I have the first generation of the Merrell Dash and I LOVE them! They are my favorite minimalist shoes (I also have a pair of NB minimus 0s, and have worn Nike Free 4mm drops). They fit my foot... like a glove! My only issue with the first generation has been that the toe box is very round, and subsequently my 2nd toe hits the top of the toe box when I run (my foot slides forward slightly) and I have killed both 2nd toenails a few times. I am happy to see that it looks like with the new version, the toe box is more angled and this will likely no longer be a problem. However, I am totally and completely bummed that the elastic around the heel was ditched in version 2. This is in part what made these shoes my absolute favorite barefoot shoes. In my NB minimus my heel swims around and I don't feel like my foot is really held well (I can kick them off without much effort), while it's impossible to get my Dash 1s off without untying the laces and I loved how the elastic made my ankle and heel feel secure. Please bring the elastic back! Overall these are a great shoe, and I think that Merrell has done the best of all the shoe brands selling minimalist shoes of developing a robust line. I also have the Pace v1 (great for trails- esp when it's wet out, do not wear them on the road- you will slip!!!), and really want a pair of the Access for marathon training (did my last marathon in the Dashes and my calves cramped a lot, I think for long road runs having a bit more cushioning but not losing the 0 drop is awesome) and the new training shoes because I save my dashes for running only, and am currently using my less than stellar NB minimus (I swim in them) until they wear out for cross training and lifting. FYI- go up a size in barefoot shoes.

For the past two weeks, I have been on the hunt for a pair of shoes that I would feel stable in at the gym and could still run in comfortably. I tried these on a whim at a local camping/sporting goods store and now I don't want to take them off! I'm considering the purchase of a second pair. They fit snugly across the arch and instep with plenty of room in the toe box. I feel much more stable with my stride and I don't feel like I'm tipping forward doing squats at the gym. I don't feel like I'm going to roll out of alignment. The heel doesn't cut in, but doesn't slip, either. I did purchase a 1/2 size smaller than I usually wear in running/workout shoes. I usually wear an 8 or an 8.5, but purchased a 7.5 because there was plenty of room for my toes to spread out laterally.

After buying two pairs of the Dash Gloves, I couldn't wait to get a pair of the Dash Glove 2s. Took a little bit of time to adjust to the increased support in the arches, but it is well worth it. I'd been wanting a pair of outrageously colored shoes, and this line certainly fits the bill. Comfy for just about everything. Looking forward to being able to get another color.

Nice change from my other running shoes. Light weight yet supportive. Wide in toe area as reported by others. Not a bad thing.

I love these shoes. I've had them for a month now and have worn them almost every day. However, my laces broke today and would really like the option to have extra laces with the shoes--it's hard to find matching laces with the wonderful color.