Merrell Women's Trail Glove 8 - Black

(Size chart see "attachments" below. NOTE! Size and color inquiries: info@petrisbarefoot.com)

Zero drop - Little narrower toe space - Light - Little stiffer and thicker sole - VEGAN

Stay grounded and energized with the Trail Glove 8, Merrell’s minimalist trail shoe built for natural movement. Featuring a thin layer of Merrell’s high-efficiency FloatPro™ foam for lasting comfort, FlexConnect™ technology for better ground connection, and a Vibram® outsole for reliable traction on wet and dry terrain, the Trail Glove 8 is designed to move with you—wherever the trail leads.

PETRI'S PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Trail Glove must not be confused with the Vapor Glove. These are shoes with different characteristics even though the new Trail Glove 8 is much closer to the Vapor Glove than it's predecessor Trail Glove 7 was. It is a good thing. 

The Trail Glove is stiffer but luckily not that much anymore, the sole is thicker and the toe space is narrower than in the Vapor Glove - but again, not that much anymore. When the terrain gets heavier and rougher, Trail's off-road shoe characteristics start to emerge compared to Vapor - on the other hand, when walking on easy terrain the Trail Glove's ground feel loses in the same comparison.

The new Trail Glove 8 model also retains some arch support, which may irritate the most dedicated users of thin-soled barefoot shoes. On the other hand, the arch support of the new model is milder than its predecessor and will likely decrease almost imperceptibly with continued use. The shoe is also more balanced than before, with the "squareness of the sole" gone from the new model.

On a scale of thin-soled barefoot shoe - semi-cushioned - thick-soled barefoot shoe I count the Trail Glove in the semi-cushioned/thick-soled category with a sole thickness of up to 15 mm compared to Vapor's 8 mm.

Suitability for barefoot shoe beginners

Trail Glove is clearly a shoe that more allows heel-stepping and is therefore safe to buy even for a beginner barefooter. If you don't have a wide foot and are a barefoot beginner, this is a good first purchase for you as a barefoot shoe.

Suitability for experienced barefooters

For the more experienced, the Trail Glove might be a good addition to thinner barefoot shoes, because it is a stress-free shoe to play with even on a longer shopping trip on an urban platform? On the other hand if you're looking for maximum freedom and feel, this probably isn't the model you'll end up with first.

MANUFACTURER'S PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

• Breathable mesh and TPU upper
• 100% recycled laces
• Burrito tongue wraps the foot to enhance a natural fit
• Padded collar
• External rear sling locks in the heel
• Protective and abrasion resistant toe cap
• 100% recycled breathable mesh lining
• 100% recycled mesh footbed cover
• Cleansport NXT™ treated for natural odor control
• 30% recycled integrated EVA foam insole
• Merrell Barefoot 2 construction is designed to keep the foot in a natural position
• FloatPro™ foam midsole with exceptional energy return and enduring comfort.
• Vibram® TC5+ outsole provides exceptional traction for outdoor multi-sport activities, formulated exclusively for Merrell
• Vegan-Friendly
• Weight: 173g
• Drop: 0mm