Customer Reviews Merrell Vapor Glove 4

I just got back into running and wanted to get some light running shoes. They are great for about a mile and half and after that I need more support.

The sole is not that thick

I was thrilled when these shoes came in the mail yesterday. It took about 20 minutes after work to head out for my first run. The running style with minimal trainers and I were expecting the calf tension from not being used to this style. However, I was not expecting for me to pick up my pace the way that I did. The first mile of my run went well, but then as I was hitting mile 2, I started getting this cut around my toes in my left shoe, which was a bummer because it was painful. When I looked inside my shoe, I noticed that the inseam underneath the laces but behind the toes was protruding out, causing a cut. If it weren't for this defect, I would have given the comfortability and overall rating a 5.

Very comfortable, size fit as expected, love the style Only qualm is that one of the fasteners where the laces loop through came unstitched after two or three light wears. I sewed it back on, and went on my way, but seemed like a manufacturing issue

I find the shoe runs a bit short, even with very thin athletic socks. I thought it would be okay, so I wore it on several walks, but I find the shoe makes my feet cramp. I have bought many pairs of Moab hikers over the years, and find the sizing consistent. I guess it is just the inflexibility of the Vibram sole which wraps up over the toe box--maybe it will work with no socks. I love the color combo and the shoe is well-made, but I wish I had bought a larger size.

There barefoot sneakers are quite comfortable, pretty roomy in the toes, and cute. I bought 3 to wear in the house - instead of slippers. I switch off as I wear them to do training exercise in the house and just for walking around the house. I bought a fourth pair to wear outside, especially at the gym. I tried them twice on the gym track, and they are a little more comfortable for light running than for walking so far. I don't feel they have enough support for fast running, though. Overall, they seem to be best for training exercise. I haven't worn them out on the street yet. The Highrise and Dragonfly colors are especially pretty. The fit hasn't been completely consistent for me. I tried the Charcoal/Syrah, and they just weren't as comfortable in the toe area as the others, so I returned them. My first pair of the orange color, which don't seem to be available now, were very comfy, so I ordered a second pair for my gym pair, but they were not so comfortable. I had them replaced with another pair of orange, and those are fine.

Very comfortable shoe, love using them for walking since they are very lightweight and flexible plus the toe box is what I love the most just wish it was a bit more wide than medium with.

This is my third pair of vapor gloves. They work better for me than most other shoes, and I like that they are pretty lightweight. I feel like even though I got the same size as before the toe box isn't as wide or the shape is different than my previous pair of vapor gloves which seems to cause a bit of soreness around the base of my pinky toe. I can't remember if it was the vapor glove 2 or 3 that I had before but I've come to need the wide toe boxes more and more in all of my shoes so other people might not notice this. That being said, I have never had a blister in a vapor glove unless they were completely worn out and I will probably continue to buy these but maybe a size up next time.

This is the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. It feels like a well fitting sock with a grippy sole. It has great ground feel and plenty of room in the toe box. This shoe has not worked well for activities requiring lateral movement such as tennis or basketball as my foot tends to slide side to side but for hiking, trail running, and typical everyday tasks they are the best. I had an issue with the upper fabric wearing a hole within the first 2 months of use, but Merrell's customer service was great and they sent me a new pair without any hassle. I highly recommend and will be ordering another pair.

Comfortable and nice design. Style took a bit to get used to as I've never ran in shoes designed for trail running.

I ordered this shoes for hiking. I really liked the idea of minimalistic shoes that can be good for multiple purposes. I loved the way this one fit but realized it was not waterproof or water resistant. I ended up returning them because for hiking, water proof is an important feature. I would defiantly try other Merrell hiking shoes because Vapor Glove 4 was very comfy and high quality.

The shoes were comfortable from the first time I wore them. I can't wear them all day but for several hours at a time.

I am sure these work for most people's feet. Unfortunately they were a wee bit small / narrow and did not have quite enough support for my feet.

Purchased the Vapor Glove after having worn the Dash model for several years. The vapor is super lightweight and overall I'm happy with my choice. The Dash has a bit more support/footbed substance which I prefer..the reason for 4 stars.

First I will begin with, I had to size up half a size and the color is exactly as shown in the photos. Maybe a smidgen darker. I originally purchased these to train in as I prefer to be barefoot but the husband prefers I not be in the gym. I used to wear Nike Frees but the new models no longer tickle my fancy. That said I used to run in my Nike Frees as well. I ran my half marathon in them and had no issues. I was told that if I was going to continue these long runs to switch to an actual running shoe, so I purchased some Brooks. Although they were comfortable I immediately began experiencing pain in my ankles and calves when I would run. Not thinking that it was because I was used to running with little to no cushion. So I stopped wearing them for a while and would run barefoot on the beach and felt great! So I tried the Brooks again and there the pain was. So I decided to hit the trails with the Vapor Glove 4 and it was magic. My ankles felt great, my shins and calves felt great, my knees were not sore and my lower back didn't hurt. That said, the trail I ran on was 8 miles but was easy terrain with little rocks. I do not recommend these if you are planning to run moderate or difficult trails as it is pretty much like running barefoot. They do have a shield in the front of the foot to help against stubbing your toe (which will feel weird at first because it touches your toe nail but you wont notice it over time). If you are not used to running barefoot or with very little between you and the ground, start small/short and on loose dirt if possible to build up. The only reason I am not giving these 5 stars is because the material that goes over the outside of the shoe on the pinky toe side has already separated from the shoe after only a month of running with them. Over all great minimalist shoe. Thank you Merrell.

These sneakers fit true to size are very light weight and give the feel that you are not even wearing sneakers.

This is a wonderful shoe, and fit as I expected. I love the minimal sole, that puts you close to the ground. My only issue is that it had no arch support, which I need. I am returning them, and ordering a different shoe. Thanks for the great products available.

This shoe isn't for a lot of walking on hard surface. I work on cement floors and feet are pretty sore. However, these shoes are sooo cute I decided To keep them for romping around. Also, if you need lots of toe room this is the shoe for you! Now to find a shoe as cute as these but with cushier soles.

Very comfortable, light, good looking shoe. I have a wider toe area and most minimalist shoes are too narrow for me. These are great!

Thus is my third pair of Merrell barefoot shoes -- started with the Pace Glove, which was the ultimate in comfort, and now my second pair of the Vapour Glove. With each revamp I have noticed a little more structure/stiffening through the arch so that they now take a run or two to really feel like a second skin, but still an amazingly comfortable run. Only one recommendation to the designers for the next version: less wrap of the sole on to the top of the toe box at the front of the shoe. I know it is probably intended for more today protection, but it adds more opportunity for friction of the toes and toenails against the shoes as they naturally move during a run. I do not wear socks with these (detracts from the barefoot feel, in my opinion), so less opportunity for rubbing is key. Otherwise, love this shoe and will happily keep running in them for years to come!

I live in Algoma Country, Ontario, Canada, and its rugged. We have every type of terrain you could imagine to run through, and every type of water way to guide yourself through I have worn these shoes only 3 times but thus far they are amazing. It caught me a little off guard how much you do actually feel the ground beneath your feet, my other pair of barefoot runners from Merrell were purchased 4yrs ago and the sole was thicker then. I love that my foot can mold over rocks, roots and branches for every grip. I love how open the toes section is as I have baby toe that frequently lost its nail at the end of running seasons from my past bare foot runners not being wide enough to allow my toes to full open. I am an active yogi so I have more stretch in the balls of my feet. We just said good-bye to our snow and the trails are sloppy and still icy in some shaded places but these shoes grip the ice well and slick the water away. I also wear light running socks (the feeling of any closed-toe shoe on my bare foot gives me the willies) and there is no issue with rubbing or discomfort or the sock bulking up in awkward ways. I have also wore these on the side walks en route to the trails and they are just fine and dandy for street use as well. Overall very happy with this purchase. I would have given 5 stars but again I have only been out 3 time so far since I purchased.

Overall, I really like these shoes. This is my second pair. The fabric on the top wears "quickly" but I guess that's what you get when you want something to be breathable.

Love walking and hiking in these. While most people like Afro g support , I like to feel ground under my feet. If they get wet they also dry super fast.