User Review: Merrell Chameleon II Gore-Tex XCR

Merrell Chameleon II Gore-Tex XCR
Above: The current Chameleon II Gore-Tex XCR, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 26, 2006 by Keiran

Rating:
Materials: Pigskin/Gore-tex
Use: Daily walk-around, occasional light hikes, moderate bicycle commuting, WET weather
Break-in Period: Still breaking it in... I would guess 2 weeks based on the other Merrells.
Price Paid: 3900 NT$ (Taiwan)

I went to these from the Stormfront due to a warranty issue involving the rapid loss of waterproofing ability.

I have only used these for a brief period of time.

I find these shoes to be very high quality. The quality increase is apparent when moving from the Stormfronts. Little details such as the rubber in the outsole as well as the contouring of the insole, the coverage of the tongue near the top of the laces and arch support make the difference.

I find that the shoe does not breathe as well because of the wide use of pigskin. This is a minus in hot climates (here in Taiwan), but a plus in cooler climates (back in my native Canada). I will probably not notice the difference in a month.

After a two minute submersion test, I found that this shoe is indeed fully waterproof up to a depth of around 3.5 inches. I believe this is a little higher than the Stormfront.

The sole is not as thick as some other shoes, which is good for weight, but it is also quite a bit harder, so I feel that impact cushioning has taken a back-seat here to durability and strength. This means that the shoe is less suitable for running, but probably very good on rocky trails.

The stiff sole also makes this a nice choice for non-SPD biking and I have appreciated this already.

One small niggle is that on the left foot, I find that the ankle support is stiff enough to cause some discomfort to where the shoe meets the ankle-bone, but I'm sure this will work itself out as I tune the lace tightness.

The upside of that is that the shoe hugs the foot in a way that I have not previously experienced in any other shoe. It feels firm and snug around the top and gives me confidence for the upcoming rainy/typhoon season.

If given a choice, I'd give the product slightly less than 5 stars due to the lack of impact protection in the heel, but it's still very, very good.