“When I first pulled the sample pair out of the box Merrell sent me, I thought ‘Whoa’ followed immediately by ‘Finally!’” (http:// birthdayshoes.com/vapor-glovemerrell-barefoot-initial-review) Further, the Vapor Glove, caused one reviewer (http:// www.barefootjosh.com/?p=3429) to declare that this was his last ever shoe review, because no shoe could improve on perfection!
With a total stack height of 5.5mm (3.5mm sole, 2mm insole cushioning) the Vapor Glove offers a considerable amount of ground feel. With one hand, I was
approach from your minimalist footwear.
The shoe offers no resistance and, with this considerable flexibility, accommodates whatever is underfoot in exactly the same way that the naked foot would. You just don’t experience the kind of resistance that you would find in a thicker, less flexible sole.
Vapor Glove fans in the US can choose from considerably more colour variations than are available here in the UK. Hopefully some more will make their way over here before too long.
"Give your feet a breath of fresh air on the run with the barefoot breathability of our Vapor Glove. Zero drop cushioning lands your foot pancake flat for full ground contact, merged with its all mesh upper (washable!) that moulds to your foot while ventilating heat and moisture."(http:// www.merrell.com/US/en-us/ Product.mvc.aspx/30843M/74389/ Mens/Barefoot-Run-Vapor-Glove)
Styling When I first saw the Vapor Glove, I did a quick double take at the fabric used as, coupled with the orange and green/yellow colour schemes, it results in an almost reptilian appearance to the shoe. I generally opt for subtle styling and you certainly can’t accuse the Vapor Glove of falling into this category, but there’s just something so aesthetically pleasing about the look of the Vapor Glove, especially in the orange and green/yellow colour variations. There is, however, a more sedate black version if you are looking for a more subtle
Fit Just as the name suggests, the Vapor Gloves fit ‘like a glove’, providing a comfortable fit straight out of the box. As someone who has wide feet, I quite often have problems with shoes being too narrow but this was not the case with the Vapor Glove. The breathable mesh upper, practically see through when held up to the light, gently hugs the foot. The toe box is spacious, without being overly roomy, providing plenty of room for toe splay. A sturdy toe bumper extends out from the sole and serves the dual purpose of providing structure to the shoe and also protecting the toes. There is an external TPU heel sling towards the rear of the shoe, the only overlay on the upper, and this helps to keep the shoe secure on the foot. The lacing system employed on the Vapor Gloves tightens and slackens easily when required, making it an easy shoe to slip on or off and a heel loop assists with this.
Barefoot Running Magazine
Summer 2013
Page 121
Minimal review
So what’s all the fuss about? Well, basically, the Merrell Vapor Glove ticks all the boxes when it comes to a minimalist shoe, from that barely there, glove like fit, through to the supremely flexible sole. It’s like you are wearing nothing on your feet, but with the assurances that you are and that this affords at least a degree of protection from the terrain underfoot.
easily able to fold the shoe, from heel to toe, and from side to side.
Merrell Vapor Glove
ccasionally you will come across a shoe that you just have to own. For me, back in November 2012, this was the Merrell Vapor Glove, the purest, most minimal offering from Merrell so far. It took a good few months before I actually got my hands on a pair but boy was it worth the wait, and it would appear that I am not alone in my adulation of the shoe. Justin Owings of birthdayshoes.com writes: