Customer Reviews Merrell Barefoot Life Zest Glove

I got these because I wanted a cute soft shoe for the city, but also liked that it had the reliable Vibram outsole. Unfortunately, there is nothing between your foot and the sidewalk except that outsole and a thin leather lining. Overall, shoes are super cute and functional, but walking around downtown Chicago and Madison for about 3 hours each day, my feet were definitely sore.

Cute classic flat, nice with skirts, jeans, and capris. The toebox was a touch cramped for me at first, but I gently stretched them overnight with some newspaper, and now they fit just fine. I give the style 4 stars because the elastic makes it hard to keep your heel in the cup, and with the height of the sole in the back, they can pucker and look a little weird. Otherwise, a nice little shoe for those of us who want a classic look for work or going out without ruining our feet.

The Good: I've never wore barefoot shoes before and this is the perfect introduction. I will definitely purchase more barefoot type shoes in the future. The Bad: The look of the shoes seems very Bohemian/crunchy granola type, which definitely isn't my style. The sizing was off based on color. I ordered two pair, one in black and one in tan. The tan feels size too big (but perfect with no show nylons), and the black feels size too small (wearing them without any socks to stretch). The Awesome: Even with the issue of sizing based on color, there shoes are by far the most comfortable pair of shoes that I currently own.

Cute and comfortable shoe! Like other reviewers, I did at first feel like my feet/toes were being pushed into the front of the shoe. However, the material is so stretchy that I found I could easily feel comfortable in them after wearing them for a few minutes (and periodically pushing my heel into the back of the shoe to help stretch them out). The leather is extremely soft and comfy. I was so happy to find these, since I had a hard time finding cute but work-appropriate flats that wouldn't be stiff and painful before breaking-in. I'd definitely recommend these if you're okay with the "barefoot" feel. I ordered my regular shoes-with-no-socks size.

I'm not a Merrell girl, they're usually just not "me". These, however, I fell in love with. They are so cute & mostly comfortable. They come up a little too high on the top of the foot & unfortunately hit a bone that is painful for me. Thus, they had to go back but I wish they hadn't, such a cute shoe!

Cute shoes, comfy for casual use. I wore them for an all day shopping trip, and by the end, my legs were a bit sore because there isn't much support, but my feet didn't hurt. I probably wouldn't bring them on a walking tour or anything extreme. But they are really cute. Wish they had them in chocolate brown!

This is a really cute shoe and exactly what I was searching for. The leather is very soft, the color is great (rucksack) and I love the cutout design. Unfortunately they're about a half size too small and I wear an 11 so I can't go up a size. I have narrow feet so I was pleased to find that they were narrower than I expected them to be. I probably won't wear them as often as I would if they were a little longer, but I'm keeping them.

I was really hoping these shoes would work out, but I ended up returning them. I usually wear a 9 or 8.5. I ordered the 8.5 in these and they were too big. The mid part of the shoe was also rubbing the inside and outside part of my foot. I don't have a really wide foot, pretty normal width, but I've never had a problem like that before in flats.

I ordered these after having worn other varieties of Merrell Barefoot shoes for some time now. I ordered these to have something feminine to wear with summer clothes when the weather warms, or something a little dressier than hikers. Let me start out by saying everything positive: the leather is nice and supple, they are quality made, and they ARE super cute looking, especially the cut out on the top. I ordered the tan color, and it was GORGEOUS. Unfortunately, these are shaped different than other barefoot shoes I have. The toe box tapers much sooner than the Wonder Glove, meaning the toes of my left feet were uncomfortably scrunched against the front. The right one felt OK, if not a little long. This is part in due to the way my feet are made, NOT the fault of the shoe. They are being returned because there is no way these will fit me comfortably.

Very cute shoe but more like a slipper. Ended up sending back because I needed something with a little support in (on my feet all day)I have a medium width foot and felt it was pretty true. I wear mostly 6.5-7 and I ordered a 6.5 because it seems merrell runs slightly larger.

These feel like wearing slippers! I usually wear a size 10 M but with my swollen pregnancy feet I was looking for a comfy shoe that would be suitable for work. These are super-comfy and going up 1/2 size fits great. But, I would not plan to walk around in these, as there is little/no arch support (that whole barefoot style). The color is as pictured, and the material is soft and supple. The cut-outs are a cute detail.

These shoes are comfortable but you have to get used to wearing them. The sole is thin so that you can feel the ground through them, and this takes some getting used to. You may want to order a half size smaller than your normal size. These should fit like a glove.

These shoes are small and dancer-like, which makes for a stream-lined, casual, no-fuss look. I am accustomed to my barefoot Merrell sneakers and thought these would be the same thing but more work appropriate, but the glove fit is just not as comfortable for me. They were tight in the beginning and I didn't love them enough to break them in so it took me awhile to wear them again after the first wear. I'm a teacher so I need solid shoes, but now I wear them only occasionally, which is kind of a bummer for shoes that were this price.

I have other Barefoot Life Zest Glove shoes in others styles, but in this style for some reason I found it quite narrow and it seemed about 1/2 a size too small with little support.

I've been in love with my Merrell Pace Gloves for almost 2 years now. I've been looking at a suitable pair of flats for almost as long. Finally I bought these. My first impression is that they're cute and the material is different than I expected (it reminds me of silicone). I tried them on, stood up, and instantly felt pinching in my toes. I almost never have that problem. When I compare them to my pace gloves, the toe box is a quarter to half-inch narrower and angled to form more of a pointed toe. Why, Merrell, why? I wanted the same thing as my pace gloves in a ballet flat. Sometimes I seriously wonder whether shoe designers ever try on their own creations. I do NOT have long toes and still I feel that my third and fourth toe and being pinched. If the toe box was normal, these would be perfect. I would also like to see the black shoes have a black sole instead of brown. I'm not sure yet if I will return these or keep them.

I love the style of this shoe, but sadly it just did not fit my foot correctly. When I first put them on I thought that they were too long but when I stood up to walk I quickly realized that my toes were hitting the front of the shoe. Weird fit for me. I am a size 10 med in all my Merrells and this is what I ordered this time as well. Next size up would be way too large. For those with the right fit - tan is gorgeous and would be a wonderful shoe for transitioning into fall.

Usually I love Merrells, have several pairs of them, all comfortable. These were not. They just did not work on my feet at all. From the appearance they looked as if they should be very soft and comfortable, but the way the toe box fit on my foot just wasn't quite right, harder than it looked and not shaped right. They would've been cute except that the shape around the toe box was obviously not well-fitted to the foot, just awkward looking. I returned these and went with a pair of Camper brand ballet flats instead, pricier but with a little more style and much more comfortable.

I was disappointed with the quality of these shoes. I love they style & they are comfortable, but the leather is very thin, which makes for great flexibility, but I only wore them for about 10 minutes around the house to see how they fit and they began to show wear and wrinkle at the toe. They are comfortable, but I'm worried they won't last very long.

I wanted to like these shoes. I truly did. Merrell's Barefoot Pace Glove are pretty much my favorite athletic shoes ever. While these offer good cushioning and support, I had the problem that several other reviewers had where my foot is sort of thrust forward in the shoe, leaving me with a lot of space in the heel and my toes jammed. This happened automatically when I walked in the shoe, and I'd have to pull my foot back every time I took a step (which is awkward and impractical). If I got a smaller size, they would be too short. Too bad, they had to go back!

I really wanted to love these, but I just didn't. The toe was more boxy looking than I like, and they just weren't as cute as they look in the picture. Just sort of meh...don't think they're worth the price.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with prior reviews about fit. The shoe is very cute and would be most useful but it does not fit well. I agree the your toes are pushed forward and so I tried inserting a foot petal to no avail and my foot was still pushed forward into the toe box. I must conclude this is not a sizing problem but more of a design flaw in the show itself since so many have the same complaint. Sadly, they are going to be returned.

I'm so sorry that these don't work for me. They are super cute and the leather is really soft. I usually wear a 10 and got a 10.5 just in case they were short. Guess what? They are too short, don't show signs that they will stretch I did what I've never done with Zappos before: threw the box away so can't exchange them! Too bad, because they are really nice shoes. Don't count on them stretching, though!

These are very cute, but aren't very cushioned, intentionally. I wear 10.5 and the size 10 was too small. I can often wear 10's in this brand but not this time. I think they are overpriced for what you get. The soft, almost suede-like leather also seems as if it would show scuffs easily.

Loved these shoes until I walked in them around the house. Despite running just a bit long, my toes kept moving forward into the front of the shoe with each step .These shoes probably don't have enough support for my flat feet.

Cute and dainty but didn't provide the support I expected of the barefoot line. I suppose I've been spoiled by the Paceglove which I love and it fully supports my feet and my back but this unfortunately did not measure up so I have to return them.