Customer Reviews Merrell Vapor Glove 3

I want to really love these shoes. I love how they fit and how they feel like I’m barefoot. I love the bright colors. I love how light weight they are! Unfortunately, the quality is terrible. This model Merrell chose a lighter weight material, but not the least bit durable. Within a month of wearing them they have what appear to be snags or breakdown in the material where they are most stressed. This is my second pair and I only got the second pair bc I thought it was a fluke and the first pair I wore a lot in 2 months. I realize now that they are just poor quality. Hopefully the 3rd generation is more durable. Fingers crossed.

These are fairly similar to the Vapor Glove 2. The sides and bottoms fit the same way, but in the 3 Merrell has resolved the issue with the 2 of the lace area biting into the toe box. However, the ankle cuff seems higher or harder so they bite into my ankles while walking around. I am still unsure if I will keep these.

These are pretty typical barefoot style sneakers, but don't really have the full-width toe-box of a brand like LEMS. They run a little narrow. Merrill is a great quality brand and these are well-made, but probably best for a slimmer, smaller foot than my wide, high-arches foot. Also, the colors are really bright, more so than they seem in the picture- so be sure that's what you want.

Shoe looks completely flat inside and you might think it has no arch support (good if that's what you want). In fact shaped out-sole pushes against arch of foot and creates an intrusive pressure on the foot. Also did not like the color. I will be returning them. I prefer the Vapor Glove 2.

WARNING: THEY FALL APART!!! I absolutely love the vapor glove 3s. My only complaint is that they fall apart. For no reason!!! I tore my ACL, and so I’ve only been walking in my most recent pair, I got them in June, and by mid August they had already developed rips in the material. Just like my precious pair. The rips appear for no reason in the fabric material (see picture) and make the shoes ugly and not wearable. I wish they didn’t fall apart because they are otherwise great. I just ordered a pair of vapor glove 4s hoping the material is stronger.

True barefoot design. I love these shoes!! Merrell always does a great job of combining lightweight, quality, and durability. They feel like a glove and the front is wider than the back which is perfect for running.

Love my vapor gloves 2s - 'stocking up' so I have several pairs in reserve (I do have some trouble finding shoes that accommodate my narrow heel and broad forefoot, so when I find good ones I try to lay in a supply).

I love the weight, the look, buuut....the sole is too narrow at the heel for me. I need more stability. I own 2 other pairs of Merrill Trail Gloves, but 4s, and I love them! Guess I'll wait til black 4 comes back in stock. The 3s will go back.

So glad I waited to write a review. I'm a dedicated Merrell buyer and I've owned these shoes and worn them daily for 2 months. I walk an average of 3 miles/day and find they live up to their description for comfort and the support. The problem is the mesh upper. The shoes are sufficiently roomy with regard to length and width and yet the mesh is splitting across the top above the ball of the foot. These are my walking shoes, not my hiking boots. I expected them to last longer than two months.

I love these shoes, but be warned that they will wear out quickly. I bought them for daily extended use, so they might go longer for someone who only uses them for running, but it's only been TEN WEEKS for me and there's already a large area of the fabric thinning out behind the right big toe. It's very sad. I bought these because I thought a barefoot shoe would help with my Achilles tendinitis, but I'm going to have to find something that doesn't wear out so easily.

I was looking for a shoe as close as I could get to going barefoot and this Vapor glove 3 is darn close. I am a senior with osteoporosis and need both knees replaced. I have discovered through this process that walking barefoot eliminates much pain associated with these problems. A flat shoe actually provides better balance and better distribution of weight on the knee. I wore these today, and it worked for me. I will continue to buy the barefoot design in shoes. And, plan to buy another Vapor Glove 3 in a different color.

I own the vapor glove 2, and this one's fit feels just like 2. I like design of this one better though :)

I am stocking up on the Vapor Glove 3 (nearly as good as the original Pace Glove) - 3 different colors this time. These fit my narrow heeled, wide forefoot (with a bunion on one foot) feet well, and I intend to have several pair in reserve! (I'm in the 'if-it-ain't-broke-don't-"fix"-it' camp...) If you are new to, or considering, 'barefoot' shoes, please do take it slow - most feet will need time to strengthen and adjust.

This is a barefoot shoe, so they are going to feel very different from a typical running or walking shoe. I have a very high arch that has gotten stiffer as I've gotten older and I wanted a shoe that would allow my arch to spread out when it should and spring back when it should. These shoes were comfortable from the moment I put them on. I recommend starting just wearing them inside to see if you will like them. I then did short walks to get my feet used to the flatter sole. Then I wore them all day. They are great for my work, teaching pilates, as I can demo without taking them off. The only downside is all my bootcut yoga pants are now too long!

Love love these shoes and am now buying my third pair. I wear these for gym workouts, walking, and in my casual office a few days a week. I have a narrow heel and bunions and they fit perfect. I had worn orthotics for arch support for about 15 years and decided to try a somewhat barefoot shoe, and I will say my ankles and feet have strengthened substantially after using these shoes for the last 6 months or so. The only downside is they have ruined my ability to wear less comfortable shoes too often! Super cute and I get compliments too. I am hooked.

These are the best barefoot sneakers ever, I order a pair every year, they're my favorite ! super stylish and there are always great colors to choose from

I really like the Merrell barefoot-style shoes. I own two other pair. I decided to return these and keep the Merrell Trail Glove instead. This one is almost too minimalist. If you're looking for a wide toe box, this fits the bill. Probably wouldn't fit someone with a narrow foot.

I got these shoes to use for river crossings and camp shoes while backpacking and they fit the bill for that job (I think the're pretty cute, too)! They are super light weight, and can be smashed down to take up practically no space or weight when packing. They dry really quickly, and felt so nice on my feet after a long days hiking. My husband has a pair of the men's and loves them too. There is pretty much no arch support, and very little cushioning - as barefoot trail runners, they're designed to let you feel the ground (and they do, so take care on sharp rocks). I felt they ran small, but not narrow. I'm normally a 6.5 in flats, and a 7 in sneakers, and I preferred the fit of the 7.5's. The way that the toe cap meets the upper, if I had not gone up to the 7.5, the seam hit annoyingly on the top of my toes. Up half a size to the 7.5 and I may just get another pair for around the house!

Some Merrill’s are wider than others, these would be good for folks with just average or slightly wide feet. My feet were too wide. I really wish merrell would offer wide widths throughout their lines!!! I didn’t like the way the mesh on top feels, very plasticy. However, I like the rubber toe bumper, great idea.

Few months after they are falling apart. Multiple holes on both shoes in random places. Not recommend.

I’ve run using merrell vapor gloves of various versions over the past 10 years and l love them for their low ankle profile and second-skin like connection to the ground. I’ve used them for a half marathon trail run, multiple long distance runs and have never had a single blister. I initially turned to them as a cure for plantar fasciitis. I currently use them to both run short distances (2.5 miles) and strength training at the gym. You can use them outside on groomed trails, rockier trails call for a tougher sole— that you can use the trail version. I absolutely love them and swear by them. Go a half size down because you’ll want to go sockless with these. Just throw them in the wash and air dry when they get stinky!

Great shoe. This is the first pair I ever purchased of bare-foot feeling shoes. At first they feel a little strange on my foot but the quickly goes away. I wear them to do yoga outside. They are comfortable, have stretchable laces, and support the foot well.

So nice! Actually a barefoot shoe where I can feel the ground and the toe box is wide so my toes can move as I walk. I’ve been wearing barefoot shoes for years and these don’t hurt my feet on the first day even after a long day at work on concrete, unlike traditional soled shoes. I usually wear a 7.5 to an 8; the size 8 is comfortable.

I love these. Got them first when dealing with a knee issue. I was glad to see that wearing them helped my healing. Bought two new pair so I wouldn’t have to do without. My first two pair are wearing out, but I have the second two for later.

Great shoe! The shoes fit like a glove and look very nice. No arch support and that's exactly was I was looking for!