Merrell Minimalist Shoes

Over the last couple years I have been really getting into the "barefoot" movement. I have been wearing Vibram Five Fingers every day since last Christmas and have done a few barefoot hikes and camping trips. The results I've experienced have been phenomenal, my back pain is all but gone and I don't feel nearly as tired after a hike. The only place I cannot wear my Vibrams is at work. Believe me, even being a mechanic I would still wear them at work if I thought I could get away with it. Two weeks ago I had finally had it with work boots. My feet hurt, my back hurt, my ankle is constantly getting tweaked. (Aggravating an old injury) So I began looking seriously at "barefoot" type minimalist shoes. 

There are a lot of these out there from nearly all running shoe manufacturers. I decided on a pair of Merrells, the "Barefoot Run Trail Glove". (wide width) The reviews were excellent and they had Vibram soles. The wide toe box was a nice selling feature as well. First impressions were not great, they seem a little cheaply made for the 110 dollar price tag, I heard a few stitches rip when using the heel loop to put them on the first time. 

When I did finally get them on they seemed pretty comfortable. (I knew that they would be difficult to fit at first, I'm used to this with Vibrams) I immediately noticed an odd feeling that I was facing uphill, almost as if the heel was lower than the front of the shoe. An odd feeling at the very least, but not horrible. I think it has something to do with the fact that they are supposed to be running shoes. The wide toe box is very nice, and they feel very secure going up and downhill. The following day I wore them to work, after that day I wasn't quite sold. The low heel makes it feel like you're doing toe lifts all day, something I've never experienced with a minimalist shoe. They also aren't very grippy on tile floors, not an issue on pavement or dirt, but an issue for daily use. I didn't want to make a decision based on one day so I gave it a week. At this point I've gotten used to the quirks and I'm fairly happy with them. There was certainly a transitional period where my shins hurt and my feet would cramp a bit. I went through the same thing when I went to Vibrams, but it passes quickly. Now aside from traction issues indoors, they work pretty well for my purposes. I'm sure for trail running or hiking they would be absolutely perfect. I really don't see myself ever choosing them over my Five Fingers, but on a cold day the ability to wear thick socks might make these tempting. For work they're passable, though they offer no protection in the shop, they look enough like sneakers that no one would question them. I would certainly choose them over a boot any day, but they don't even come close to the comfort of my Five Fingers.

Update 8/14/13

I have now been wearing these to work everyday for eight months. I gotta say, no complaints here. (just don't expect them to be waterproof at all) They have certainly held up better than any of my Vibrams have. I'm nearly through the tread and I've had nothing break down on me at all. They are light, comfortable and durable. I only wish they had toes.