Merrell Vapor Glove 6 Review

The Vapor Glove 6 boasts a slew of superlatives. They're the lightest weight of the shoes that we tested. They have the thinnest soles of the trail runners in our lineup. They provide the most ground feedback amongst the competition. Because of the minimalist design, this shoe is also among the least durable, incorporating minimal protection on the upper. No doubt, the Vapor Glove is for diehard fans of barefoot footwear, and if you consider yourself in that class, you won't be disappointed. As a bonus, the 100% recycled mesh upper, 30% recycled foam insole, and Vibram Ecostep outsole made of 30% recycled rubber make this shoe an all-around more natural solution to running and training.

Performance Comparison

Ground Feedback

When choosing a barefoot shoe, it should be assumed that you aim to feel the ground beneath your feet. Merrell took this idea to the extreme when designing the Vapor Glove 6. The 4mm in/outsole is comprised of a 2mm recycled mesh and foam insole and a respectably thin 2mm rubber outsole. The outsole's 2mm tread depth delivers traction without compromising on responsiveness

The end result of this design is that you will feel every pebble and rock underfoot. While this may be the goal of dedicated barefoot runners, it could be extreme for those who are unaccustomed to minimalist or barefoot running. Our testers have been barefoot living for a long while now, and these shoes proved too sensitive even for us on some trails where we had to traverse a lot of sharp edges.

Stability

Our tester's forefoot is 4 inches wide when fully splayed, so when looking for a “true” barefoot shoe, we look for one that doesn't restrict or constrict our natural form. The Vapor Glove 6 slid soundly into our roster of barefoot contenders with a toe box width of 4 1/4 inches. This translated to superb stability when running and hiking around our mountain home. While the thinness of the sole may affect stability on sharp terrain, we mostly found these shoes to be soundly stable on most surfaces.

Another factor in stability is how much the foot moves around in the shoe. This can affect responsiveness and comfort when moving against the force of momentum. True to their name, these shoes fit like a glove. The recycled mesh upper tightly wraps the foot without feeling restrictive. There's also a padded collar that helps keep compression and stability around the ankle. Lastly, the cordage lace design tightly cinches the whole thing together. At times, it felt like we were wearing a minimally protective sock. While the sensitivity on sharp terrain is again worth noting, these shoes will provide a stable platform in the majority of conditions.

Traction

As mentioned, the outsole of the Vapor Glove 6 is made of Vibram Ecostep, a 30% recycled rubber that provides superior grip on almost any surface. Pair this with an updated, more aggressive tread design, and this foot glove is built to tackle, or hurdle as the case may be, almost any trail condition.

The respectably thin rubber outsole got an upgrade with the 6th edition of the Vapor Glove. The 2mm lugs are multi-directional, so you have responsive traction no matter which direction you're moving in. The design both eliminates blank spaces between the treads, which could be a point of wear or puncture, and effectively sheds dirt, pebbles, and mud to ensure that, no matter the conditions, your outsoles will work to keep you moving steadily forward, unimpeded.

Weight

This metric is where the Vapor Glove 6 earns its accolades. At just 5.6 ounces per shoe, the change in your pocket has a chance of weighing more. Holding this shoe in hand is akin to holding a piece of styrofoam — for the size of the shoe, it feels surprisingly light.

Although we wouldn't necessarily describe the Vapor Glove 6 as “airy,” a recycled mesh lining effectively and efficiently wicks away moisture from the interior. This makes it ideal for running through the heat of the summer, even if you're pounding miles of hot pavement. When wet, the perforated mesh dries quickly, so you'll hardly notice that section of puddles a mile back. Ultra-lightweight and breathable, these shoes really do live up to their name — they are practically unnoticeable on your feet, allowing you to move freely whether on the road, on the trail, or in the gym.

Durability

The features that allow the Vapor Glove 6 to claim the lightweight title also contribute to its lack of durability. Unlike other shoes we tested, especially those models designed for trail use, these contenders don't pretend to incorporate much in the way of protection. Other than a couple of small patches of synthetic abrasion-resistant material, the thin mesh that makes the “glove” so breathable boasts no protection against puncture or wear.

Likewise, the feature that enhances this shoe's ground feedback, namely the thin Vibram sole, is a potential point of early wear. Depending on the trail conditions, these outsoles have the potential to wear rather quickly. Frankly, we're not sure how much durability is to be expected from an ultra-minimalist trail runner that feels more like a sock than a shoe. If durability is your primary consideration, then you may want to look elsewhere. That being said, this pair held up well during our rigorous testing.

Should You Buy the Merrell Vapor Glove 6?

Diehard barefoot shoe fans will marvel at the engineering achievements of the Vapor Glove 6. If your primary intention on the trail is to feel the ground as much as possible, almost like you're actually running barefoot, then you'll absolutely love the feel of this lightweight option. However, if your feet are not used to the impact of barefoot running, then these may leave you limping. Tread lightly is the motto in these shoes. But whether running on hot pavement or over hills and dales, these shoes are the choice for the most natural locomotion.

What Other Barefoot Shoes Should You Consider?