Details
Brand
Merrell
Heel To Toe Drop
0mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Racing
Key Features
• Sticky Vabram TC1 outsole provides great traction on different surface types• CMEVA (compression-molded Ethylene vinyl acetate) foam in midsole cushions landings• M-Select Fresh microfiber footbed has anti-microbial properties to absorb odors and prevent fungus• Breathable mesh and textile, TPU and synthetic upper• Lace-up vamp provides a snug fit and pull tab allows the heel to be lifted up when stepped on• Rear Foot TPU Sling supports the heel and helps prevent rolling or sliding• Toe bumper protects against rocks and other objects• 0mm drop and minimal cushioning give a natural, barefoot feel
Upper
The Vapor Glove 2’s upper is made of textile, synthetic material, and air mesh. The air mesh is thin, flexible, soft, and durable. This gives the shoe great breathability and flexibility and protects against the heat. The laces help give a snug fit, and the outside edges use TPU for additional durability. The Rear Foot TPU Sling made of synthetic leather provides heel support, keeping the ankle from rolling or the foot from sliding, without adding extra weight. The toe bumper protects against rocks and other objects, and the lack of stitching reduces the risk of blisters and hot spots.
Midsole
The midsole is made of compression-molded Ethylene vinyl acetate (CMEVA). It provides great cushioning for landings, responsiveness to give springy takeoffs and is durable enough to last for many miles without wearing down. It is also flexible enough to bend with the foot as it runs, allowing natural movement without feeling restricted. The 0mm drop adds to the natural feel of the shoe. A non-removable M-Select Fresh microfiber footbed gives an extra layer of cushioning and has anti-microbial properties that keep the foot clean and healthy.
Outsole
The outsole uses a high-quality rubber compound called Vibram Outsole TC1. It delivers great traction on many different surfaces, gripping roads and trails without allowing users to slip. It has a pattern of light grooves that, along with the rest of the shoe, are flexible and move naturally with the foot. The outsole also has great durability, lasting for many miles without wearing down or losing traction.
Breathability
The shoe is very lightweight and made of high-quality materials that have great breathability. The highly-breathable mesh upper shapes to one’s feet while providing great comfort and ventilating heat and moisture in hot conditions. The anti-microbial material in the footbed helps keep the foot odorless and fresh. The lack of stitching in the upper also improves breathability by not blocking airflow in those areas.
Comfort
The Vapor Glove 2 is very comfortable and reliable when worn. It conforms to the foot’s shape and its toe box has enough room for the toes to splay for runners with medium-width feet. The shoe has a good lacing system which gives a snug fit and allows one to customize the level of tightness to his or her liking while having a secure-feeling fit. Its lack of stitching reduces the risk of irritation, blisters, or hot spots. The anti-microbial properties help prevent fungus. The inside of the shoe is made of a very soft material that allows one to wear it without socks. It is a flexible shoe that gives one the feeling of his or her natural foot.
Style
The shoe has a great style since it’s creatively made to take the natural shape of the foot, giving one a sporty look and comfort at the same time. Most of the colors on the upper part of the shoe are dynamic and fashionable. It has an outdoor performance look which motivates one on the task ahead, whether it be running or exercising. The shoe was built for those seeking a barefoot-like off-road running experience with the interior being comfortable enough to wear the shoe without socks.
Durability
The durability of the shoe is good. The outsole is made of an even layer of Vibram, which is long-lasting, abrasion-resistant, functional and safe to use on many different surfaces, from hard-packed snow and forest floors to bare rock and loose scree slopes. The evenness means that no strike pattern is favored over another as far as durability goes. The midsole is also durable. The Vapor Glove 2’s upper is resistant to punctures and abrasion in order to allow off-road venturing, while the lacing system doesn’t begin to deteriorate for many miles. The flexibility of the shoe makes it hard for it to wear down easily. Some testers experienced problems with durability in the upper’s mesh after a few months.
Protection
The Vapor Glove 2 offers minimal protection. The upper’s front has the toe bumper in the toe box which is aimed to protect the toes against stones and sharp rocks in the road. The thin mesh protects against the heat but does not protect well against extreme cold, and the TPU Sling protects the heel. The shoe is, however, less protective under the sole: the outsole is just 3.5mm thick, with 2mm of midsole cushioning, making the stack height just 5.5mm. As a flexible shoe with a low stack height, one can feel every stone or stick on the road or on the trail.
Responsiveness
The Merrell Vapor Glove 2 is fairly responsive. The entire shoe is very light and flexible, allowing easy and natural movement of the foot for long periods of time without getting tired. Some testers said that they would have liked a more responsive cushioning system in the midsole. The 0mm drop gives a natural feel and builds muscles that will improve speed over time.
Support
The Vapor Glove 2 has a flexible sole which gives minimal support and promotes better balance and strong muscles in the leg and foot. These simple shoes allow the tiny little muscles all throughout our feet to do the job which they are prevented from doing by wearing stiff shoes and force our heels to hit the pavement first. It provides the right support to help absorb shock. Runners are able to avoid the joints and knees that hurt when running because of the shape of the shoe.
Terrain
The shoe is designed for different types of terrain which include trail, gravel and road. The outsole uses the Vibram TC1 rubber material, and that combined with the tread pattern makes them perfect for running or walking on dry and textured surfaces. Because of their shape and model, they aren’t comfortable on rocky terrain or terrain with lots of debris and do not have proper traction on snowy or icy terrain.
Price
The retail price for this shoe ranges from $78.00 – $86.00 depending on the features chosen by the buyer. This is an affordable price for the shoe with its high-quality features and reliability and is also a fair price because it lacks the cushioning and stability of more expensive shoes.
Drop
This shoe has a 0mm drop, 0mm heel cushion, and 5mm heel stack height. A zero drop gives a more natural running form and gait cycle that helps build muscles. It also distributes cushioning evenly throughout the shoe, which allows for different strike types, unlike the high drops that favor heel strikers.
Stability
This shoe provides runners with enough stability to help neutral runners control each stride on off-road trails or over uneven terrain as well. The shoe has a thin sole with a zero drop and is light in weight. The best way to achieve optimum stability is by using shoes that offer more stability than what is provided by Vapor Glove 2. This is not a good shoe for over-pronators.
Flexibility
The Merrell Vapor Glove 2 is incredibly flexible and this gives one’s feet comfort. The shoe can be twisted, folded or rolled into a ball. There are absolutely no restrictions on movement and this gives on the ability to maintain his or her natural structure.
Traction
The Vapor Glove 2 uses an even layer of Vibram TC1 rubber throughout the outsole that has treads in order to provide traction on hard surfaces such as dirt or paved roads or paths. The tread pattern provides enough grip to be steady on light trails or gravel as well, although particularly rough surfaces are not well protected against due to the thin outsole and midsole of the shoe. Users can go uphill or downhill on hard surfaces, but the shoe does not get good traction on wet or slippery surfaces.
Bottom Line
The shoe is lightweight, comfortable, stylish and well-made, with a good contact experience with the ground. The Merrell GLOVE series has changed frequently, and for this shoe, in particular, they fit the anatomy of one’s foot. The Vapor Glove 2 is very true to the shape of the foot, with lots of toe room and width in the toe box without excessive roominess. The Traditional Lace Closure in the opening provides a secure, snug fit and permits you to customize the tension. It is reasonably priced. Possible areas for improvement include durability in the upper, more cushioning in the midsole, wide shoe sizes, and a thicker outsole to protect against objects in the road. Overall, the Merrell Vapor Glove 2 is a great choice for someone looking for a minimalist shoe who wants to increase their speed and improve their running form.
