Review of Merrell Men's Bare Access 2 Running Shoe

Customer Ratings:

I found these to be a great improvement to the previous version of Bare Access. The full Vibram outsole is a huge upgrade compared to the foamy stuff used before. I've already put around 300 miles on these shoes and have had no irritation/rub issues. Does run a half size larger as mentioned in the fitting. These are very similar to the New Balance Minimus MR00's. Does very well over stones and gravel on the roads. One thing you will notice is that it picks up small pebbles but does not cause any problems to the way it rides. Grip is really amazing in comparison to previous version and other brands. Have ran several times in rainy, wet conditions with no problems to date. The tread sounds cool too, almost like a tire going over the pavement. Update: I am on my 5th pair of Bare Access 2's. These are still my absolute favorite minimal, zero-drop shoe. The treadwear far exceeds several of the other big brand names I have tried in the past. I am getting close to 400-500mi per with tread to spare. Really impressed. Hope Merrell doesn't update anytime soon.

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I've had the Bare Access 2's for about a month now and they are excellent. I use these shoes to run in (25-30 miles a week) and for everyday use. They are super light and have just the right amount of cushion. I use the trail gloves for trail running, and VFF's for shorter runs, but the bare access 2's are perfect for longer 10+ mile runs when I want more support. In trying to find a lightweight minimal shoe with some cushion I ran in the Brooks Pure Connect's for several 5/10k's last year, and they never felt quite right, but these merrell's are perfect. If you are looking for a minimal show with no drop but want more cushion than VFF's or something from their "Glove" series I highly recommend these.

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I have 3 pairs of the original Bare access, that is how much i rate them as a Bare foot running shoe with a little extra padding.

So naturally i was extremely pleased to see the new version had been released with increased sole durability etc! Precisely what was needed i thought!

I have pretty wide forefeet due to being 'barefoot' for some time now and my toes and metatarsals naturally splaying our a little.

As soon as i put the Bare access 2 on my worst fear was realized! the toe box is much more cramped than the previous version!

This could well be due to the rubber 'support' lines that run along the fabric of the shoe to the toes (black likes shown going to the forefoot in the image). They are clearly a 'support' aspect to the design but actually cramp in the little toe and push in on the little toe metatarsal. This makes for a very uncomfortable ride when running and limits your distance.

Why o Why did you do this Merrell! You had a super comfortable and very flexible shoe ... if you had just changed the sole unit out for this one it would have been perfection!

Cheers

Honest reviews on Merrell Men's Bare Access 2 Running Shoe

I've been on this minimal thing for a couple years now, starting with the original NB Minimus cross trainers New Balance Men's MX20 Minimus Training Shoe that I still wear for my gym workouts. I also run about 15 miles a week (~5 mile 3x a week) and I liked working out in the minimuses so much I thought about switching to minimus running shoes.

Unfortunately, based on where I live I am forced to do most of my running on concrete sidewalks and brick streets, so while I loved my mimimus cross trainers, I was a little reluctant to switch to a barefoot style running shoe. If I did mostly trail running or cross country style running, the choice would have been much easier. I started out with the original NB Minimus Road, New Balance Minimus Barefoot 10 Running Shoe Mens I eased into them and found that I really liked them, I didn't have any injuries with them and I generally felt lighter on my feet. I also think it's good to work your leg muscles more naturally. That was about a year and a half ago, so I've been running in minimal style shoes for that long w/ no problems.

When it was time to replace those NB, I first ordered the NB Minimus Ionix New Balance Men's M3090 Athletic Running Shoe, which I HATED. It was marketed as part of the minimus line, but felt bulky compared to the original road. So I quickly replaced with the newer zero-trop NB Minimus Road MR00SB New Balance Men's MR00 MinimusRunning Shoes, which I loved at first but after a couple of weeks running I started to develop some pain that I had never experienced with the original Roads ... the zero drop I think would be great on grass, but didn't give enough cushioning on concrete or roads, for me.

So reluctantly, I switched over to the Merrell Bare Access 2. I already had a pair of the Merrel Trail Gloves Merrell Men's Barefoot Trail Glove (bought for a savage race, love them would wear them more if I ran offroad more) which I liked. The BA2 is my favorite minimal road shoe so far (though I still really like those original NB Roads linked above). For running on roads, the BA2 I think gets it right as far as combining enough minimal feel while at the same time having sufficient cushioning/support for road running. I haven't had any pain issues with them so far, while at the same time still have that lighter on my feet, more natural running feel compared to traditional running shoes which feel clumsy in comparison. Some have commented they aren't true zero drop that's probably true, they don't feel as flat as the zero-drop NB I mentioned earlier, but that's ok as the zeros didn't work for road running, for me. I think the BA2 is flat enough. I've been running in them for about a month in a half now with no problems.

The BA2 fits a little small. I'm normally a size 10 for New Balances and ordered a 9.5 in the Merrels (the trail glove similarly fit me small), which fits me well and I wear them with thin running socks. The overall quality, fit and finish etc is very good, there are no rough areas that cause any rubbing or anything like that.

I have them in charcoal and I like the styling. I like that they are minimal but at the same time look like "normal" shoes I've never worn and would not wear five fangers.

Sorry for the longwinded review ... bottom line is I've tried several minimal style road running shoes and the Bare Access 2 is my favorite so far, unless I start having problems I will stop switching around and will just stick with these. I think it's the right balance between "minimal" while providing enough support for running on hard surfaces.

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I am a nurse who stands and walks for 11 hours or so at a time. I have had nothing but pain from every shoe I've tried and was considering orthotics. I asked a salesman about these (who was wearing these himself in a concrete-floor sportsman's store) who said they worked great for him and many of his staff. I bought them Merrell Men's Bare Access 2 Sneaker with the warning they took a few weeks to adapt to them. My first night at work I wore them the whole shift and loved them. I wear them all the time and can't get over how light and comfortable they are and best of all my feet no longer hurt. I would tell anyone to give them a try I was pleasantly surprised.