Merrell Barefoot Tough Glove SKU: #7718405

Kevin

They're big. I ordered a full size down compared to my Nike size. The lacing system is great and very snug and secure midfoot. The large toe box is great and allows for a lot of movement. The sole is thin and very flexible and just like it should be for a barefoot shoe.

Anonymous

Nice style and material but they are too narrow and have too much arch support. I have no idea why a shoe that is supposed to mimic barefeet would be designed with such a high arch. It's unnatural and defeats the purpose of a barefoot shoe. It's a shame, otherwise they are really nice, thin, and flexible, but because of the poor fit I have to return them.

Brands I'd also recommend: VivoBarefoot,FiveFingers

Anonymous

from Delaware

I'm a woman who feels lucky to be able to cross over occasionally and trade my ladies' size 9 for a man's size 7. Love these shoes - bought the brown and then got the black. The foot is firmly set in the footbed due to the shaping and lacing; plenty of room for the toes to spread in a large toe box; very flexible and light to walk in. I was lucky I could wear a man's 7 with midweight socks, as Merrell does not make an equivalent shoe for women. I also have the Pace Glove (woman's) which I love to jog and walk in, but the mesh shoe is not warm enough for this cold spring weather unless one is actually running in them. These shoes are fantastic; they remind me of the very first "track shoes" which came out in the late '60s, early '70s.

Shaun

I normally wear size 10. Tough Glove was right on size, with loose toe box. Trail glove runs small, so order up one size. I ordered 10.5. Shoes are new, but I love the style, fit and workmanship! Much better for Valgus toe and hammer toe then five fingers.

Brands I'd also recommend: nothing compares

Anonymous

from Texas

Excellent shoe. If you are into minimalistic shoes and need something to wear to the office, these are it. They are casual dress and good for running as well.

Ken M

from Lansing, MI

I've had these shoes for about three weeks now and I couldn't be happier. They're supportive enough that it didn't take much adjustment to wearing them all day and the shoes are holding up quite well so far. If these were for running, I might have had to order one size smaller (which is a half size if you're less than a 13). Great shoes, great service!

Brands I'd also recommend: New Balance, Keen

Gary

from Tallahassee

An excellent shoe. It looks good enough to be worn with a casual suit and fits better than any shoe I have owned. The lacing is also very well thought out. I have a high instep and often find that the top of the shoe presses too hard on the top of my foot. One fix for most shoes is to relace the shoe to avoid crossing over the highest part of the instep and instead lace straight up the side for one or two holes. Unfortunately, this is where most shoes tie the tongue to the laces to hold it up. The Merrell shoes stitch fabric ties to the tongue (the grey lacing near the top). This means that I can lace normally until I get to the first grey loop, loop through to the second grey fabric loop without crossing, then lace normally afterwards. This means no pressure on the top of my foot, while securly holding the tongue to the laces. A well thought out solution providing the best fit I have ever had in a shoe. Sizing: It is accurate on European sizing, but I want one half size lower on US to get a perfect fit. Mine was 43 or US9.5. I would normally get 43 or US10. Merrell's sizing chart showed EU 43 with both US9.5 and US10.

Brian E

from Austin, Texas

This is a mixed review for the tough glove and true glove. They are pretty much the same shoe. I've worn the tough glove around my house on the carpet and I am going to return them, because of my experience with the true glove and because the tough glove has the additional problem of the toe box collapsing and pinching/crushing the base of the toe nail on my big toe. Size 15s were huge in the toe box, size 14s my longest toe scrapes the front. I ran in these on rocky wilderness trails and suffered a bad stone bruise on my left heel. It took a week to run again and three weeks to completely heal. I have heard that your feet will toughen up over time, but I have had trouble incorporating extremely minimal shoes (like these and FiveFingers) or barefoot walking/running into my routine because of injury and tight time-lines in my training. I have had luck with psuedo-minimal and no/low-drop shoes like Brooks Mach 12 spikeless and Saucony Kinvara (mostly on the track/roads but some on trails). I wanted the tough gloves to work so badly. I really want a brown leather casual shoe with no heel. The style is awful. They look like something your grandfather would wear. The upside is these shoes definitely work your leg muscles more. Just walking around I can feel that it takes more effort to get going. And I do think that strong feet and ankles are key to injury-free running. I just think that a balance board is a better tool than minimal shoes.

Brands I'd also recommend: Brooks Saucony Vibram

D M

from Michigan

Needs to be worn in for a good quality running shoe. Very malleable but still very comfortable for a multi-landscape shoe. I enjoy the sleekness as well as style..

Ed H

from Orange County, CA

While I generally prefer an even more minimal shoe like the Vibram FiveFingers, the Merrell Barefoot line has been fantastic. My boys have the Trail Gloves and I got a pair of the Tough Gloves. Great fit/finish, fantastic feel. These shoes are a bit more socially acceptable than the VFFs so I wear them to certain public events or social occasions. The style isn't totally normal looking but that is because they have a huge toe box that allows your toes freedom to splay as necessary when running or hiking on trails. Not obvious, but you can tell if you look. Will definitely keep Merrell in mind for future minimalist purchases.

Brands I'd also recommend: Vibram Five Fingers

Anonymous

I've only had the shoes for a day, but I wanted to speak to the sizing immediately. I'm a 13D shoe size. After reading the other reviews stating that these shoes were significantly oversized, I ordered a 12D, which was far too tight. Please be aware that the toebox on these shoes is intended to be very roomy, so that you can splay your toes and get more tactile feedback from the ground via your feet. What some people might be interpreting as an incorrect size might be a misinterpretation of the design intent. Ordering my usual size worked out perfectly for me. And, though I've had them just a short time, they're very comfortable and I've been looking for a barefoot shoe without the goofy colors that are usually forced on people with size 12+ feet. Purple, red, yellow and silver ... who wants these color combinations?

Leandro F

from NYC Metro

Best sneakers I have ever bought. The leather is supple and tough. It fits snug around the foot with a good lace up system. The toe box is wide and stretchy. Whether you want a natural toebox for running or you have wide toes like I do these are great. My feet are wide enough up in the toe box where they tend to overhang the sole of most shoes, that's painful usually, but these stretch, have no plastic bits to interfere...truly a glove like fit. So far I have done some running on concrete, on gravel trails, in muddy trails and through open forest and they performed admirably. I also played about 10 competitive soccer games on astro-turf and they gave great control. For soccer though, the top is soft so careful getting stepped on by studs. The only low point of the shoes, and it's minor and intended, is that the heel has zero absorption of shock. Your running form better be top notch or you will feel it. Heel landing is out of the question, but that's natural running and proper form so we can't fault the shoe. Adding some insoles would fix the problem. The black ones look good in shorts, in jeans and can even pass for fancier shoes for waiters etc. Awesome. I have the leather fivefingers by vibram and these trump them in comfort, running form, flexibility, lightness and good looks. Get them!

Brands I'd also recommend: Vibram Five Fingers. Toms Argentine alpargatas.

Crosby

from Seattle, Washington

This shoe rules. Barefoot freedom and good looks rolled into one. This is my go-to town and work shoe. Couldn't be happier.

Dave M

from Chicago,IL

Extremely soft leather and comfortable. No arch support but a very comfortable shoe.

Anonymous

from Duluth, MN

I am a relatively old guy whose days of running are mostly over due to arthritis of the toes and ankles. I bought these shoes for the purposes of exercising my foot musculature and for casual work shoes. The shoes are ballet slippers with soles. They fit true to size with an adequate toe box for my feet. I can walk on gravel and not be punished by the stones so there is sole protection. I am pleased but have concerns regarding how long they will last. They seem a bit delicate for the price.

Philip R

from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I've had black Tough Gloves for a couple months. I bought them for casual wear, work, and outdoor activities. I have also tried on the True Gloves. The biggest negatives I can think of for the Tough Gloves are the price and breathability. These would get too hot as a normal running shoe, but I have no problem walking around in them all day. The soles are a bit stiff at first, but the arch and ground-feel seem to be improving as time passes. The soles are protective though; I would feel comfortable running on trails without fear of sharp, jagged stones. More comfortable without socks, but they make my feet sweat with any significant physical activity. Upper leathers are good material and will likely mold more to the foot as they age. Overall, a very versatile shoe: if you desire something for regular active wear or hot weather, I would suggest the True or Trail Glove, due to them being lighter and likely more breathable. With the Tough Glove, you get a sleeker look which is more suitable for casual outings. The Merrell Barefoot line has done a good job either way. Also note the sizing: I preferred a tighter fit with these shoes and anticipated a little stretching/conforming to my foot, and went a half-size down, although I could have handled my normal size and just tied them tighter with the decent lacing system.

Brands I'd also recommend: Asics Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi

Michael K

from New York

I already owned the Trail Gloves, and was looking for a minimal shoe that I could get away with wearing to work, so I gave these a try. I'm very happy with them, they are super comfortable, and I'm on my feet most of the day. They also look great. I got the brown. I do walk back and forth to work most days, and I wouldn't say these are the best for walking on concrete, hence the 4 stars for comfort. I will usually wear something else to walk in, then change into these when I get to work. Like the Trail Gloves, I find these more comfortable with socks on.

Will G

from Winston, NC

Excellent barefoot "boot". Would have preferred to hike in Vibram Five Fingers, but I wanted to pair my shoes with Gore-Tex socks to keep dry during all the creek crossings. These fit the bill perfectly. The were light, yet absorbed trail damage from rocks and roots well. No problems with a 30 pound pack. No blisters. No break-in period. I didn't need to bring a pair of separate "camp shoes" for the end of the day. I strongly suggest fitting the shoe to your arch. The toe-box will feel a little large at first (almost like miniature clown shoes), but it is well worth it to have the barefoot toe spread on the trail.

Brands I'd also recommend: Vibram, Vivobarefoot