Hiking Shoe Review-Follow Up

Here is a look at my right Merrell Chameleon Ventilator Mid at the 4 month mark. So far, these are easily the best all-around shoes I have ever owned, and show no signs of breakdown anywhere.

I have worn them about 75% of the time, including for weight-training and heavy squat workouts, hiking and jogging on rocky trails and on the treadmill, casually out on the town, and in wet, cold, and hot conditions. The Gore Tex lining seems to keep my feet at the right temperature, and well ventilated, with no sweaty feet ever. If they weren't so pricey, I would buy a backup pair for someday. Being short and heavy, with wide feet, I am tough on shoes. These have held up well so far.

They're not as good-lookin' as the Keens I exchanged for them back in early October of 2009, but as that picture showed, the lower tongue had started to fray after a four hour hike in the Smoky Mountains, even though they were brand-new. Plus, the comfort and fit of the Merrells far exceed that of the Keen Voyageurs on my fat, and somewhat flat feet. Here's the buy-link: