Merrell Trail Glove 7 Review

The Merrell Trail Glove 7 is a very capable barefoot shoe. The grippy outsole hits the trails with ease, but it isn't overly done to make you feel like you are wearing hiking shoes. The slight stack makes it ideal for running. Those new to zero-drop shoes will also appreciate this slight cushion underfoot.

Performance Comparison

Ground Feedback

The Merrell Trail Glove 7 has 14 millimeters of stack height underfoot. While more stack height typically means less ground feel, we were still pleased by what we could notice under our feet. Because these shoes are made for the trails, 2.5 millimeters of the stack are the lugs, and without them, these shoes might not be as capable. Our lead tester wore these on a multi-mile hike and mentioned, “These shoes were more than enough for the moderate trail I was on.” For the day-to-day, like grocery trips and walking the dogs around the block, we could have done with a little less stack. However, we really appreciated the mild stack during hikes and runs.

The stack height makes these much more approachable to someone new to barefoot shoes. However, stack height isn't the only thing that makes a shoe have good ground feedback. The toe box is wide enough to allow our toes to naturally splay, which can aid in the grounding feeling. The upper is also light, airy, and very minimalist. Meanwhile, the Vibram outsole is very soft, much softer than other Vibram shoes we have tested. This allows the shoe to flex easily, which aids in the ground feedback as the sole is able to conform around the earth beneath.

Stability

The Trail Glove 7 thrives as a stable shoe, especially when tough terrain is involved. The shoe is wide enough to feel secure. Plus, the Vibram outsole offers enough grip and traction to keep our feet sure-footed. These shoes have a zero heel-to-toe drop and allow for proper alignment through the stride.

If you are new to barefoot shoes, jumping into a shoe with just a few millimeters underfoot will be a bit surprising. You may even feel a bit unstable if you aren't used to being barefoot. Shoes that help bridge that gap, like the Trail Glove, can make this transition much better. Some of our testers actually prefer a little more stack in their barefoot shoes, and feel that this is more stable. However, if you are an experienced barefoot wearer, these shoes might feel like a little too much for you.

Traction

As its name implies, the Trail Glove is meant for the outdoors. We took these shoes on plenty of hikes to see how they would hold up, and we weren't disappointed. Unlike traditional hiking shoes, these have an inverted tread pattern. While we were initially skeptical about this, it proved to do well on trails. However, tiny pebbles were often trapped in the tread, which was a minor annoyance. We could easily kick them out, but we wish they didn't get trapped in the first place.

The Vibram outsole also plays a huge role in the success of these shoes. This soft rubber outsole is flexible enough to stay true to a barefoot shoe, but grippy enough to keep us on our feet. Our lead tester wore these on a moderate 7-mile hike in the Colorado Rockies and had no trouble staying sure-footed. We were also pleased with the day-to-day traction of these shoes. In fact, this has become our lead tester's work shoe.

Weight

Considering their mild stack, the weight of these shoes is quite impressive. These weigh just 17.4 ounces for both shoes (size 10). These shoes don't have a removable insole, so you won't be able to shave any extra weight there.

The upper of the Trail Glove is a lightweight 100% recycled breathable mesh. We particularly appreciated this on warm summer days where our feet would otherwise be running hot. The upper feels minimalist on, and the lightweight build of these shoes has us happy to throw them in our travel bags.

Durability

The Merrell Trail Glove 7 is a remarkably durable shoe. In our experience, lightweight, mesh uppers tend to break down faster than other materials. However, these are going strong after a year of daily use. These have become our lead tester's favorite pair of shoes, and he wears them every day. Aside from picking up some dirt from daily use, these shoes show hardly any signs of wear.

We are also impressed with the outsole holding up with so much use. Traditional shoes with lugs tend to wear away along the foot strike path. However, since these have an inverted tread, they don't do this. The tread looks great, and we have no concern for these holding up to lots more use.

Should You Buy the Merrell Trail Glove 7?

The Trail Glove 7 is a great introductory barefoot shoe. However, it is still an excellent choice for those accustomed to the style as it offers steady traction on trails. If you like a very minimal stack, you might want to check out another option. That said, we found these to be among the best to run in, and we were pleased with the weight, durability, and breathability of the Trail Glove. Plus, they are functional enough to wear to work or out for the day.

What Other Barefoot Shoes Should You Consider?