGY winter boots are also known as snow boots or snow shoes. The manufacturer claims they're made from water-repellent fabric.
I didn't notice any issues with water getting into the shoes, and my son didn't go jumping in puddles or playing on ice. The material inside is sheep's wool, which is extremely warm. I have a pair of leather boots with sheep's wool, and they're super warm.
The sole is made of natural rubber, which means it's not going to slip around. That's what they're claiming, and I've found it to be true so far. This thing is made in Poland, and it's proudly stamped on the sole. My two-year-old son fits into size 25, but it all depends on the shoe brand.
I was surprised when I got this shoe. Our cheapest Chinese shoes cost around 1500 rubles, but these Polish Demar shoes are a whole different story. They're currently selling for around 4000 rubles. That's a pretty penny, if you ask me!
I was really happy to see that there's a protective insert. It's a great feature that keeps little fingers safe from getting hit. Toddlers tend to kick their shoes or accidentally hit something, and this insert is a lifesaver.
When the first cold snap hit, I decided to break out the Demar Doggy shoes again. Initially, my son was interested, but once we hit the streets, he was less than thrilled. He didn't quite know how to walk in them.
I noticed that the material is quite stretchy. To be honest, I'm not a fan of that. The shoe is supposed to provide a snug fit, but this one felt a bit loose. My son kept falling over and couldn't walk properly. I thought maybe it was because the shoes were too tight, but it turned out that wasn't the issue.
Fit: F (6)
My two-year-old son was literally stumbling over his own feet, and I was having a terrible time trying to get him to walk. He'd stop, look around, and then just sit down and take off the shoes. It was a nightmare!
What a disaster! I'm still pushing a stroller around, and if I didn't have that, I'd have to carry my son on my hands. It's not exactly the most convenient thing to do. Needless to say, I didn't take the Demar Doggy shoes on any long walks.
Circumference of the shaft: 21 cm
Height of the boot is 14 cm
I had them set aside as spares, thinking I'd use them for my kid. I've been wearing them for the last two weeks in the backyard for 20-30 minutes. The kid's getting used to them, but he still doesn't like them.
When we got home, my kid started pointing to the soles. I touched them, and they were cold. I was freaking out. I mean, these boots are supposed to be good for -20 degrees, and it was only -1. What kind of winter boots are these?
I took my kid to 'Wildberries' – it's just a 10-minute walk. And what do you know? His feet were cold again.
Despite wearing thick winter pants and warm socks, my kid's feet were still cold. I've never seen this with my kid's demis seasonal boots, which aren't even meant for winter. If they're cold at -1 and -3, what's going to happen in the winter? I'm telling you, these boots are not suitable for winter. They're good for a damp, chilly autumn or spring, but that's it.
What does the manufacturer say about 'Demar'?
'Demar' boots are a great everyday option. The boot is made from a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) lower part and a modern textile material for the boot shaft, which has excellent wear-resistant properties. The insole and insole board are made from natural wool, keeping your kid's feet warm. The boot fastens with a velcro strap. The high sole, made from molded rubber, has special tread that prevents slipping and maintains flexibility in extreme cold. Reflective inserts increase your kid's safety. These boots will be a hit with your kid!
Are you kidding me? No thanks. They didn't impress my kid, and after a walk, his feet were cold. How is that possible? I paid over 4000 rubles for this. For what? The brand? It's just another piece of junk not meant for kids. You only find out when your kid's walking around in these boots.
I'm glad I didn't buy them at full price. It's like they say – you can't always tell from the packaging. Polish-made, but the quality... I wouldn't know, since Chinese-made boots often have better quality.
This is what they come up with for kids. Thanks, but 'Demar' is going straight into the trash. The boots are so uncomfortable, I just want to cry. Especially when you come back from a walk, and your kid complains that their feet are cold. Why do they even claim these boots are good for -20 degrees? That's just a lie.
I couldn't find any positives. Maybe the sheep wool? But there are plenty of negatives with 'Demar':
My kid's feet were freezing at -3°CIt was a hassle, and the little one kept trippingI had to force the shoes onto my kid, who actually cried because of itPutting them on over pants was a real pain (I had to shove the pants into the shoes)They were cold to the touchLooks-wise, they're pretty basicThe price just doesn't justify the qualityThanks to all the parents who take the time to leave reviews for kids' shoes. I've seen that this isn't just my kid's problem - when the feet get cold in supposedly winter-proof shoes.
I wouldn't recommend these 'Demar DOGGY' shoes. Maybe consider buying them second-hand for a garden or something, but not at full price. They're just not worth it.
Here's another Finnish brand that I wouldn't recommend. They fell apart at -15°C.
I'm giving them 1 star out of 5.
Thanks for reading!