Merrell Trail Glove vs Vapor Glove: Which is Best For Hiking and Trail Running?
Zero drop or barefoot? A little squish or no squish at all? Ultra flexibility or protection from rocks? Depending on which you prefer, one of two beloved––and controversial––minimalist shoes from Merrell may just fit the bill: the Trail Glove 8 or the Vapor Glove 7. But despite being the only two minimalist shoes in the brand’s lineup, they couldn’t be more different.
So what actually sets these two shoes apart and which one is for you? I tested both to help you decide.
A New Style of Glove
But first, why are these shoes so controversial? Well, over the years, with every new version released, Merrell seems to take big swings when it comes to aesthetics and fit compared to the incremental tweaks you’d expect with a crowd-favorite shoe. For a second there, I even thought they might have put the final nail in the coffin with the Trail Glove 6, which showed serious durability issues during my testing, not to mention outrage from many die-hard fans.
These new versions, however, seem to be going back in the right direction––in my opinion. Here’s what you need to know.
The Stats
|
Feature |
Trail Glove 8 |
Vapor Glove 7 |
|---|---|---|
|
Style |
Zero Drop Multisport |
Barefoot Multisport |
|
Upper Material |
Breathable Mesh and TPU |
Breathable Mesh |
|
Sole Material |
Vibram® TC5+ |
Vibram® TC5+ |
|
Stack Height |
12mm |
4mm |
|
Drop |
0mm |
0mm |
|
Weight (Per Shoe) |
7.76oz, 220g |
6.7oz, 190g |
|
Recycled Materials |
Partial |
Partial |
|
Vegan Friendly |
Yes |
Yes |
Trail Glove vs Vapor Glove: Features
Despite both these shoes ending in “glove,” there really isn’t a lot of similarity between the them (apart from the tongue design, but we’ll get to that next). Sure, they both have a wider toe box and similar footprint (literally), but one is built for more intense trails than the other.
The Trail Glove, as the name implies, is a fantastic trail runner, with a moderately stiff sole, 12mm stack height and 2.5mm lugs. During my runs I found it to be a great all-rounder, conquering rocks, dirt, and gravel with enough grip to cross streams with confidence, thanks in part to the Vibram soles. Even with the stiffer sole, there’s just enough flex to mold around larger rocks and provide some added stability and traction.
The Vapor Glove, on the other hand, has a higher level of groundfeel and flexibility with its 4mm stack height and uniform tread pattern with 2.5mm lugs. The soles utilize the same Vibram TC5+ compound, meaning you’re going to get much the same grip on trails as the Trail Glove. During my runs and hikes on Utah mountain trails they provided much the same performance on varied terrain, skipping across rocks and gravel with ease.
Fit and Comfort
Both the Trail Glove and Vapor Glove feature a wide toe-box and foot-shaped design, but aren’t the most minimalist barefoot design: the sole at the mid foot wraps up and around your foot, creating structural arch support you don’t find in more minimalist footwear. This feature was more exaggerated on previous models, but Merrell seems to have widened the area with these new models, making the arch support feel less aggressive and significantly more comfortable.
What that support excels at, however, is keeping your foot locked into place. I never had an issue with my toes hitting the front of the shoe when hiking or running down steep grades, even given the wide toe box. The toe box isn’t as expansive as many options from Vivobarefoot or Xero Shoes, but it’s enough to keep your toes from feeling crowded.
Each has a built-in insole, designed to be ultra-minimalist. This could be an issue for the Vapor Glove if you’re wearing it in colder temperatures as the ultra-thin sole doesn’t do much for insulating your feet. But there’s plenty of room for thermal insoles or custom orthotics if you’re committed to wearing them year-round.
Both shoes feature a “burrito” style tongue that wraps over your foot from one side to the other naturally, which was overall more comfortable than a traditional center tongue, in my opinion. The unique design negates the issue I’ve experienced in other shoes where I have to straighten the tongue of my shoes repeatedly even after tying them.
I did have to break the shoes in first before the tongue was fully comfy. On the Trail Glove, because of how high the laces sit, they push the edge of the tongue down into your foot, causing a pressure point. All it took to alleviate, though, was loosening the laces and breaking them in over several runs. The Vapor Glove, oddly, didn’t seem to have the same issue. Foot fatigue was an issue, however. When I ran on rocky trails, the soft sole pushed into my foot causing pressure points and after several miles, sore feet. I had to really watch where I placed my foot on technical terrain. They are likely more suitable for pavement or groomed trails.
With the minimal extra cushion and sole protection of the Trail Glove, you’re going to be able to go a lot farther and faster on more technical terrain. But experienced barefoot enthusiasts who know how to run with less impact can definitely put in some miles.
Sustainability
Both shoes include recycled materials, including 100% recycled laces, breathable mesh lining, mesh footbed cover, and 30% recycled integrated EVA foam insole. The Vapor Glove adds a 100% recycled mesh upper, which the Trail probably lacks because of its TPU-fused upper design.
This is an area where Merrell seems to have stagnated, with its public-facing sustainability page still showing initiatives to be complete by 2025. Sadly they haven’t shown the level of effort I would expect from a brand of their size. Watch dogs like Good On You have even ranked the brand’s initiatives as “Not Good Enough.”
Conclusion: Who are these for?
For trail running and hiking, the Trail Glove is going to be the best option for most people, including myself. It features a similar footprint to the Vapor Glove without the foot-fatigue and with a bit more protection, and the tread is varied enough to offer a bit more grip. The addition of TPU over the mesh upper also helps protect your feet as you bound down the trail over roots and rocks and will likely increase durability.
The Vapor Glove, on the other hand, is still a capable trail runner, but only for more experienced barefoot athletes. It lacks the structure of the Trail Glove thanks to the mesh-only upper. Walking and hiking in them was a pleasure, but generally on dirt trails with few or no small rocks. I would still recommend them for anyone who wants an athletic-style barefoot shoe (unless you want to join the dark side and start running and walking in barefoot sandals, that is).
