Running Shoe Review- Merrell Trail Glove

barefoot runningDespite being significantly less famous than the Five Fingers or the Minimus, the Merrell Trail Glove remains a serious contender in the barefoot running shoe market. Naturally, these shoes were designed with the passionate trail runner in mind. If you are already trail running, or want to begin in the future, the Merrell Trail Glove might be a great fit. As with most barefoot running shoes, the Merrell Trail Glove is light-weight and minimal. Where it stands apart, however, is the sturdiness. Even with a mesh top, this shoe was built for intense trail running. The strong construction is perfect for those looking to log lots of miles on rough terrain.

Get The Best Price On The Merrell Trail Glove Here!

If you purchase a pair of Trail Gloves, make sure to order your real shoe sizing. The design offers an easy toe fit, plus the laces make sure that the shoe will fit comfortably over your feet. It’s not necessary to wear socks with these barefoot running shoes, however, if you opt to, there’s no need to order a larger size. The laces can easily be loosened a bit to accommodate athletic socks. If you tend to have wide feet, order the exact same size as you would every other shoe. The Vibram sole might be among thickest of the popular barefoot running shoes. This makes for much less painful sidewalk runs, and the base provides superb traction in even the muddiest trail conditions. As a result, the Merrell Trail Glove is among the best all-weather barefoot running shoes out there. The fine mesh means it’s not watertight, nevertheless they do dry quickly enough if you get wet. The thick sole also means it will outlive its athletic shoe alternatives in the long term, meaning you have to invest way less on running shoes.

Usually only worn by some runners, the Merrell Trail Glove has been known to induce sores around the heel/achilles tendons vicinity. This is probably the outcome of wearing the incorrect size. To minimize the risk for blisters, get a pair which fit snugly. They are not supposed to fit like a traditional athletic shoe (think glove). The bottom may be a little too hardy for some. If you’ve been using barefoot running shoes for a while, the heavier sole may be cumbersome and uncomfortable while running. Also, many weightlifters prefer the thinnest sole achievable when deadlifting or doing squats.

As with any barefoot running shoe, the Merrell Trail Glove might start to stink. To resolve the odor dilemma, try foot powders or cedar chips. In all honesty, it shouldn’t be too much of problem with the casual clean-up. The Merrell Trail Glove is an extremely well-built and comfortable barefoot running shoe. The thick sole and laces make it ideal for anyone beginning barefoot running, but the same characteristics may dissuade the minimalist masters. The pros might be better off with a running shoe that is more simple. If you’re just starting out, or someone planning to log plenty of trail miles, the Merrell Trail Glove is a marvellous purchase.

Buy Your Merrell Trail Gloves Here!

Since you’re just getting started minimalist running, you probably have some questions. For the solutions to many common beginner questions, check out this FAQ: How Do You Run Barefoot?

Great Video – Born to Run

Here is a great video of a TED talk by author Christopher McDougall who wrote Born To Run. He talks about why we are born to run and how we can run without fancy running shoes.

Check it out!

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Get The VFF Sprint For Casual Wear

barefoot running shoesThe Vibram FiveFingers Spring is a good shoe for casual wear, short runs and cross training.

The sole of the VFF Sprint is a little softer than some other models like the Bikila or the KomodoSport but the feel of the shoe is very comfortable.

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The sole of this shoe is the standard Vibram TC-1 performance rubber and is razor siped for a better grip on a variety of terrain.

See what people are saying about the Vibram Sprint:

Donald M. Says:

I am 85 years old and a health nut. I wear my Vibrams every day when I go to the gym. They are the most important item in my health-kit. I find that walking is actually fun and healthy when wearing my Vibrams. They improved my posture which in turn allowed me to improve my breathing (I have emphysema). I have also eliminated my blood pressure medicine.

Review paraphrased for length. See the full review here.

Stephen C. Says:

I’ve been looking at these shoes for some time now and finally worked up the courage to order a pair. They are awesome! Its tricky to get your size just right but if you manage to find a good fit for you, they are fabulous. I wear them casually because I really enjoy the feeling of going barefoot and I run in them too.
Overall a great buy!

Review paraphrased for length. See the full review here.

If you are looking for a great shoe for general wear, water sports, working out or short runs this is a great shoe. It is not recommended for long distance running because the sole wears out faster than the VFF Bikila and some of the other designs. They are also a little less expensive than some of the others.

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The Original Toe Shoe

This is the original barefoot shoe. The Vibram FiveFingers Classic is designed to be comfortable and durable. The Classic can go anywhere with you, from wearing around the house to wading through streams.

This shoe has the original performance rubber sole and the individual toe pockets that are found in all Vibram FiveFinger shoes. The great thing about this design is that this shoe helps strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs.

 

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The sole of the Classic is razor-siped. This is a process that tire manufacturers use to make tires grip the road better and it works incredibly well with these shoes.

Check out what people are saying about the Vibram Classic.

Jessica Says:

I have had problems with my flat feet my whole life. I used to wear orthotics to run and hike and roll my feet on special balls to relieve my foot pain. I am a stay at home mom of an infant so I can go barefoot about 90% of the time. When I first got the Vibram Classic shoes my feet and lower legs were sore but after a few weeks the soreness disappeared. My plantar fasciitis cleared up. I LOVE these shoes. Yes, they are funny looking, but they are so incredibly comfortable. I love being stylish and fashionable, but I love being healthy even more, so the trade-off is worthwhile to me. I was initially going to get black ones to be more demure and understated, but then I figured that if I’m going to wear ridiculous looking shoes I might as well be really ridiculous and get the lilac ones. Lots of people ask me about these shoes, mostly in a “oooh, I want those where did you find purple ones?!” kind of way, but some people are just curious. I love these so much, I am planning to try some of the other FiveFingers styles.

Review paraphrased for length. Se the full review here.

If you are looking for a great minimalist shoe for casual and general fitness, the Classic is the one to get. If you are a serious runner though, try out the Bikila or the KomodoSport.

Get the best price on Vibram shoes online here!

Vibram Makes Boots

I love my Vibram FiveFingers Bikila shoes and now they make the Bormio boot. The Bormio features a kangaroo leather upper from Crazy Horse Leathers for the highest quality that you have come to expect from Vibram. The footbed is also made from kangaroo leather and the sole features a 4mm midsole and TC1 rubber.

The Bormio is an ankle boot that has a zipper on each side for easy entry and exit. This shoe looks great and is very comfortable. It is great for climbing around rocks, taking in some trails or just wearing around town.

I found the best price here!

Check out what other Bormio owners are saying:

Ben says:

Just got these and can use them in the snow storm here in New Hampshire. This is a shoveled sidewalk shoe and not for deep snow. Toe socks are comfortable and do not limit circulation as with the KSO Trek. These shoes have the same sole as the KSO but are roomier on top and therefore make it easier to wear a sock which is perfect because I got them for colder weather. I love the way the KSO’s hug my foot and these do as well but with just a but more room to allow for easier motion. The appearance is a bit like a SCUBA boot and I am hoping this will change as they break in. My girlfriend says they make my feet look like a gorilla. I am pro-monkey and I love these shoes!

If you like the Vibram FiveFingers feel then these are a great addition to your closet. I think that the Bormio boot is a great, comfortable, all-purpose shoe for anyone and highly recommend them, especially if you like the barefoot feel.

Buy Them At Amazon Through This Link

VFF KomodoSport Review – Why Another Shoe?

The Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport is a multi-sport shoe that has some added functional features, differentiating it from some of the the earlier designs such as the Bikila.

The idea behind these shoes are that you can get a shoe that will work for many different sports. This allows you to not spend tons of money on specific sports related shoes and use the money you save to actually participate in the sport you choose.

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Some of the new features that are in the KomodoSport design are:

  • Individual toe pockets – These separate and strengthen toes, improving balance, range of motion and agility.
  • EVA Arch – This arch follows the contour of the foot and reduces weight.
  • 4mm Vibram TC1 performance rubber outsole – This outsole provides the grip and protection involved in a variety of cross training activities.
  • Heel and instep hook-and-loop closures – These help secure the nylon upper to the contours of your foot.
  • Stitch-free, seamless 3mm PU footbed – Reduces friction.
  • On Sale Here!

The KomodoSport was designed for more aggressive movements that you find in sprinting, anything that requires lateral cutting like football or soccer, and weight lifting to give you a solid foundation.

Check out what owners of this shoe are saying:

D. Henderson says:

I’ve been wearing these shoes for a few months now and I absolutely love them. They are perfect for working out in the gym or doing body weight exercises and it feels like you’re walking around barefoot. When I first got them I could only run for about 5 minutes (hadn’t been running in awhile and had to get use to staying on the balls of my feet) but now I’m running for 30+ minutes with no problem, only a little bit of soreness in my calves. I would highly recommend them to anyone who’s thinking about trying them.

Review paraphrased for length. Read the full review here.

 

Jenny says:

I bought these as a gift for my boyfriend. He finds them very comfortable for running, although suggests wearing them for a day or so without doing a lot of physical activity. They are a big change from the usual running shoe, so if you slip them on and go all out, your whole body will be QUITE sore. I would absolutely recommend these to anyone interested in minimalist running. Great purchase!

Review paraphrased for length. Read the full review here.

If you are going to be mostly running in your shoes you may want to consider the Bikila shoe over the KomodoSport but if you like to participate in a variety of sports and don’t want to buy specialized shoes for each activity, the KomodoSport is the one to get.

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The Vibram Bikila – A Personal Review

As a new runner I am really enjoying my new Vibram Fivefingers Bikilas. When I bought these shoes I wasn’t sure how they were going to work for me since I am not an old hat in the running game but I love the concept of barefoot running so I thought I would give these a try.

The sales person that sold me these shoes recommended I get this model for starting out but I have since found that this is a very popular shoe for experienced marathoners and ultrarunners.

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When I first put the Vibram Bikila shoes on I felt like I had gloves on my feet, I could feel the ground and I really enjoyed the feeling of them.

My first run went well, I have always had back pain when I attempted to take up running but I felt good after the run. I could definitely tell that the shoe makes me run differently.

One of the problems I had with this shoe is that I wanted to run fast. That may not sound like a big issue if you have been running for years, but I was new runner and running too fast too soon was not a smart thing. I ended up with some sore calves but no pack pain or other injuries.

Look at what other runners have to say about the Vibram Bikila:

William H. Says

 

I never felt passionate about running, it just seemed to be a necessary evil to burn calories and get a decent workout. After reading the book Born to Run, I went out and bought these shoes and have been loving them ever since.
A warning here – don’t expect to feel great and run faster on your first couple times out on these. Don’t push it too hard – run a mile or two and then back off.
I’ve managed to drop my mile time 2 minutes from 9+minute/mile to just around a 7minute/mile in about 4 months. I suddenly have defined calves which I never had before. And since these are still relatively new, they are a great conversation starter!

Review paraphrased for length. See the full review here.

C. Best Says:

These are great shoes. I put between 10 and 20 miles a week on mine, and have no issues. One thing to note, if you have never run barefoot or in Vibram shoes, then TAKE YOUR TIME!! It takes time and discipline to build the muscles and technique required to run properly especially if you have spent many years running in “regular” shoes. No heel striking, (a self correcting problem), and more flowing gait are the keys. I have significant back issues, and couldn’t run more than a mile in regular shoes without taking many painkillers to get through the next two days. Vibram shoes actually let me enjoy running again. In short, they work for me and I am more than happy to tell my story about being able to run pain free after 5 years of excruciating pain when running.
Happy running!!

Review paraphrased for length. See the full review here.

Now that I have been running in these shoes for a while now, they feel like a second skin to me. I love how comfortable they are and the fact that I can feel an terrain that I am running on.

I would recommend the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila shoe for both beginning and advanced runners who have ever had back problems or want a great running shoe.

I Found The Best Prices Through This Link.


Why Barefoot Running?

I’ve never been a runner. The desire to run and become more athletic is always present in me because I like to be healthy and fit. I have tried to run and failed every time because my back would inevitably start hurting too much.

Recently I thought maybe I would try it again but with different shoes. After reading the book Born To Run by Christopher McDougall I thought I would get some toe shoes.

Toe shoes or barefoot running shoes are becoming more and more popular with serious runners and for good reason. Running in these shoes allows you to land on your forefoot which is directly below your center of gravity. This will result in optimum balance, increased stability, less impact and greater propulsion. You also get sensory feedback that improves agility and equilibrium. Running barefoot also stimulates and strengthens muscles in the feet and lower legs.

I ended up buying the Vibram Bikila® running shoe, and instead of going all out I started slow and easy. I was expecting to start feeling the pain in my lower back start up again after a few runs but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had no back pain. The pain I felt was in my calves and Achilles tendons but they were just sore from lack of use and went away soon.

I am happy to say now that I have discovered barefoot running and these silly looking toe shoes I can run and be healthy.