About the Chameleon3 Stretch
The Chameleon3 Stretch shoes are lightweight mesh and nubuck leather, providing superior ventilation. The Vibram sole provides exceptional grip.
First impressions of the Merrell Chameleon3 Stretch
My love affair with the Merrell Chameleon Stretch began when I found a pair on sale at Nordstrom's Rack during a forced (read: girlfriend-motivated) shopping trip a couple of years ago. I haven't hiked or backpacked in another shoe since. At the end of last season I was strongly encouraged (again, read: girlfriend-motivated) to throw away my old pair. It was hard, as those shoes and I have seen numerous countries on several continents, a handful of national parks and countless miles, but admittedly, it was time. I just received my new Merrell Chameleon3 Stretch shoes and they are much as I remember them. The fact that they are wearable right out of the box with no break-in required makes the Chameleon3 Stretch a blessing. They fit snugly and the elastic tensioners eliminate the need for laces. Keep in mind the Merrell Chameleon3 Stretch shoes are not designed for backpacking with heavy loads over rough terrain. They are basically a scrambling shoe that can be used for backpacking only if you keep your pack weight down. A Gore-Tex version is made by Merrell, however they seemed to be out of stock everywhere I look when I was ready to order, so I settled for the non-Gore-Tex version and waterproofed them myself with Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Waterproofer.
Testing the Merrell Chameleon3 Stretch
We recently returned from
Costa Rica where the Merrell Chameleon3 Stretch was put to the test as my shoe of choice (when I wasn't in flip-flops, of course). It endured zip-lining, hiking, canyoneering, and girlfriend-motivated (sensing a trend?) souvenir shopping. It is also on my feet on my way to Colorado where it will serve as my approach shoe for two weeks of climbing in and around Colorado and Utah.
