MSRP: $50.00 US
No Weight available on website
Weight as Delivered:
Left Shoe: 9.7 oz (274 g)
Right Shoe: 9.7 oz (274 g)
Both Shoes: 1 lb 3 oz (549 g)

Mom's Background:
    My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in
length from one day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with my Girl Scout troop, friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping. Although I am not
a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to 'lighten up' and primarily use a hammock for sleeping.

Mariah's Background:
    Mariah's outdoor adventures began early - as the youngest, she was often in a baby carrier, going along on day hikes and overnight camping trips from a very early age. She has always tried to keep up with her brothers, and has learned that if she wants to tag along, she better not whine! She just finished up a week at Maine Conservation School and has spent the summer
hiking, swimming, geocaching (she is great at finding those that are hidden under things!) Going into her second year of Girl Scouts, she participates in troop and council outings every month, along with family hikes. Mariah carries her own pack, and likes to use a hiking pole when going long distances.

Test Locations:
    During the fall we hiked in western Maine and central New Hampshire, with our family, scouts and with a group of friends. We either set up camp and hike out from the base camp, or we backpack in to a camping area. We are fortunate to live in an area where we can drive just a short distance and take advantage of some great hiking. Mariah and I had the opportunity to take three day-hikes, that included finding a couple of geocache sites. She has also worn her hikers while traipsing through the woods with the dogs, bike riding and rock climbing with her brothers. In all, Mariah has worn the hikers for outdoor activities at least 4 times a week during the field test period. She also wears them to school on days when the snow isn't too deep, but it is cold out.

Things we were looking at while testing:

* How comfortable are they?
* Do all the layers stay attached to each other?
* Do the materials provide ventilation?
* Does the mesh lining remain intact?
* How strong is the elastic cord lacing and friction cord lock?
* What is the 'Perfed' EVA footbed? Does removing it help to reduce odors by
   allowing it to dry out?

    Mariah has definitely worn these hikers enough to decide if they are comfortable - she hates to take them off. She says they "feel fantastic on my feet, aren't too tight and my feet don't slide around in them." Like most kids, she wouldn't keep them on if they were uncomfortable. She also likes the looks of the Merrell hikers. She said that "they don't look like boys shoes and they don't look to 'girly', they are just right". Another comment was that they don't make her feet sweat, which keeps her feet from getting chilled. Mariah has long, narrow feet and doesn't experience any slippage while wearing the hikers. They are easy to adjust the tightness by pulling on the elastic lacings. I havent' noticed any red spots on her feet where they rub.
    The hikers don't show much actual wear, which is really surprising, considering the amount and type of use they have had. Mariah has gotten them dirty, and brushed them with a stiff nylon bristle brush. It has helped clean them up, but they still aren't real clean. The tread hasn't worn much at all, and the elastic laces still pull and hold tight. We have not had a need to remove the foot beds, nor have we noticed any odors in the hikers. It appears that there is enough ventilation to keep her feet from perspiring and also to allow the inner shoe to dry out after being worn. The lining shows some light wear, but no tears. Overall, although the hiker doesn't look new, because of the dirt, they are holding up very well. I think the dirt just proves how much she likes the hikers - she hates to take them off.

The Chameleons provide good traction, even on wet surfaces. Mariah is able to climb on rocks without slipping. The sole of the hiker has a fairly aggressive tread.
Mariah will continue wearing the hikers, when participating in outdoor activities. She wants to wear them ice fishing, with heavy weight socks. We'll try that in a few weeks, once the ice is thick enough. She may get a chance to wear them snowshoeing, with a pair of gaiters. Because the hikers are cut low, more like a shoe, wearing them in deep snow would be a problem.

Test Conditions:

The majority of our testing has been done in northern New England, where the current temperature is 30 degrees F (-1 C) and winter temperatures are often below the 0 - 32 F ( -14 - 0 C ) range. Over the next few months temperatures will drop. During the winter, we ice fish and snowshoe. Most of our hiking is done below 3000 ft (914 m). There is a wide range of types of terrain on these hikes - everything from well maintained trails to hiking through heavily wooded areas. Some trips involve backpacking into campsites and at other times I set up camp and hike out from there. Mariah is a climber, so if there is a rock to climb, or a stone wall she is the first to attack it.

Things we like:

Very comfortable
Sturdy
Provides good traction

Negatives:
Nothing at this time

Photos taken from the Merrell website - www.merrell.com

Read more reviews of Merrell gear
Read more gear reviews by Leesa Joiner

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