When I go walking I’m looking for footwear that gives me support without rubbing, doesn’t feel as though I’m dragging concrete blocks around on my feet and puts a bit of a spring in my step (well why not?)
Merrell’s latest walking boots are very much a step in the right direction. And especially as Merrell continues its relationship with leading charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer encouraging people to get outside and get active.
Breast cancer affects a staggering 1 in 9 women in the UK, however, research suggests that a healthy, active lifestyle can help prevent the onset of cancer. An integrated campaign by Merrell will not only help drive awareness of the disease, but also help to raise a minimum of £20,000 for the charity.
Launching in September, Merrell offers four selected pink-styled footwear from the women’s performance range. 10% of the retail price from all pink-styled products sold in conjunction with the partnership will be donated directly to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
The full Breakthrough range features Merrell’s unique QForm® comfort midsole which provides stride-sequenced cushioning, specifically for women. The popular Chameleon Arc 2 Rival GTX hiking boot features a waterproof leather upper whilst those looking for more lightweight walking footwear might consider the Siren Vent Mid GTX, which features a breathable mesh upper and boasts a Vibram® sole like the Chameleon.
The Chameleon was put through its paces on a very wet, misty Bennachie, with very little wearing in. On the uphill it provided good ankle support on a rough track and grip on slippy climbs over stone. Downhill I hadn’t judged the sock width or tightness of the fastening and ended up with blisters on the tops of my toes but was spared my usual problem of blistered heels and soles.
My feet were warm and dry for most of the day but did become damp later on – I would have expected gore-tex performance to be better than that and indeed, the website reviews suggest that this is a bit of an issue. All in all, I was very impressed by the boots (not sure about the pink but hey!) which have come a long way since I took to the hills. I particularly like the lighter weight of these technical boots and if they don’t exactly have springs, the cushioned sole makes for a very comfortable experience. Another big plus is that half sizes are available.
Merrell’s partnership with Breakthrough Breast Cancer has to be commended. The whole Breakthrough range features unique pink flash colouring and can be purchased from www.merrell.com/uk Just look for the Breakthrough logo.
