MerrellMen's Trail Glove 5 Fitness Shoes

I originally sent back a pair and ordered a half size smaller because there was a bit too much room around the heel. The pair I received are pretty much bang on. I've not worn lightweight running shoes before so these may be 'ordinary' but to me they are just amazing. They are so light it makes a massive difference running in them to running in my regular trainers, which make my feet feel heavy. The fit is snug and comfortable and the contact with the ground just the right amount of feel.I read some reviews before purchasing about quality and issues with parts separating at stress points. Nothing to report from me, I've run and walked around 100 miles so far over a few weeks and they are as intact as they were when they arrived. Normal wear on the sole so I expect them to last many months to come.Money well spent.

I’ll start with the flaw. The soles of these shoes do not grip at all on slippery surfaces. If it rains and you happen to step on anything remotely slippery, there is a real chance you will fall. I walked on the marble floor of my hotel after the rain and fell over more than once. Even wet stones or smooth wet pavement was enough to overcome the grip of these shoes. My other trainers or even the cheap slippers I have did not do this. I was lucky enough to escape with only bruises but real injury is a possibility.Apart from this, I can’t fault these shoes, they are lightweight and comfortable. Whilst not waterproof, they dry quickly.Please consider the flaw I have mentioned before buying these.

I purchased these 2 years ago.They have served me well with daily use, getting in an average of 5KM a day (3650km across the two years).They were fine, but unfortunately I landed quite hard on a sharp stone which pierced the heel thus decided to buy another pair…of the SAME ONES :)I think my old pair would have easily lasted another year, maybe more.Deffo worth the investment.Peeps have written that the width is a bit narrow but I have wide feet and it’s hardly noticeable. After wearing them for a week or two, they relax more so it shouldn't really be an issue.

+Very close to the ground. +Laces are have a good stretch to them and flex.- The plastic material with the camo/khaki pattern that lines the front and sides of the shoe feels very cheap. It looks and feels like after some use they will crack and break.- Im male with size 10 feet, needing a wide toe box area. This shoe almost pinches on the inner wide, next to where your arch starts below the big toe- The materials used (it might be that plastic material with the camo/khaki pattern) seems to cause some rigidity, so that when you fasten with the laces, gaps are created near the ankles (see images).

After now probably 6 months I'm really very happy with these. I came from Asic trail shoes (which I'm half a size more in) and I also had a pair of New Balance barefoot running shoes I purchased maybe 4 years ago but never really got on with them.But following two knee operations and from that the need to make sure I forefoot run and therefore reduce the strain on my knees, I went back to my New Balance about a year ago. But to be blunt, I was finding it a little too hard going on the soles of my feet to run on anything but grass or roads and pavements. Bluntly put they are painful to run in off road as they don't have any support whatsoever.These by comparison are absolutely great in terms of support. I still feel that I'm as good as barefoot running but without the pain. They are just as flexible and don't raise your toes. I've realised how much Asics trail shoes do that as I've been wearing my old pair recently just for walking and they have been rubbing the base of my third toe of both feet to the point of being sore.The tread on these is exactly the same as the New Balance bearfoot shoes. i wouldn't say it's quite as good as what you get with a pair of Asics trail but no shoe is perfect.Overall, these have lasted so far really well with me using them both as a running shoe and as a daily walking shoe except in very cold weather as your feet really get cold. They give the impression they will last a long time.I read that some people found the sole uncomfortable on the arch of the foot. I actually experienced this particularly on my New Balance pair originally and I have to say I have also did initially feel it with these too initially.My theory is twofold on this. With the exception of people which have had particularly flat feet always, firstly anyone will feel disconfort running with this in a more midfoot fashion, as with the New Balance. Secondly, a colapsed or colapsing arch is suppsedly related to glute strength. I've had a number of glute strength related problems since getting back into running and as they have strengthened I've completely stopped noticing the arch. So in my opinion, if you want to forefoot run and are new to it, you got to make sure that you initially work on not just calf strength but also glute strength as they intimately linked.I also suffered achillies tendernitus which also ultimately proved to be simply down to glute muscle length and therefore strength; tighter glutes pulling on my calves which inflamed my achillies.Anyway, absolutely great shoe for forefoot running in my opinion.

Been buying Merrells Glove range for year's as I like the minimal feel. However, these have support in them and a thick sole so definitely not minimal or "barefoot " shoes.

Normally go for the Vapour Glove but decided on these ones this time. Wishing I had made the switch earlier. Still the minimalist feel I like but the extra arch support is appreciated by this old man.