Customer Reviews Merrell Bare Access XTR

Really high arch support. Very flexible shoe. Good traction. However much I wanted to love it 2 flaws ruined this....1. Volume in the toebox was excessive, causing the shoe to flop a bit while walking. While trying it on I found that I was changing my gait by hyperflexing my ankle and heel striking to avoid tripping over the shoe. 2. The plastic supports in the mid/forefoot did not allow my foot to expand fully and I felt squeezed in through my metatarsals.

The fit was as expected. I like the mesh on the top of the toe for breathability. Mine are sewn slightly differently, so they look slightly different to my eye, but not enough for me to bother returning them. The arch is high, so I'm glad for the support. I've gone jogging in these for two days now. There doesn't seem to be much support beneath the ball of the foot, where I wish there was more. But the heal has a lot of support and the rubber of the shoe even kicks out in the back for more stability. I liked the aesthetic of these. They were a nice color and not obnoxious or pink and purple sparkles. (What's with shoe designers thinking everyone who buys women's sizes wants to look like they're wearing the sneaks of a toddler? I was thankful to find these.) The toes area is nice and wide, which some people here haven't like, but which I think is great. I want my toes to have some breathing room. I like the laces better than my previous pair (New Balances) because the material is firm, not slippery, so it stays tied, and because they're short, so you're not dealing with tripping over a ton of extra lace.

Far too aggressive arch support in a supposed barefoot shoe. I hate it! Why is Merrell doing this? Returned, with regret.

I was looking for light yet supportive shoes to wear to Zumba that had adequate support on the sides and in the arches, yet room enough in the toe box to accommodate my bunion. These were the perfect style and fit for me. I chose the brand because I have a pair of waterproof closed toe sandals that i just love. It's very hard for me to find shoes that work with my flat feet, large bunion on one side only and crooked metatarsals. Merrill seems to be the best all around for me!

I have been trying to find a replacement for an early-generation Merrill trail shoe I got a few years ago and have loved. I want an athletic shoe that is not brightly colored (as most of them are) and would be suitable for street wear as well as for light trail running. These in black almost fit the bill but the sole has a fairly extreme protrusion at the back (presumably for stability) that I wish was not there. The fit was great and they are quite comfortable but the sole looks very strange to my eye (at least for street wear) so I am going to keep looking.

Given that I did exactly what you should never do- put these on for the first time and went and ran a trail half marathon in them- and my feet and legs felt amazing afterwards, I felt like these deserved a review. These were absolutely perfect, for me at least, for hopping into a trail half marathon. I needed some traction since I knew it would be a slightly wet course, and wanted as minimal as possible while still getting a bit of support. I chose these over Merrell Trail Glove because they do have a little bit of arch support, and just a bit more than no cushion at all. These were great, and I'll wear them again anytime I need to race on uneven or uncertain terrain. The only important element is that they definitely have a wider toe box. For me this is great, because even though I wear a regular shoe, not a wide, my forefoot often feels pinched. Feet felt amazing the entire time, so if you prefer a shoe with a wider toe box, grab these!

After months of trying other brands I came back to Merrell. Put them on & my feet sighed in relief. Yes I need a good arch support, these are perfect. Support on the sides, wide toe box. I don’t think they look clunky. I don’t trip because of the wide toe box. I wear size 8 & they fit perfect....I am 70, have put thousands of miles on my feet. I have a old big toe joint that sticks out & the metatarsals on the right foot aren’t happy unless they have proper support & cushioning. For my old feet these are perfect. Years ago I had the Merrill glove shoes that i used for Zumba, these have much more support & cushioning. I walk my big dog at least 5 miles every day on pavement, dirt & beach. For me, for my feet, I give 5 big happy stars.

These are much thinner than the other merrell shoes I have. The toe box is not wide enough, and the shoe itself isn’t very attractive to look at. The other bare access shoes are much better.

These sneakers are very comfortable and still look new after months of regular wear. I think the arch support is perfect. My only complaint is that the toe box is way too big, to the the point where it’s almost clownish. I liked the shape of the previous version of the Bare Access much better.

I have narrow feet with very high arches that collapse when I stand on them, which has causes lots of arthritis in my feet. I have an older pair of size 8.5 bare access merrells that we’re very comfortable, but aren’t made anymore. I am trying to find a similar style to my old shoes. These shoes ran seem to run small and my toes were hitting the front of the shoe a bit. I’m returning the 8.5 and hoping the 9 gives me enough space in the toe box. These shoes are very light weight and the style is also nice!

I replace this walking shoe annually. Most comfortable walking shoe I have ever worn. Merrill website was out of the size and color I wanted, but you had it! Thanks!

I buy Merrill because the toe box fits me so well. If you need a little more room across in the toe area, Merrill works great. Of course , Zappos is always a great way to figure out what fits well for you...free shipping both ways...nice!!!

Love the mulberry/orange colors! Great arch support and a very true to size fit, lightweight and plenty of room to wiggle your toes. These should are 10 for 10 good!

So disappointed. I cannot evaluate fully since the size 7 (which has been my size for 50 years) was so short I did not bother to lace up. Perhaps I did not read enough reviews to catch that I should have ordered a larger size. Now I can't decide if I need to order 7.5 or 8.

Really wanted to like these, the arch support is excellent but I found them very narrow.

I always wear size 7 so that is what I ordered initially. MUCH too small so returned and ordered size 8. Length was OK. Toe box very large. Hard to adjust laces. I had almost talked myself into keeping them until I stood up and walked across the room. The soles squeak loudly on my tile floor. It was like a nurse walking down the hospital corridor in an old movie. Another return. I have given up on this style. Such a disappointment from a company I like.

I'd say "weird arch support" if that was an option. I tried them on and walked a bit around a room, but took them off as quickly as possible. The shoe is very flat overall with an extremely high arch. Very uncomfortable. I often wear an orthotic to give me better support, so I'm used to an arch support. This was much more extreme than any arch support I've encountered. Returned them.

Facts: 70 years old; neuropathy both feet, flat feet, poor balance, nerve damage after aortic dissection, use two walking sticks/canes Needs: minimalist walking shoes with low heels because I don't pick up my feet well and trip often Ordered: 2 pair Vapor Glove 4: Result: absolutely no arch support; great for asphalt walking with my own orthotics; terrible for gravel paths Ordered: 2 pair Trail Glove 5: Result: runs 1/2 size large, excellent support, great for asphalt; bad on gravel paths due to lack of padding Ordered: Bare Access XTR: Result: True to size; great arch support, low heel with adequate rubber to cushion foot underneath to handle gravel paths; not too much rubber to trip over with neuropathy; additional rubber behind shoe is great for balance. Moral of the story: I've found my perfect walking shoe in the Merrell Bare Access XTR! Thanks, Merrell

These are lightweight and very comfortable. I have high arches, and these provide excellent support for my arch, while not crowding the ball of my foot and toes. The tread is great, and my feet stay a nice temperature - not sweaty, but comfortably warm (I wear them on early morning walks and it can be cold!)

I wanted a basic black pair of sneakers for exercise. These are perfect. They are comfortable, they do what I want them to do, and they look nice.

shoes feel great like not wearing shoes, just bought another pair, different color.

I have an older version of this shoe. After two pregnancies, I was planning to size up from 8.5 to 9. I agree with other reviewers, it runs large (in my opinion about a half size large). Toe box is very spacious.

I really loved these shoes. They truest feel like you are barefoot. I unfortunately had to return them because the sole was not soft enough for my feet.

It was recommended to go up a half size and the fit is perfect. The 'dragonfly' color is gorgeous; but then again, greeny-blue is one of my favorite colors (along with bluey-green). For being a 'barefoot' shoe, it actually has arch support; which I can appreciate, because I'm new to this zero-drop/minimalist/barefoot thing. Also, since I have plantar fasciitis, I should really have some sort of cushion; and I'm still weaning myself off of super-supportive shoes. I haven't done anything in them, yet; but they have more support than my SOM shoes, so I'm sure they'll be fine.

I like Merrill shoes but these were extra wide in the toe area. So much so that the front of the shoe had a bulk in the fabric before it was cinched down. Going back.