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Merrell Trail Glove 6
Editor’s Conclusion
Truth be told, my trail running shoes have always been robust, bulky, and sturdy bad boys that I feel can offer me lots of protection and I can run through mud, over gravel, through fields and not worry, so I've never really been intrigued by a minimalist shoe, until now.
Merrell is one of my favorite brands, it always delivers and offers the best quality, high-performance footwear. I've, truly, never been disappointed by them and I think the overall design and style they offer is good.
Now minimalist shoes are not for everyone. My trail runners are sturdy with extreme grip and deep lugs, they are ready for anything and protect my feet greatly. This is probably one of the reasons why I have never considered a minimalist shoe for trail running before trying out the Trail Glove 6.
Read on to find out my verdict after testing them on my last trail run.
Merrell is one of my favorite brands, it always delivers and offers the best quality, high-performance footwear. I've, truly, never been disappointed by them and I think the overall design and style they offer is good.
Now minimalist shoes are not for everyone. My trail runners are sturdy with extreme grip and deep lugs, they are ready for anything and protect my feet greatly. This is probably one of the reasons why I have never considered a minimalist shoe for trail running before trying out the Trail Glove 6.
Read on to find out my verdict after testing them on my last trail run.
Merrell Trail Glove 6 Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Lightweight
Increased abrasion-resistance
Barefoot style
Cons
Larger sizing
Not for a heavy trail run
Key Features
Design
The Merrell Trail Glove 6 is available in a mass of colors and is a stylish design. The mesh upper is a breathable material allowing airflow to get to the foot and breathability.
The Merrell Barefoot 2 construction is the ideal design to keep the foot in a natural position rather than a tilting that can do the foot more harm than good.
The Vibram outsole is flexible, allowing the foot to shift well with each stride. The heel is protected by the outsole which stretches right the way up - another good feature of this shoe. The laces use extended eyelet hoops to add strength too.
Comfort
The Trail Glove 6 is most definitely designed with comfort in mind. They benefit from BLOOM performance midsole foam, the perfect companion for a runner who needs comfort.
They also benefit from a Vibram Ecostep Rubber outsole, lightweight and great for flexibility. It's also the perfect outsole for a comfortable ride.
Durability
If there is anything that you MUST have in a trail shoe, it's durability. You will no doubt encounter a mass of uneven ground, rocks, branches, mud, gravel, all manner of weathers so durability is super important.
The Merrell Trail Glove 6 is durable to a certain level. The rubber outsole will provide not only comfort and flexibility but also durability and the mesh uppers are both thick and resistant to wear and tear. They also have a rock plate for protection which is an advantage on any trail run.
Price
The price of the Trail Glove 6 is not overly expensive for the brand it comes from. A brand that knows what quality craftsmanship is and uses exceptional materials is a brand worth investing in.
Technologies needed to sustain on any run cost money. I should honestly advise you to consider what you might want from a running shoe and if your requirements are indeed worth the price, you pay for them.
The Merrell Trail Glove 6 is available in a mass of colors and is a stylish design. The mesh upper is a breathable material allowing airflow to get to the foot and breathability.
The Merrell Barefoot 2 construction is the ideal design to keep the foot in a natural position rather than a tilting that can do the foot more harm than good.
The Vibram outsole is flexible, allowing the foot to shift well with each stride. The heel is protected by the outsole which stretches right the way up - another good feature of this shoe. The laces use extended eyelet hoops to add strength too.
Comfort
The Trail Glove 6 is most definitely designed with comfort in mind. They benefit from BLOOM performance midsole foam, the perfect companion for a runner who needs comfort.
They also benefit from a Vibram Ecostep Rubber outsole, lightweight and great for flexibility. It's also the perfect outsole for a comfortable ride.
Durability
If there is anything that you MUST have in a trail shoe, it's durability. You will no doubt encounter a mass of uneven ground, rocks, branches, mud, gravel, all manner of weathers so durability is super important.
The Merrell Trail Glove 6 is durable to a certain level. The rubber outsole will provide not only comfort and flexibility but also durability and the mesh uppers are both thick and resistant to wear and tear. They also have a rock plate for protection which is an advantage on any trail run.
Price
The price of the Trail Glove 6 is not overly expensive for the brand it comes from. A brand that knows what quality craftsmanship is and uses exceptional materials is a brand worth investing in.
Technologies needed to sustain on any run cost money. I should honestly advise you to consider what you might want from a running shoe and if your requirements are indeed worth the price, you pay for them.
Comparison to Similar Trail Runners
North Face Vectiv Escape - This beautifully designed trail shoe is both lightweight and flexible. The outsole offers more than a minimalist shoe giving you greater protection from the ground beneath. They benefit from an OrthoLite footbed and a VECTIV technology insole for added comfort.
Another great product we reviewed is the Merrell Alverstone, so make sure to check it out as well.
Vibram FiveFingers V-Run - This shoe offers flexibility and breathability but be careful with the sole, they may not withstand sharper terrains, so I would advise using the FiveFingers for a light, soft run.
Another great product we reviewed is the Merrell Alverstone, so make sure to check it out as well.
Vibram FiveFingers V-Run - This shoe offers flexibility and breathability but be careful with the sole, they may not withstand sharper terrains, so I would advise using the FiveFingers for a light, soft run.
Verdict
Although the Merrell Trail Glove 6 offers a great number of technologies and features to aid you on your trail run, I am still a diehard fan of a more robust trail running shoe.
However, I can appreciate the attraction to a minimalist shoe. The lightweight aspect is very intriguing and the glove-like feel would be an enjoyable feel on any run.
My only concern would be that they don't offer enough protection for any uneven ground, stones, branches, gravel and other terrains you may encounter on a trail run.
I am confident that the Merrell Trail Glove 6 running shoe would be a great shoe for very light activity and possibly running on grounds such as beaches - a softer and lighter terrain.
However, I can appreciate the attraction to a minimalist shoe. The lightweight aspect is very intriguing and the glove-like feel would be an enjoyable feel on any run.
My only concern would be that they don't offer enough protection for any uneven ground, stones, branches, gravel and other terrains you may encounter on a trail run.
I am confident that the Merrell Trail Glove 6 running shoe would be a great shoe for very light activity and possibly running on grounds such as beaches - a softer and lighter terrain.
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