Well in the title I was going to put 'bad impression' but I don't want to sound to overly pessimistic since these shoes could be great for those who fit them better. But as a 'barefoot' shoe 
these certainly don't fit the norm. Ok, they are a tougher trail shoe, so that explains some of the bulk, thicker stiffer soles, and such, but still...
Ok so I have been searching for some minimalist shoes lately. I'm slowly switching over to being all minimalist/bf. I've got huaraches, minimalist dress shoes, and a couple pairs of VFFs. Especially now that its cooling off I'll be doing the shoe thing more and huaraches less. But VFFs can be a pain, I hate to wear them without socks, and only have a few pairs of those expensive toe socks. Plus sometimes you just dont want so much attention about your crazy toe shoes. So I've been debating for a while which 'normal' looking minimalist shoes to buy. Thought I could kill a few birds with one stone since its more for cooler temps, and I want to run trails more, thought I'd get a trail shoe, which I could use for trails, winter running, hiking, and just out and about. I had heard good things about the Merrells, and I've really liked the Vivo's I've had so was looking at those two mainly. I liked the Trail Gloves but they were just expensive. And for some reason the bright fluorescent orange ones were usually cheaper, but what I really wanted was a normal looking shoe. Well it just so happened the Sonic Gloves came in dark blue and black and my size was on a huge sale, like 60% off on amazon, so for $57 I figured I'd try them. They were suppose to be the same as the Trail Gloves but with a thicker fabric instead of mesh.
This isnt a full review, just my initial impression. I havent run trails much with them yet, and I dont have much to compare them too other than my VFFs and dress shoes. So no official review, just pointing out the stuff that I think would apply to most.
The main issue is... THEY ARE VERY NARROW! Now I never thought I had wide feet, and have NEVER had an issue with shoes not being wide enough. I've even had a few narrow sized shoes in the past. But then again I usually bought shoes bigger than my true size for a looser fit. Also size wise I think they run a little small. Both my Vivobarefoot Ra's and VFF Bikilas are size 42. 41 was my true measured size but seemed awfully tight plus for use with socks the 42 was perfect. Vivo correlates their 42 to a size 9, but Merrel says their 43 is a 9 and 42 is 8.5. I havent worn anything under 9 since I was like a kid, and I'd rather have just a little extra room than be cramped, so went with 43 with Merrel.
Well Merrells 43 isn't any bigger than Vivo's 42 and since the material of the shoe is a lot thicker, it is smaller on the inside. The Vivo is a medium/D width. Apparently the Merrells are stick -figure guy width. Can you see how much narrower they look?
Hard to see from the pic but the actual measured difference is a good half inch wider on the Vivos at the widest part. Also not to level the widest parts I had to move the Merrels back a half inch or so too. That could explain why I feel them squeezing up against the inside of the ball of my foot.
You can see the width difference a little better. Not just at the widest part of the ball, but pretty much the whole way, but just slightly at the heels which is where you want it tighter anyhow.
I know many who think the VFF's arent minimalist enough. If you believe that I wouldnt even consider these then. The Merrells actually have a little EVA cushioning, along with a pretty stiff rock plate under the forefoot. But this should be good for rugged trails, just dont expect a great minimalist feel for roads or just walking around. That heel there looks almost like a regular cushioned shoe with all that EVA wrapped up around the sides, whereas the Bikilas have just a very thin coating of rubber that hardly wraps up the sides at all.
Another negative is these things are hot! I've tried to wear them around a few days, to work also. My feet burn up in these things. The fabric is kind of like a heavy canvas to me, not breathable at all. Some other minor complaints... these things have a lot more cushion under the arch too. I know on the trail thats a sensitive spot but while walking around these things feel like they have as much arch support as any regular hiking boot I've ever had. They also feel like they need a break in, with the fabric of the shoe being a little stiff around the heels and openings. The inner fabric is also very grabby. I don't know how else to say it, but since these shoes are so dang tight its hard as heck to put em on with socks. Especially regular socks, they want to stick to the sides as you put em on and when you finally get your foot in the sock is pulled so tight your toes are like under pressure! Injinjis, especially the thinner wool ones, work much better. They glide in easier, and even if they drag on the way in they dont put pressure on the tips of your toes but in between them which is fine. But I bought these so I wouldnt have to wear the toe socks!
So right off the bat without really even testing them on the trail much I can tell you that unless you have very narrow feet and dont mind hot shoes, I would look elsewhere. I can honestly say I really want to like them and hope maybe they loosen up a little after breaking them in, but I would have sent them back already hadn't I worn them out on a safari the first day I had em.
these certainly don't fit the norm. Ok, they are a tougher trail shoe, so that explains some of the bulk, thicker stiffer soles, and such, but still...
They look great, not too flashy, and go well with jeans.
Ok so I have been searching for some minimalist shoes lately. I'm slowly switching over to being all minimalist/bf. I've got huaraches, minimalist dress shoes, and a couple pairs of VFFs. Especially now that its cooling off I'll be doing the shoe thing more and huaraches less. But VFFs can be a pain, I hate to wear them without socks, and only have a few pairs of those expensive toe socks. Plus sometimes you just dont want so much attention about your crazy toe shoes. So I've been debating for a while which 'normal' looking minimalist shoes to buy. Thought I could kill a few birds with one stone since its more for cooler temps, and I want to run trails more, thought I'd get a trail shoe, which I could use for trails, winter running, hiking, and just out and about. I had heard good things about the Merrells, and I've really liked the Vivo's I've had so was looking at those two mainly. I liked the Trail Gloves but they were just expensive. And for some reason the bright fluorescent orange ones were usually cheaper, but what I really wanted was a normal looking shoe. Well it just so happened the Sonic Gloves came in dark blue and black and my size was on a huge sale, like 60% off on amazon, so for $57 I figured I'd try them. They were suppose to be the same as the Trail Gloves but with a thicker fabric instead of mesh.
This isnt a full review, just my initial impression. I havent run trails much with them yet, and I dont have much to compare them too other than my VFFs and dress shoes. So no official review, just pointing out the stuff that I think would apply to most.
The main issue is... THEY ARE VERY NARROW! Now I never thought I had wide feet, and have NEVER had an issue with shoes not being wide enough. I've even had a few narrow sized shoes in the past. But then again I usually bought shoes bigger than my true size for a looser fit. Also size wise I think they run a little small. Both my Vivobarefoot Ra's and VFF Bikilas are size 42. 41 was my true measured size but seemed awfully tight plus for use with socks the 42 was perfect. Vivo correlates their 42 to a size 9, but Merrel says their 43 is a 9 and 42 is 8.5. I havent worn anything under 9 since I was like a kid, and I'd rather have just a little extra room than be cramped, so went with 43 with Merrel.
Well Merrells 43 isn't any bigger than Vivo's 42 and since the material of the shoe is a lot thicker, it is smaller on the inside. The Vivo is a medium/D width. Apparently the Merrells are stick -figure guy width. Can you see how much narrower they look?
Hard to see from the pic but the actual measured difference is a good half inch wider on the Vivos at the widest part. Also not to level the widest parts I had to move the Merrels back a half inch or so too. That could explain why I feel them squeezing up against the inside of the ball of my foot.
And now side by side with my Bikilas. Bikilas have about the same width as my Vivos.
I know many who think the VFF's arent minimalist enough. If you believe that I wouldnt even consider these then. The Merrells actually have a little EVA cushioning, along with a pretty stiff rock plate under the forefoot. But this should be good for rugged trails, just dont expect a great minimalist feel for roads or just walking around. That heel there looks almost like a regular cushioned shoe with all that EVA wrapped up around the sides, whereas the Bikilas have just a very thin coating of rubber that hardly wraps up the sides at all.
Another negative is these things are hot! I've tried to wear them around a few days, to work also. My feet burn up in these things. The fabric is kind of like a heavy canvas to me, not breathable at all. Some other minor complaints... these things have a lot more cushion under the arch too. I know on the trail thats a sensitive spot but while walking around these things feel like they have as much arch support as any regular hiking boot I've ever had. They also feel like they need a break in, with the fabric of the shoe being a little stiff around the heels and openings. The inner fabric is also very grabby. I don't know how else to say it, but since these shoes are so dang tight its hard as heck to put em on with socks. Especially regular socks, they want to stick to the sides as you put em on and when you finally get your foot in the sock is pulled so tight your toes are like under pressure! Injinjis, especially the thinner wool ones, work much better. They glide in easier, and even if they drag on the way in they dont put pressure on the tips of your toes but in between them which is fine. But I bought these so I wouldnt have to wear the toe socks!
So right off the bat without really even testing them on the trail much I can tell you that unless you have very narrow feet and dont mind hot shoes, I would look elsewhere. I can honestly say I really want to like them and hope maybe they loosen up a little after breaking them in, but I would have sent them back already hadn't I worn them out on a safari the first day I had em.
