Customer Reviews Merrell Bare Access XTR

My favorite pair of trail running shoes I have ever owned. I wish Merrell would bring this model back.

Most comfortable pair of shoes I've owned in a long time.

First, let me say that, due to raging sciatica, I won't be running or hiking in these shoes, at least not much. I started wearing Merrell's Bare Access line years ago after disliking the Fivefinger experience. I liked the Trail Glove line but, when disc golfing with my kids, I was still getting stabbed in my soles so I started wearing the All Out Rush model, which I loved and wish they'd bring back. Anyway, this seems to be the only Bare Access model that's not a Trail Glove. Having only one color kind of sucks but it's nicer in person than online. So here's the deal with the Bare Access line, they're anatomically shaped like your foot! What a concept! I don't have "wide" feet but like something with a wider toe box, like Keens. The Bare Access line is super comfortable for me and this model has enough meat to it that you don't feel every pebble in your sole.

Enjoy these shoes , there like an updated bare access ultra that fell in love with

True to size, nice shoe with zero drop for my short range city and trail runs. I wish Merrell had more zero drop options with some cushioning like this shoe.

Shoes have amazing tread and a comfy zero/low drop. Thanks Merrell

Extremely comfortable shoe, with durable toe for off-trail hiking/running

The Bare Access XTR caught my eye a year ago and now I can't live without them and I have six pairs. Firstly they fit my feet great with ultra-thin merino socks only - or bare but I like the ultra-thin sock combo. They have no insoles but they offer distinctly more arch support than the original "Bare" model I tried that none. The one after that had "some." The Bare Access XTR was perfect. The Bare Access series comes with vibram soles. While these shoes are not supposed to be for mountaineering I set a personal best up Mt Wrightson in Southern Arizona on rooted, rocky trails going from 5,400 ft to 9,400 feet- and never slipped once on the way up or down. The shoes won't survive too many outings like that because the mesh fabric is super-breathable but not durable enough for that kind of punishment. Nonetheless I was thoroughly impressed how well they performed. Shoes are built around a foot model called "lasts" for dress shoes and the XTR fits my feet better than the curvier foot model (most shoes) such as the Zion. If Merrill made the XTR in an "Ultra" with reinforced side wall on the outer foot and a burlier, more durable sole - but still a Vibram - I would probably buy like 10 pairs and know I'm good on ultra-light hiking shoes (and everything shoes) for a long time to come.

Light, responsive, with excellent traction. Although I bought them only because I couldn't find Trail Glove 4 or 5, they are similar enough to satisfy runners who have worn those.

These are the best shoes I have ever bought. I keep upgrading to the new version of them when my old ones wear out. They are the only shoes I wear. We just spent a week hiking in Arkansa and I used these instead of my hiking boots. So Awesome! I want to order a few extra pairs so I don't have to worry about them being discontinued in the years to come.

I am involved in running fairly long distances. I have recently run a marathon wearing the Merrell Bare Access XTR and was pleased with the "feel" of the footwear.

My favorite Merrell yet! Great for wide feet and 0 drop. Super comfortable. It feels way better on my feet than a pair of Altra Escalante's I recently purchased. I wish I just would've went with these in the first place.

I have been through a few pairs of these. I would describe these as perfect for most trails/road - it literally is the perfect "out the door" shoe. The 17mm is the perfect stack height, when all other manufacturers (You too, Merrell) seem to now be pursuing "Maximalist" running shoes. I've run as far as 36 miles at a time in these, and while my feet were a little sore at the end, I had no bruising, and I know my form didn't suffer as often happens when one straps on a pair of mushy maximalist shoes. Unless you are running highly technical trails, this is will work for just about any of your running. The ground feel is great, the fit is locked, definitely fulfills the "all you need" mantra. Don't stop making this shoe.

I bought these because I run ALOT and mix it up between trail running and road. I didn't want to fork out the money for two pairs of shoes so that I could do both. So I did some research and these came up as one the lightest and most comfortable shoe for hybrid running. So I thought I'd try them out. I have easily put 75+ miles on them and they wear like I just bought them yesterday! So comfortable and a great option for an affordable shoe to hybrid run in. Awesome shoe! The only con would be maybe add some better colors..

Great balance between a barefoot shoe and one that has enough sole to protect against rocks and other pointy objects that can ruin a trail run. Also great for weightlitfing without the interference of a normal shoe.