Customer Reviews Merrell Deleted

This shoe has a serious flaw. The first time I ran in the shoe (barefoot) the shoe abraded the skin on my Achilles tendon. The second time I wore socks to see if socks would solve the problem but it turns out I had to stop after five minutes because the pain was too much. I walked back home and found the back of my sock stained with blood. The shoe comfort itself is great and that's why I bought it, but as it turned out, the comfort level has no meaning if you're not able to use it.

I was not impressed with this shoe for the cost. For a "running shoe" all I have received is blisters on the top of my big toe knuckle. I read a few reviews of others having this issue and resolving it by removing some material from the underside of the laces, but I have not been able to find any excess material to remove. This shoe wears best without a sock, as the sizing gets goofy when putting a sock on a shoe that is not intended for one. I will not purchase this shoe again. I run on the beach and on sadly Florida trails, so all the sand particles build up inside the shoe in the toes and on the tops of your feet, causing the blisters.

These are the first pair of barefoot style shoes I've owned. I was a bit reluctant to try them but they are great. Per the reviews I gave myself a few days to adjust to them and I love them for every day wear as well as for treadmill running. I haven't taken them off road yet.

These shoes are great. I'm about to buy my second pair. The first pair has lasted me a good while...I bought them soon after they were first introduced. I use them mostly for casual wear and sometimes for trail running or hiking. I prefer running in five fingers because they conform to and move with my toes, as opposed to just having enough room in the toe box for my toes to move around. However, five fingers can end up hurting my toes when I run in them in wet conditions on hilly trails...after awhile, I find that, on the downhills, my feet slide toward the front and my toes get jammed into the front of the toe pockets with every step. So for this type of condition, I use these with very thin socks. That solves the problem. I have also hiked in them a few times when the trail was really rocky. These have slightly more cushion than the five fingers and much more protection against a stubbed toe. I prefer to wear these in a casual setting, as they draw fewer stares than the five fingers. The ability to wear socks with them is a big plus for me--on backpacking trips, I can keep my feet warm in camp. All that said, these are very minimalist shoes that offer very little support. They don't put much between you and the elements. It's enough of a sole to protect your feet from hard ground, sharp rocks, glass, etc, but that's about it. The upper is light and breathable. It readily lets air and water in and out. Someone in a previous review mentioned sand being a problem. I haven't experienced this (I run barefooted at the beach), but I'm sure they would let it in. Seems like you could probably just hose them out if it was a problem. As I said, these are great shoes. Looking forward to my new pair.

Great shoes, I bought a pair for myself and my fiance and we both like them. I had to send mine back and get one size larger so I would have enough room for my toes to spread out. They are comfortable, and stylish enough to wear anytime. They do get a bit warm if you're walking or running on hot asphalt, but are well ventilated as long as there is a breeze.

Excellent. The wide toe box (even though I have narrow feet) and minimalistic design make these shoes great for running or walking. I went on a four-hour hike/run in these shoes across all sorts of terrain and I had no pain or blisters afterward -- unlike any other shoe I've ever worn. They are durable, comfortable, and fast-drying. There are also the benefits of "barefoot" running as well, which has been well documented. I wear a Men's size 11 and ordered a Men's size 11. They fit perfectly. If you've never worn a shoe like this, you'll probably think they feel big in the toe area at first, but that's actually by design -- the toe box is designed so your toes can have a bit more freedom to work. Once you wear the shoes for a while, you'll start to appreciate the space.

I got these shoes for my partner. We are going on a trip and want maximum function for minimum baggage. These shoes, like the Pace Glove which I got for myself, are great running shoes as well as water shoes. These, and a pair of flip-flops, will be our only shoes for a month in the South Pacific. They are light weight, comfortable, fast drying and look presentably casual! Definite winners!

I use this shoe for Crossfit and it's working out pretty good so far. The concept is to use these in bare feet, but I wear thin no-show socks anyway. Keep in mind these are super-light shoes

These shoes are great! These are my 2nd pair of Merrell's. My first pair has more of a flat sole, which I like for crossfit, but these I prefer for daily walking, hiking/trail running.

I love these shoes. They are really comfortable for running and they look really nice. They make my feet look really small, but I think that is just part of the minimalist look. These somehow became my lifting/gym shoes because of they conform well to feet and floor. But I wish these were my going out shoes, because they look that nice.

This shoe is awesome! Best trail shoe I have tried. It is a minimal shoe so it offers minimal, but adequate protection from large sharp rocks.

While I had previously owned a pair of Trail Glove shoes, at that time Merrell only produced them in Medium width. I liked them, but really needed a wider shoe and was happy to see wides now offered. The extra width made these shoes more comfortable in both the arch and toe box. If you are in the market for "barefoot style" shoes, these are worth your consideration.

After trying 4 other shoes, I've finally found the perfect barefoot shoe for hiking and mountain climbing (in fair weather). This is it! They're not overbuilt like a hiking boot. Many of the barefoot shoes I tried, including "trail runners," were made of really flimsy mesh barely thicker than a panty hose! Good luck scraping that against a rock or root! In fact one of the shoes I tried before these did break! The Trail Glove has a thicker mesh, more akin to what you usually see on sneakers, which I'm very comfortable taking up a mountain. They also have nice touch rubberized bumpers on the toe box, like a hiking boot. The soles are thin and flexible, giving excellent ground feel. The soles are also extremely grippy on stone and pavement, even when wet. Previously, I'd tried an approach-style shoe that was allegedly made with rock climbing rubber. These actually have far superior grip! Although Merrell's barefoot line runs wide anyway, I'd strongly suggest the W if you have wide feet. It adds a lot of extra comfort. Your feet will thank you! Overall, awesome shoes, A+! It'd be nice if they were waterproof, but I probably wouldn't be able to afford them if they were...

I have flat feet, and these types of barefoot shoes are perfect for me. These are normal looking enough to wear anywhere. While they don't have the toe freedom of Fivefingers, they do allow for good movement of the whole foot, and they don't attract the attention of the Vibrams...

I bought my first pair of trail gloves about a year and a half ago. The feel of the ground beneath my feet was intoxicating. I couldn't stop walking. This past September I hiked the northern half of Vermont's Long Trail in them, packing about 25-30 pounds. I was the only one who didn't break down. My feet and ankles are thicker and much stronger. Taking it slow with training is usually a good idea and that is true with these shoes too - you will be using different muscles and you will have to build them slowly to avoid injury. Love these shoes!

Awesome shoe. Bought these for my husband and he can't say enough about how well they fit and how comfortable they are!

Feels great, well made, vibram sole, use every day - got them as a substitute for my fivefingers in the winter. Wear with socks, also use for indoor soccer, ordered the wider fit and they fit my flat wide feet. Going to get a second pair.

I bought these a few months back as my outdoor running shoes. I own true gloves as well and and road gloves for my indoor activities. Like the road and true gloves these are a great 0 drop shoe. very roomy toe box, minimal cushioning, and the ever present vibram sole. So far i have put over 300 miles on them on the trails. The have survived countless hours of wear and tear and the rigors of the off road adventures that they are built for. The construction is top notch and durability has been great thus far. Unlike the true glove these took no breaking in to feel perfect. If you're looking for a barefoot shoe designed for trail running or like me, toughmudder/warrior dash type activities, then look no further, these are what you want.

The lightest shoe I have ever worn. They look great and feel great. Running is a breeze and all the air flowing through the shoe is a comfort.

Great shoe. I'm really impressed with the arch support. The ground feel is amazing too. I actually bought these to dead lift in, but have taken them on a few runs. Build up slowly on the runs or your calves will be sore for a week.

These are my absolute favorite shoes. I bought them about two years ago when I first started trail running, and they're still going strong after about 5-10 miles per week. If I'm stuck with mostly pavement, I switch to the Merrell Barefoot Road Glove. I also use Injinji toe socks to heighten the barefoot feeling. When the shoes get too dirty, I hand-wash them with dish soap in the sink, with maybe a little splash of bleach. These shoes give a feeling of being barefoot, with just enough protection to prevent sole bruises. Running became so much more fun when I started wearing these shoes! (If you're just starting minimalist running, be careful: count on running no more than a mile at a time for at least a month to strengthen your calves. With the added sensory feedback from your toes, your running style should automatically adjust to be less bouncy and more fluid. Also, these rubber soles can be slippery, so be careful on wet rocks and leaves.)

This seems like a great shoe. However, make sure before buying that it fits you exactly with no excess room at the toes and does not rub your heels when you walk in them. If they do, send them back and get the right size! I unfortunately had to return them after only 3 runs. Right when I started running I noticed a rubbing on my upper heel, at the upper lip of the shoe in the back. I hoped it would go away but only just ended up making both my heels bleed (a lot) after only a few miles until it was too painful to even walk in them. I tried running with and without socks, but it made no difference. I highly recommend returning the shoes immediately if there is more than a couple millimeters of space between the end of your toes and the front of the shoe. Mine had only a centimeter of space and I think that caused the back to angle inward and cause the rub. I've heard that the Trail Flux fixes this problem. I can't complain too much though because Merrell has great customer support and agreed to set up an exchange without hassle.

Love these shoes, very comfortable. Can't run any more but they're great for walking in. Be aware that it is like waling barefoot.

I was a runner most of my life but got out of it about 15 years ago. I wanted to try the barefoot trail with trepidation. I love them! In fact I bought a second pair and wear them everywhere not just for running.