Merrell Cameleon Prime Review

"Probably the most comfortable boot I've ever tried, but don't let it decieve you into thinking it is any more than a dayhiker. The store tried to tell me it was good for backpacking but on a short trial hike it was unstable over rougher terrain. Fine on flat trails but don't do rocks of steep hills. Also, although full grain leather it needs much treating before it is even water resistant. Treads are funky and grip well."

"I bought the boot two years ago because it was one of the lightest available that covered the ankle.

I would never buy it again. After only two hikes the rubber toe caps separated from the uppers - both boots, in the same way at the same time. I tried to epoxy them back on but they wouldn't hold.

The soles have very little traction on slick surfaces. I found this out on a late fall hike when there was some ice on the trail after an early snowfall. Out of a group of 15 or so hikers I was the only one slipping on my butt... and I had poles.

Merrill is using this sole on their entire Chamelion series, so if you are considering one of the other models, think twice.

The fabric tongue lets in water easily when it rains or the brush and grass are wet. I bought goretex socks because my feet were getting soaked. That's a problem with any fabric tongue boot, but don't think your feet will stay dry just because the uppers are leather and you siliconed them."

"I owned a pair of Cameleons as a replacement to my Merril Superlights, which were great boots, especially for the price. I was on a pretty tough hike in Pima Canyon near Tucson when the damn fabric in the heel of the shoe gave way to this piece of plastic that serves to stabalize the heel,cutting the crap out of my heel on the sharp edge. Had I not carried quite a bit of moleskin, I would have had to walk out barefoot! Send some of those puppies to Quantanimo and make the terrorists wear them to carry big bags of pig shit up and down hills all day..they'll talk! Merril used to make quality products but I really don't think so anymore. I used to recommend them to people, in particular the which served me very well. Those days are gone...."