Merrell Trail Glove 8

The Merrell Trail Glove 8 continues Merrell's barefoot line for runners who want a natural feel for the terrain without sacrificing protection. With the brand's trademark 0 mm drop and a minimalist profile (around 14 mm of stack height), it offers the "feel the ground" experience typical of the Trail Glove line. Its launch price places it a little above other barefoot shoes on the market, because Merrell still lives off the prestige of its first minimalist models, a prestige it seems determined to throw away all by itself by running away from what its most loyal buyers ask for: simple construction and quality materials, that is all.

The breathable mesh upper keeps things light while protecting from rocks and any branches found on the trails. The traditional lacing system ensures a personalised fit, nothing to write home about, although it now has flat laces, how innovative. The reinforced toe bumper protects against rocks and roots without adding unnecessary bulk. The more or less pure minimalist philosophy remains, with slight improvements in ventilation over previous versions.

The minimalist midsole prioritises ground feel over cushioning, exactly what a barefoot runner is looking for. And here comes the most interesting change: the outsole. It is now a Vibram TC5+ with multidirectional lugs and flex grooves, a big step forward from the botched outsole of the Trail Glove 7, whose only distinction was collecting little stones in a tread pattern that should give the design team food for thought. It is hard to understand how a brand like Vibram agreed to that; it is like a Mercedes with a Renault engine. The other big change is more room for the toes, but it is tiresome to hear them go on about sustainability, ecology and so on while constantly correcting changes they knew did not work. Yours truly can no longer find any more Trail Glove 6 pairs after buying several following the huge disappointment of the Trail Glove 7. Better make the most of it now that the good part of the cycle seems to have come round; we still want to believe.