Customer Reviews Merrell Chameleon Prime Stretch

I have worn this shoe for 10 years and this model is not as comfortable as older models: heel and hindfoot parts are too stiff and even after breaking them in it is hard to easily slip your foot into the shoe. Tread also wears out rather quickly for a hiking shoe. I'm not sure I would buy these again.

These are great shoes with great grip and looks. They are not waterproof and a little hard to get on because of no shoe strings but I am on my feet all day and my feet do not hurt.

So far so good. It would be nice if the locking mechanism on the laces were a bit easier to manipulate and possibly somewhere to tuck them in like on Salomons. I've had them for about a month now and have no complaints.

I bought this same model of shoe in 2001 and they lasted me 15 years! (I still use them for painting and yardwork even.) I bought a new pair a couple moths ago and they are about 80% as good as my old ones. The only thing I noticed was that the name "Merrell" on the insole wore off in the first week.

My favorite shoes that I hate. Super comfortable shoes, but poor design and materials. Just beneath the liner in the heel cup is rough material, so the liner wore through in the first couple weeks. Not fatal, but the soles didn't last long enough, imo. I'd buy these again if they improved the quality in the next edition. Vibram would help.

I was replacing an older, worn out pair of the same style, but these rubbed against my outer ankle bone. Other than that they were comfortable. Other reviews had mentioned that the style/fit/components had changed. Maybe that's why I had a problem.

I really like the style. They are kind of a pain to get on. They are lacking a good arch support. After wearing them for almost a year my right foot started to bother me, I attributed it to the lack of arch support. Otherwise, I liked them.

Very comfortable shoe. Excellent grip on virtually any surface. Sturdy and reliable. HOWEVER! I have had 2 pairs and both suffered same failure: glue on the nose of the shoe simply unglued and shoe opened it's mouth. The fabric simply separated from the rubber sole! Sadly it happened with both shoes (left and right) on both pairs. I used them in all different environment. Very sad as I love these shoes. But will no longer buy same again.

Lacing system takes getting used to, agree with others that if you cinch up laces they can be rather long and need to be tied or placed beneath other laces to keep from stepping on them. Like the fit and comfort of shoe, like a glove. But...they wore out extremely fast in my opinion. I had worn through places in the sole within 3 months...bad enough to wet my socks after 4 months. I get better wear in Moab after 6 months with same hiking pattern- 50 miles per week on hard surfaces. Will not buy again because of fast wear. Returned to Moab.

A bit hard to put on, since there is no tongue to pull forward you have wriggle your foot into these shoes pretty aggressively. But once on, they are snug and keep junk from getting into your shoes. Not waterproof, but is any shoe?

A very poor relative of its predecessor. Cheaply made, shoestrings broke within 5 months with only light use. Hard to put on and take off

I have owned these shoes for about a year and a half. Merrell products seem to fit my feet perfectly, are true to size, and the correct width. While I really like the look of these and the convenience of slipping on and off, I don't think I will buy these again. The material quality of the shoes does not appear to be on par with other Merrell products that I have owned (several pairs of Moabs in the past). The mesh on the top of the shoe started to rip apart after about 4 months of wearing. After that, the right shoe (and this only happened on the right shoe), the part of tread that curves up the toe started to peel off. Then, again only on the right shoe, part of the tread on the inside of the shoe just behind my big toe, also started to peel off. It never separated enough to be a tripping hazard, but clearly something between the two shoes was not the same. I could probably have sent them back to Merrell, but I didn't feel like the hassle and fixed it on my own with some gorilla glue. So far, those two areas have not come apart again. If it were not for the ripping mesh material and tread separation, I would buy these again, but since I never had those problems with the Moab I will likely be going back to that style.

These shoes come with an elastic loop woven through in lieu of laces. This thing is ridiculous. once tightened I was left with about 12" of flopping elastic bungee hanging out of my shoe. I have no clue what they expect you to do with this gigantic elastic rip cord hanging from your foot all day. Three hours into my first day, the bungee broke at the base where they glue the elastic loop together. Blessing in disguise. I put some traditional laces in there- problem solved. I don't know why they are trying to reinvent the wheel. These are otherwise fine shoes. If you buy them, buy some 54" shoelaces to go with your new footwear. Cut the bungee cords out and lace them up. You can thank me later.

Not the same quality as prior Merrell Chameleon shoes that I have owned. The shoe is more difficult to put on, as the entrance is tighter. Although I know the shoe is not water proof, it does absorb water easier than prior versions. The back of the shoe easily breaks, leaving small pieces inside the shoe. Makes me rethink the Chameleon line, and the Merrell brand.

I love my 2 old pair of Chameleon 4 Stretches, and was hoping these new ones might be as comfortable. I don't like the style as much, but thought I could get used to it. Unfortunately, the new ones are more difficult to get on, and very uncomfortable once on. They are higher on the ankle, without giving any support (stretch), so not sure why Merrell changed that. The insole was lumpy - either a defect, or the insole crumpled while fighting to get the shoes on. I really hope Merrell goes back to the Chameleon 4 stretch style!

What a shame! These new Chameleons are a complete rip off compared to the older type. Cheap, slippery sole, no longer the dependable Vibram of old. Restyled upper, I assume to make it cheaper to make, the retainer loops are now leather and look hideous, plus the front loop sticks out making it an ideal bug and seed trap when hiking. The pressed in bulges that are a styling que just split after 3 weeks of use. Rear leather patch now replaced by cheap rubber. Come on Merrell, you are better than this.

Low durability. Due to the way you slip into the shoes, the heal collapsed and was a mass of fabric pressing into my achilles tendon. I used to love this shoe, but however they've changed how Merrill makes it, I can't say I'd recommend buying a pair.

I love this style - I have a pair at least 10 years old - but I have to tell you that these are not as good. Of course! The main problem, and it is a problem, is that they are nearly impossible to put on. You really have to use a lot of force to get your feet into them.

I am reading these reviews and like most, I had a big problem after getting a pair as a gift. Like most, I just about live in these things, but also had pain in the arch and it hurt walking. I contacted Merrell, sent pics of just were in the shoe I had the problem. I was very disappointed in their lack of response. I NOW KNOW WHY. I will look online for the older number 4 model.

This shoe doesn't have a tongue. It has a piece of leather surounding where you insert your foot and doesn't give at all.

Merrell had a great shoe with the Chameleon3 and have messed it up big time. This does not begin to compare. poorer insole, feels much cheaper, higher fit around ankle cuts in. very uncomfortable.

I have been buying this style of merrell for years, but as you can read with the other reviews the latest update has been very, very disappointing. There is no support in the sole of these shoes anymore, none. My feet hurt, my feet hurt, my feet hurt. That was never the case with the prior styles. Trying to find a different pair of shoes that offer the same benefits. I have written Merrell about this matter with no satisfaction. Another big company that doesn't care, they are like buy it or don't buy it, they don't care.

These new Chameleon Prime are a disappointment. I have been wearing Chameleon Stretch shoes every day since I first discovered the Chameleon. This new model fits totally differently. The sides are higher and the arch is more forward. They are harder to get on because of the high sides. The width and length are the same, but they no longer have for me the "put one and get going" of previous models, including the Chameleon 4. Add to these changes a new more pliable sole - no longer the Vibram soles - and it is not the shoe I want.

I have loved the Merrell Chameleon for years. I am in the military and have worn them all over the world, and have put them through a lot. They were comfortable, and durable (I had to buy a new pair about every 12 months). Unfortunately, the last two pair I have owned have fallen apart almost immediately. My newest pair, a Christmas gift from my wife. Completely fell apart after 3 hikes: a 6 miler, a 10 miler, and an 8 miler. It upsets me because these shoes have been such a staple of my life for so long, but I'm never buying another pair, and I think I have been turned off of Merrell's (of which I was a loyal, proselytizing wearer for years) altogether. It's truly a shame the quality has diminished.

This is shoe as a mere copy of the true hiking shoe the Chameleon 4 with the actual shoe lace and without this awkward stretch mesh for leg opening. I have had 2 pairs of this kind and it is a waste of money. Both unglued after a short wear in front at the nose, where this rubber tongue bends over the fabric/leather. It seems the glue used is just not strong enough.The first time I went hiking in a hotter climate for few weeks and noticed the glue coming apart Soon became unusable. Not long after that I bought the same pair thinking the first was just a defected pair .soon the same happened. It seems there is too much tension for the rubber right there. And also this prime stretch for opening is NOT what you wanna have when hiking shoe should be tight around the ankle, shoe lace and proper curvature of the opening like all other hiking shoes. Trying the run in this show is tricky as you simply cannot tie it well enough and it can easily slip off. No it was not too bug for my foot just bad design. The previous Chameleon 4 was another deal Strong, long lasting, shoes lace and firm around the ankle. Had them in 4 different continents through ice and deserts and the best grip I have ever experienced on a hiking shoes awesome. But this Prime Stretch is disappointment! :(