News

Merrell Trail Glove Review

Posted on June 08, 2011 by Dan Fairbanks | 0 Comments

I have now been wearing the Merrell Trail Glove since early 2011. Since getting the shoes I have run several hundred road miles and several hundred trail miles and have worn them casually in many situations. I have run a 50K and 10 mile race in them, and I they spent 3 long days at Disneyland. With all this in mind I feel that it is time that I now give a longterm review of the shoe.

In short, these are one of the best pair of shoes I have ever worn, but that doesn't mean they are without flaw. The shoes quickly became my favorite trail shoe after I first got them. I had previously been running trails in my VFF Trek's, which are still a fantastic shoe and my favorite shoe to hike in, but the extra tiny bit of EVA and the layer of Kevlar in the Trail Glove made trail running a bit easier on the feet when running in rocky areas, which the trails I run of full of. This comfort does come at a bit of a sacrifice to proprioception, but not so much that I feel like it alters my running form. I think Merrell nailed it for the right amount of cushioning to ground feel ratio.

I also love the way the shoe hugs the foot up until the toes and then has a extra wide toe box. Because the shoe hugs the foot so well I I feel super nimble when running. This is great for changing directions quickly, running up and down hills, and for reducing friction. In fact, on my 50K I didn't get a single blister!

The traction on the bottom of the shoe, with the sole being made by vibram, is great. Other than the absolute muddiest conditions, these shoes will grab any terrain very well.

One of my favorite features is how comfortable and good looking the Trail Gloves are to wear casually. I spent 3 long days on my feet at Disneyland and every night I would be astonished at how my feet didn't hurt like they would when I used to wear traditional running shoes in the same situation.

The durability of these shoes is fantastic. I have seriously put these shoes through the ringer the last several months and they still are in great condition. The sole is hardly worn out and after a wash they look almost as good as new.

So I have said a lot of pros, but what are the cons?

My biggest complaint is how easily dirt gets inside the shoes. Every time I come home after a trail run my socks are caked in dirt in the toes area and the inside of the shoe is caked in dirt as well.

The laces need to be about 2 inches longer. I barely have enough lace to tie my shoes comfortably.

They get wet easily. This makes sense, since they are so low to the ground. They don't get wet as easily as Vibram FiveFingers though, which is a plus. They don't hold water either. The water quickly drains and they seem to dry out at about an average rate. It would be nice if they dried a bit quicker.

Here is my quick look list at the pros and cons of the Merrell Trail Glove:

Pros:

• Hug the foot perfectly
• Wide toe box
• Just the right amount of protection to ground feel ratio for trail running
• Light weight
• Great Traction and Durability via Vibram Rubber
• Good Looking
• Nearly blister free
• Machine Washable (I don't think they advertise this, but I have washed mine several times)
• Comfortable all day shoe
• Can wear them anywhere
• Extremely versatile

Dan Fairbanks 

CEO and Co-Founder 

Born to Run

Posted in Merrell, Merrell Trail Glove Review, Review, Trail Glove