Merrell M Connect Series Review

Last Updated on January 31, 2022 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP

I sure do love Merrell.  And not just because they are hosts of an awesome mud run (and we all know that’s the key to winning my heart),  but because they understand that some of us have a passion for adventure and the outdoors.  And they understand that shoes are not about the latest fashion trend in the gym, but they need to be functional, and withstand the beatings we give them out on the trails and the road. 

This fall/winter I had the awesome opportunity to review the ENTIRE Merrell M-Connect line of barefoot running shoes.  Most of the time, when asked to review a shoe for a company, I receive the shoe, and need to have some sort of post done ASAP.  This time, I was able to put these shoes to WORK…and we did. Months of training, mud, snow, treadmills…you name it.  And finally, the time has come for me to share the review with you.

What Merrell Says About the M-Connect Series:

“Taking the knowledge of ground feel and connection learned from Merrell Barefoot and blending it with 30 years of leading outdoor performance design, Merrell M Connect takes minimal footwear to the next level through a matrix of intuitive shoes based on the user and the outside athletic activity at hand – running, training, hiking or mixing it up.

M-Connect perfectly reflects the Merrell mission to inspire the outside athlete in everyone through products that allow people to connect with their surroundings. Each shoe is built with natural glove-like fit, closer to the ground design for increased ground contact and an outside athletic fast, light and breathable upper for ideal foot movement.”

Working with the University of Virginia’s SPEED Performance Clinic and Motion Analysis Lab, Merrell tested the stability and traction of different designs to find the ideal blend of flexibility, stability and traction. Tests on the new multi-hike Merrell Proterra product line demonstrated that the greater surface contact the foot has with the ground while in motion, the greater the overall stability of the foot and body

Merrell Mix Master Move Glide

What Merrell says:  A minimalist running shoe designed with the road in mind, our Mix Master Road Glide creates a softer ride for your stride. 8mm of heel cushioning to 4mm under the ball of the foot creates a cushioned, 4mm platform over a thinner Float™ midsole that gives you greater ground feel and control with less impact. The low profile vegan friendly, breathable mesh upper keeps your feet feeling light and dry.

Retails for $95

Mix Master Move Glide Technical Specs:

Upper/Lining:

• Synthetic and breathable mesh upper
• DWR treated upper repels water and resists staining
• Bellows tongue keeps debris out

Midsole/Outsole:

• Low profile 4 mm heel to ball drop (9mm heel / 5mm ball)
• Merrell Float Midsole is 10% thinner and 25% lighter to provide more feel and ground control
• Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock
• Molded nylon arch shank
• EVA removable footbed
• Merrell Mix Move Sole / Sticky Rubber
• Women’s Weight: 14oz

My Review:

 This shoe flipping rocks. Forget saving the best for last, I’m going to tell you about this pair first: this is my favorite multipurpose shoe in the line.  Great for road, trail, mud, snow, and dare I say it (sorry Merrell) the treadmill. 

It is a minimal shoe without being a barefoot shoe.  While I prefer to have minimal drop, for my long runs I still prefer some sort of substance to the shoe.  The Mix Master Move Glideprovides the best of both worlds.

Merrell Vapor Glove:

Give your feet a breath of fresh air on the run with the barefoot breathability of our Vapor Glove. Zero drop cushioning lands your foot pancake flat for full ground contact, merged with its all mesh upper (washable!) that molds to your foot while ventilating heat and moisture.

Retails for $80

Merrell Vapor Glove Technical Specs:

UPPER/LINING:

• Breathable mesh upper
• External TPU heel sling for contoured support
• M-Select FRESH naturally prevents odor before it starts for fresh smelling feet
• Integrated microfiber footbed treated with Aegis®
• Reflective details for increased visibility in low light
• Wash as needed in cold water (gentle cycle). Air dry

MIDSOLE/OUTSOLE:

• 0mm Drop /2mm Cush / 5.5mm Stack Height
• Vibram Vapor Glove Sole / TC1 Rubber

Women’s Weight: 5oz (1/2 pair)

My Review:

Aptly named, these shoes are baaaaareeee-fooot. Well, as “barefoot” as I have ever felt in a shoe while actually still wearing  a shoe. Incredibly flexible, incredibly light weight, almost as if you are wearing nothing at all. They are far to minimal for *me* to run in, however, I suspect those of you who are VFF wearers will be HUGE fans of the vapor glove.

Though they don’t have the crazy “toes” that the VFF’s have (which actually may be a plus for some), they still have a narrow fit with a relatively roomy toebox. They fit like a glove (hence the name!)

Now, even though I don’t wear them running, I DO wear them just about everywhere else. To work, to the gym, to the store….they are more natural feeling and comfortable than any other “shoe” I have ever worn before.  They are great for recovery days, and help keep my feet in a proper, natural alignment when I’m out and about.  

Merrell Proterra Vim Sport & Proterra Vim Mid Sport

Hiking performance in its simplest, purest form, the minimalist Vim’s ultra-breathable upper molds to your foot with an unprecedented natural, durable fit thanks to patent pending Stratafuse technology. Its close-to-the-ground design allows greater ground sensitivity, increasing responsiveness, control and stability for a fun ride that looks pretty sweet!

Merrell Proterra Vim Sport Technical Specs:

Upper/Lining:

• Merrell stratafuse fabric upper provides a glove like fit for lightweight durability and natural movement
• Bellows tongue keeps debris out
• Protective TPU rand and toe cap
• Breathable mesh upper treated with Aegis
• EVA removable footbed treated with Aegis

Midsole/Outsole:

• Low profile midsole (9mm heel / 5 mm ball = 4 mm drop)
• Molded TPU arch shank
• Minimal design PU midsole increases ground contact and enhances stability
• 2.5 mm lug depth
• Merrell Proterra Vim Sole / sticky rubber
• Retail for $100 (Vim Sport)follow and $120 (Vim Mid Sportfollow)
• Women’s Weight: 1lb 8oz (Vim Sport)  / 1lb 9oz (Vim Mid Sport)

My Review:

The Proterra Vim Sport is a great all-weather shoe.  Minimal drop, yet still a significant amount of cushion and stack height makes it durable for trails. 

But don’t let the minimal drop fool you: this is a burly shoe.  I even wore mine snowshoeing!

The stiffness of the shoe was perfect for the rugged trails during the Peak Snowshoe race, and the outer was surprisingly waterproof…my feet stayed dry in the snow.  These aren’t my first choice for a running shoe due to the stiffness, but are perfect for a hiking our outdoor shoe. And I appreciate the minimal aspects of the shoe, while still having structure to withstand rugged outdoor activities.

Merrell Bare Access Arc 2

 You want the feel of barefoot, but also some cushioning? Enter our Bare Access Arc 2, which adds uniform toe to heel cushioning that buffers impacts while still letting your foot land flat. Lightweight and low cut, this is perfect for transitioning to barefoot, and features a synthetic leather and breathable mesh upper with rear heel stability. Vibram® pods on the Bare Access Shape sole stick and spring off of any surface.

Merrell Bare Access Arc 2 Technical Specs:

Upper/Lining:

• 51% textile upper
• Bellows tongue keeps debris out
• Lining treated with Aegis

Midsole/Outsole:

• 0 mm heel to ball drop keeps you connected to your terrain
• 8 mm M Bound allows for cushioned entry into BareForm movement
• Lightweight EVA midsole
• Merrell Bare Access 2 Sole / Vibram Pods
• Women’s Weight: 5.5oz
• MSRP $90

For a full review on this shoe, click here: MERRELL BARE ACCESS ARC 2 REVIEW

Merrell Crush Glove

Love at first flight — this barefoot-true training shoe will crush your workouts. Still 0mm drop toe to heel, it features uniform cushioning to buffer impacts while still letting your feet land flat, and a flexible sole with a tacky Chrysalis Glove Vibram® traction. Comfort pluses include: a microfiber footbed, breathable mesh on the vegan-friendly upper and anti-funk Aegis® antimicrobial action.

Note: I edited the heck out of this photo, and it probably looks horrible. But here’s why: the picture I originally took did NOT do the color of this shoe justice. So I messed around with saturation and color and other things I know nothing about until it matched my actual shoe. Yes, the crush glove is THAT bright!

Merrell Crush Glove Technical Specs:

Upper/Lining:

• Barefoot construction
• Synthetic leather and breathable mesh upper
• Lining treated with Aegis

Midsole/Outsole

• 0 mm heel to ball drop keeps you connected to your terrain
• Compression molded EVA footframe for stability and comfort
• Integrated microfiber footbed treated with Aegis
• Vibram Chrysalis Glove rubber sole
• Women’s Weight: 6oz
• Retails for $100

My Review:

This is an interesting shoe.  The design and color is to die for, but of course, that’s not how we pick our training shoes (or at least, that shouldn’t be the only reason). 

This shoe is fantastic for the gym.  The freedom of movement in my ankles and feet combined with the flat, yet flexible, sole makes for a great lifting/cross training shoe. 

I personally was not comfortable running in this pair.  Not necessarily because it was too “minimal” of a shoe, but because it almost felt too loose, especially in the ankle area. I don’t need support per-se, but I also don’t want to feel like my shoe is coming off.  It could be an issue with sizing for me personally. 

Overall though: great lifting shoe (which makes sense, as Merrell ranks this as a “training” shoe)

Merrell Road Glove

This is “where the rubber meets the road”. Our Road Glove’s simplicity frees your sole with its barefoot, road-specific design, connecting your feet with the pavement. Its back to basics with this runner: a 0mm drop midsole enhanced with a protective toe cap, midsole cushion and reflective, washable mesh upper. Durable Vibram® Road Glove sole.

Merrell Road Glove Technical Specs: 

Upper/Lining:

• 51% textile upper
• Bellows tongue keeps debris out
• Lining treated with Aegis
• Reflective details for increased visibility in low light

Midsole/Outsole:

• 0 mm heel to ball drop keeps you connected to your terrain
• 4mm compression molded EVA midsole
• Merrell Bare Access 2 Sole / Vibram Pods
• Men’s Weight: 7oz

The Review:

I actually didn’t get a chance to review the women’s Road Glove 2. However, Merrell was kind enough to send Geoff some shoes, and he was able to review the men’s Road Glove 2.

His thoughts: “The arch feels too high, especially for a barefoot shoe. It wasn’t as flexible as the Vapor glove. Love the styles available, super light weight, great contact with the gym floor. Great gym shoe, not first choice for running. ” 

Now, that’s a man who doesn’t sugar coat it.

Final Thoughts on the Merrell M Connect Series:

Of course I’m in love with the designs and colors, but there is much more to this line than outward appearance. 

It is clear that Merrell has put a lot of effort and thought into the M-connect series.  Bringing a minimal “barefoot” shoe for everyone’s particular needs to the vast running shoe market. We can argue till the cows come home about the benefits of TRUE barefoot running, but research has shown time and time again that most runners can benefit from a more natural, mid foot strike landing and running gait.  Minimal and zero drop shoes, such as the M Connect series can certainly help you with that. 

If you are new to barefoot/minimal running, PLEASE check out these great tips from Merrellf on how to ease into this transition safely.

So there you have it.  A brief preview of the 2013 M Connect series from Merrell.   This was a bit of an overwhelming review to do, with so many specs/information/shoes.  But I truly do love this line. If you have any questions about a specific shoe, or the entire line, please comment below and I’ll be happy to respond!

Now what are you waiting for?    GET OUTSIDE!