BackpackGearTest.org - Merrell Chameleon Stretch Hiking Shoe Owner Review by Chari Daignault

Most of Merrell's shoes are made to fit "right out of the box". When ordering, I used my normal shoe size. Merrell's website offers suggestions on how to get the best fit with regard to socks and how much play to have in the shoe. I found they fit like a glove and really didn't need any breaking in. They felt very comfortable and light, I almost didn't know I had them on.

These shoes do not have laces, which is where the "stretch" part of their name comes into play, as they employ a lacing system using an elastic cord with a locking tab. The shoes are slip-ons and the tightness of the shoe is adjusted by pulling the one-pull lacing system [which draws from multiple points on the top of the foot] and tightening with the lock tab. The lock tab worked well, keeping the lacing system tight and holding the shoes snug on my feet. When pulled tightly though, there is a rather long loop of lacing hanging from the lock tab, which I ended up just tucking into the lacing across the top of my foot. This kept them from dangling off the sides and becoming caught on underbrush.

The mesh and nubuck uppers are meant to allow the shoe to be highly breathable. My feet tend to sweat terribly, but they felt light and dry in the Chameleon Stretches, even after trudging through water. The outside of the shoes dried off in about 30 minutes, when left out in direct sun.

Field Information

My Chameleon Stretches were used on trails in Central Florida, during the late winter months, just prior to spring [2005]. The terrain was a mix of sand, mud, rough [roots, holes, drop-offs], wooden bridges and water. The weather was muggy, hot and sunny with a temperature of 85 F (29 C). The trail [5.5 mi / 8.9 km] itself follows the Econlockhatchee River through Seminole County and is part of the Florida State Forest trail system.

The Chameleon Stretch is marketed as a hiking shoe, but is probably best used for light to moderate trips on easily traversed terrain. The lack of ankle support doesn't lend itself to very rocky surfaces [especially for weak ankles like mine], and the sole was surprisingly slippery in certain areas, like on wet wood or rock. My footing felt extremely shaky at times on wet rock, almost like walking on ice. The grip was not dependable.

When hiking in sandy areas, the sand would get kicked up and into the shoe. The neoprene opening of the shoe doesn't form to the top of the foot, just below the ankle as well as it should, and this allows dirt, sand and debris to enter the shoe, making it a bit uncomfortable at times. However, when walking through wetlands, the shoes kept my feet dry, cool and snug.

When I get a new trail shoe, one of the first things I'll try with it is trail running. I tend to incorporate running into my daily hiking routine, just to take the "routine" out of it. The Chameleon Stretch, although not marketed or intended for trail running, performs quite well. Slipping on wet surfaces is a problem, though -- as it was tricky at certain speeds to maintain my balance when my feet would shoot out from underneath me. But again, this shoe is not meant for trail running, and doesn't really have enough shock support in the heel or the ball of the foot to satisfy me.

The shoes clean up easily -- I've hosed mine off, scrubbed them with a light brush and hung them up to dry. Sand clings a bit to the sole, but as with mud, I can usually just hit my feet on a tree and the stuff falls right off. My uppers are slightly stained from mud, but the mud near rivers here in Central Florida is usually stained with tannins from the cypress trees along the banks.

The shoes have held up well, and show no signs of wear, other than stains -- which will probably wash off once I actually throw them into a washing machine.

On a side note, I've worn the shoes while spending a day at Universal Studios, which usually entails a lot of walking on asphalt, cement and sidewalks. My feet were comfortable, dry and ache-free by the end of the day. My legs and back were also pain-free, which speaks volumes for the support and comfort these shoes can offer for light walking trips or even moderate hiking on easy trails.

Summary

The Chameleon Stretch is an excellent light trail hiking shoe. It didn't perform well on terrain that was very rocky or wet, and tended to allow debris to enter via the neck of the shoe. The Chameleon Stretch is not the best choice for heavy-duty, rough terrain hiking, but should be perfectly suited for long walks, day hikes and even theme park visits.

Things I like:

1. Light weight.
2. Snug.
3. Durable.

Things I don't like:

1. Slips on wet surfaces.
2. Debris easily enters the shoe.
3. Not enough shock protection in heel.

Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > Merrell Chameleon Stretch Hiking Shoe > Owner Review by Chari Daignault

Reviews > Footwear > Trail Shoes > Merrell Chameleon Stretch Hiking Shoe > Owner Review by Chari Daignault