Merrell Vapor Glove 7 Review

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Ground Feedback

We loved the uber-thin construction of the Merrell Vapor Glove 7 throughout our testing season, with incredible ground feel across urban sidewalks and backcountry hikes. This model came in well above average.

The Vapor Glove 7 is about as close as it gets to feeling the ground without wearing a slipper or going actually barefoot. The outsole's flexibility is also outstanding, allowing our feet to bend and twist however we need, whether we're doing an indoor workout or hiking. The Vibram sole has a slight bit of thickness to it for improved trail performance and traction, but is otherwise a top recommendation if you're prioritizing sensitivity in your next pair of barefoot shoes.

Stability

The Vapor Glove 7 isn't as stable as some competitors due to its narrower last and the shape of its outsole. These are zero-drop shoes, as is the standard in barefoot footwear, but they have a rounded outsole that doesn't feel as stable when lifting weights or performing one-legged squats. After completing our testing, we gathered a consensus amongst our testers and found these to be more average.

We didn't feel as anchored while using the Vapor Glove 7, even among our testers with narrower feet. The rounded edges of this shoe were great for a more natural stride while hiking, but they also made it prone to slight rolling. With no drop from the heel to the toe, these naturally are not going to be as likely to roll your ankle, but there's just enough side-to-side movement that discouraged our testing team from max-lifting while wearing the Vapor Glove 7. For workouts with less weight, however, we had minimal qualms.

Traction

This is another standout area for the Vapor Glove 7, with Vibram TC5+ rubber and an effective tread pattern that bites into gravel, rock slabs, or crunchy trail. There were a few models that outperformed the Vapor Glove, but they were much heavier and didn't have as much sensitivity.

The Vapor Glove 7 is exceptional for trail hiking and rock scrambling, and it performs well on wet surfaces as well. The lugs are more modest, but they still worked fairly well across a range of trail types and conditions. In urban environments, this shoe had a dependable grip on gym floors, pavement, and tile, which we partially attributed to itssmallerlugs. While testing this shoe's traction, we were also pleasantly surprised by how well our feet stayed secure, even when our heels were off the ground.

Weight

As you can imagine, this was the strongest metric for the Vapor Glove 7. We double-checked our measurements and confirmed the weight is 12.8 ounces in a men's 9.5. This was the clear front-runner in our lineup.

Merrell made the Vapor Glove 7 light by using substantial mesh in the upper and keeping the outsole as thin as possible without sacrificing protection. These were great for jumping-oriented workouts and longer distances, though only our most barefoot-experienced testers logged the big mileage. The Vapor Glove 7 is also ideal for travel, and it easily fits in our carry-on luggage.

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Durability

There's no way around it- ultralight gear is not ultra durable. These are great shoes, but they lack the abrasion resistance of the more hiking-centric competition, which puts weight further down the list of priorities. In heavy use, some of our testers at GearLab have reported that these last only a year, though it depends on where you take the Vapor Glove 7.

The most durable part of the Vapor Glove 7 is the Vibram outsole, which is puncture-resistant. Even after logging many miles on scree, we didn't notice any notable damage to the outsole. The mesh upper may be ideal for hot days, but it's the Vapor Glove's main point of failure. We saw the most wear and tear at the joint where the mesh meets the edges of the toe cap, though these shoes were still certainly in usable shape by the end of our testing season.

Should You Buy the Merrell Vapor Glove 7?

If weight and ground sensitivity are priorities, the Vapor Glove 7 should be added to your shopping cart. However, this isn't the best option if you're trying to ease into barefoot footwear or need something durable. We loved the versatility of these shoes, and few other barefoot models can handle the trail and the gym so well.

What Other Barefoot Shoes Should You Consider?