Merrell
Reviews of Merrell's barefoot and minimal footwear range — Vapor Glove, Trail Glove, and more. Which models are worth it for barefoot runners?
A Big Brand with a Small Barefoot Line
Merrell isn't a barefoot brand. They're a major outdoor footwear company with a small, dedicated barefoot niche — and they've kept it alive for over eight years. That commitment to the Vapor Glove and Trail Glove lines shows that minimal running is a legitimate market segment, even inside a mainstream brand.
The lineup is tiny compared to Xero Shoes or Altra, but what's there punches above its weight — especially the Vapor Glove.
The Lineup
The Vapor Glove 6 is genuinely one of the best minimal running shoes available. At 6mm stack and just 147g, it's the definition of barefoot feel — zero drop, ultra-flexible, maximum ground feedback. Ground feel scored 9.5/10 in testing. It's best for road and gym use, and at its price point the value is exceptional (9.5/10).
The Trail Glove 7 is a different story. I didn't get on with it. At 14mm stack with arch support, it contradicts the barefoot approach. The fit is too narrow and shallow for most runners — I'd estimate it only works for about 30% of foot shapes. The Vibram outsole is durable (9/10), but durability alone doesn't save a shoe with fundamental fit problems. I'd only suggest this model to those with a narrow toe splay.
Who Merrell Suits
The Vapor Glove works brilliantly for budget-conscious barefoot runners wanting maximum ground feel on road and gym surfaces, and runners with narrow to medium feet. If you want the thinnest, lightest, most ground-connected shoe from a recognisable brand, the Vapor Glove delivers.
If you have wide feet, look elsewhere — the fit runs narrow throughout. For wider options with similar ground feel, Xero Shoes or Vivobarefoot are better choices. And if you need trail shoes, the barefoot trail market is better served by Xero Shoes' Mesa Trail II or Freet's Feldom 2.