Ever since my KSO Treks disappeared a few months ago while travelling(TSA?) I have been back in the market for zero drop shoes. I loved my KSO's and was seriously considering getting another pair; however,I decided to look at some alternatives on different web sites and came across Merrell's bare foot running shoe's. I had to wait a bit, but now that I finally have a pair, I can tell you that it was totally worth it.
Before I start, I'll just preface this with the fact that I am not savvy on all of the lingo and dynamics of how these shoes are built and I am not a running snob. I run on and off trail 5 days a week, usually less than 6 miles, more intervals than distance work. I lift frequently too, and a neutral shoe helps save the knees with dead lifts and squats. That's what I use my shoes for, just to give you an idea of what I base my opinion off of.
First impressions: clean, simple, and lightweight.
Size: I wear a 10.5 M and so I ordered a 10.5 M and it fits perfect, with or without running socks. There is ample room in the toe box for your toes to splay. The lacing allows for a more custom/glove-like fit.
Comfort: It fits like a glove, nothing digs into my toes, heal or the top of my foot, just comfortable.
Performance: I took them out for 3 mile run right after I received them and was blown away. They felt good. My feet stayed snug in the shoes, I had adequate traction on mud and gravel laden turns on the trail and true to their barefoot tag, my feet were forefoot striking the whole way. The shoes incorporate a fair amount of mesh, so puddle splashes did cause my feet to get damp.
Having already put a fair amount of mileage in the KSO Treks, I will add in my thoughts about how the Merrell Trail Glove stacks up:
The Trail Glove fits more like a glove that the slipper like KSO Trek, mostly because of the lacing system. The Trail Glove and KSO Treks are both lightweight, I haven't checked the spec's to compare, but they are both minimalist shoes so its probably not a huge difference. The separate toes in the KSO Trek's and other Five Finger line-up is a novel design (maybe not since it is just modeled after the human foot), but I don't think it adds any advantages to running that the Trail Glove doesn't, aside from being goofy looking, getting dandelions caught between your toes, stubbing your toes and the ability to grab things with your toes to impress your friends. I think the Trail glove is more protective and more comfortable than the KSO Treks and you don't have to train your toes to fit into individual pockets. If you like the Five Fingers, that's fine, I ran with them for a while and liked them a lot, until I tried these bad boys.
As far as durability and long term wear goes, I'd refer you to other running blogs of those who've test driven the Merrel Trail gloves before they were released to people like me.
Hope this helps.
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I've been wanting to try out one of the "barefoot'" shoes since I read reviews of the Vibrum Five Fingers. I tried them on at two stores and after fifteen minutes of trying I could never get them on my feet. My fat toes just would not go into the spaces they were supposed to fit into, so I was excited to read about these. I have wide feet so i normally wear anything between a size 11 and 12, depending on brand and if they come in a wide size. Wasn't sure about these, so I split the difference and ordered a 11.5. They fit perfectly!
First impression was that they felt a little funny with the narrow sole and heal, but then a went for a run in them and I was in love. They force you to learn to run off your forefoot rather that your heel. It takes a few runs to get the knack of it, but you'll see the benefits. Feet and legs felt much better and with my improved stride I have began cutting minutes off my training runs with no increase in effort. These shoes weigh almost nothing and fit like a second skin, so that's part of it I guess. They have plenty of room in the toe box.
I would recommend these to anybody looking to improve their running. I just ordered a pare of the True Gloves. Not sure of the difference, except they look like the sole tread is more suited to road running instead to trails, so I looking forward the comparing the two.
For people who are complaining about the narrow sole and low heal, these are running shoes, not walking shoes. I would not recommend them for someone looking for walking around shoes.
UPDATE: For those who might be interested, I just received a pair of the Merrell True Gloves. The soles of the True Glove and the Trail appear to be the same. The main difference is the Trail Glove has the mesh upper while the True Glove has a softer upper. For those who have commented of abrasions from the Trail Gloves mesh upper, the True Glove may be a better choice, however, it looks like the Trail Glove "breaths" better. Both are great running shoes and weigh almost nothing.
UPDATE 2: I've been running in these shoes for over a year now including one marathon and a half Ironman triathlon plus numerious shorter races and training. For me these are the best shoes I've ever had. I'm 65 years old so I've been doing this for a while. No blisters, no foot problems at all. I still love these shoes. The only "issue" I would have is they wear out faster then other shoes I'v had. I'm on my third pair, but I don't plan to switch to something else. I love these shoes.
Best Deals on Merrell Men's J15517 Trail Glove Trail Running Shoe
I have been lifting weights for several years and was tired of the same routine so I got pretty hardcore into running and cycling. After two months of running and getting pretty bad shin splints and tendinitis in my right calve muscle, I was fed up. I began researching the subject of running form, gait, and the way in which running shoes affect both. After reading various articles, blogs and a couple of books (I would especially recommend Natural Running by Abshire), I decided to give the whole minimalist running shoe a try.
I could not be more satisfied. I looked at several running shoes before making my decision. I wanted a shoe that had a nearly nonexistent heal raise, little "support" of the foot, and plenty of room to roam in the toe box. I read and watched reviews for New Balance Minimus, Nike Free Run, Vibram Five, and several other barefoot running shoes. After very careful consideration, I decided to get this shoe.
I have been running in this shoe for three weeks now and can say that I am satisfied enough to get another pair of this shoe just to lay around in the closet for when I'm ready for it. The price is certainly high, but the results you get out of this shoe are spectacular. I have been injury free and feel more muscles in my legs and feet getting worked out with these shoes. I will say this though, YOU WILL NEED TO RUN DIFFERENTLY. The whole point of running in a minimalist shoe is to run more efficiently, and that means get rid of your heel-striking gait and running on the forefoot, landing on the mid-foot.
I have started training for my first half-marathon and run in these shoes three times a week right now, between 3 and 6 miles. I also cross-train which incorporates spinning and lifting weights. While this shoe is great for balance support while lifting weights, I would not recommend spinning in this shoe; wear your stiffer sneakers for when you spin or wear your spinning shoes, if you have a pair.
I would give this shoe six stars if I could.
Honest reviews on Merrell Men's J15517 Trail Glove Trail Running Shoe
Wow, these are simply amazing shoes. From the very moment I slipped my feet into these, my feet were happy.
I ordered a 13 and they are medium width. The toe box is just right and provides me a perfect fit. Maybe some feet might find it a bit roomy in width. But not for me. It was perfect.
As a size 13, my big toe just barely grazes the front of the show... just barely. I expect the shoe to stretch a smidge and even if it doesn't, it's a fit that borders on perfection.
The lacing system gives you excellent control of tightness. The lacing system is actually composed of two pieces... the wider piece goes across the tongue and out through the eyelet and then the lace itself goes through that wider piece. So you have fine grain control of snugness.
Heel cup is perfect for me. No slipping, no looseness.
Finally the sole is vibram and seems like it will last a long time. It's a fairly aggressive tread that is just what you'd want for trail running. My first impression was that the sole seems somewhat on the stiff side of things but I actually appreciate the solid feeling that I get through the sole whereas the rest of the shoe is feather-light. Although this is considered a "barefoot" type of shoe, unlike some others out there, this sole is more substantial. For my preferences, I like it that way.
Breathability seems great and I have worn them with and without socks. When I do wear a sock, I wear a very thin smart-wool sock. The combination of the sock and the lightness plus great fit of the Trail Glove makes these hands down the best shoes I've ever had on my feet.
UPDATE: 10/20/2012 I continue to marvel at the comfort of these. The sole has indeed become more flexible with wear. I like the feeling I get through the sole. You can actually feel the surface of whatever you are walking/running on through the sole and yet the sole provides great traction. And these are aptly named "trail glove." They do fit my foot so closely that they are exactly like a glove on your feet. They're like a second skin.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Merrell Men's J15517 Trail Glove Trail Running Shoe
The problem with being a person that likes to go barefoot, is that society at large prefers its citizens shod. And that means I need a "shoe" that looks like a shoe, but feels like Vibrams' Fivefingers; ergo my purchase of Merrell Trail Glove (yellow on grey). The hope was I could run in these shoes while enjoying the freedom, and reduced wear-and-tear of being barefoot, and not have to change shoes before going into town. It's worked out, but it's an expensive fix.
First, I wear a 12 mens. I've read comments saying the shoes run small, narrow, too wide, large...etc, etc. I've worn a twelve for 18 years now. I wore a twelve in Nikes as a youth; a twelve in the Army; a twelve in dress shoes; and now a twelve in Merrells. These shoes do not run small, large, or narrow; they fit just like every other twelve I've worn. I think those suggesting otherwise need to make a trip to a shoe retailer and have their foot professionally-sized. The toe box is roomy for a crossover shoe (which is what this is); the material breaths well, and the heal is comfortable. Unless you have shoe boxes for feet (E plus width), I can't imagine you having problems.
Now for the not-so-hot. I run five miles on a local trail every other day come hell or high water. About three times a month I feel a little younger than I am and double the distance. It works out to around 90-ish miles a month. Keeping in mind that I'm 6'1" and 190 pounds (hardly a hulking behemoth), the soles on these shoes are wearing out at twice the speed of my last pair of Vibram's--twice the speed. I've run barefoot long enough now (3 plus years) that 10 miles barefoot (no shoes at all) on concrete is not uncomfortable in the least bit. I'm well versed in how to properly land barefoot. I'm not landing wrong and thus putting undue stress on a particular portion of the sole; the sole is simply wearing out at an incredible rate. As of today, I have a half-dime-sized hole in the sole of my left Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove, and it is in exactly the same spot as the last pair.
So, if your deep of pockets, and short on miles-per-month (and 90 is quite low to begin with), then I would recommend this shoe. Otherwise, steer clear.
Edit: Final Thoughts
Barefoot running has entered the mainstream as a fad. And I think that's a good thing...BUT just because barefoot running is likely better for you (it certainly was for me) DO NOT think you can do it overnight. Try Googling "Barefoot running Achilles tendon pain," for starters. It took me three months (270-ish miles) before I was completely up to speed. I meet people on the trail who stop me and ask me how I can wear "barefoot shoes". They've tried them, they tell me, and they developed Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs, or badly sprained ankles. In short, they went way too fast/far too soon. If this is going to be your first pair of "barefoot" shoes, keep that in mind. The people who try to suck it up, end up wiping out. You can absolutely wreak yourself with a pair of barefoot shoes if you don't go slow at first. AND YOU WILL BE SORE. There's no ankle support whatsoever--your muscles will have to develop. Your Achilles tendon is likely too short from a lifetime of heel strike--it has to stretch out and strengthen. There is ZERO heel cushion--most first timers feel like their heel is "slamming into the ground" when they go with a minimalist shoe; that's because it is and now there is no gel, air cushion, or spring technology to absorb it.
