Customer Reviews Merrell Chameleon 8 Stretch

I to have been purchasing & wearing Merrell Chameleon Stretch sneakers for well over 20 years. I have them in at least six (6) different colors & just today purchased same in Olive color. I absolutely love these incredible comfortable sneakers (running/hiking shoes, whatever you name them. My MAJOR ISSUE AND ONLY NEGATIVE about these are that at some point Merrell, like so many other manufacturers NO LONGER MANUFACTURE THEIR PRODUCTS IN AMERICA. THEY ARE & HAVE FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEING MADE IN CHINA AND THE CHANGE IN QUALITY SHOWS. The first indication was a decrease in price from the FOREVER PORICE OF ABOUT $120.00 (USD) AND THE DROP TO ABOUT $96.00 depending on where you you purchase them. After having worn these for over 20 years, it's pretty easy to see the decline in materials & workmanship in this product. They are still very comfortable, but they wear out MUCH QUCKER than they ever did, when they were manufactured in Italy. Personally, I'd prefer to pay a higher price & get a higher quality and longer lasting product. Moving Merrell's manufacturing plant(s) was a VERY BIG MISTAKE, just as it is with many products that have done they same "shift" to manufacture their products in China. It also deprives American's of jobs, which is the biggest tragedy of all.

Zappos asked me to review my purchase. My previous Merrell shoe was the Chameleon Stretch II and those shoes were amazing. The Chameleon 8 Stretch is a massive disappointment. As other reviewers have noted, Merrell made a confusing decision to make the outsole much narrower than the previous Chameleons. All this did was make the shoe very dangerous. My first time hiking with them I was confused as to why I was having a hard time keeping my ankles from rolling while walking over uneven terrain. Also, the drawstring WAY to long. Bottom line the Chameleon Stretch 8 look awesome but suck in every other aspect. Merrell should be ashamed of themselves for releasing this to the public.

Been wearing chameleon stretch for 15 years. The 1st 10years I wore solely the chameleon stretch 2 until I could no longer find them anywhere including Ebay. The last 5 years I've worn the chameleon stretch 3, 4s, primes and stretch 7s. All good shoes but nothing compared to the chameleon stretch 2 which in my mind was the best chameleons made, until I got these chameleons 8s. I couldn't be happier. Love not having to tie my shoes but u can still cinch them tight. Love the styles and new colours as well. I just hope merrell continues to make this model for years to come as it is definitely my new favorite of all the chameleons. Good for all kind of work, walking, hiking and stylish enough to wear with a pair of slacks. Ty merrell for bringing the best chameleons back!! I hope these ate around for tune next decade!!

Have exclusively worn chameleon stretch w/ cinch lases since before 2002 the chameleon stretch 2 was my 1st pair and favorite in the stretch lineup. I wore nothing but stretch 2 for about 10 years around 2010-2012 they were sadly discontinued. When I found this out I stocked up and bought 2 extra pair. In the last 8 years I continue to wear the chameleon stretch line but between all the chameleon stretch lineups, the chameleons 3, 4, ,7 prime have all fell short of the ultimate shoe the chameleon stretch 2 until now!!!! These merrell chameleon stretch 8s I like just as much or more as the stretch 2s that I wore for 10years straight. These shoes feel like a slipper, comfortable, good soles and fit, good for 95% of occasions, can hike in them or wear to work. Comfortable as anything and the ease of getting them on and off with the cinch laces. Keep bringing more colors. I hope to were the chameleon 8 stretch for another 10 years. Dont change a thing.!!!

If you are planning on replacing your Merrell Chameleon II Stretch shoes with the Merrell Chameleon 8 Stretch, please consider the following: Although the Chameleon 8 is stylish and features an aggressive tread, the following cons were disappointing. Narrow outsole. The narrow footprint on the Chameleon 8 created a dangerous unstable experience when walking over uneven terrain. A large, tall toe box. There is way too much room in the front of the shoe. Not on the sides but top to bottom.

I want to like these shoes - they are so good looking. They aren’t super bulky looking like other Merrells, they are comfortable, but they are a high shoe and a total ankle turner. If you step on a rock wrong from the midsole back to the heel, the shoe will buckle your ankle. I almost twisted my ankle in these at least three times.

I've relied on Merrell Moabs for years for everyday wear, which means around the house and through the woods--usually 2-3 miles walking the dogs daily in the National Forest. This is not serious hiking--usually walking on fire roads or moderate pine forest terrain--but plenty of use. Moabs have done well although they tend to come apart long before the soles are well worn. So I thought I'd try something different. These Chameleon's initially felt loose, but snugging up the elastic cord resolved that. On the plus side: they are quite comfortable and the snug elastic cuff around the lower ankle keeps the volcanic cinders common to our area from getting into the shoe. And, I think they're a better looking shoe than the Moabs. Minuses, or at least ambivalent points: They are a pain to put on, requiring either extensive loosening of the elastic cord or finding a shoe spoon: the elastic cuff rolls under and into the shoe if you merely tug on the loop. Perhaps more importantly, stowing the elastic lace is something of an art. I loop the bitter end through one of the lower laces then thread it up and tuck the bitter end under the uppermost lace. But walking in brush will snag the lace and leave you with a dangling loop which is a significant risk. Obviously, that's not an issue when away from the brush, but Merrell might design better stowage options for the lace ends. And the release for the cord lock needs a larger, more ergonomic gripping point than the tiny nub on the current version. But overall, I'm pleased and if they wear well over time I may well make them my go-to for daily wear.

Very comfortable as soon as you put them on. Elastic laces too long. Real problem was that the soles are very susceptible to rolling. Just about twisted my ankle just trying them around the house.

I like Merrells in general, but this one is quirky. Seemed comfortable for a day or two, then all downhill. Pro: bungee laces make for relatively easy on/off Cons: not much lateral support, virtually no heel cushioning, annoying squeaks. Not really credible as a hiking shoe, more a general purpose, walking-around sneaker. If you are looking for quick on/off and comfort, the jungle moc is the better shoe, at a significantly better price.

The fit and size are spot on. This version of the Chameleon fits much like the early versions, which is awesome! These are wide enough and feel great. I have now purchased a 2nd pair from Zappos, as for whatever reason shoe manufacturers can't leave a great shoe alone. I hope Merrell keeps this shoe as is for another year or two...just adding colors. Chameleon 8 works great for me.

These are my favorite all around walking, hiking, chore shoes. This recent pair I bought in olive color came from Vietnam. They have a VERY pungent odor that does not go away. Usually I worry about sweat smell after a few weeks but this pair came pre-loaded with a strong odor that is embarrassing to be around other people, They will think you have dirty feet the moment you put these on. I haven’t noticed this problem with previous 3 pair that I’ve bought, but the OLIVE color from Vietnam has an unpleasant smell. I will try a different color when I buy again, but if this odor is present again, I’m done. Too bad because these are very comfortable shoes and the odor really detracts from my satisfaction.

I could not fit my foot in the shoe comfortably with my orthotic on s-p these did not work got my needs

I've been wearing Merrell Chameleons for years, but it seems the older versions were better. These new ones fit fine and look good, but they squeak when you walk. The older ones never did that. I tried baby powder under the inserts but this didn't stop the noise. Very annoying, and no it isn't the sole squeaking against the floor. The noise is from inside the shoe around the heel area. A $100+ pair of shoes should not be squeaking

I used to love Merrell Chamelon, I've owned two prior pairs, the previous which lasted me 8 years! So I was excited to get a new pair of my favorite shoes, until they arrived and I tried them on! I can't believe how uncomfortable they are! They are much narrower than before, especially the front of the shoe, it seems to taper in much narrower, and it very uncomfortable, not to mention literally UNSTABLE! Read the Most Helpful Critical Review, and you'll see exactly what I mean. Sadly I'm promptly returning these and I'm afraid I may never purchase another Merrell product. This is apparently how great companies die.

Nearly rolled my ankle just walking around the house!! Something about them was so rolly that, even tho the fit and arch support were great, they were completely unstable on flat dry ground. Kept trying them for nearly a year I wanted to keep them so bad for the fit/style…. but DO NOT BE FOOLED!

Warning some sarcasm! Comfort is WONDERFUL, feels like wearing snuggle house slippers! easy on/off comfort. Odd they put aggressive masterful mud bogging 4x4 off road treads on these house slippers. Truth; traction on these shoes is better then other similar brands (I like Keen too) but this is the best traction. The problem is; I don't like to trail hike uneven rocky slopes with all the warm support of my house slippers. These things are like wearing bags on my feet there is no ability to tighten the forefoot or draw that heal box in to prevent a rolled ankle. These things, if you haven't read through the sarcasm, do not provided any trail hiking support at all! But if you want the comfort of a slipper in your office work to give you the appearance of a trails man this is your shoe. I still really like Merrell, but, I'm tossing this junk pair of shoes in the back of my closet for the next year, so, it will be a while before I try a better pair. Pros: Comfortable, easy on/off, great looking, Con: NOT A TRAIL HIKING shoe, sloppy fit when needed on a trail head