Customer Reviews Merrell Trail Glove 5

These were my 4th pair of Merrell sneakers and I'm so disappointed. When I bought my first pair and wore them for one week, it changed my life. My feet didn't hurt anymore. These are nothing like the first 3 pairs. The size is smaller than before and the toe is not as wide. I also loved the sliding laces which I see you don't carry anymore. Please bring the originals back!

I've loved Merrell's barefoot shoes for years now including the Trail gloves 3 and 4. I work in a hospital and wear the Vapor Glove and Trail gloves daily for work as well as road running. I've liked each successive version less than the one before this and I am super disappointed with the TG5. First of all, I would never consider this a "barefoot" shoe. The sole feels very rigid and there is very limited ground feet. It feels worlds different from the Vapor Glove or my Vivobarefoot shoes and I have a hard time putting them in the same category. At 8oz, it is on the more lightweight side and I'm supportive of brands continuing to offer zero drop with minimal cushion as those are harder and harder to find (hence 2 stars, not one). The arch support feels much higher and intrusive than TG4 and TG3 which I'm pretty bummed about too. I really hope that Merrell continues to put out both the VG and TG lines but I hope they look back to their original designs for inspiration.

Want to love the shoe but I ordered a 1/2 size smaller because Merrell advertised it runs 1/2 size bigger and after one wear, I can't wear them without major discomfort to my big toes. BUMMER. order your normal size!

Very uncomfortable. My back hurt quickly. No arch support. My feet and ankles turned inward. Returned the same day they arrived. Worst Merrells I ever tried and I own 10 pair.

The reviews were so great and I was looking forward to trying this as a barefoot shoe hybrid since it has a little more structure than the glove 3 which I LOVE. Sized down as recommended. Would fit if I never had to walk anywhere... as soon as I started, walking my toe was jammed up against the front. Returned.

I brought the goldfish and its pretty color. I was excited to use these to work out at home but the clear side stripes pinch middle edge of my feet. I tried breaking them in over the past 2 weeks and have now resorted to wearing tape on the middle edge of my feet. What I don't understand is why does it hurt? I thought Merrill stabilizes my feet so why does it hurt? I having two pairs of hiking boots and both didn't require any breaking time and they were good to go right out of the box. Disappointed.

I was really disappointed with this shoe. I have had several pairs of merrell barefoot shoes and this one does not feel like a barefoot shoe at all. The arch support was way too much. I really enjoyed the color and style and did not return them initially because I was hoping that after some wear I would grow to like the footbed but I did not. I got the 3D verision of this shoe and I really liked the sock like material.Also they run about a size big, I only ordered down a half size and it was not enough.

My previous Trail Gloves are on their last legs after hundreds of miles of trail running bliss. I wanted more Trail Gloves because barefoot perfection, but was very sad to find such a strong inner arch support on this model. That seems to go against minimalist running, and after a quick lap around the store, I knew these would never do. Very sad that I couldn't find a Merrell replacement for these beautiful old Trail Gloves. Now I wish I had bought two or three pairs!

I put over 2000 km on my Trail Glove 4 and they are still useable. The Trail Glove 4 tongue was an integral part of the shoe, wrapping around the foot, the only seam is on the outside of the foot. In contrast the Trail Glove 5 has a separate tongue with seams all the way around the tongue. On my Trail Glove 5's the fronts are puckered due to irregular stitching of the tongue.The 5's have a lot more seams and loose threads, and in general I find them less comfortable on a bare foot due to the extra stitching and the seam across the top of the foot just behind the toes from the tongue design. I also wonder about the quality of the stitching as they have numerous loose threads. Finally I dropped from size 8 in the Trail Glove 4 to size 7.5 in the Trail Glove 5 and they still feel larger than the 4's. Overall I am not happy with the changes. The Trail Glove 4 was a better design in my opinion.

I purchased these shoes three months ago and wear them to work (nursing) and walking around my neighborhood. They get medium use. The fabric is already starting to come apart where the fabric bunches between the coating/design near inner side of the ball of the foot. I used to wear the pace glove and those would hold up over a year with the amount of use I put them through. Super disappointed in the quality of this product. I can't recommend anyone buy these.

Merrell's Trail Glove has been my go-to shoe for the past 5 years. If you loved the fit/feel of the Trail Glove 4, the Gen 5 will probably not work for you. Sole is dramatically more stiff and the toe box is narrow. There is a "bump" in the arch area too, which unless you have high arches (like me) may not be comfortable. If you're looking for a great barefoot shoe, check out the Vapor Glove, they run a bit small but the fit is fabulous :)

Loved the Trail Glove 4 Shield for wet outdoor running & the Trail Glove 4 Knit in the gym or for just everyday wear. Purchased two pairs of the Knit and 3 pairs of the Shield. So when I saw the Trail Glove 5 I thought it would be a newer version of 4. Not so!!! Trail Glove 5 shoe breaks too stiff and hard at the toe box, has a less of a gripping tread on the sole than 4 , it tends to be more slippery on wet. Feels less responsive than 4 and feels like it needs breakin time unlike 4 right out of the box was ready to go . Trail Glove 4 Shield I have run a 1/2 marathons in with no soreness or complaints. On both trail and streets Bring back Trail Glove 4's. Newer isnt always better.

The description of the product noted that it runs large. This is VERY true. I had to return this shoe due to sizing. Quality seemed nice; just need size down.

This is a nice comfortable shoe, that could be used as a trail runner (if you like stiff shoes) or a light hiker. The fit is generally good by conventional standards, with a relatively wide toe box. However, I was extremely disappointed to find that it is NOT a barefoot shoe in any sense except having zero drop. I was hoping for something styled like the Vapor Glove 4 (one of the best shoes I've ever purchased) but with a thicker, more impenetrable sole. Instead, this shoe has a substantially narrower toe box so that while there is adequate room by conventional standards there is by no means room for the toes to spread out and flex naturally; also, the instep is curved up/in so there is effectively arch support, whereas a barefoot shoe should allow the whole foot to flex naturally (particularly good for those of us with high arches / insteps). I'll keep the shoe since it will likely be better for hiking than the others light hikers I have, but I'm downgrading it for false advertising. Merrell --- please, please give us something like the Vapor Glove 4 but with a sole thick/dense enough to keep out goat's heads!!

Wow what did they do to these. I have multiple pair of trail glove 4 and was hoping these would be as comfortable. The heel area is very wide and theres a big lump in the arch of the foot. Returning.

Unsure to what is happening with sizing and comfort with Merrell shoes nowadays. I ordered these and they were far too large for a U.S. size 5 (proper size affects comfort as everyone will agree). I had to return these due to they were too large thus creating discomfort. Previous Merrell shoes used to fit me just fine, seems like attention to proper sizing is being overlooked.

Nothing like barefoot shoes. Super stiff sole. Toe box is narrower than all other Merrell's I've owned (many), and the front trim further constrains the toes. They hurt my feet just trying them on. All but one pair of Merrells I've owned were good out of the box for long walks. I don't know why Merrell has stopped making the vapor gloves and bare access, but I will have to look for a new barefoot style shoe because these, and the other recent models by Merrell, suck. Way too expensive for uncomfortable, poorly fitting, and STIFF soled shoes.

Loved all my previous Trail gloves, but this new 5 version has a higher sole on the side of the foot making it stiff and narrow. Terrible fit for wide feet! I am not a an of this new version & will be sticking up on the Trail Glove 3 & 4!

The sizing is very inconsistent on this. I have a pair of 8 (ordered about a year ago) and an 8.5 just received (wanted slightly larger size for swollen feet) the 8.5 seems like a 9. Also the right shoe fits ok, but the left shoe must have be defective as there is a huge "lump" at the arch and I cannot wear the shoes. These are suppose to be barefoot shoes. Unfortunately due to Covid19 Merrell will not allow returns. This purchase was a big waste of money. Will have to throw shoes away.

I have owned several pairs of Merrell tennis shoes (Bare Access, Trail Glove, Vapor Glove) in size 81/2 that I have worn and loved but this latest purchase of Trail Glove 5 in the same size was longer and wider than any in the past. Additionally, the arch feels uncomfortably higher (probably good for someone with exceptionally high arches). For theses reasons I will be returning this purchase.