This is the most minimal shoe in Merrell's lineup. As an aspiring Ultrarunner, my training and racing mileage demands more cushioning than this shoe offers, but than again, that's not what I bought it for, nor what it was built for. Rather, I wear this for everyday wear and short fast speedwork, so as to strengthen my feet and allow me to get by wearing more minimal shoes (like the Trail Glove, Mix Master, or upcoming Ascend Glove) on longer training runs and races. In addition to my logged training, I walk a lot as part of my daily life, going to and from campus, and as part of recovery and tapering. So I do about 20-30 mpw in these walking, with interspersed "sprints" to catch a crossing light or a bus! Then, when I put on my training and racing shoes, which might otherwise feel "thin," my feet feel wonderfully invincible. So I can cushion my body for long miles, while avoiding the muscular atrophy that inevitably sets in with the prolonged use of overly protective footwear. I prefer zero drop in all of my shoes, but demand it in my non-training/racing/heavy hiking shoes. I've also used these for light hiking during the recovery period from my last race (the Lake Sonoma 50 Miler, which I ran in my trustworthy Mix Masters), and they worked great. Some would say they run big, and while I could probably fit into a size 13 comfortably in these (something I can't say about most shoes), I'm happiest in the 14, which is my size in just about everything (but only because hardly anybody makes anything in 15, which is probably my size for a lot of the models that don't offer the super-comfy Merrell Barefoot toebox).

These have become my go to shoe for the whole day. I just finished an eight mile run in them, and they were fantastic. Be sure to order a half size smaller than you usually do. I had to return my first order. I would love to see more color options for these shoes. Brighter ones. I like the green in the women's. Maybe a yellow? I have the orange, and love them. The only complaint I've had is that the stichting holding the tongue to the toebox is a bit rough on the skin, forcing me to wear socks, but I'm hoping this mellows out in a month or so.

I'm not sure where I stand on barefoot vs. cushioned, but these are my favorite every day shoes. I wear them all the time, sockless, and so far, no smell. While they're machine washable, I cleaned them in the sink with a dishwashing brush and hot water once, and they look nearly as good as new. The outsole looks the same as the day I bought it (2 months ago?). I've put less than 15 miles on them, but they are comfortable running sockless in as well. I'll continue adding mileage on them every week. DEFINITELY order at least a half size down from your usual size.

The Vapor Glove is the most comfortable minimal shoe that I have come across so far. It's the thinnest sole, and most flexible upper. I wear them with and without sock and its great either way. Most of the other popular minimal shoes out right now are not as thin as the Vapor, I am going to buy another pair just because I wear them so often!

Vapors might be the most deceptively simple innovation in running shoes to come along in years. You put them on and they all but disappear - they become part of your foot, I notice them even less than socks! I have been mixing barefoot running in with my triathlon plan. The results are amazing -- stronger feet and calves, quicker recovery time, FAR fewer injuries. The Vapors now allow me to do so much more without fear in the dark pre-dawn running hours that i will step on something sharp. And they are perfect for just about all applications, including roadwork, trail, speed, interval -- and I even now look forward to treadmill workouts! Great job Merrell, I do recommend sizing down a half size from your street shoe size.