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Review on 🏞️ Explore Uncharted Trails in Merrell Trail Chaser Hiking Shoe Boys' Sneakers by Will Ridpath

Revainrating 5 out of 5

My son's favorite shoes; He's wearing his third pair as he's outgrown the old ones

I'm reviewing them mainly because my son has owned three separate pairs in the last four or five years. These are my child's favorite shoes. While its recently replaced 1-year-old Merrell Trail Chasers have definitely worn out, they didn't break down in the way many reviewers experienced. I'm uploading photos of our second pair, replaced a year and 12 days after purchase and worn almost every day throughout the school year (except rain boot and sandal weather days). Merrell's quality control must be uneven or my son is surprisingly easy on his shoes compared to other kids. We're sending him to a school that prioritizes daily outdoor play (in New England), so his shoes will definitely get a healthy dose of wet weather, mud, and walking on grass, gravel and brick pavers, and the concrete and tarmac around the house. .I can say that my kids have occasionally worn out the velcro on *other* pairs of shoes from other brands. I don't think we take any special care or delicacy with Trail Chaser shoes. :) Ours held up as I would expect from a durable hiking shoe. Personally, I bought my first pair of Nordstrom Merrell Trail Chaser shoes after measuring my son's feet. Because he had outgrown them (but refused to wear others) I found them at Revain and bought his second pair in January 2019. In January 2020 I bought his third and current pair. Revain's listing has changed slightly from: Merrell Trail Chaser Hiker Shoe (Little Kid/Big Kid), Gunsmoke/Orange, 2.5M, USA Little Kid to: Merrell Kids' Unisex M-Trail Chaser Sneaker, Gunsmoke/Orange, 4.5M Big Kid Aside from what is probably just the product of a listing change, we had the same army green (gunsmoke) and orange color combination for all three pairs, and neither my son nor I can tell a visual difference between the old and discover the new couple. Based on photos from less satisfied consumers, it looks like most of them are showing alternative color combinations. Perhaps the Gunsmoke/Orange combo would be a better choice for those reading this with quality in mind? My child's passionate love for these shoes is the best review I can give. I have a hard time getting him to wear other casual shoes. He likes the speed of Velcro rather than old-fashioned laces. He likes that they are weatherproof so he can wear them even on rainy days. My son says his feet stay dry (unless he steps in a puddle so deep they fill with water from the top). For other parents whose kids love those Merrell Trail Chaser shoes, I can recommend this particular style of boots that might fit the same kid: Merrell Chameleon 7 Access Mid Waterproof Boot Big Kid 5 Black wear thick winter socks. My son was also happy with the boots but we only had them a few weeks ago. If you like the look of these shoes, I think it's worth trying them on, but be sure to buy from the seller. with a generous return policy if you receive a pair like those featured in other reviews. I will keep buying these until my son outgrows the largest size (or finally decides he likes something else!)

Pros
  • Shaft size about low from arch
Cons
  • Doubt