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MERRELL BAREFOOT GLOVE 7 REVIEW BY MAYAYO: Minimalist shoes with Vibram sole.
MERRELL BAREFOOT GLOVE 7 REVIEW BY MAYAYO: Minimalist shoes with Vibram sole. Our MERRELL BAREFOOT section presents today the 2025 version of a modern classic in mountain running.
The Merrell Barefoot Glove arrives with an RRP of €135. Lightweight at just 240 grams, with the expected minimalist zero drop and a Vibram outsole featuring 2.5mm lugs. Let’s go with Mayayo’s full analysis.
MERRELL BAREFOOT GLOVE 7:
Minimalist shoes with Vibram sole and 2.5mm lugs.
Since its debut, the Merrell Barefoot Glove family has been the backbone of the brand’s minimalist movement. Its mission: to offer a stride that reconnects the runner with the primal sensation of the ground — pure, direct, and unfiltered.
While other Merrell lines, such as the Moab or Agility Peak, focus on cushioning and technical protection, the Barefoot range embodies the free-foot philosophy — strengthening muscles and promoting natural biomechanics.
The evolution of this saga has been constant: From the original Merrell Trail Glove in 2012, which amazed the world with its 109 grams and zero drop, to this seventh edition that integrates decades of refinement and adjustment. Each generation has fine-tuned the balance between protection and ground feel: less cushioning, more precision, yet improved comfort and durability thanks to new materials.
Merell Trail Glove 2012: Where it all began,
Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove 7: Technical details
The Merrell Barefoot Glove 7 aims for the ultimate balance. It merges barefoot freedom with urban functionality, extending its natural environment from trails to city streets.
This is not just a shoe you wear — it’s one you feel. Its role within Merrell’s lineup is to be the link between mountain and city, between technical minimalism and everyday use.
- RRP: €135.
- Weight: 240g.
- Outsole: Vibram EcoStep with 2.5mm lugs, wrapping the foot for improved traction and stability.
- Midsole: FloatPro™ foam, 20% lighter and 30% more durable than conventional EVA.
- Drop: 0 mm (barefoot design).
- Reinforcements: No rock plate, enhancing ground sensitivity.
- Integrated insole with Cleansport NXT® anti-odor treatment.
- Barefoot 2.0 construction for improved anatomical fit and natural foot response.
- Versions: Available as minimalist men’s and women’s running shoes. Below, four color options for the men’s model.
MERRELL BAREFOOT GLOVE 7: Highlights
Advanced minimalism.
Merrell has merged the shape of the Trail Glove with its most radical model, the Vapor Glove, allowing an even more natural foot position.
The first impressions emphasize that “second skin” feel — toes can spread and work independently while maintaining stability, even in tight turns or on wet asphalt.
FloatPro Foam.
While pure minimalism rejects cushioning, this new technical compound adds just the right touch of softness without dulling ground feedback. In my opinion, it allows for longer urban mileage without plantar fatigue — something unprecedented in earlier versions.
Third: the wraparound Vibram® EcoStep sole.
The 2.5mm lugs may look small, but their wraparound pattern delivers surprising traction on rock and loose dirt. The base adheres progressively, preventing lateral slippage.
From years of experience with minimalist shoes, I can confirm: the better the grip, the greater the joy in each step — and the fewer distractions from the terrain itself.
MERRELL BAREFOOT GLOVE 7: Conclusion
For the experienced trail runner, this shoe won’t replace traditional trail running models. Yet, in my view, it opens a third path — the minimalist route: natural technique training, light exploration, and active daily living.
Minimalism adds a level of ground feel that’s always fun — as long as it’s not overused. From my experience, whether used at home, on clean trails, or during urban routines, its performance shines with an effortless natural feel.
Warning! This isn’t a universal shoe for everyone — it’s a precise tool.
Those coming from heavily cushioned shoes should transition gradually but will discover a new relationship with the ground: the foot as a sensor, the stride as communication.
The Trail Glove 7 rewards those looking to strengthen the body from the ground up.
It’s ideal for seasoned runners, mindful walkers, and minimalist spirits seeking versatile, technical, and sustainable footwear.
Ultimately, more than just a shoe, it’s a reminder: running and walking should bring us closer to the terrain, not farther from it.
In my opinion, Merrell achieves that beautifully with this seventh generation — light as a leaf, firm as the mountain.
TRAIL RUNNING SHOES: HOW TO CHOOSE THEM.
RADIO TRAIL SPECIAL WITH SABUGO & MAYAYO.
