Merrell Pace Glove Trail Running Shoe - Women's

I really love this shoe! The first time I ran in it I was amazed; these are my first barefoot shoe and I am totally sold. The muscles you use are different so it takes a little getting used to but holy *&%^, they're fun. Great protection from sharp rocks, super light, breathable. Very nice. And Merrell is LOCAL to Utah! Wooo.

I had never tried a shoe like this before, but I'm thrilled with these. I did choose to wear them for short periods of time for a couple of weeks to break them in (they rubbed a bit at the back of my heel) but now they feel great. They're a perfect "everywhere" shoe, lightweight, low profile, comfortable, and they have actually helped with a problem on my left foot, allowing me to walk with less pain than in other shoes.

OK, so I love being barefoot. When I first heard about VFFs a couple years ago, I got into them and I like them very much. However, I found them a little too thin (I wear both the KSO and the Bikila) to wear on packed gravel, unimproved trails and some other rougher terrains without a very deliberate watch on my footing. So then I heard about the Merrills and decided to give them a try.

As soon as I got out of the post office, I put them on to start getting a feel. At first, I did have the feeling of a negative drop form toe to heel as was mentioned in other reviews I have read. However, that sensation has gone away by a couple wears. I have worn them running, both road and gravel (deliberately trying out some of the rockier places) as well a mountain biking, city biking and just wearing around with casual clothes. In all areas, they are great.

They are slightly thicker than a VFF, and thus a little of the tactile feeling is lost. However, they make up for this in the wider variety of applications. I like how they fit snugly from heel toe the ball of my foot, then leave my toes free to move around. Barefoot inside was comfortable, but I found that they are also well paired with some foot-specific socks (I have Keen merino wool socks) while regular "ambi-foot" socks were only OK.

End result is that while I'll still use my VFFs for training, these have become my new favorite everywhere shoe. From gym to driving to biking and walking around town, these are fantastic. Oh, and they are a little easier to blend into the wardrobe for those more fashion-conscious (Not that I am, but it's nice to have a minimalist shoe that is acceptable at work).

Got these for my Nieces and they love them. One lost her's and instantly made me order some to replace the ones she lost

I bought these shoes for camping and short hikes. They worked great for fishing and navigating the creek, and were fantastic for short hikes. As with any "barefoot" shoe, your feet get more of a workout. While the shoes did not need to be broken-in, I recommend wearing them around a bit before setting out on a 5+ mile trek. My new favorite camping shoe! (Also, I own several Merrell shoes and while I typically wear a size 8, I had to go up 1/2 a size for all of the barefoot shoes. They should fit a tad loose, and your toes should not touch the end while walking.)

I absolutely LOVE my Merrell Pace Glove Shoe. I have told a lot of people about them. One person bought them at my suggestion and loves them too.
I was skeptical, because I actually do not like to go barefoot, but these shoes make running easy. Very comfortable, from the moment you put them on. My chiropractor recommended them for me, for better spinal alignment.
Prior to these shoes, I would get hip pain during and after running. NO MORE!! They are great shoes.

I've had these shoes for a few weeks now and they've become my first choice for nearly everything. I love the way these shoes feel - as another reviewer mentioned, they're very fitted from the heel through the arch, and cut wider in the front. Despite the tight fit in the heel, they're definitely the least restrictive-feeling shoe I've worn. They took no time at all to break in.

So far, I've worn these shoes
to work: spending several hours on my feet with no associated discomfort;
hiking: I felt more sure of my footing than ever before. The combination of increased tactile awareness and grippy Vibram soles is fantastic;
jogging: after getting used to the required change in running form and developing a nice rhythm, I feel no discomfort in my joints. The first couple of times I wore them running, my feet were a little sore afterwards, but I think it was just underused muscles gaining strength, and it hasn't been a problem since. I think the soles are an ideal thickness for running: I like that I can feel subtle changes in terrain without cringing every time I step on a rock.

I've taken these shoes in the mud and water, too. They still grip well and I have no concern about them slipping off or staying soggy for hours. They breathe really well, so sweaty feet haven't become a problem for me yet.
I have nothing negative to say about these shoes - they feel like they were made for my feet and my lifestyle.

For reference: I generally wear an 8-8.5 and the 8 in these is perfect without socks.

I had been wanting to try barefoot running because I hurt my knee in college and had heard this running technique allowed for minimal impact on joints. These are so much better and less goofy looking then vibram 5 fingers. i use them to run (and have no knee pain) and i even wear them after yoga and to the grocery store. love these shoes!

Got two pair of these for my nieces and they love them

I have been running for years on my Asics. I kept having IT band issues. So, I thought I would try these, and change my running form also. I have loved them so far. But I had to start off not doing too many miles and I watched a lot of Merrell videos on their website to prevent injury. BUT, I also wear them around. All day! I love the way they feel. They are great with or with out socks. I would recommend them to all my friends!

I bought these for my wife. They ended up a little small and went one size bigger. She loves them. I have a pair as well. I like the large toe box.

I bought the pace gloves for barefoot running and have been loving them so far. The feel is great and I think they really do align your stride better. I used to get cramped on runs in the shoulders and hips, and that's gone away in these shoes.

I am a little hesitant though about running longer distances in these. I'm training for an easy 1/2 marathon, so just runs of 3-6 miles in the past month. I run 1/3 trail, 2/3 paved and the lack of cushioning is definitely felt around in the area below my ankles after running. Not sharp pain, just some soreness after running. We'll see if my muscles adjust as miles increase, or I may need to find more cushioning.

I think these are GREAT casual/active shoes though, and LOVE the feel running. I am usually a 7.5 in Merrell with a longer 2nd toe. I tried on the 7.5s and they are a snug, toe-to-the-end fit, so I opted for the size 8. They felt roomy in the toes at first, but not hitting the end is pleasant while running.

So great!!!! I got a 2nd pair and my mom a pair :) However, I wear usually 8.5-9 for all my shoes, I got the 9 in my first pair and went with 9.5 in the second (this is my only pair of shoes I own this large, so these do run small) I agree it is most comfortable getting them with space in the toe as the other reviews have stated. I use these hiking, trail running and general running in Utah. For mountain use they aren't as protective as boots, obviously, for rocks but the comfort makes it worth it to me. You can feel earth beneath you in these shoes.

I love this shoe for kickboxing and cross-training. It took a few weeks to get used to it, but now, i don't use my regular running shoes for anything but the occassional spin class. I love the light weight (for traveling!) and snug fit. Truly feels like a glove. Eager to try a run in them to see if my joints feel OK with the new impact areas. But so far, the short jogs to the gym feel great, even on my bum hip!

For those of us who just can't wear the ones w/ individual toes these are the PERFECT alternative. I actually wear them for paddling - which is normally a barefoot activity but if I flip I want reef protection - and it's like being barefoot.But make sure you rinse them really well they will start to smell.

These are so lightweight, you barely notice you have them on, very airy and super comfortable for any activity!

Due to the nature of my job, I have to wear closed-toe shoes at all times (goodbye, days of lounging around in flip-flops!) These shoes, though, are the answer to all my needs and I was ecstatic when I discovered them:
-Lightweight enough to be a camp shoe - these babies weigh basically nothing (especially in a ladies size 5)
-Sturdy enough to stand up to running, climbing up shelving, and standing (pacing) around in all day

The lack of support meant that my feet were *really* tired the first few days, but after that initial break-in period, I wouldn't go back to trainers or other shoes. They also don't look too goofy, which was my main qualm with VFFs. Highly recommended - Merell shoes in general rarely fit me because I have an extremely high instep, but these babies fit like a glove (ha ha.)

I've been running barefoot for years. I keep trying to get my wife to try it but she thinks I'm crazy. Finally I got some of these merrells and suddenly she was interested. Why? Because they're cute and you don't look like a barefoot weirdo. Also, the shoe gives you a lot of the barefoot benefits, but still protects your foot pretty well from sharp rocks and stuff. So they are a pretty gentle intro to barefoot running. Since I got these, my wife wanted the, then my mother in law, them my brother in law...everyone wants them. These are good shoes.

By the way, since there's no "padding" to wear out, these things should last for a VERY long time.

I am a big fan of Keens, and these are really comfortable. This is the first barefoot running shoe I've tried. I love these; I know I should probably only use them for running, but I've barely taken them off since they arrived. True to size for me. I have a narrow foot and they are nice. Roomy in the toe, but I guess they're supposed to be.

I have been a fan and wearer of vibram five fingers for the past few years., these are just as comfortable and easier to wear. I would recommend them to everyone!

I like the Barefoot idea, but the Five fingers did not fit my little toe, and I could never quite get over the monkey look.

The merrells feel great, and look cute as well.

KW

Just got these shoes and have been totally pleased! I have wanted to try minimalist shoes but like another reviewer said, the five fingers didn't fit my little toe well so I have been very pleased with these! They were comfortable right out of the box and fit my foot perfectly. I definitely recommend them.