MerrellMen's J066289 Cross Trainer

I like these a lot. They are my first "barefoot" shoe after trying a few different types. I find myself grabbing them often, especially when going to the gym. The membrane on the top seems somewhat water resistant and very durable. The sole is super grippy yet very tough. I was a fan of Merrell hiking boots, and can now say I'm a fan of these.

They are a Vibram sole, mesh upper, solid tongue and laces. That’s it. Very nice sole that you can barely feel is there.

Love them. Great for lifting weights, if you don't like too much cushioning (like me), when doing legs.

I wear these shoes a lot. You have to be used to wearing shoes that are basically socks, and if you’re a runner they should help with correct running form. Highly recommend for the price. 4 stars because no shoe is perfect.

The Merrell Vapor Glove is one of the best conceived, best constructed minimal running shoes on the mass market. The Vibram toe cap and sole are tough, but the low profile gives you the feel of everything on your path. This is the barefoot experience minimal shoes offer. Needed protection with Maximum mechanical benefits. No socks, no break in. No problems. Read on for my reasoning, and how I ended up barefoot.I am a long time hobby runner that drank deep of the stride evaluation 150 dollar soft ride potion. I could never keep up with the “changes” in my stride or correct for all the issues in my running cadence.One day, I decided to throw my whole experience aside and do things differently. I spent time reading reviews and cautionary tales about the risks of running without layers of padding and micro suede between me and the road. I cautiously bought my first paid of Vapor Gloves, noting the reviews that said they would be hard for beginners to get used to.Pure joy ensued. I felt like a kid again, running out the back door to do whatever I wanted. My feet were in contact with the ground. I shortened my distance drastically to allow my tendons and muscles to rebuild, and to listen to my feet when they got tired or too hot. The result - my legs are more powerful than ever, my feet are strong and sturdy, my posture is improved, and my step is light and fast. I’m not breaking any records, but I’m ENJOYING running, and looking forward to sneaking out for an extra mile or three.Take the leap. Grab a pair. Go slowly and enjoy the outdoors!

These are the shoes I've been looking for. Minimal but well thought out. I usually wear 11 but that size was a little long so tried the 10 1/2 and they were perfect so I bought 3 more pairs with the intention of buying more just in case they stop making them like my old favorite. My only complaint is I wish there was more tread so they would last longer. But even with this shortcoming these are my favorite shoes ever.

I've been running in Merrell barefoot shoes for over a decade, including through several 50 milers, and have taken the good with the bad as each model in the lineup has been updated. When the Trail Glove became too much shoe in its 3rd revision, I started running exclusively in Vapor Gloves.When I'd find the Vapor Glove 2 on sale, I'd buy several pairs as the uppers had a tendency to wear through by the base of the little toe. Despite the lack of durability, they were an excellent shoe and the best fit for my feet.I skipped trying the Vapor Glove 3s as the uppers seemed less durable than the 2s, and the 2s were still available for purchase.With the Vapor Glove 4 it looked like Merrell might have hit it out of the park. The weak points on the upper were reinforced and it was still properly minimal. I ordered a pair and, after a couple weeks' use, I can't recommend them. They do seem more durable, but the fit is just wrong. The toebox is noticeably narrower, the heel and midfoot fit is wider, and the length is about 1/2 size larger than labeled.I have narrow feet and the old shoes fit perfectly, but in this latest version my heels move around in the shoes. It's not a length issue either -- the shoes are noticeably and unfortunately wider in the heel. As for the midfoot, I've played with different lacing techniques and even accounted for the new semi-stretchy laces to no avail. The shoe is just shaped differently.The changes may be exactly what a good chunk of the buying public are looking for and you may very well love this shoe, but having experienced just how perfect the old version fit, this one is a disappointing miss from Merrell.

These weigh nothing, take up 2 t-shirts worth of room and are super comfortable. I don’t run in these. I pack ‘em because they are the smallest comfortable shoes that I can do ANYTHING in.