I'm not a runner but I use my barefoot shoes as my everyday shoes so I look for the styling that fits my everyday wardrobe. I was thrilled to find a winter boot that was barefoot and cute. Despite the thinker soles for warmth, the boot maintains the barefoot integrity and does not impede my gait. I didn't notice any difference going back and forth between the boots and my other barefoot shoes. In the past, going back to a regular winter boot after wearing barefoot shoes all summer would cause me knee and hip pain. With these boots, I have the benefit of barefoot walking all year round. The boots are also very warm in snowy weather and my feet only got cold on the coldest days of Edmonton's winter. I'd say they were good up to -20 degrees C before my feet felt cold. As I said, loved the styling. My only complaint would be that based on the photos on the website, I thought I was ordering a pair of brown boots. I was a little surprised when they showed up and were a wine colored shade bordering on purple! Fortunately, the color went really well with my winter coat and I quite liked it. But if I had been set on brown I would have returned them. All in all, very please with these boots, they made winter a lot more enjoyable.

I have now had my frost glove boots for 2 months and have used them in all winter conditions, from pouring rain to deep snow and -7celcius. ( I live in NewWestminster, BC and travel to the Kamloops area quite frequently) My feet stayed dry and warm in all the conditions. I just change the thickness of my socks to match the weather conditions. I am so glad Merrell came out with this product, they are so comfortable.

I was not thrilled with the inclusion of arch support. I found them difficult to get on and the toe box was not wide enough to accomodate toe spread. I hope to see models of winter barefoot wear that improve on the design in the future.