Comments about Mens Merrell Bare Access Running Shoe:

I am a 40+ mile/week runner. I learned barefoot running form in these shoes after an initially rough start in trail gloves. With the trail gloves, as a noob, I was running on the balls of my toes over 10k distances and wind up with incredibly tight calves and feet that had taken such a pounding that I would wind up unable to run for days after each run. I also developed another injury to my piriformis muscle (the muscle that is the proverbial pain in the butt) that turned out to be the result of poor technique. Because I spent so much time not running due to the severe punishment shoes like the trail gloves will dole out when your technique isn't good, I struggled to "get" what I was doing wrong. I had nearly given up on the idea of barefoot shoes when I stumbled upon these. These shoes provide just enough cushion to protect your feet from the bashing they'd get in uncushioned shoes while you're figuring out this new style of running, without being so cushioned that the shoe thoroughly compensates for your poor form. And that's exactly what they're intended to do - allow you to transition to barefoot running. I'd also say that these are great shoes for really hard, long runs over asphalt, where fatigue might cause your form to slip. I'm transitioned to barefoot running now, but I might buy another pair of these for those kinds of runs.

Two other points. First, these are the lightest, most comfortable shoes I think I've ever worn. Second, the sole is largely composed of a kind of foamy material that erodes rather quickly. You're certainly not going to be able to run 1000+ miles in these like you may be able to in your shod running shoes. In fact, lack of sole durability seems to be an issue in all the barefoot shoes I've tried. On balance though, these are great shoes and I already have talked a few of my friends into getting these, and they all love them too.

Comments about Mens Merrell Bare Access Running Shoe:

First run today in my new shoes and loved them. The only issue is that the heal is a little loose. I went up a half size based upon the RRS recommendation, however, I wish there was a quarter size up option as that might address the heal slip issue. These shoes felt as if they had significantly more cushioning than my Minimus 00 and I did not feel beat up after an 8 mile run. I will continue to use a heavier sock to compensate for the size issue (Darn Tough, Smart Wool, etc.) but I can see these being a good marathon training shoe.