Shop the latest deals on the Merrell Vapor Glove 6! Shop Merrell: fave.co/3N38kOg Shop REI: www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=e295c418-295a-447c-b265-734e25f82503&website_id=83ec72ed-a4ea-4e29-b3f8-73f54836ea2a&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F217067%2Fmerrell-vapor-glove-6-trail-running-shoes-mens The above is an affiliate link; if you buy through that link, I may receive a small commission on the sale. I buy ALL of the products featured on this channel and an affiliate link is NOT a sponsored link. I don't take money from companies and the commissions from affiliates help me buy more products and produce more content. At TF2, you have my promise that every review is performed independently and companies have no idea I'm reviewing their gear until it goes live Either way, use the link or don't! I just want to make sure you find the best workout shoes for your individual needs and wants. Reach out if you ever have additional questions!
FINALLY someone covered the new model. Been trying to get it but it's hard to find in the EU. Nothing beats the Vapor Gloves when it comes to mixing lightness, flexibility and durability and I love the new functional design!
@@slavasss2189 That's because VGs have 2mm lugs that help them grip in various terrains much better than Vivos so it's worth it. Ground feel is great anyway.
@@slavasss2189 yes ive tried both and the merrel feels way more light flexible and minimal i think they have a 2mm eva midsole which makes em thicker but doesnt make em any stiffer
Awesome review! I’ve worn the Vapor glove 5’s for just shy of a year. They’re my every day shoe, I hike the New Hampshire 4000 foot mountains in them and I walk 16-22 miles a day, walking dogs for a living, in Boston. I’ve even worn them all winter long and with warm socks and my feet have stayed warm. I hope the 6’s are just as solid of a shoe. I’m still waiting to see a few more reviews on them before I get a pair. It was the reviews that made me steer clear of the trail gloves
Alright! So here’s my review! I ended up getting a pair of the 6’s two weeks ago and have put around 300 miles into them at this point. Most of those miles have been walking, trail running and I went on a good hike on Friday and again today. I got so used to my 5’s and the sole being so extremely worn leaving almost nothing between me and the ground, and I really grew to love that feel. The build on the 5’s was a problem for me. When I got my first pair, the stitching in the heel started to come apart within a couple of days of wearing them, I contacted Merrell and they sent me a second pair which held up better over time and I continued to wear that first pair as well, but I always had stitching issues in the same areas. After walking around 100+ miles a week, doing trail running and hiking many of the 4000 footers in the White mountains of New Hampshire, I think they held up really well and I got almost a year out of both pairs before I got holes in the heels. I got more miles out of these than I had gotten out of previous barefoot shoes from Vivo or even my first pair of TSLA’s from Amazon. I feel with the 6’s the build is far superior and I can tell that I won’t have stitching issues in the same places that I did with the 5’s. The lugs took a bit of getting used to, but as I said, I was so used to the very worn down sole on my 5’s, now I’m just picking pebbles out of the lugs in the 6’s. I never noticed the arch being an issue in the previous model, but my first 100 or so miles in the 6’s, the arch was a bit bothersome, but with some wear, I’ve either gotten used to it, or it’s just gotten softer and more broken in. I think the one big thing that I don’t like about this model is the tongue. When on trails, it allows for more debris to get into the shoe which I almost never had that issue in the previous model where it was more sock-like. I’m very curious now to see how the 6’s hold up over the next several months, as the lugs wear down and we will see if I can get out of them what I did the 5’s.
@@gillXt you are an absolute legend for taking the time out of your day to share a follow-up! This will help others out, no doubt and I’m glad the 6s have done well for you Thank you, friend 🤝
1st review I've seen on the shoe, and it's a quality review. Well done. I just got my vapor gloves 6s and trail glove 7s. The VGs feel perfect for walking the dog, lifting and errands...so, most of my life haha
Recently purchased the Vapor Glove and the the Trail Glove. Very impressed with both. Very light and versatile. Good for lifting and erg rowing and skiing. Very comfortable.
Thanks for the thorough review! I've been waiting for this shoe since about 20 minutes after my 5s came in the mail, lol. It looks like a move in the right direction, but I still really just hope they revisit the VG4 design as a little more of a daily wear shoe.
I own the vapor glove 5 and love them!!! Not sure I like the way the outsole rises up on the toe box on the vapor glove 6 but have not tried them yet. I use the 5’s for running and jump rope and am very pleased with them.
Hey Jake, I was comparing between these and the Trail Gloves for running. I will be doing some tempo runs and trail running and was leaning more towards the Trail Gloves for these purposes, but I haven't tried these models on before, so wanted to get your idea on their ideal use cases.
Great, thorough review! Mine arrive on Wednesday and I plan to use them exclusively for my morning runs, which are on pavement. I worried a bit about the lugs because they will probably wear pretty quickly on pavement, however, I was seduced by their super light weight.
@@thatfitfriend I hadn't considered that! Good point. Thanks for your reply. All of my FiveFingers are nearly worn through and figured I'd give Merrell a shot.
Great review. I've tried every other version of this shoe and they definitely did not do well with wide flat feet. Disappointing to hear that trend is continuing. The sole seems really good. They should really do more versions of it with different upper styles.
Yeah...they definitely have a weird sole construction and I'm curious why Merrell keeps using the same(ish) last construction/sole in these models because that's been an issue in the past model as well.
Thank you - they look okay, but I feel like if the ask is casual wear then you can find better leather options that look better. Splay 101, Icarus Ascent Gen 2, Vivo models, and Xero models all look better, imo
Hey, Jake! I'm late to this video, but have a quick question for you. May seem odd in light of the 6s being barefoot shoes, but did you find them more narrow in comparison to some of the other minimalist footwear on the market (i.e., Vivos, Xeros, etc.)? In my estimation, Vivo Primus Lite 3s are the widest of the barefoot shoes I've, especially in comparison to what I'd consider one of its nearest competitors, the Xero HFS. Not that the HFSs are narrow by any means, I just find the Vivos to be the most roomy. Appreciate any thoughts you may have. Many thanks!
Not late at all, and yep, they run a little narrower compared to other models. I mention in my sizing section that these will best align with neutral-width/narrow feet in the context of barefoot shoes, so I'd agree with ya!
Yes. They are. But about what you were saying... Vivos arent in the widest range of barefoot shoes either... There are so many brands with more room (which not always is something good btw)
I don’t see the first con as really valid. You wouldn’t buy an athletic shoe and expect to wear it with jeans and a polo. If you are looking for a barefoot shoe for that, I recommend the Birchbury.
Most cons are contextual. If you’re someone that wants that one shoe for everything, then it’s a knock. Doesn’t mean it’s a con across every context or a huge negative on the shoe. Just a negative in certain scenarios, Brah
I really wanted to like these. The sole design is amazing, with the heel rise and toe bumper and grip. But the forefoot is too narrow and the color ways are just off-putting. Gray with orange? Off white with blue? Good lord, just make them in white and black. Maybe red with the gum sole.
I’ve seen Merrill claim there is zero arch support in this shoe. Is it possible it just wasn’t wide enough for your foot and that’s what you’re feeling?
Read the other comments, it’s not that there’s a blocky “support” it’s that you feel the sole’s bend there. I don’t have crazy wide feet, so if I’m feeling it folks with 2E > will def feel it
@@eliefeinstein6182 it’s weird because it’s not arch how we think of it traditional shoes, but there’s definitely a weird feeling you get from that rubber. You’re welcome
@@thatfitfriendMine just arrived, and I definitely feel the sole’s bend. Way too narrow for me. I’ll be returning these and will not be ordering a size up because that’d be too long.
You said that for those with a flat arch they might want to look into other models.. what models would you recommend looking into for those with flat feet?
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail models work well. But these can be decent, I just try to make it known than the sole of these can feel a little off-putting at times for certain types of feet!
Are they good for people who have high arches? I have a very high arch myself. I’m looking for a next step in barefoot shoes from my Altra’s since I can’t find any Trail Glove 5’s.
They should be okay, but I tread lightly in saying that because this model’s sole can be super hit or miss for folks. I like them and I have a normal arch height. Worth a try, imo!
HI Jake, can you review the Freet tanga ? or freet pace? , and comprare with vivo is very simmilar 4 mm outsole and I think they have better grip but I have not tested them.
Mine smell so bad out of the box like rubber or plastic. Its not real. I let them outside for a week and I can't wear them because of the bad rubber smell. Anyone has the same problem? Bought them directly from merell.
Do these have a thicker sole than the 3's? I've the leather ones and while i love them the very thin sole isn't the best for my sesamoids (ive absolutely no trouble with Xero for example).
I've bit the bullet and ordered the 6s, just used them today. They do have a thicker sole because of the lugs. Used on my CrossFit training at lunch time and they're perfect.
@@motherlove8366 they're not. They're good for light rain and such, but not full waterproof. I'd assume if you apply some waterproofing spray or wax they'll perform better in that regard, but they're not rubber boots.
Anyone (including Jake) have some tips for another barefoot shoe apart from VFFs that fit flat feet? I think I could have problems with the midfoot arch in these shoes for the reasons mentioned in the video. Such as shame, since barefoot shoes really help us plagued with flat feet. Completely crazy the industry hasnt realised this customer segment and catered more towards it.
@@thatfitfriend Can you recommend a solid barefoot shoe for the gym? I’m sold on getting these for the gym but if you have a better recommendation I wouldn’t mind hearing it
Think a lot of it also depends on context of usage. Curious how much concrete volume folks are hitting with that because one of my concerns with them has always been their concrete usage/skinny lugs wearing down, too! Comes with trail shoes like this with thinner outsoles and I see this happen with other minimalist shoes that are more poised to be trail/hybrids versus just daily wear models.
@@thatfitfriend i do long drives (7 hours) for work, just wondering if this shoes is good for driving. i have been using crocs swiftwater for a while now.
Super different types of shoes. Barefoot compared to traditional running/training shoe. It's like apples to oranges with fit, feel, and ground impact. What do you currently wear and how do you train?
@@thatfitfriend hi thanks for your answer. I was looking also at altra escalante which has even less drop than Rivera. I am actually switching from swimming to gym... Not a fun of running so I would go for elliptical gym cyclette and stair master for cardio + stairs at home (good training for hiking which I love) + weights of course. I think for the gym barefoot are better I mean at least this is the idea based on what am reading... Maybe the altra are too cushioned though. Thanks :)
Bought these for myself and missus for every day use. Sole lasted 2-2.5 months before heel wore through. Im 60kg she's 40kg. Absolutely crappy shoes. They're worth max 10 bucks
The arch. AAAAARRRRGH! They screwed this up just like every Trail Glove and post Vapor 4 (3 and 4 are PERFECT on this). Which automatically makes them no longer barefoot style shoes. There should be 0 arch "support" for barefoot shoes.
@@thatfitfriend Yes, I have. Good attitude btw. I've used Komodo Sports at the gym for 10+ years, they also have the V-Train 2.0 now. Also I have the V-Trek for colder outdoor weather, and some CVT Hemp and LB:s, and a pair of V-Trail for mountaneering.
I respectfully disagree with your review. Merrell keeps taking steps in the wrong direction. The Vapor Glove 6 is both heavier and higher from the ground than the Vapor Glove 2, which was my favorite version of the Vapor Glove. I'm going to assume you got paid or free stuff for your review.
Lol, because you disagree you assume I get free stuff and that why I make reviews? Weak. I buy pretty much everything I review and I don’t care if you disagree, tbh. It’s normal to have disagreements especially in the context of reviews which are opinions…unless you’re watching channels that do actually get paid to produce their garbage adverts. Regardless, dude. I don’t care if you think I get paid or not or disagree. Believe what you want and it would be weird if everyone just agreed with every piece of content I produced. Would be wicked boring. Side note, I also love the Trail Glove 7 and that has a little arch *gasp*. I must be getting paid 😂 it’s normal to interpret shoes differently…
