Customer Reviews Merrell Vapor Glove 5

I have bought every version of these, I cant tell you how much these shoes help me keep correct form. They are the closest thing to barefoot you can get and still look and feel like wearing protection. My favorite hands down were the Vapor Glove 3 in Lava Red but the 5 feel so much more comfortable! These shoes helped me get rid of plantar fasciitis and foot pain and help you stay off your heels and keep proper form. I hope they keep the toe box wide for proper mid and forefoot striking.

Seems like a great introduction to barefoot-style shoes. Super light, comfortable, and the sole seems tough enough for how thin it is. I wore these backpacking for the first time this weekend - they did their job, but my feet were more sore than usual afterwards. Nice ground feel, but by nature there is little protection from rocks and roots that might stub or poke you. Traction on wet surfaces was great and these dry quickly if they get wet. I would reconsider if I had to carry a lot of weight - these are probably more aimed for the loadless trail activities. If you carry 20+ pounds with these shoes you will feel the difference afterwards. Fit is fine. Great shape, roomy toe box. I'm a consistent size 10 and these have some wiggle - can fix with some tight lacing. All in all they do their job, for their category I think these shoes are great.

Form fitting and great for the beach. Good for driving too

About 20 miles in and I am still loving these shoes. I started and continue to run with the Vapor and Trail minimalist shoes since early 2012, and have always loved them. You can feel the road so much better and avoid that weird platform feel when you run on a super thick sole. I literally buy two new pair every year. If I could give one criticism it is that in later years the upper has started to tear away from the sole on the out outside mid-sole after a few months on every pair in the last few years.

I was coming off an old pair of new balance minimus mt10's. They don't make them anymore and I was pretty bummed. I wanted that agile free barefoot feeling that I got with them. These did not disappoint. Even though my old sneakers still have some life left in them I find myself wearing my vapor gloves exclusively. These are my gym shoes and my everyday walk around shoes. They feel great and make my feet happy. They feel like you are wearing socks and are super light. Sometimes I even forget to take them off when I get home. They are very barefoot feeling. I don't mind but you do feel everything underfoot. The sole is tough enough that most of things don't hurt but it is pretty thin. My old shoes had slightly more padding but I prefer these. My only complaint is the style. They do look a bit weird and are not the most fashionable. Some people say I look like I'm wearing socks but I'm happy and don't really care. Thanks for a great shoe Merrell.

Love the fit, but you feel everything below your foot for better or worse. Walking on gravel is unbearable, must have inserts to make this show a 5 star. Took them from the mountains of Virginia to the lakes of New Hampshire, like them but the insoles need work to make it great. I've had over 20 pairs of merrels for work,leisure, and outdoor recreation they rarely disappoint but these were the closest to my older pair from 2010 but not the same feel or comfort.

Real barefoot shoes. Lightweight, comfortable and great quality! The Vapor Glove 5's are the reason I keep coming back to Merrell barefoot shoes.

Lightweight , comfortable and just enough traction for taking the mountain bike out on the gravel. I don't like cycling shoes and these are easier to maneuver with than hiking or running shoes. They feel good, like a rock climbing shoe but with more meat on the sole.

Amazing shoe, light weight and easy to run in. My overall favorite

Love these shoes because of how it fits perfectly like a glove. I love the barefoot feel and the colors that I got the shoes. Overall a solid pick to add to my shoe collection.

I purchased these and was so impressed. The quality was outstanding and the fit was perfect look forward to many more purchases thanks

Really great for exercising your calves, ankles, and knees. They have helped with a lot of the joint problems I was facing and made my feet stronger. I will admit that they don't solve all of your problems. My hips are tight regardless of wearing them. Daily stretching is important in minimalist shoes, sneakers, or barefoot. I would suggest that everyone who tries them ease into them. Start with an hour a day before you wear them regularly. Here are some caveats and warning: -If you don't wear socks, these will stink -You will feel EVERYTHING -You will develop muscles in your feet and legs that you didn't know you have so expect soreness -Even the tiniest puddle will get your socks/feet wet

Fits good. Works wonderfully as a driving/racing shoe.

Mmmmmm. Merrell. Drool. Comfy like home. Like a Thanksgiving supper.

Weightless. Comfy with or without socks. Would not want to unknowingly step on a Lego with these on!

light and flexible, this shoe continues to be a great xero-drop option for near-barefoot experience. It last for 2-3x as long as traditional running shoes and gives me the feet of the road that I like. I ran my first marathon in these shoes and they never let me down.

I've been wearing Merrell Vapor Gloves since they first appeared. This is probably my 12th pair, and definitely the most stylish. It's great for hiking and trail running, but surprisingly they even work when going out to dinner or playing golf. Love them!

Just wore them for the 1st time cycling with my Superfeet insoles. Felt fantastic!

Best water sport shoes ever. Perfect for paddle board and kayak. Dry over night.

Great fit and quality, from the sole to the uppers. I bought these shoes for pickleball and they are exactly what I was looking for. Very light and help me stay reactive during quick direction changes without the risk of turning an ankle.

Purchased this shoe design to try in SCCA Auto-Cross racing. Thin sole design that it's heal contour was close to my heal and it's shallow/narrow tread gaps worked better when actuating the clutch, brake & throttle pedals (also when using right foot to press both brake and throttle pedals while down shifting). Comfortable to walk in and not needing change into different shoes when racing.

Very pleased, Vibram outsole performs great. Cool (temperature) minimal shoe, my natural foot function improving, less arch pain on walks. I thought these shoes were only for hippies, but now I LOVE wearing them.

These shoes fit like moccasins. The soles allow just enough protection without loosing the feel of the ground.