Merrell Men's Vapor Glove 3 Trail Running Shoes

Product Information

To assess the performance of the Merrell Vapor Glove 6, I’m going to cover their performance in a wide range of contexts. I’ll discuss how they perform for lifting, versatile training, short runs, hikes, and daily wear. Despite these concerns, I never really noticed a huge detrimental impact on my running and I even suspect the slight differences in design from other barefoot shoes helped strengthen the little bones and muscles in my feet even further. Lower marks for the initial hassles for an otherwise great fit. Gait Cycle Performance

The Merrell Vapor Glove 6 delivers a strong performance for the barefoot shoe lover who wants a shoe for working out but also adventuring outdoors. This shoe is what I would call a hybrid regarding its outdoor and indoor performance. However, I think if you’re wanting a barefoot shoe that you can wear to train and hike in and wear more formally, then you may have a hard time doing so in this shoe. You might want to look into something like the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG. I did notice that the front half of the foot has a slightly muted proprioception during foot strike and toe-off with the closed toe when compared to a Vibram Fivefinger and having free little piggies. Again, this shoe does remind me of a water shoe in many ways and I’ll definitely be using them this summer for my hikes that have creek crossings and for rainy or muddy excursions.For those just transitioning to barefoot running shoes, or those who find constant pavement pounding to be hard on their joints, we suggest looking at a different running shoe that offers slightly more cushioning in the midsole or insole. If you have notably wide feet, then I would say tread lightly when looking into this shoe. This shoe should work for most, but again, if you have a flatter midfoot and arch, then you may not enjoy this shoe’s overall fit. While I think the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 is one of the stronger shoes in this line yet, there are a few cons to keep in mind before investing in this model. The Barefoot 2 execution on the midfoot comes out a little loose if you’re used to a snug, arch wrapping support.

On the lightweight chassis, you get a sturdy Cordura mesh upper with TPU reinforcements on the inside arch, outside pinky toe area, and heel. While the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 does a good job from a hybrid outdoor and indoor context, I don’t think it’s going to be the best barefoot shoe for daily wear and more serious training. The bellows tongue does a good job of keeping gravel and debris from getting into this shoe. I also like how the extended outsole wrap over the toe box and heel adds a nice degree of traction, protection, and durability.If you have a flat and wider midfoot, then I could see the sole of this model bothering you. To add to this, I think if you didn’t resonate with the fit of prior Merrell Vapor Glove shoes, then you’ll find this shoe follows suit with its fit. On top of this limitation, I also don’t think the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 will be the best barefoot shoe for serious strength work as its lugs could be off-putting for anyone wanting a shoe to get them as close to the ground as possible. For my size 10 model, the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 has a weight of 5.6 oz which puts on the lighter end for shoes built for outdoor and indoor use. This model’s mesh upper also breathes really well which is a nice perk of this shoe. My only gripe with this shoe for versatile training is that the little arch in the sole may be uncomfortable for some as they jump more due to the arch compressing and flexing throughout your training session. Testing the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 for Hiking, Short Runs, and Daily Wear I did miss the burrito tongue closure sported by the trail Glove cousin but rest assured there is enough padding to offer protection and comfort without the bulk. Fit of the Merrel Vapor Glove 4

I think if you’re wanting a lightweight barefoot shoe for a little bit of everything, then the price point for the Vapor Glove 6 makes sense. This shoe does a good job of being decent for casual training and outdoor wear.In addition, the EVA foam insole and Vibram outsole are also composed of at least 30% recycled materials. If you care about the materials used in your shoes, then I think this will be a nice pro that comes with the Vapor Glove 6. Merrell Vapor Glove 6 Cons As you would expect in a minimalist shoe, there's not much to talk about in the 3mm insole other than the fact that it's stitched into the shoe and therefore unremovable. If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Merrell Vapor Glove 6, drop a comment below and share what model you currently wear and I can help you out accordingly. Price Breakdown

All that being said, if you want a shoe that has a budget-friendly price that can hold its own for more casual hikes and outdoor wear, but then also performs well in the gym, then I think the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 is a good option for you. Who Shouldn’t Invest In the Merrell Vapor Glove 6? No noticeable difference in wear versus the Megagrip compound on my other Vibram soles, all which have held up over many, many miles thus far. Is there a midsole in the Vapor Glove? On top of this, they have a good level of breathability, so if you’re doing something like HIIT or athletic-style sessions in warmer settings then I don’t think your feel will run overly hot in this model. I would however limit how much you’re running in this shoe on pavement if you want the lugs to last and hold up. For day-to-day use, I’ve enjoyed how easy this shoe is to slip on for longer dog walks. I just wish they looked a little more casual. Merrell Vapor Glove 6 Sizing The final aspect to like about the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 is that the entirety of this shoe is pretty much built with recycled materials. For example, the mesh lining, upper, and footbed are all 100% recycled materials and so are the laces and webbing.

Value

For the Merrell Vapor Glove 6, I think most will be safe going true to size in this model. I found the length to fit true in this shoe and they have a fairly adequate throughout the toe box. Overall, though, I think the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 will excel in a wide range of hiking settings, especially in warmer months. I’ll likely use this shoe as I use the Vapor Glove 5 which is on hikes that have water crossings.