Merrell Men's Vapor Glove 4 Cross Trainer

Product Information

On the roads, I suspect outsole durability may be the factor limiting the lifespan of these shoes, but the outsole will certainly outlast the midsole foam in an average running shoe. Gym workouts and easy treadmill miles are smooth.

Normally a traditional lace closure with such a minimal upper is room for concern, however, the Cordura mesh is uber strong and offers exceptional breathability. You will get a ton of ankle and foot strength if you use these shoes properly and I can’t recommend them enough if you’re willing to take the mileage hit to get a proper transition into barefoot running. Merrell Vapor Glove 4 is a commendable minimalist, zero-drop trainer that exceeds at providing the right amount of protection and proprioception.As you would expect in a minimalist shoe, there's not much to talk about in the 3mm insole other than the fact that it's stitched into the shoe and therefore unremovable. The Vapor Glove series (both 3 and 4) are incredible shoes. Light, nimble, super adjustable, grippy and provide an amazing amount of sensitivity to ground and obstacles.

I did notice that the front half of the foot has a slightly muted proprioception during foot strike and toe-off with the closed toe when compared to a Vibram Fivefinger and having free little piggies. We like that the Vapor Glove is thoughtfully designed with the hope of an extended lifetime. Opting for abrasion-resistant Cordura mesh, the upper does a great job of balancing breathability and durability. Add in a substantial rubber toe rand and well-placed patches of TPU on the edges of the forefoot and around the heel cup, and you have a shoe with a long-lasting top half. After some initial runs and a few ninja sessions where I was able to trial them on various obstacles, I immediately noticed the upgrades from the Vapor Glove 3. The Barefoot 2 execution on the midfoot comes out a little loose if you’re used to a snug, arch wrapping support. For those just transitioning to barefoot running shoes, or those who find constant pavement pounding to be hard on their joints, we suggest looking at a different running shoe that offers slightly more cushioning in the midsole or insole.The heel area feels harder, and also a lot narrower, which provides a more rounded fit to the heel. After initial testing, they appear a little more sensitive, though possibly slightly less stable that the Vapor Glove 3. I do feel that the 4 is more robust than its predecessor. I noticed the power band that runs behind the heel, draws the heel forward, which may attribute to the slighter firmer fit. No noticeable difference in wear versus the Megagrip compound on my other Vibram soles, all which have held up over many, many miles thus far. Is there a midsole in the Vapor Glove? On the lightweight chassis, you get a sturdy Cordura mesh upper with TPU reinforcements on the inside arch, outside pinky toe area, and heel.