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Merrell Chameleon Youth
Field Report
December 6, 2005
Tester Bios
Child
Name: Cameron Smith
Age: 6
Gender: Male
Height: 3’ 10” (1.17 m)
Weight: 40 lb (18 kg)
Shoe Size: 12.5 US
Backpacking Background: Cameron has been camping and hiking since he was about
18 months old. He will currently carry up to 5 lb (2.5 kg) of his own gear.
Cameron is very comfortable sleeping in his own tent, and has expressed interest
in trying hammock camping. Cameron is growing into an avid outdoorsman, always
asking when the next trip to the woods is.
Adult
Name: Anthony (TJ) Smith
Age: 31 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5’10” (1.78 m)
Weight: 155 lbs (73 kg)
Email address: tjsmith1946@gmail.com
City, State, Country: Pensacola, Florida USA
Backpacking Background: I have been camping for a little over 5 years now, mostly
car camping. I have recently begun backpacking, and I am constantly adding new
gear to my “collection” in an effort to get my gear list tailored
more towards backpacking. Most of my backpacking trips are short duration, not
more than one or two nights. I am planning some longer trips in the near future.
My current pack weight is around 15-20 lb (7-9 kg) without food and water, depending
on if I'm solo camping or taking my son along, as I have to carry some of his
gear. I am a dedicated hammock camper and have tailored my personal gear to
that aspect of camping.
Product Information
Manufacturer – Merrell
Year of Manufacture – 2005
Manufacturer URL – www.merrell.com
Size - 13 US
Color - Kangaroo/Boa Gray
MSRP – $50.00 USD
| Weight as Delivered |
Left Shoe |
9.75 oz (278 g) |
Right Shoe |
10 oz (285 g) |
Both Shoes |
1 lb 3.75 oz (562 g) |
Initial Information/Observations
For more information, please see our Initial
Report.
Testing
Date: October 1-2, 2005
Location: Jackson Red Ground Trail and Wiregrass Trail, Blackwater State Forest,
Florida
Trail Mileage: 10.8 mi (17 km), Elevation ranged from 50-100 ft (15-30 m) above sea level.
Weather: Temperature ranged from a high of 89 F (31 C) to a low of 70 F (21
C), humidity ranged from 55% to 95%. Skies ranged from full sun to overcast.
Winds ranged from calm to 10 mph (16 km/h).
This was Cameron's first trail hike with his Chameleons. Cameron wore cotton
crew socks with the Chameleons for this hike. After the 5.4 mile (8.7 km) hike
in to the campsite, Cameron hadn't complained at all about his feet hurting
or the shoes causing any problems. He negotiated several muddy spots, including
some that had standing water 2-3 in (5-8 cm) deep. The shoes never once leaked,
and when we took them off his socks were still dry. Cameron didn't lose his
footing even traveling over a few slick boardwalks and some damp grass. He did
have some mud become caked in the tread of the shoes, but this was easily remedied
by using a stick to scrape the mud out of the treads. The leather upper of the
shoe has begun to already show some staining from the red clay of a forest road
we had to cross that got onto the leather.
On the trip out the second day, Cameron began to complain towards the end of
the 5.4 mi (8.7 km) hike back out that his feet were hurting. I asked if there
was any specific place, and he said that both feet were "achy." I'm attributing
this to the mileage and his still becoming acclimated to longer distances, not
to any fault with the shoes. Upon returning home, I checked his feet for any
apparent sore spots (after washing them, of course.) He didn't complain of any
sore spots, and I could find no redness or evidence of any rubbing anywhere
on either foot.
Date: October 29, 2005
Location: Calloway Swamp, Blackwater River State Forest, Florida
Trail Mileage: 2 mi (3 km), Elevation ranged from 50-100 ft (15-30 m) above sea level.
Weather: Weather for this trip was sunny and clear, with a low of 50 F (10 C)
and a high of 68 F (20 C). We did not experience any precipitation.
Terrain: While the area is referred to as a swamp, there is actually very little
"swamp" here. The area is actually an upland pine forest bordering
the Blackwater River. The area has minor elevation changes, no more than 15-20
ft (4.5-6 m) at a time.
During this day hike Cameron carried a small daypack with his essentials for
the day (lunch, raingear, water and safety items.) He was wearing plain cotton
socks with the Chameleons for this trip. Cameron was constantly asking the other
kids on the trip if their feet hurt, because his didn't. I think he was trying
to tease them that he had "his" hiking shoes and the other kids didn't.
However, this did show how much he is enjoying his shoes.
Cameron handled all the uphills and down without problem, and was able to negotiate his way over several fallen trees without slipping. The area we were hiking in borders a river, and Cameron, being 6 years old, can't resist the water. He got the outside of the shoes wet while playing at the edge of the river, but the inside and his socks remained dry.
Date: November 9-11, 2005
Location: Wiregrass Trail and Karick Lake Campground, Baker, Florida
Weather: Clear skies; daytime highs of 87 F (30 C), 72 F (22 C) and 58 F (14
C) with overnight lows of 52 F (11 C) and 32 F (0 C). We did not encounter any
precipitation on this trip, and humidity levels stayed below 75%.
Trail Mileage: 6 mi (9.6 km), Elevation ranged from 50-100 ft (15-30 m) above sea level.
This trip was 1 day hiking on the trail, and 2 days and 2 nights in an organized
campground. During this trip, we hiked a total of 6 continuous miles (9.6 km)
on the trail. Terrain on this trip ranged from sandy soil to hard-packed clay
ground to loose clay forest roads. The Chameleons performed quite well on this
terrain, with no problems noted. Cameron was able to maintain his footing, even
over numerous deadfall and blowdown trees across the trail. Cameron did not experience any water leaking into the shoes when traveling over marshy areas. Mud on the shoe's surface is fairly easy to clean off with water and, due to the coloring of the shoe, does not show staining from the mud.
Date: December 3-4, 2005
Location: Karick Lake Campground, Baker, Florida
Elevation ranged from 50-100 ft (15-30 m) above sea level.
Weather: Overcast skies with some precipitation, temperatures ranged from 76
F (24 C) to 55 F (13 C). We experienced about 20 minutes of heavy rainfall,
and about 2 hours of condensation dripping from the trees after that.
This trip was an overnight at an organized campground, with a 5 mi (8 km) day
hike Cameron wore the Chameleons on both the day hike and around camp, the entire
time with cotton socks. The hike traversed an upland pine forest interspersed
with marshy areas. Several of the areas had standing water due to the rainfall
experienced. Cameron did not experience any water getting into his shoes from
walking through the areas of standing water (although none of the areas were
deeper than 1-2 in [2.5-5 cm]). Cameron also had no complaints of the shoes hurting
his feet.
In addition, Cameron has worn the Chameleons as daily shoes, putting considerable
mileage on them. The Chameleons have replaced his "Batman" tennis
shoes as his current favorites. One issue of note that has developed is the
toe rand has started to come unglued on the right shoe. After watching Cameron
walking, I have discovered this is due to Cameron dragging the toe of his shoe
while he walks. I do think that if the sole were stitched to the shoe at this
point instead of being glued, the sole would not have these issues.
Overall Impressions
Cameron has been very pleased with the Chameleons so far. As stated earlier, they have become his current favorite shoes and he enjoys showing them off to anyone who will look. Cameron wears them as daily shoes now and has had no issues with them.
So far, Cameron has only worn his Chameleons with cotton socks. During hikes
of up to 6 mi (9.6 km) he has not experienced any blisters or "hot spots"
while hiking. Cameron has worn the shoes while carrying a pack weighing up to
6 lb (2.7 kg) as well as while not carrying any pack on the trail. The shoes
have worked well at keeping water off his feet from slight exposure, and did
not soak through while wearing them in the rain.
The only durability issue we have encountered is the toe rand coming loose on
one shoe. As stated, this is most likely attributed to Cameron dragging the
toe of that foot while walking. I think this could be remedied by a stitched
sole instead of the glued on sole the Chameleons have.
Cameron has found the lacing system quite easy to use. Once we got the initial
adjustment set, he is able to just slip the shoes on and off, and if they become
loose he is quite adept at adjusting the slide lock without requiring any adult
assistance.
Pros
1. Comfort
2. Traction
3. Lacing System
Cons
1. Toe rand coming unglued
Continued Test Plan
The Chameleons will continue to be tested in a variety of locations throughout
Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama, with elevations ranging from 0-100 ft (0-30 m) above sea level. During the testing period, expected
weather conditions range from a high near or just above 70 F (39 C) to lows
approaching or creeping just below 20 F (-7 C). We also anticipate varied levels
of precipitation, from bright sunny days with low humidity all the way to torrential
downpours.
We currently have several 1 night trips planned for the remaining test period
and the Chameleons will also be worn during numerous day hikes occurring in
the test period, as well as being worn as daily shoes.
The following are a list of issues we will continue to explore:
1. Do the shoes remain comfortable? Does Cameron start to complain that his
feet hurt after a few miles, or do they seem to be remain comfortable to him?
Does the tongue sit straight, or tend to drift?
2. How well do the shoes continue to handle wet/muddy terrain? Do they start
to leak at the first bit of water they encounter, or are they still relatively
water resistant? Do the treads fill with mud, or do the soles clean themselves
quickly?
3 . How well do the shoes continue fit, and how comfortable are they, with a
variety of sock types? (i.e., cotton, wool, synthetics, etc)
4 . How well do these shoes continue to hold up to the use/abuse of a 6 year
old tester? Do the seams stay attached, do the soles remain firmly affixed,
do the elastic cord laces hold up well? If/when the elastic cord laces break,
how hard are replacements to acquire?
We also intend to report on any other issues that may arise during our continued
testing of this product.
Our thanks to Merrell and BackpackGearTest for allowing us to test the Chameleons.
Read more reviews of Merrell gear
Read more gear reviews by Anthony Smith
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