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Josh Y
September 18, 2025
Awesome shoes
These are even more minimal than previous barefoot shoes I've owned, which I like. Super comfortable, grippy, look cool. I usually wear a size 11, I got 10.5's, they fit perfect. Highly recommend these if you like barefoot shoes. I've only had these for a day, I'll update my review if they fall apart or something.
✔ Verified Purchase
S
Sean Rooney, Realtor
February 25, 2021
Using for Indoor Rowing
Bought these after reading a couple articles on footwear for indoor rowing. While this model wasn't specifically mentioned the 0 lift and flat bottoms were just what I needed. Keeps my feet flat and does the trick. I've got a Hydrow, but all of them are pretty much the same as to how your feet work.I don't plan on wearing these outdoors, but I've walked around in the house with them. They're light, flexible, and comfortable. I wear a 13-14, depending on the athletic shoe, and the size was just right. I'm not a no socks kind of person but they wore fine without as well as using my thick Thorlo socks. The toe box is a little wide looking, but doesn't wear/feel that way to me.I could probably get an extra pair for yard work and they'd work well. Would be a good boat shoe, too. Won't catch me running in them, though. I need a little more support and cushion.Good buy.
✔ Verified Purchase
Wide forefoot,on-the-ground perfection!
I am a size 8 wide (actual foot size) and usually size up to a 9 for my running shoes (Road- Asics Nimbus). I got these to replace a totally worn out pair of New Balance Minimus. These Merrell Vapor 4 shoes looked really, really, really wide in the product pictures and I didn't want them to look like "clown shoes" on me! In any case, I took the risk and ordered them in 9D.The shoes looked fine. The 2-D pictures do make them look wider than they actually are.Width was pleasantly snug but not tight. They did seem a little long when I first put them on, but after 12 hours of wear, I wouldn't change the size and the length is fine. If you have a normal 'svelte' foot then you could likely order to actual foot size with no issue!One thing of note is that these shoes are even quieter than my worn-in Minimus shoes, so give folks fair warning if you are moving up behind them!!I am happy to be back in Merrell shoes!p.s. they were about $20 cheaper on Amazon compared to other online outlets, and about $50 cheaper than the Minimus at my local shoe shops.I think a belly slide is in order!!
✔ Verified Purchase
M
Mitchell Lemond
December 06, 2025
Love them but they get stinky fast
Good shoe, extremely grippy when climbing, only issue is the smell. You will need to soak them in water/scent products often if you intend to wear them in any social capacity. Besides that they’re pretty good
✔ Verified Purchase
T
TechSupport2U
August 02, 2025
Nice!
Comfortable.Seem to wear nicely after a couple weeks.Much more convenient on and off the 5fingers style, slightly looser fit from wide toe box.Would buy again.
✔ Verified Purchase
The best minimalist shoe
I've been runing in multiple generations of the Vapor Glove, and 4 is clearly the best. Mainly in terms of durability of the sole, which is terrible in 6
✔ Verified Purchase
Unfamiliar fit for a Merrell barefoot shoe
I've been running in Merrell barefoot shoes for over a decade, including through several 50 milers, and have taken the good with the bad as each model in the lineup has been updated. When the Trail Glove became too much shoe in its 3rd revision, I started running exclusively in Vapor Gloves.When I'd find the Vapor Glove 2 on sale, I'd buy several pairs as the uppers had a tendency to wear through by the base of the little toe. Despite the lack of durability, they were an excellent shoe and the best fit for my feet.I skipped trying the Vapor Glove 3s as the uppers seemed less durable than the 2s, and the 2s were still available for purchase.With the Vapor Glove 4 it looked like Merrell might have hit it out of the park. The weak points on the upper were reinforced and it was still properly minimal. I ordered a pair and, after a couple weeks' use, I can't recommend them. They do seem more durable, but the fit is just wrong. The toebox is noticeably narrower, the heel and midfoot fit is wider, and the length is about 1/2 size larger than labeled.I have narrow feet and the old shoes fit perfectly, but in this latest version my heels move around in the shoes. It's not a length issue either -- the shoes are noticeably and unfortunately wider in the heel. As for the midfoot, I've played with different lacing techniques and even accounted for the new semi-stretchy laces to no avail. The shoe is just shaped differently.The changes may be exactly what a good chunk of the buying public are looking for and you may very well love this shoe, but having experienced just how perfect the old version fit, this one is a disappointing miss from Merrell.
✔ Verified Purchase