I own the trail glove (amazing shoe) as my primary runner and trainer but I needed a road shoe for a marathon, so I bought the original bare access. That shoe was absolutely terrible. Just go read all the negative reviews it received. However, it appears that Merrell actually listened to their customer reviews and released the access 2 as the answer. The durability problems are now fixed, with the vibram sole now covering the entire bottom of the shoe extending up the front of the shoe, along with a slightly more firm cushioning layer, which I'm happy to report didn't just collapse after the first 15 miles like on the original. This did add a small amount of weight, but I will certainly take the trade off. Also the heal rubbing problem that seems to be inherent on all Merrell shoes (at least until well broken in) is now gone. The cheap material that made up the inside of the shoe which caused blisters, with or with socks, has also been replaced with a much more foot-friendly material. Lastly, it just fits better. Instead of the shoe like feel of the original, it feels much more like a barefoot shoe should, like a protective glove. So kudos to Merrel for completely turning around that disaster of a shoe. I highly recommend this for distance runners, set a PR road marathon first time out in them.

I chose the original Bare Access as a transition shoe and have logged over 300 miles in them and have not experienced the durability issues that other runners have with them. I was training for Disney’s Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge and bought a pair of Bare Access 2 in December with the hope to be able to rotate shoes between races. Unfortunately, the Bare Access 2’s have not performed as well as the original. I thought that the sole would be an improvement but I have found the arch to be stiffer and the sole near the forefoot gives the sensation of socks balled up under the ball of your foot, which creates numbness like that experienced occasionally when you run for an extensive time on an elliptical machine. The shoe is not as flexible as the original and the stackheight contributes to a decreased feel for the road. I have since abandoned running in my Bare Access 2’s and have focused solely on your original model. I don’t want to be completely negative… the original Bare Access performed great during the 39.3 mile challenge and I will continue using them if I can still find them.

I liked the Bare Access 1's, but had the durability problems with them that many experienced, so I was excited to see design of the 2's. When I first got them, I wasn't sure about them. They are better constructed than the 1's, but there also is simply a lot more shoe to them. There is a bit more cushioning, seems to be a bit more to the arch, and they are a little less flexible. I was initially disappointed in these things, but after logging plenty of miles in them (I did most of my training for and ran a half-marathon recently in them), I think they're a clear winner. If you're looking for a true minimalist shoe with just a tiny bit of cushioning for the road, these might be a little too much. At the same time, there is far less cushioning here than in most shoes, and it still has plus flexibility, not so much arch support that your arch can't do its work, ample toe-box room, a firm ride, and of course, zero drop. I find this shoe much more responsive than altra instincts ONE's, and I like their feel better than Kinvaras. All said, I find them very comfortable even after a dozen miles on concrete, and wearing them it's easy for me to maintain the form I learned through barefoot running. The lightly cushioned "minimalist" shoe might be a smallish niche, but the BA2 fills it very well. My first pair is going strong after many miles, and I've already bought a second to use whenever the first gives up the ghost.

I never tried the older moden but the new Bare Access 2 is a great shoe for my longer runs. I love my Vapor Gloves for faster running, speed workouts etc. But for longer runs and races from 10k and up I needed some cushioning. It is hard to find light shoes with cushioning and a roomy toebox. This shoe is so light. I use size 10 in my Trail Gloves but they are just a bit short. So I sized up to 10.5 and these Bare Access fit perfect. I just wish these had the wide toe box of the Vapor Gloves but this may not fit everybody. I love wide toe boxes. Besides that these shoes are easy to keep my good stride in. And the quality is like I am used to from Merrell. They will last very long.

I saw these in a store window display & had to go in & try them on. They are good looking, the mesh upper makes them fairly cool on your feet, and the super light weight lets you practically forget you're wearing shoes. I don't think I wore another pair of shoes for the 1st week after I bought them. I work in a photo studio & stand virtually all day, every day on concrete a floor. Many shoes leave my feet & legs feeling tired—not these. I LOVE the shoes. Two things: I a size 9 in most shoes, sometimes 8-1/2. I got these in 8-1/2. I like to wear these w/o socks & I wish the interior seams were just a bit smoother.