Merrell Trail Glove 8 Review

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These are more robust shoes, with a thicker rubber outsole and stiffer midsole than is commonly seen in barefoot footwear. Naturally, they fell a bit further back in the pack, though we did appreciate their protection.

The Trail Glove 8 is a true hiking shoe, even if it is still considered part of the barefoot category. This improves sensitivity over a traditional hiking boot, but it still offers substantially reduced ground feel compared to the paper-thin models that almost feel like you're not wearing shoes. Trails inherently have more abrasive ground than sidewalks and paved town trails, and our testers felt the reduced sensitivity was a worthwhile trade-off to keep feet from getting punctured by rocks or sticks.

Stability

While the Trail Glove 8 isn't a high-top shoe, it features a zero-drop design and moderate stack height for decent stability. It has a relatively wide last, and the Vibram rubber doesn't deform under load, maintaining consistent support even on uneven trails. While the Trail Glove didn't place first, it landed above average in our review lineup.

This shoe features a mesh-and-TPU upper with a padded ankle and heel collar. This provides decent foot security in the midfoot and heel areas, with the burrito tongue further cradling our feet on rougher hikes. For those with wider feet, however, the upper's precise fit led to some discomfort at the ankle. These can be used for gym training, but they offer less toe-box space for feet to splay, which we appreciate when lifting weights or walking.

Traction

This was a key metric for the Trail Glove 8, whose outsole performed very well in both urban and outdoor environments. It's an excellent choice for loose, chunky trails and outperformed the gym-focused models in muddy conditions. This still isn't the most rugged footwear out there for the most intense hikes or trail runs, but in the category of barefoot shoes, we put this towards the front of the pack.

Traction is a top attribute of the Trail Glove 8, with lugs that grip loose dirt or sand far more effectively than those with more modest outsoles. It is constructed with Vibram rubber, commonly found in traditional hiking and mountain-running shoes, and offers a decent contact area for better friction on rock slabs and other slick surfaces. It's common for hiking shoes with more generous lugs to feel more trip-inducing on pavement, but the Trail Glove 8 strikes a middle-ground lug length that's still comfortable to walk on in city areas.

Weight

The Trail Glove 8 isn't particularly heavy considering its protection and traction features, but there are lighter options available. Achieving this level of durability naturally adds some weight to the shoe, but we were impressed with its above-average score.

Overall, the Trail Glove 8 lands squarely in the lightweight footwear category at 15.4 ounces in a men's 9. Merrill successfully kept the weight low by using mesh for the upper and a thinner midsole, as in many barefoot shoes, which inherently lightens the shoe.

Durability

The durability of the Trail Glove 8 is among the best we've seen in the barefoot category, especially compared to earlier iterations. While the upper still features a mesh-heavy design, it employs a substantial amount of TPU along the toebox sides and lace areas to reduce abrasion-related wear and tear.

The Trail Glove 8's Vibram outsole is noticeably more substantial than what you find in much of the barefoot competition. It benefits from Vibram rubber's proven quality across a range of footwear and is thicker than the most minimalist options, adding some protection without fully sacrificing ground feel. In field testing, it held up significantly better against sharp rocks and sticks, keeping the Trail Glove's traction reliable. We also appreciated the reinforced toe cap, which is often a failure point in hiking-oriented footwear.

In an otherwise robust shoe, the mesh is where you're most likely to see signs of wear over time, though it's also what keeps the shoe breathable in warmer temperatures. The types of terrain most likely to break down the Trail Glove's upper are loose scree fields and deeper gravel, where sharp rocks can make contact with the mesh.

Should You Buy the Merrell Trail Glove 8?

If you want a versatile pair of barefoot shoes that can handle the city or the trail, the Trail Glove 8 is worth tossing in your shopping cart. It isn't the most sensitive, but it'll protect your feet on more rugged terrain than your typical footwear in this category, and Merrell even managed to keep it lightweight.

What Other Barefoot Shoes Should You Consider?