Merrell Running Shoe Reviews

I really loved these shoes when I got them. They may look a bit like wrestling shoes, but they were comfortable*. Fit is the same as other merrels... except for one problem, on my right foot (which is slightly larger than my left), the knuckle (bone before my big toe) is smashed at the seam on the shoe. I thought it wasn't too bad, but after wearing them regularly for a week or so it began to cause some serious pain. I stopped wearing the shoes for a month in hopes that I could then go back and wear them now and then as long as I didn't wear the regularly, but now as soon as I put them on my foot is in serious pain, and if I wear them for more than 10 minutes it continues for the rest of the day. If it was not for that one seam these would be my go to shoes for everything from work to hiking. I do have larger feet, size 10 (according to my slightly larger foot, the right one),. but I've never had a problem with a size 10 fitting my foot in a painful way like this, and I do not have a particular bony knobby foot either. So my suggestion, if you get these and feel pressure on one of your feet where the seam is, return the right away, it will not get better, only substantially worse. My only other complaint is that I would have liked the laces on these to be a bit longer, this is only because I like my shoes to be pretty loose, they weren't tight or anything, but I would have liked a little more room so that I could make it so the shoe felt more like a slipper (whcih it really does,…

I have terrible ankles, so i have been experimenting with various 'barefoot' shoes to eliminate an elevated heel, improve my gait, and hopefully create a more natural 'foot strike' when walking. These are good, but much stiffer than my other Merrell Run Barefoot shoes ([...]).If you want comfort, get the Runs ;), but watch out for walking on rocks if you have tender feet ... not much padding!

I have terrible ankles, so i have been experimenting with various 'barefoot' shoes to eliminate an elevated heel, improve my gait, and hopefully create a more natural 'foot strike' when walking. These are good, but much stiffer than my other Merrell Run Barefoot shoes ([...]).If you want comfort, get the Runs ;), but watch out for walking on rocks if you have tender feet ... not much padding!

Let me first start off by saying that I have very normal, boring feet. No funny shapes, not wide, no bunyons, no oddly shaped toes, etc. They tend to be very forgiving. I was looking for a shoe I could trail run and hike in. I have run in normal Merrell trail shoes (more like a beefy hiking shoe) and felt like the arch was way too high, and heavy. I have also run in my Asics 2160s and they work fine, but got soaked and muddy in the Washington winter mud. I'm a fan of minimal shoes and own several pairs of Fivefingers. I love them but I don't love it when they are covered in mud and fill with murky, muddy water. In essence, I was looking for something minimalist (4mm heel drop or less) and waterproof.Now enter Embarks. Wow. Amazing. They fit my foot like a...uh....glove. I will say that I plan on using socks with them. Not because the interior is uncomfortable, but because I am not a fan of sweaty, smelly feet. I used these today on a popular, very technical, super muddy trail. The are the perfect balance between my Fivefingers and a beefier trail shoe. The sole is quite stiff, which was good for the rocks and also help preserve energy. The upper is very lightweight and the laces can be adjusted to provide tightness wherever you want it most. The tread was enough to keep me from sliding on the uphill. (I always wear Kahtoolas on the downhill) But the best part was that my feet stayed COMPLETELY dry! I never had any sensation of any water seeping in. It was weird to step in cold…

I don't have many specific words for these, other than my husband loved them - he hasnt mentioned any complaints and uses them primarily for gym/workout purposes. They are definitely lightweight compared to most shoes. he's been using them for about 3 months now, so typically I would have heard something by now if he didn't care for them! Plus, they look nice and seem to be well made.

I'm in the same boat as one of the other reviewers. I wore my trail gloves to death, so I decided it was time to upgrade to the sonic gloves. The trail gloves lasted about 10 months, but I wore them pretty much everywhere, gym, running, or anywhere. I wore a 9.5 in the trail gloves and a 9 in the sonic gloves. They are a better shoe for keeping your feet drive (nasty sweat and/or rain are not problems).The break in period on these shoes is no joke. I've got cuts and band aids on both of my ankles. I have no doubt that these shoes will be excellent for running at some point, but for now, I'll just wear them to work and for general walking around. I'm use to running 5-11 miles on concrete and trails and I can't wait to try it again in these shoes... after my skin heals.I give them 2 stars for now, but they will probably be 4 or 5 star shoes at some point. Hopefully soon.

I've done everything in these shoes: hiking in Colorado, canoeing in Virginia, November steelhead fishing in New York, Walleye fishing on Lake Erie. They are by far the most maintenance-free shoe I've ever owned. They are definitely waterproof, and the synthetic material actually kept my wet feet warm in 40-degree temperatures (don't ask me how, but I was surprised).Two problems with these shoes:1. too narrow. I got a blister the first hike with these shoes, and my right little toe tends to rub often when I wear them. I even got a 1/2 size too large.2. shoestrings are junk. The tubular shoestrings will NOT stay tied. I bought a $2 pair of flat strings and they've been fine.I would recommend this shoe, but if you think you have wide feet, you better walk around in them first!

I have terrible ankles, so i have been experimenting with various 'barefoot' shoes to eliminate an elevated heel, improve my gait, and hopefully create a more natural 'foot strike' when walking. These are good, but much stiffer than my other Merrell Run Barefoot shoes ([...]).If you want comfort, get the Runs ;), but watch out for walking on rocks if you have tender feet ... not much padding!

I don't have many specific words for these, other than my husband loved them - he hasnt mentioned any complaints and uses them primarily for gym/workout purposes. They are definitely lightweight compared to most shoes. he's been using them for about 3 months now, so typically I would have heard something by now if he didn't care for them! Plus, they look nice and seem to be well made.

I have terrible ankles, so i have been experimenting with various 'barefoot' shoes to eliminate an elevated heel, improve my gait, and hopefully create a more natural 'foot strike' when walking. These are good, but much stiffer than my other Merrell Run Barefoot shoes ([...]).If you want comfort, get the Runs ;), but watch out for walking on rocks if you have tender feet ... not much padding!

I'm very happy with these shoes. They keep my feet dry during walks through wet snow and slush. I bought them for early morning walks when the grasss is wet with dew and I think they will work great. I bought them in 12 wide and these shoes are actually wide enough for me to wear a thick pair of socks. Haven't had them long enough to rate the wear of the sole, but so far, so good.

Let me first start off by saying that I have very normal, boring feet. No funny shapes, not wide, no bunyons, no oddly shaped toes, etc. They tend to be very forgiving. I was looking for a shoe I could trail run and hike in. I have run in normal Merrell trail shoes (more like a beefy hiking shoe) and felt like the arch was way too high, and heavy. I have also run in my Asics 2160s and they work fine, but got soaked and muddy in the Washington winter mud. I'm a fan of minimal shoes and own several pairs of Fivefingers. I love them but I don't love it when they are covered in mud and fill with murky, muddy water. In essence, I was looking for something minimalist (4mm heel drop or less) and waterproof.Now enter Embarks. Wow. Amazing. They fit my foot like a...uh....glove. I will say that I plan on using socks with them. Not because the interior is uncomfortable, but because I am not a fan of sweaty, smelly feet. I used these today on a popular, very technical, super muddy trail. The are the perfect balance between my Fivefingers and a beefier trail shoe. The sole is quite stiff, which was good for the rocks and also help preserve energy. The upper is very lightweight and the laces can be adjusted to provide tightness wherever you want it most. The tread was enough to keep me from sliding on the uphill. (I always wear Kahtoolas on the downhill) But the best part was that my feet stayed COMPLETELY dry! I never had any sensation of any water seeping in. It was weird to step in cold…

I am very hard on shoes, the last 4 pair that I have owned have been Merril. They wear great, are always very comfortable and look great too. These are no different. I have had them for a few months now and are better than most others. I have owned.

Fairly well constructed light hiker. Vibram soles are great, uppers are relatively sturdy. Definitely waterproof. The "hook" eyelets have only one row which does not help to keep the laces tight as would be the case with two or more rows. It's for this reason mainly that 3 stars are given. If you're just wearing these for around town walking, it will probably not be an issue.

I don't have many specific words for these, other than my husband loved them - he hasnt mentioned any complaints and uses them primarily for gym/workout purposes. They are definitely lightweight compared to most shoes. he's been using them for about 3 months now, so typically I would have heard something by now if he didn't care for them! Plus, they look nice and seem to be well made.