Customer Reviews Merrell Vapor Glove 5

Nice lite shoe for training, but more narrow than my previous Merrells. This shoe does seem to have more support as the previous shoe was a Trail Glove 5 3D.

Wanted to like it, but runs small even compared to the only slightly different Trail Glove 6.

I've enjoyed this shoe thus far. First time running in minimalistic shoes and it's been a steep learning curve. My calves have been on fire, but I understand this is a me issue and not the shoe. That being said, I love the feel of the ground, it runs very well, and has been durable after 100 miles. Might need just a bit of support or more time to transition.

Runs about 1/2 size small. Other than that, good shoe.

I'm a seasoned minimal-footwear aficionado who has really struggled over the last year and a half to find a replacement for my well-worn Trail Glove 4s. The TG 6s-- with their rigid soles and bafflingly-NON-minimal arch support were considered and disregarded. After lengthy delays brought on by supply chain difficulties, I was finally able to secure a pair of Vapor Glove 5s over the summer of '22. After five months of wear, I've found the shoes are a decidedly mixed bag. My usual 9.5 US proved to be overly constrictive around my toes, not allowing proper toe splay. I was able to exchange them for 10s, which fit better, but now there's a surplus of material that bunches up around the tongue and top of the shoe. The soles are light and allow great ground-feel, but might be too thin for hardcore trail runners. The aesthetics of the shoes are quite nice for those of you who care about such things, although I'm pretty blah on the colors other than the black. Where the VG5s really excel, however is weight. They are ridiculously light--even with the bunched up extra material on top. If you size them correctly, you'll get a decent minimal running shoe. I like the Vapor Glove 5. I don't love them. I really wish Merrell would recommit to offering a larger variety of minimal footwear. They've been pairing back in this segment, which given the release of Born To Run 2 this month, seems like a gross miscalculation as minimal footwear is poised for another big boom. Merrell's bizarre treatment of their previously-excellent minimal footwear portfolio is so odd that despite my ho-hum feelings about this shoe, I've purchased a second pair to have in reserve once this pair wears out. I simply don't trust Merrell to continue to manufacture minimal footwear. I really wish they'd just re-release the Trail Glove 4, as that shoe was the pinnacle of Merrell's running shoe catalogue.

They are just ok. Comfortable, but one of the seams started separating less than a week after wearing. Would give 5 starts if I thought they were made a little more durable.

They fit big. Should have ordered a size down. They are good though.

These were advertised as slip on but they have typical shoe laces. Very awkward to put on.

Fit and look is just kind of weird. Not as nice as an older pair I have.

I loved my Vapor 3's. When they wore out I got 4's and they only improved the shoe! I was so impressed. It put some miles on those and when I finally wore through the sole I got the 5's with high hopes. The toe box seems to be more constrained and the same size I wore in 3's and 4's seem to be ever-so-slightly smaller (in addition to a smaller toe box). Not sure about the long-term usage (yet)...but I'd rather have another pair of 4's. In my opinion, this model is not progress.

The shoes are slippery, we expected more grip from the soles.

well made, nice sized toe box. but the most uncomfortable "barefoot" shoe i've ever owned. was used to fivefingers, but they wore out and are too hard to find anymore. love merrel's other shoes so gave these a shot for a half marathon and training. most pain i've ever had from running, and i run a minimum of three days a week anywhere from 3.5mi to 7mi at a time. i do not reccomend these for running. walking around, sure, great for that.

6 months ago I wrote a glowing review of these shoes based on a few runs in them at the time. I liked the first pair so much that I went ahead and bought two more to have in case merrell decided to discontinue them. Well, after 240 miles the first pair had a hole worn through the sole on both shoes along the outside of the ball of my foot. I run on asphalt, so it's unlikely to be due to a puncture. The sole material is apparently very soft when compared to previous models of the vapor glove which I have had last consistently >600 miles as evidenced by the photos of two pairs of VG3's. The uppers look good as new and the fit is still phenomenal on the first pair which is one area that the previous VG's fell short. Enter the second pair. Despite being the same size, the second pair fits much more snug in the toe box. The toe box itself feels narrower and slightly shorter and the rubberized coating over the big toe is much more noticeable when wearing the shoe. After only a few miles I developed bruising under the toenails on my big toe that I hadn't experienced on the first pair. I've put 30 miles on them so far and the fitment is still the same as the first run. I have long been a vapor glove fanboy and sung the praises of them to anyone who would listen. I don't know that I can do that anymore with these experiences.

Perfect minimalist shoes, true to size and would deserve a 5 stars review if they lasted more than few months. End up with holes, every time. Bought few pairs over the last few years. All of them failed to last more than few months, which is not acceptable IMO. Hopefully the updated version will last longer.

Vapor Glove 3 was good! This shoe falls short with a narrower fit and smaller toe box. The sole is lazy and awkward compared to VG3. Again, why make a worse model than the previous one? Merrell seems to excel in this field. Make a Vapor Glove 3, or at least the sole, and you will get customers back. Until then I won't buy another Merrell shoe!

Sigh..... Stock up on the vapor glove three and four. Merrell decided to change the stiffness and rubber on this shoe compared to the previous versions. These shoes are not as minimalist as the threes and fours. Also the sizing seems slightly smaller as well (could be due to the different material and rubbers used) Overall it's still a good shoe but it'd getting farther and farther away from what the Vapor gloves have been in the past...FOR THE WORSE. PROS Decent minimalist shoes CONS thicker than previous versions Slightly smaller than previous versions Different material that makes it less breathable NO FUN COLORS Overall I say SKIP THIS SHOE and get a set of leftover vapor glove 3s or 4s before they are all gone. Very disappointed

Bought about 6 months ago, felt great for the first couple uses. Bottom quickly wore down and now I have a hole in it. Expected better quality given the price.

Disappointed, upon lacing up, the sneaker looses its shape and structure

Make wide sizes please!!! These would be amazing if Merrell had wider versions. They are super light and feel like feathers my the feet. The 9's fit perfectly except they were too tight on my feet!

I have worn a size 12 shoe my entire adult life, but had to order a 13 in these because my toes hit the end of the shoe while walking down stairs in a 12. So, if you're even remotely on the fence, order a size up. Second, you see that rock guard / coating to prolong life along the pinky toe? It doesn't extend far enough up and forward, and I'm beginning to see wear in the fabric already; it's been less than a month of moderate use. A tip for wearing: tie these looser than you do any other shoe you've ever worn. They flex with your foot with less tension. Why? I have no idea, but they're uncomfortable and prohibitive otherwise, and I already pay attention to how tight I lace my running shoes. Third, as for being barefoot, you'll notice the toe box is larger than most mainstream shoes, but far narrower than other barefoot shoes. I don't notice, but that may be because these are my first foray into the category in over a decade. The first week or two is quite trying, too, but a quick YouTube or Reddit search will tell you as much. Stretch, drink more water, and step carefully. That last bit means lowering your center of gravity (by lowering your hips (read: bend your knees more!)) by ~1/2 inch / ~13 mm, and stepping softly. It's not much, but makes a substantial difference in stride. Some would have you believe you should step by making contact with the ball of your foot first. I disagree with this unless walking downhill or running. Do what makes you comfortable, and experiment with what you can reasonably sustain. Finally, I wanted to believe this shoe was the solution, but it's not. I'll wear them because I can't return them, but I probably won't buy another pair of this iteration.

The vapor glove 5 has a serious problem with the toe box. I (70yo male) have worn only the merrell vapor glove since the original version and have considered it the ultimate all-around shoe for all occasions, including running. This latest version has a toe box that caused bruising of my big toenail so severe I nearly lost the nail. That was on a six mile run. I have been running for almost 40 years logging 20-25 miles a week, barefoot style for the past 12 or 13 years. This is the only injury I have ever experienced in my entire running career. I wear a size 7.5. It seems as though vapor glove 5 changed the material used to protect the toenail from cutting into the top of the shoe, and it feels like a change from a soft glove into a rigid metal cage. Very disappointing. Perhaps moving to a larger shoe size could make a difference but not sure I am willing to take the chance considering the direction merrell keeps taking this model. Also, the sole tread keeps changing for the worse. The original version through to the vapor glove 3 was by far the best tread ever with unsurpassed road feel. Version 4 was bad and now version 5 is even worse. This newest sole just packs the dirt and mud into the tread lessening traction and reducing quality road feel. It also seems more rigid and less flexible than previous versions. Design flaws keep degrading the vapor glove from what was once the ultimate barefoot running shoe to second rate. One last comment on the upside of the vapor glove 5 is the change to the tongue. I won't be able to try it any longer but before this new version the tongue did not stay in place very well and always slipped to one side or the other. This new design seemed to be an improvement.

Not a true barefoot shoe - the toe box is about as narrow as a conventional shoe. It has most other components spot on (except for that weird arch thing) it just needs that foot shaped toe box to allow a proper splay. I sized up, but that didn't help, only made the shoe sloppier.

Poor quality and style. Too narrow. I have worn Merrill's for years. Very disappointed now.

ok, not great not as good as previous trail gloves

good color, bad fit for the pinky toe and hurt around the ankle