Customer Reviews Merrell Trail Glove 5

I was looking for light-weight hiking shoe with traction to walk through waterfalls effortlessly. I purchased the Woman's Trail Glove 5 in gray in hopes that they would be what I was looking for. After reading the reviews, I knew to order a 1/2 size smaller. My problem was figuring out whether to order a half size smaller than my everyday shoes (9) or a half size from my other Merrell hiking shoes (8 1/2). I took a gamble and ordered an 8 thinking that since this was a barefoot shoe that I would want my shoe fitting me like a glove and not loose. However, I was wrong. My toes hit up against the end. I have hiked in them several times and I have yet to have any issues with them. I just wished I had ordered an 8 1/2 to give my toes a little room. The other problems I have with these shoes are that I have to take my shoes off and empty out the dirt after going through a waterfall. There also isn't as much traction on them as I was hoping. I still have to take my time on mossy rocks and slippery trails as I do with any other shoe. The gray color was also darker than the picture. The things I do love about them are how light weight they are and they provide enough durability on the bottom that my foot feels protected.

I love the color of the shoes and they fit well - however for my sensitive feet - they do not give me enough support for longer walks/jogs. The tread is gripping, but I feel the lumps and bumps of the road beneath me. Perhaps this style of shoe is not sufficient for longer treks for me -but ok for grocery getting.

Yet another model with a very stiff hard toe cap, pressing down on my toe. Owie! Returned this guy too

Well I love these shoes but I wore them on the trail two days in a row and my feet were so sore I haven't wore them cents I'm not sure if there's enough arch support. So I love the feel of them on my foot I love not wearing socks but they're not great on the trail they do really hurt my feet after walking

I really love this shoe - it's very comfortable and light. Unfortunately the soles are already very worn after wearing them for only 3 months. I've walked approx. 480 miles in these shoes, but my last pair lasted so much longer. It's a pretty expensive shoe if I have to replace it every three months. I wonder what changed?

I listened to other reviews and purchased my actual size. I was a bit disappointed to see the shoes ran small as well. For some reason Merrell shoes run small to me (any other brand I can obtain my true size). However, I do think Merrell shoes are THE MOST COMFORTABLE SHOES IVE EVER WORN, but they run small. I sent them back for half size up. I will let you know when I receive the next pair.

I LOVE my Trail Glove 4 shoes! I live in them. I wear a pair to work every day, and I wear another pair for my outdoor activities. So yes, I basically do live in them. They are rugged enough to withstand hiking and trail running, but comfortable enough to use for simply walking the dogs. They fit like a glove and allow my feet to move without feeling restricted. I cannot say that about the Trail Glove 5 unfortunately. The arch support in this shoe is so hard that if feels unnatural and not barefoot at all. It actually hurts my foot even after 5 minutes of wear. I'm really disappointed in the changes to this shoe.

First, I would like to say that this version looks great and there are definite improvements over the 4s. The mesh looks like it will hold up to trails better. The lining and tongue are very smooth and comfortable, even barefoot. The Vibram soles grip well, as always. But - I am so disappointed with the addition of the arch support. I have been wearing Merrell barefoot shoes for years and have never had a pair that don't feel great. These hurt. They do not have the barefoot comfort that I am used to with Merrell. (I am back to buying used Pace Gloves anywhere I can find them. I am willing to pay new shoe prices if you have any laying around)

This shoe is beautiful looking. I gave it 3 stars based on looks alone. Loved the color and the overall look. However, I initially ordered the size 8, based on some reviews stating they run big. I am, 99% of the time an 8.5. When I tried them on they were too small. So I figured, I should have stuck with my normal size, so I exchanged/returned them for the 8.5. Well, I got those today and they are too big!! Too big by a lot! So, I'm not sure what's going on with the sizing. I have a few different Merrell hiking shoes that are 8.5 and they fit fine. Returning them this time for my money back. Sadly because they are shape looking!

I've got the vapor glove 2's and LOVE them; I was looking for something similar but with a sturdier footbed. (I'm not a runner, but like a barefoot feel) The shape of the shoes was good, plenty of room in the toe box, but the footbed didn't make my feet happy. Style, too, looked a little more "plastic" when I saw them in person. Ended up with the Trail Glove 4's...

The shoe fits great and is comfortable. I thought I was going to be very happy with this shoe,I needed a replacement for my old merrells. I was very disappointed, I recently started wearing them and have slipped 4 times. There is very minimal traction. I would not recommend or purchase this shoe again unless they add grip.

The shoe is comfy but does not have much support. I think it would not be good on rocky trails. But the upside is it's a good travel shoe, very lightweight and doesn't take too much suitcase space. And it's attractive.

Although the foot bed of the Trail Glove 5 is comfortable, there seems to be too much material encompassing the foot. I have a narrow foot and the medium width is so wide and the laces are so long. When I tighten up the shoe to fit my foot the material bunches up bends awkwardly on the top of my foot when I walk and it rubs along the 5th toe. I started with a size 9 which was huge, sent it back for the 8.5 and that is the problem I am having.

they are to big

After reading reviews, I decided to purchase these for work. I have an incredibly high arch and I'm standing and walking all day so these sound perfect. NOPE. I ordered my usual size, they fit perfectly. The arch support was great, initially. After wearing them for 2 days at work, I had incredible pain in my heel and the balls of my feet. I purchased insoles for them, nothing. I'm laying here icing my body because my entire lower body is discombobulated from these dang shoes!! Maybe I went wrong since I'm not using these for running but lordy, did I go way off.

I have been wearing Merrell Barefoot shoes for many years. I chose them specifically because they addressed my desire for a foot covering that would keep my skin from harm while allowing my feet to meet the ground naturally. I have now worn out my latest pair of Trail Glove 4 shoes (after two years of hard use) and was excited to get a new pair of Trail Gloves for my daily trail habit. I have preferred Trail Gloves to Vapour Gloves because of the extra grip on the soles for protecting my feet from concrete and scrambling on dirt and gravel. I have never liked wearing Five Fingers, because the toe spaces don't fit my toes, too long, too short, but in Merrell Barefoots, I don't ave to worry about toe space, because the toes box leaves my toes free to take the space they need, while giving me a protective layer between me and the pavement. I was however sincerely disappointed when I tried on the Trail Glove 5s. While I was happy to note that the toe box was accommodating to my wide forefoot, which is often very difficult to fit, I found the higher, stiffer arch to be a huge departure from the mission of Barefoot shoes. If I wanted things like arch support, I would go to another company. Those things are offered in abundance by all the other show companies who pretend to be offering barefoot options. I turned to Merrell because your shoes were NOT just like others. I have very high arches, and I just want a shoe that lets my arches do their job. Since I have been wearing Merrell Barefoot shoes, my feet are the healthiest and least painful they have been in my adult life, because the shoes up till now have allowed my feet to provide their own muscle and ligament support. Breaking the arch by putting in a stiff form that also prevents ground feel ruins the concept and I feel sure will lead to more potential for injury as I no longer would have a sense of the instability of the ground due to the stiff inflexible sole. I did not buy the new Trail Glove 5 shoes, and now I am at a loss as to what I will replace my Trail Glove 4s with, which have worn soles and holes in the top. I'm trying to source a pair of older unused Trail Glove 4s. Difficult as my size is so common. Terribly sad.