Bear Grylls Desert Island Episode
There is a lot of interest in the shoes and boots Bear Grylls wears on the Man vs. Wild, Born Survivor episodes. I’ll get right to it, the shoes Bear wears are Merrell Chameleon’s chosen for numerous excellent qualities.
The Merrell Chameleon provides Bear with several options he most requires during the rigorous activity and diverse landscapes he traverses. Bear speed hikes in order to cover a lot of ground fast. These shoes were built with this in mind and are not meant to be worn carrying more than 15-20 lbs. The shoes also provide good traction sporting a vibram sole and they have what Merrel refers to as an octogrip, giving better traction on rock and wet surfaces. They specialize in breathability and waterproofness, providing you don’t go for a swim in them, but if you do they dry quickly with their great ventilation. Bears shoes are also made like a moccasin for a close fit, not as easy to get sucked off in mud.
We often joked that Bear had springs in his legs and feet, maybe it was just the shoes! They are a great shoe and if you need to move fast over difficult and diverse terrain they would be a good addition to your closet. I don’t personally own a pair, but Mark does and he likes them so far. I have a pair of New Balance I’m particularly fond of, but they’re about worn out. I would try Chameleons if they made them in women’s sizes. “Hey Merrell, what’s up with that?” I do own several pair of Merrell hiking boots and moc’s and love them. Mark also sports some Merrell hikers with corks, but that’s a whole other story…..
I should probably tell you I’m not a spokesperson for Merrell, just a satisfied consumer and a person with first hand knowledge of Bear’s apparel. I draw the line at his underwear….so don’t ask.
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi. I love your article. I own a pair of Merrel Chameleons and the only reason I got them is because bear Grylls has them. And, of course, I hike. I can clearly see why Bear likes these boots. They are the most comfortable, yet most functional shoes around.
Hi, good article. My sis tells me she has Women’s Chameleons. Not sure where she got them but if you look around you might find some.
I bought some chameleons because the small local store knew what they were talking about. Bouldering, hiking, and being on my feet all day made me get another pair to just wear at work.
Does Bear wear one style in particular? Like Wrap? Wrap Stretch? Wrap Traveler?
Hi Brian,
Bear wears several different styles of Merral’s Chameleons. But we think he wears the wraps (Moccasin type ones with and with out the laces.) the most of all.
Thanks for your question.
wow answerd my questions ,thanks.now lets book bear for the next indy jones movie or a jungle version of oo7 he rccks.
See our favorite Merrel’s and more here at the Dune Dog Dispatch.
http://www.lifesongadventures.com/dunedogdispatch.htm
I bought a pair of Merrells a few years ago at a Thrift store and they are now falling apart. The ones Bear wears look very similar, but I cannot find a pair like these. I’ve look at the merrell website amd a few outlets in my area. Anyone know how I can match them ? If I knew the model I could order them online. I also blew out my Dexter boat shoes and the dexter outlet is gone (my luck) Anyone know if Dexter really went belly up? I am particular about the shoes I wear.
Mr. Jeff Trimmer,#1 Lets start off by saying Merrell shoes are top of the line. they do not sell to thrift stores. Unless you consider Track and Trail or Cabellas trift? #2 Any shoe “that you actually use” will be in need of replacement after a few years. That statement just makes you look like a tool. #3 the Merrell Chameleon Hex have only been avalible to the general public for a little over a year so i think you may have your dexter boat shoes mixed up with your nikes!!!!
The Merrell Chameleon shoes that Bear wears with the laces (not the stretch cord) are the slams. They are only sold in the UK, so we’re out of luck in the US. I think he does wear the Wrap models of the chameleons though which is readily available in the US.
Chris Green – Check out the Merrell Robotic’s A++ Merrel’s and more at track and trail.com
Hi, I have never bought shoes like this and I would like someone to tell me if they are a good buy, for a beginer rock climber?
Hi Nicole,
the Merrell Chameleon’s that your speaking about would be classified as very good approach shoe for rock climbing. Not the shoe you want for the technical aspect of climbing.
I have worn out two pair over the last two summers wearing them as light hikers. The tread of the Chameleon’s, at least the 2006-2007 models, the rubber was made soft for better traction on rock for hiking and bouldering.
So soft are the soles of the Merrell Chameleon’s that they wear out quickly with the type of active lifestyle I have. My last pair I purchased in April 2008 split right down the middle by August. The Chameleon’s a great weekend shoe and comfortable for folks who have wide feet like myself, but for the price there just not tough enough for the mountains I run in.
The 2009 models have a new harder sole, I bought a pair last month and have been wearing them almost everyday. The new model does well with moisture, but I have a heck of a time keeping the shoe strings tied! I don’t have much hope for the 2009 Chameleon’s, but I’ll reserve judgement until I wear this pair out.
We watch the Man vs. Wild episode filmed in Mongolio and saw Bear wearing a pair of Sportivas that were bright yellow and gray. I believe they were a low boot/shoe. We paused the show and clearly saw the brand name. He was climbing up a hill with a loose soil surface so not rock climbing. I already emailed sportive but didn’t find the shoe I saw. I’d like to get these for my husband for Christmas. Can anyone tell me what these shoes are? Happy Thanksgiving!
An update on the 2009 Merell Chameleon’s I purchased in September (2008), after wearing out my 2007-8 pair in record time.
I have to say that the Chameleon’s, for the type of shoe they are, are very comfortable especially for my wide feet, and have excellent performance on all type of terrain.
I sometimes forget that these lightweight hikers are not made to endure forever. So you will have to forgive my impatience with these light boots. I’m very hard on my footwear. I wear my new 2009 Chameleon’s every day, every where.
A bad habit I have is to lace the shoes loosely so I can slip my feet into them without having to tie the laces each time. So I have the tendency to mash the back of the shoe as I insert my foot. The back part is holding up amazingly well considering the abuse. I keep waiting for it to quit springing back. I’m a shoe sadist.
I wear them like slippers. When I get serious for a hike, I tighten the laces and off I go. Our camp locations consist of some very coarse geology so with the soft rubber they tend to wear out relatively quick.
My apprentice Todd, last summer went through his pair of Chameleon’s way to fast. So I hope he exchanged his old pair for a new one. Sometimes you get a pair of lemons.
So after 4 months of continues wear, I’m impressed with the 2009 model Chameleon’s. I think the rubber of the soles are a little bit harder then the later models, correct me if I’m wrong, but I have grown to really appreciate these shoes.
For all of my complaints about Merrel’s, I’m still wearing them.
I think they last longer if you give them a good scrub now and then when dirty.
Ive owned the same pair for 2 years now and through all the hell ive put them through, i.e. skydiving, outdoors paintball, kyaking, hiking, and just getting myself lost they havnt failed me yet. so if you need a shoe that can take anything thrown at it than the chameleon is the shoe for you.
What specific shoes does Bear wear on the pacific island episode? I’m going backpacking for month around Hawaii, not sure what I should get! Thanks!
If I remember correctly Ryan, Bear wore the Merell Chameleon’s. If your going with a light pack 20 – 25 lbs, the Chameleons should be okay. With a pack weight of 25lbs and over, you will want a heavier boot with better ankle support, and an aggresive high traction vibram sole. The Chameleons are great, but there a light hiker, good for scrambling on dry rock, not the best for serious backpacking. Merell makes heavier boots. Have fun!
Wow! Thanks for the excellent response time! Sorry to bug you one more time, but what would you recommend then for heavier treks? I need something that’ll be good for mud and water but also walking on pavement. I’d prefer something that breaths seeing as I’ll be wearing them for a month strait in Hawaii! Thanks so much!!
Hey Ryan,
Merrell makes a variety of footwear thats worth looking onto. If you have a REI store near you they generally stock Merells. Depending on your foot type, you might look into Danner boots for your trip, they are a quality company. Vasque boots as well. Have a great adventure. Aloha
I own a pair of the ‘Bear Grylls survivor shoes’, that he designed himself.
http://www.craghoppers.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_13552_-1_33253_96252_11051_25291
It arrived at my house about an hour ago. I didn’t walk a lot yet, but they already feel comfortable. He sometimes wears theses on the new episodes of Man vs Wild. They felt a bit tight at first, but now they’re totally comfortable. I’m gonna do a lot of hiking with these ones.
Thanks for your comment on Bears survival shoes Steve. I have looked at the link in your above post but have not been able to locate them on Craghoppers web site.
Also thanks for the heads up, I know lots of folks will be interested in learning more about Bears survival shoes you have purchased. Let us know how you like them.
Merrell’s RULE. I have the Chameleon II Stretch, it is the ONLY shoe I buy. After I heard about the Chameleon III I bought the last 15 pairs of Chameleon II’s in my size at an outlet. I’m set!
Thanks for your comment Jim. 15 pairs should keep your feet happy for a while.
Hey, I really think that Bear wears Scarpa boots… I could be wrong but id really dont know….
I just watched the Pacific Island Episode and they aren’t chameleons. They are high topped and have a large red V on the sole. What are these shoes?
Hey Tim, on the “Desert Island” episode, Bear wore Chameleons, don’t know what he wore on the Pacific Island episode. Someone on this post will help you with your question, If your nice.
I have the same question as Tim. The boots Bear wore on the newest episode, Pacific Island? I have searched the far ends of the internet for boots with a red v on the bottom sole but have come up empty. The boots look super comfortable but maybe not the most durable. At the end of the episode you can see Bear’s toe popped through the boot. I doubt that I will put them through the same hell that Bear did.
I think Bear is wearing the Terra Plana Kariba black this season. See here
http://www.terraplana.com/kariba-p-1037.html?colour=143
Steve,
Spot on! Those are definitely the boots he’s been wearing this season, many thanks!
I already own 3 pairs of Merrell’s and I love them. One of the few shoes that are so comfortable, you can wear them right out of the box, be on your feet all day and not have a bit of discomfort.
I ordered a pair of the women’s arc chameleon gtx; can’t wait to get them and try them out.
I ordered Merrell Arc Chameleon’s GTX in a half size larger than what I normally take. Most of the reviews of these shoes recommend getting a larger size, except that they were too big and I wanted a more snug feel. So returned them and was able to finally get my size in the color I wanted – pewter/black.
I can say that they are a bit heavier and stiffer than I expected, but they feel comfortable without rubbing or chaffing. I imagine that after breaking them in awhile, they will get even more comfortable.
You guys are very helpful in finding the shoes he’s wearing. But I’m wondering what backpack he’s using. I looks like his bear logo from Craghoppers, but they don’t sell the backpack, or anything like it.
Thanks Nickolas,
we are so busy with our wilderness work we don’t often have the opportunity to watch the Man vs Wild episodes. I’m sure some helpful people on this forum will help you out with the backpack. he has in the past often used a North Face pack.
Cheers!
Nickolas,
He wears his own brand of backpack called the Bear Pac 25+ or the larger cousin Bear Pac 35+
These pacs are made in the UK and are NOT shipped to the USA.
I have only seen pictures and info one these backpacks at this outdoor Bear Grylls website:
http://outdoorsurvivalclothes.com/p_31803/Product_Archive.html
Hope that helps.
-J
What brand/type of boots was Bear wearing in the most recent Africa episode? They looked like desert boots with a black toe. Almost like duck boots.
Wondering the same thing as Tom, in a few episodes this year Bear has been wearing a boot or shoe that looks like a modified duck boot, it appears to have a rubber wrapped forefoot with ridges down the top of the boot/shoe. The look is similar to this link (however the ones Bear is wearing appear far more technical)
http://www.anotherfaceinthecrowd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/visvim2.jpg
Mike, I went to the man vs wild website & played the video where he was setting up his bed in the tree. He was wearing shoes that had the Terra Plana Vivo sole, but terra plana does not have them on their website. It looked like they were the Kariba boot, but with a modified toe. Terra Plana shoes & boots cost a small fortune. I wonder if they hold up as nicely as my Merrell’s.
He is now wearing the Terra Plana Natal boots – google it. I don’t think you can purchase them anywhere right now.