Product

Merrell Chameleon Evo Mid Gore-Tex Boots

Promise

A super light mid boot that provides all the technical features you need

Performance

Merrell is renowned for its technical trainers, so the opportunity to try the new Chameleon Evo Mid Boot was not to be missed. It certainly looks the part,, and with a long list of high tech construction it feels the part too.

Gore-Tex gasket construction with Gore-Tex fabric lining and waterproof Nubuck leather keep your feet perfectly dry. Sweaty trotters are no match for the familiar-looking Aegis Antimocrobial Air Mesh ovals with their superb breathability.

Even with injection-molded TPU counter reinforcement and instep stability, each boot weighs in at just 576g for a UK11 – giving meaning to the Vibram Chameleon Speed Hiker sole with TC5+ rubber.

The boot offers plenty of support and protection with a rubber rand, toe bumper, anatomical Ortholite footbed and molded arch – though the laces that hold all this support in place have a tendency to slip themselves undone if you’re not brutal with your knots.

Verdict

For all the Chameleon’s high tech spec, the soles a curiously slippery on wet rock despite their aggressive appearance. The 5mm lug pattern is highly detailed, contoured, and bite brilliantly on rough, mossy or dirt terrain, but met with wet granite and an incline the rubber just doesn’t feel sticky. The excessive contouring seems to add to the treads tendency to get gummed up with mud and grit, the many fine rivulets in all directions taking the terrain with it at times.

Suitable for speeding around the rolling countryside, they are light and comfortable rambling boots, just not entirely trustworthy on more adventurous outings – depending on the landscape. A good price and spec for anyone needing something more than a trainer and lighter than a full mountaineering boot.