Merrell Women's Vapor Glove 4, Goldfish - Size 7.5

I wanted to like these shoes. I researched for a while trying to find the my next pair of great shoes. These were not it. While the rest of the shoe fit, the toe box was strangely large. I've worn other barefoot running shoes and consistently choose shoes with very little drop or support. These shoes caused strain on my ankles and knees. On downhills, the shoes consistently caused pain that ran up my calves and hamstrings up to my tailbone. I've never experienced this kind of pain before while running and run fairly regularly in other minimalist shoes. I do not have any persisting injuries or other issues. I cannot continue to run in these shoes.

Just what i wanted as far as fit and function - thanks Merrell!!! wish it wasn't bright orange (I got goldfish, one of the only colors in my size) but still it will be hard to lose track of and I'm sure I'll get a lot of wear out of it. it is SO lightweight you really feel like you are almost barefoot - and the toe flexibility is awesome. i wanted a shoe that i could wear outdoors while still having that connection with the earth needed for improving my balance. This shoe comes through. hope it holds up well because i envision wearing it every day in summer to walk out through the garden.

I was thrilled when these shoes came in the mail yesterday. It took about 20 minutes after work to head out for my first run. The running style with minimal trainers and I were expecting the calf tension from not being used to this style. However, I was not expecting for me to pick up my pace the way that I did. The first mile of my run went well, but then as I was hitting mile 2, I started getting this cut around my toes in my left shoe, which was a bummer because it was painful. When I looked inside my shoe, I noticed that the inseam underneath the laces but behind the toes was protruding out, causing a cut. If it weren't for this defect, I would have given the comfortability and overall rating a 5.

Someone else mentioned in their review that the fit of these is "sloppy" and I think that is an apt description. They are really thin, with not much support on the top of the shoes. The toe box is wide and square, which causes the shoe bend/bunch up. I think if they had a little more structure to the toe box I would have kept them for activities like the river where a thin, breathable, quick drying shoe would be nice. The foot bed was comfortable. But there is just too much bunching of the toe box fabric so they look kind of funny for every day wear so I will have to return them.

I love this shoe!!! Received these a few days ago and I haven't taken them off except to sleep. I have narrow feet with a high instep. These shoes are lightweight yet sturdy. I'm too old to run or hike but these are great house shoes. I can go outside and work in the garden. No break in required and the toe box is roomy. Merrell does it again. I love Merrell shoes.