The 5th version of the famous minimalist shoe is designed to mimic the shape of the human foot and keep it in the position it would be in without shoes. Version 5 offers improved fit and increased abrasion resistance.
The 5th version of the famous minimalist shoe is designed to mimic the shape of the human foot and keep it in the position it would be in without shoes. Version 5 offers improved fit and increased abrasion resistance.
The 5th version of the famous minimalist shoe is designed to mimic the shape of the human foot and keep it in the position it would be in without shoes. Version 5 offers improved fit and increased abrasion resistance.
The 5th version of the famous minimalist shoe is designed to mimic the shape of the human foot and keep it in the position it would be in without shoes. Version 5 offers improved fit and increased abrasion resistance.
Last updated at 02/03/2024 01:19:44
originally posted on merrell.com
These are my first pair of barefoot shoes, an introduction to the segment. I have a good barefoot gait and typically wear Keen hiking boots to work/camp which left me feeling tired at the end of the day, so I wanted something to bridge that gap in my footwear experience. While my sister has lauded her vapor glove 5's of yesteryear, I opted for the new ones with hopes that I had a well-designed, polished shoe. I can say that I am wildly satisfied with the shoes so far. I will not deduct points for my toes getting cold in northern MN in feb/march, that requires conditioning of my own...Pros: outstanding sensitivity. I feel tremendously in-touch with the ground as I walk, jog, hike, etc. It is a surreal experience, and I am glad to begin this journey in Merrells. ... MoreThese are my first pair of barefoot shoes, an introduction to the segment. I have a good barefoot gait and typically wear Keen hiking boots to work/camp which left me feeling tired at the end of the day, so I wanted something to bridge that gap in my footwear experience. While my sister has lauded her vapor glove 5's of yesteryear, I opted for the new ones with hopes that I had a well-designed, polished shoe. I can say that I am wildly satisfied with the shoes so far. I will not deduct points for my toes getting cold in northern MN in feb/march, that requires conditioning of my own...Pros: outstanding sensitivity. I feel tremendously in-touch with the ground as I walk, jog, hike, etc. It is a surreal experience, and I am glad to begin this journey in Merrells. They are incredibly breathable, and relative to my Keens, leave me with a pep in my step all day even after working on steel and concrete flooring. I wear toe socks and never find my feet sweating on walks, at work, or elsewhere. The style is very sleek and discreet (I opted for all black), despite my size 12 feet looking like diving flippers in them...Cons: Laces are a mile long and I tend to undo them with missteps or twists/turns. Double knotting has helped, and the laces are strong/hold a knot, but I will still probably trim them to avoid getting the shoes too dirty. Despite them being my first pair of barefoot shoes, I find the toe box to be rather narrow and somewhat limiting at times when really trying to spread out my toes. I have historically been comfortable in Vans, Asics, hey-dudes, and Keens, but I can't *quite* spread my little toe out as wide as I would like during my walking. Your mileage may vary, obviously, but it is not a deal-breaker for me.Time will tell me how durable they are for the price, as relatively speaking they are on the cheaper end for barefoot shoes. Most others are made in EU which increases labor, import, and material costs, but these truly are my new favorite shoes. I wear them whenever weather and the activity permits. Once it warms up I just KNOW I will be living in them fishing, biking, hiking, and more. Can't wait!
originally posted on merrell.com
Merrell Barfoot Shoes are the Best Barefoot shoe out there hands down. I made the switch to the barefoot shoe lifestyle about 12 years ago and have never looked back. I tried a few other brands that claim to be barefoot along the way, but nothing has ever compared to the Merrell Barefoot series in comfort and function. Make no mistake I only wear either the Trail or the Vapor glove in what ever I do; So these guys are on my feet everyday from work (Office & Jobsite), to training at the gym, on the trails, road runs, races, tri-Athlons, adventure races, playing sports, playing with my kids, coaching, hanging out, going out, what ever the occasion these are my go to shoes. Barefoot is more than a shoe style it is a lifestyle choice. It will change your feet, ... MoreMerrell Barfoot Shoes are the Best Barefoot shoe out there hands down. I made the switch to the barefoot shoe lifestyle about 12 years ago and have never looked back. I tried a few other brands that claim to be barefoot along the way, but nothing has ever compared to the Merrell Barefoot series in comfort and function. Make no mistake I only wear either the Trail or the Vapor glove in what ever I do; So these guys are on my feet everyday from work (Office & Jobsite), to training at the gym, on the trails, road runs, races, tri-Athlons, adventure races, playing sports, playing with my kids, coaching, hanging out, going out, what ever the occasion these are my go to shoes. Barefoot is more than a shoe style it is a lifestyle choice. It will change your feet, strengthen your ankles, lower calf muscles, adjust your stride, etc. back to what it was meant to be before we all started wearing shoes with heals so thick that you can't feel the ground you are walking on and have so much cushion that it causes heel strikes when you run. Since changing to barefoot shoes and correcting my running posture I have never had the likes of shin splints or any real foot/lower leg pains again, Once you get thru the initial use of your foot, ankle, calf stability muscles that you don't use in the "traditional" athletic shoe... They will be sore for the first few weeks as you restart to use the muscles that you have not been using since you were a toddler... It is smooth sailing and you will not want to turn back to those old overly padded ways again. So just my 2 cents for whom ever wants its, but once you go Barefoot you will not want to go back.
originally posted on merrell.com
They are great shoes although definitely not for beginners if you are just starting out using barefoot style shoes. I went all in and used them right from the start with no transition exercises or anything and I had a slight bit of foot pain mainly in the heels but after a few weeks it was fine. They are too thin in the toe area if you want to wear these with toe spacers on. You can try it but your pinky and big toe would probably be really snug up to the sides of the toe area. The material used for the shoe is pretty stretchy so it would be tolerable I assume. These are definitely not for cold weather use. The material is really thin almost paper thin. Even with thick hiker socks from the Darn Tough brand on, my feet were still cold during these Fall season months ... MoreThey are great shoes although definitely not for beginners if you are just starting out using barefoot style shoes. I went all in and used them right from the start with no transition exercises or anything and I had a slight bit of foot pain mainly in the heels but after a few weeks it was fine. They are too thin in the toe area if you want to wear these with toe spacers on. You can try it but your pinky and big toe would probably be really snug up to the sides of the toe area. The material used for the shoe is pretty stretchy so it would be tolerable I assume. These are definitely not for cold weather use. The material is really thin almost paper thin. Even with thick hiker socks from the Darn Tough brand on, my feet were still cold during these Fall season months with temps being around 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Come Winter I probably wouldn't use these at all. The sole is pretty grippy so slipping, in my opinion, will not be an issue. Main reason I wont give it full stars is because of how thin the material is and if used as a daily I think the durability will not hold up especially if you want to use them to run in.
These are my first pair of barefoot shoes, an introduction to the segment. I have a good barefoot gait and typically wear Keen hiking boots to work/camp which left me feeling tired at the end of the day, so I wanted something to bridge that gap in my footwear experience. While my sister has lauded her vapor glove 5's of yesteryear, I opted for the new ones with hopes that I had a well-designed, polished shoe. I can say that I am wildly satisfied with the shoes so far. I will not deduct points for my toes getting cold in northern MN in feb/march, that requires conditioning of my own...Pros: outstanding sensitivity. I feel tremendously in-touch with the ground as I walk, jog, hike, etc. It is a surreal experience, and I am glad to begin this journey in Merrells. ... MoreThese are my first pair of barefoot shoes, an introduction to the segment. I have a good barefoot gait and typically wear Keen hiking boots to work/camp which left me feeling tired at the end of the day, so I wanted something to bridge that gap in my footwear experience. While my sister has lauded her vapor glove 5's of yesteryear, I opted for the new ones with hopes that I had a well-designed, polished shoe. I can say that I am wildly satisfied with the shoes so far. I will not deduct points for my toes getting cold in northern MN in feb/march, that requires conditioning of my own...Pros: outstanding sensitivity. I feel tremendously in-touch with the ground as I walk, jog, hike, etc. It is a surreal experience, and I am glad to begin this journey in Merrells. They are incredibly breathable, and relative to my Keens, leave me with a pep in my step all day even after working on steel and concrete flooring. I wear toe socks and never find my feet sweating on walks, at work, or elsewhere. The style is very sleek and discreet (I opted for all black), despite my size 12 feet looking like diving flippers in them...Cons: Laces are a mile long and I tend to undo them with missteps or twists/turns. Double knotting has helped, and the laces are strong/hold a knot, but I will still probably trim them to avoid getting the shoes too dirty. Despite them being my first pair of barefoot shoes, I find the toe box to be rather narrow and somewhat limiting at times when really trying to spread out my toes. I have historically been comfortable in Vans, Asics, hey-dudes, and Keens, but I can't *quite* spread my little toe out as wide as I would like during my walking. Your mileage may vary, obviously, but it is not a deal-breaker for me.Time will tell me how durable they are for the price, as relatively speaking they are on the cheaper end for barefoot shoes. Most others are made in EU which increases labor, import, and material costs, but these truly are my new favorite shoes. I wear them whenever weather and the activity permits. Once it warms up I just KNOW I will be living in them fishing, biking, hiking, and more. Can't wait!
Merrell Barfoot Shoes are the Best Barefoot shoe out there hands down. I made the switch to the barefoot shoe lifestyle about 12 years ago and have never looked back. I tried a few other brands that claim to be barefoot along the way, but nothing has ever compared to the Merrell Barefoot series in comfort and function. Make no mistake I only wear either the Trail or the Vapor glove in what ever I do; So these guys are on my feet everyday from work (Office & Jobsite), to training at the gym, on the trails, road runs, races, tri-Athlons, adventure races, playing sports, playing with my kids, coaching, hanging out, going out, what ever the occasion these are my go to shoes. Barefoot is more than a shoe style it is a lifestyle choice. It will change your feet, ... MoreMerrell Barfoot Shoes are the Best Barefoot shoe out there hands down. I made the switch to the barefoot shoe lifestyle about 12 years ago and have never looked back. I tried a few other brands that claim to be barefoot along the way, but nothing has ever compared to the Merrell Barefoot series in comfort and function. Make no mistake I only wear either the Trail or the Vapor glove in what ever I do; So these guys are on my feet everyday from work (Office & Jobsite), to training at the gym, on the trails, road runs, races, tri-Athlons, adventure races, playing sports, playing with my kids, coaching, hanging out, going out, what ever the occasion these are my go to shoes. Barefoot is more than a shoe style it is a lifestyle choice. It will change your feet, strengthen your ankles, lower calf muscles, adjust your stride, etc. back to what it was meant to be before we all started wearing shoes with heals so thick that you can't feel the ground you are walking on and have so much cushion that it causes heel strikes when you run. Since changing to barefoot shoes and correcting my running posture I have never had the likes of shin splints or any real foot/lower leg pains again, Once you get thru the initial use of your foot, ankle, calf stability muscles that you don't use in the "traditional" athletic shoe... They will be sore for the first few weeks as you restart to use the muscles that you have not been using since you were a toddler... It is smooth sailing and you will not want to turn back to those old overly padded ways again. So just my 2 cents for whom ever wants its, but once you go Barefoot you will not want to go back.
They are great shoes although definitely not for beginners if you are just starting out using barefoot style shoes. I went all in and used them right from the start with no transition exercises or anything and I had a slight bit of foot pain mainly in the heels but after a few weeks it was fine. They are too thin in the toe area if you want to wear these with toe spacers on. You can try it but your pinky and big toe would probably be really snug up to the sides of the toe area. The material used for the shoe is pretty stretchy so it would be tolerable I assume. These are definitely not for cold weather use. The material is really thin almost paper thin. Even with thick hiker socks from the Darn Tough brand on, my feet were still cold during these Fall season months ... MoreThey are great shoes although definitely not for beginners if you are just starting out using barefoot style shoes. I went all in and used them right from the start with no transition exercises or anything and I had a slight bit of foot pain mainly in the heels but after a few weeks it was fine. They are too thin in the toe area if you want to wear these with toe spacers on. You can try it but your pinky and big toe would probably be really snug up to the sides of the toe area. The material used for the shoe is pretty stretchy so it would be tolerable I assume. These are definitely not for cold weather use. The material is really thin almost paper thin. Even with thick hiker socks from the Darn Tough brand on, my feet were still cold during these Fall season months with temps being around 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Come Winter I probably wouldn't use these at all. The sole is pretty grippy so slipping, in my opinion, will not be an issue. Main reason I wont give it full stars is because of how thin the material is and if used as a daily I think the durability will not hold up especially if you want to use them to run in.
I have worn a size 12 shoe my entire adult life, but had to order a 13 in these because my toes hit the end of the shoe while walking down stairs in a 12. So, if you're even remotely on the fence, order a size up.Second, you see that rock guard / coating to prolong life along the pinky toe? It doesn't extend far enough up and forward, and I'm beginning to see wear in the fabric already; it's been less than a month of moderate use.A tip for wearing: tie these looser than you do any other shoe you've ever worn. They flex with your foot with less tension. Why? I have no idea, but they're uncomfortable and prohibitive otherwise, and I already pay attention to how tight I lace my running shoes.Third, as for being barefoot, you'll notice the toe box is larger than ... MoreI have worn a size 12 shoe my entire adult life, but had to order a 13 in these because my toes hit the end of the shoe while walking down stairs in a 12. So, if you're even remotely on the fence, order a size up.Second, you see that rock guard / coating to prolong life along the pinky toe? It doesn't extend far enough up and forward, and I'm beginning to see wear in the fabric already; it's been less than a month of moderate use.A tip for wearing: tie these looser than you do any other shoe you've ever worn. They flex with your foot with less tension. Why? I have no idea, but they're uncomfortable and prohibitive otherwise, and I already pay attention to how tight I lace my running shoes.Third, as for being barefoot, you'll notice the toe box is larger than most mainstream shoes, but far narrower than other barefoot shoes. I don't notice, but that may be because these are my first foray into the category in over a decade. The first week or two is quite trying, too, but a quick YouTube or Reddit search will tell you as much. Stretch, drink more water, and step carefully. That last bit means lowering your center of gravity (by lowering your hips (read: bend your knees more!)) by ~1/2 inch / ~13 mm, and stepping softly. It's not much, but makes a substantial difference in stride.Some would have you believe you should step by making contact with the ball of your foot first. I disagree with this unless walking downhill or running. Do what makes you comfortable, and experiment with what you can reasonably sustain.Finally, I wanted to believe this shoe was the solution, but it's not. I'll wear them because I can't return them, but I probably won't buy another pair of this iteration.
I'm a seasoned minimal-footwear aficionado who has really struggled over the last year and a half to find a replacement for my well-worn Trail Glove 4s. The TG 6s-- with their rigid soles and bafflingly-NON-minimal arch support were considered and disregarded. After lengthy delays brought on by supply chain difficulties, I was finally able to secure a pair of Vapor Glove 5s over the summer of '22. After five months of wear, I’ve found the shoes are a decidedly mixed bag.My usual 9.5 US proved to be overly constrictive around my toes, not allowing proper toe splay. I was able to exchange them for 10s, which fit better, but now there's a surplus of material that bunches up around the tongue and top of the shoe. The soles are light and allow great ground-feel, but ... MoreI'm a seasoned minimal-footwear aficionado who has really struggled over the last year and a half to find a replacement for my well-worn Trail Glove 4s. The TG 6s-- with their rigid soles and bafflingly-NON-minimal arch support were considered and disregarded. After lengthy delays brought on by supply chain difficulties, I was finally able to secure a pair of Vapor Glove 5s over the summer of '22. After five months of wear, I’ve found the shoes are a decidedly mixed bag.My usual 9.5 US proved to be overly constrictive around my toes, not allowing proper toe splay. I was able to exchange them for 10s, which fit better, but now there's a surplus of material that bunches up around the tongue and top of the shoe. The soles are light and allow great ground-feel, but might be too thin for hardcore trail runners.The aesthetics of the shoes are quite nice for those of you who care about such things, although I’m pretty blah on the colors other than the black. Where the VG5s really excel, however is weight. They are ridiculously light--even with the bunched up extra material on top. If you size them correctly, you'll get a decent minimal running shoe.I like the Vapor Glove 5. I don’t love them. I really wish Merrell would recommit to offering a larger variety of minimal footwear. They've been pairing back in this segment, which given the release of Born To Run 2 this month, seems like a gross miscalculation as minimal footwear is poised for another big boom. Merrell’s bizarre treatment of their previously-excellent minimal footwear portfolio is so odd that despite my ho-hum feelings about this shoe, I’ve purchased a second pair to have in reserve once this pair wears out. I simply don’t trust Merrell to continue to manufacture minimal footwear.I really wish they'd just re-release the Trail Glove 4, as that shoe was the pinnacle of Merrell's running shoe catalogue.
I'm a long-time user of the Trail Gloves (TG1, actually -- I hoarded 12 pairs when they came out). But I was scared off the new Trail Gloves (5) because many of the qualities I enjoyed about the original TGs are now far gone.Note that I before I bought these, I tried Xero HFS, and Lems Primal, so I'm also reviewing these in light of my experience with those shoes.Pros:- Wide toe box. But it isn't so wide that your feet are swimming in them. (Lems were a bit too spacious)- Feel for the ground. They might be too thin for some -- they are certainly thinner than the old TG1s, but I find them sufficient, especially as they are supposed to be minimalist shoes anyway.- Almost sock-like, but not like TG1s. They're nimble, enough to make the shoe feel like it's ... MoreI'm a long-time user of the Trail Gloves (TG1, actually -- I hoarded 12 pairs when they came out). But I was scared off the new Trail Gloves (5) because many of the qualities I enjoyed about the original TGs are now far gone.Note that I before I bought these, I tried Xero HFS, and Lems Primal, so I'm also reviewing these in light of my experience with those shoes.Pros:- Wide toe box. But it isn't so wide that your feet are swimming in them. (Lems were a bit too spacious)- Feel for the ground. They might be too thin for some -- they are certainly thinner than the old TG1s, but I find them sufficient, especially as they are supposed to be minimalist shoes anyway.- Almost sock-like, but not like TG1s. They're nimble, enough to make the shoe feel like it's going to hang on to your feet, and certainly better than the Xero HFS, which felt more like sandals in shoe form.- Sole grip is pretty good for dry surface. I'm looking to see how this affects longevity. (Lems soles were terribly slippery)Cons:- Low toe area (inconsistent manufacturing). I ordered 2x pairs, but the second pair has a lowered toe area, which is crushing my big toe. I'm trying to resolve this by wedging something in there in the hopes of stretching it out. If it doesn't work, it's a deal breaker, because I'm not going through the pain of another toe injury.- Treads are tame. I would have run on wet trails on my TG1s, but I would be less inclined to do so with this one. They're fine for dry trails, I would think.I have slender feet (for US8), and VG5 tend to be slightly spacious at sides of my feet, but may have a tendency to be smaller lengthwise.If I can fix the low toe area issue, that would mean I can overcome manufacturing inconsistencies and look to buying more pairs.I would have easily given this shoe 5 stars if it weren't for that low toe ceiling defect.
Feel:First off, these are SUPER comfortable. They really do have the barefoot feel that’s so difficult to find in a pair of shoes. The toe box is substantial without feeling clunky/clumsy like some other minimalist shoes on the market. The way the sole wraps up to give just the slightest amount of arch support is absolutely fantastic. The cord used for the lace loops is a great design and makes the upper fit like a glove.Sizing:My feet are exactly 11-inches long. I ordered both an 11 and 11.5 since my sizing is a tossup depending on brand. I kept the 11. If anything, they still seem a bit large and I could probably go down to a 10.5.Quality:This is where it starts to fall apart (literally), which is really disappointing. I’m admittedly leaving this review ... MoreFeel:First off, these are SUPER comfortable. They really do have the barefoot feel that’s so difficult to find in a pair of shoes. The toe box is substantial without feeling clunky/clumsy like some other minimalist shoes on the market. The way the sole wraps up to give just the slightest amount of arch support is absolutely fantastic. The cord used for the lace loops is a great design and makes the upper fit like a glove.Sizing:My feet are exactly 11-inches long. I ordered both an 11 and 11.5 since my sizing is a tossup depending on brand. I kept the 11. If anything, they still seem a bit large and I could probably go down to a 10.5.Quality:This is where it starts to fall apart (literally), which is really disappointing. I’m admittedly leaving this review earlier than expected. I have only put about 8k steps (yes, STEPS) on these and the upper is already tearing (I would post photos, but Merrell's site isn't working). This obviously has me concerned about the longevity of the shoe. As I was taking pictures for this review, I also felt glue separating on the inside of the shoe. On the plus side, the sole seems to be bulletproof, as I’d expect from my experience with Vibram. However, I doubt the sole will get a chance wear since the upper will almost certainly fail before this.
I've been wearing various versions of the trail gloves for a number of years (I consider the trail glove 3 one of the best versions), but the reviews of the most recent versions had me looking around for a better barefoot shoe. I think I've found it in the vapor glove 6. The sole is very thin, but I like that I can definitely feel the terrain that I'm walking on much better. It is a very comfortable shoe and very flexible. IMO, the toe box is a little too wide (it doesn't fit like a glove) and the size 9 that I have is longer than other 9s that I've had (I don't know if it's because these are Vapor Gloves vs. Trail Gloves). The laces are definitely too long (even after double knotting them) and I wish there was a way of securing the laces after they are tied. I ... MoreI've been wearing various versions of the trail gloves for a number of years (I consider the trail glove 3 one of the best versions), but the reviews of the most recent versions had me looking around for a better barefoot shoe. I think I've found it in the vapor glove 6. The sole is very thin, but I like that I can definitely feel the terrain that I'm walking on much better. It is a very comfortable shoe and very flexible. IMO, the toe box is a little too wide (it doesn't fit like a glove) and the size 9 that I have is longer than other 9s that I've had (I don't know if it's because these are Vapor Gloves vs. Trail Gloves). The laces are definitely too long (even after double knotting them) and I wish there was a way of securing the laces after they are tied. I really appreciate all the recycled materials that have been used in constructing these shoes. I've been wearing these while hiking on the trails near our house and in working in the yard. I'm looking forward to continuing to wearing these until they wear out; it remains to be seen how long they will last.
Comfortable and bio-mechanically healthy, I've been a devotee of barefoot footwear since my first Road Glove circa 2012. I bought the Vapor Glove not as a running shoe but as a lightweight, easily packable travel shoe. In black, the styling is subdued enough for casual social occasions as well as hiking about. I did take a sharpie to the conspicuous Merrell logo though--bit too garish for me.I ordered true to size and am pleased with the fit. Unlike the Trail Glove the Vapor has no intrusive and distracting arch support. You get minimal stack height with good ground feel. The Vibram outsole is softer and more pliable than expected with smaller lugs that may be inadequate in trail conditions. I've also noticed the shoes tendency to squeak but it's only a bother if ... MoreComfortable and bio-mechanically healthy, I've been a devotee of barefoot footwear since my first Road Glove circa 2012. I bought the Vapor Glove not as a running shoe but as a lightweight, easily packable travel shoe. In black, the styling is subdued enough for casual social occasions as well as hiking about. I did take a sharpie to the conspicuous Merrell logo though--bit too garish for me.I ordered true to size and am pleased with the fit. Unlike the Trail Glove the Vapor has no intrusive and distracting arch support. You get minimal stack height with good ground feel. The Vibram outsole is softer and more pliable than expected with smaller lugs that may be inadequate in trail conditions. I've also noticed the shoes tendency to squeak but it's only a bother if scuffing or pivoting on tiled or linoleum floors; when walking normally it's not an issue.Not owning these shoes long I can't comment on durability but will say this about price: the Vapor Glove is among the least expensive barefoot shoes commonly available.
The vapor glove 5 has a serious problem with the toe box. I (70yo male) have worn only the merrell vapor glove since the original version and have considered it the ultimate all-around shoe for all occasions, including running. This latest version has a toe box that caused bruising of my big toenail so severe I nearly lost the nail. That was on a six mile run. I have been running for almost 40 years logging 20-25 miles a week, barefoot style for the past 12 or 13 years. This is the only injury I have ever experienced in my entire running career. I wear a size 7.5. It seems as though vapor glove 5 changed the material used to protect the toenail from cutting into the top of the shoe, and it feels like a change from a soft glove into a rigid metal cage. Very ... MoreThe vapor glove 5 has a serious problem with the toe box. I (70yo male) have worn only the merrell vapor glove since the original version and have considered it the ultimate all-around shoe for all occasions, including running. This latest version has a toe box that caused bruising of my big toenail so severe I nearly lost the nail. That was on a six mile run. I have been running for almost 40 years logging 20-25 miles a week, barefoot style for the past 12 or 13 years. This is the only injury I have ever experienced in my entire running career. I wear a size 7.5. It seems as though vapor glove 5 changed the material used to protect the toenail from cutting into the top of the shoe, and it feels like a change from a soft glove into a rigid metal cage. Very disappointing. Perhaps moving to a larger shoe size could make a difference but not sure I am willing to take the chance considering the direction merrell keeps taking this model.Also, the sole tread keeps changing for the worse. The original version through to the vapor glove 3 was by far the best tread ever with unsurpassed road feel. Version 4 was bad and now version 5 is even worse. This newest sole just packs the dirt and mud into the tread lessening traction and reducing quality road feel. It also seems more rigid and less flexible than previous versions. Design flaws keep degrading the vapor glove from what was once the ultimate barefoot running shoe to second rate.One last comment on the upside of the vapor glove 5 is the change to the tongue. I won't be able to try it any longer but before this new version the tongue did not stay in place very well and always slipped to one side or the other. This new design seemed to be an improvement.
