Since I talk a lot about the benefit of "Barefoot" or minimalist shoe running, it's helpful to give some reviews of equipment. Well, here's the next development.
Merrell Trail Gloves
These are awesome. Very thin sole. No heel rise. And, a super wide toe box to allow spread/splay. Plus they don't make you look like you're wearing a halloween costume. But really, one of the greatest motivations for getting them, is they aren't yet on the "cool kids". I've never been comfortable in the "cool" gear. Couldn't wear Docs as a young Punk, any more than I can rock Affliction now. And right now Vibrams, and Inov8s, are the "uniform" for the minimalist shoe crowd. The Vibram tend to get more play on the trails, and the Inov8s get more exposure in the gyms (if you say "box" I'll vomit, but that's another story). I LOVE both those shoes. But, I hate the "Have to have them" dogma around them. So I've looked hard for a stand in.
Really what I found was an in between.
Merrells, are thinner than Inov8s, but not quite as thin as Vibrams.
They are a little "snugger" and definately feel like a shoe, but way less than Inov8s.
They have off road tread like the VFF Treks, so are grippier on the trail than the Inov8s, but that makes me like them less for lifting.
All in all, this is my take; for function, they are my bike and parkour shoes. As well as my "really gnarly trail" hiking boots. Basically, any activity that toes feel just a tad in danger. I still wear my VFF Classics to do all my lifting. And, I wear VFF Treks for all my trail running/hiking.
For convienience, they are my "enough shoe to shut you up, but still be minimalist" shoe. I still hate being in public in my "monkey feet", but don't want to put on "moon boots" just to fit in. Although most of the time for that, I still just slip on Chucks!
Anyway, check them out..... before they hit it big. Cause then we'll have to find something else!
