Summary
We spent 6.8 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:
8 reasons to buy
- This one fits like a glove with a tad more room in the toe box for toe splaying.
- The Vibram outsole continues to be very impressive on a multitude of trail surfaces because of its durability and dependable performance.
- The mesh upper in the Trail Glove 3 keeps the foot cool and dry.
- Many runners found the vibrant designs and multiple color schemes appealing.
- Excellent proprioception is a common appreciation coming from many runners.
- There is sufficient cushioning for minimalist runners to use the shoe for half marathons, according to some experts.
- It is light and fast as noted in some reviews.
- A reasonably-priced running shoe.
2 reasons not to buy
- Most of the complaints were about its mid-sole, which apparently needed a tad more cushioning for better underfoot comfort.
- Some said that the inner construction wasn’t optimized because they experienced blistering.
Bottom line
The Trail Glove 3 from Merrell caters to the needs of minimalist runners or those who are looking for an option that is as extremely close to barefoot running. The Merrell Trail Glove 3 is a great option for those who love to feel the tough and difficult trail while wearing a shoe that was built for speed.
Facts
| Update: | Merrell Trail Glove 5 |
|---|---|
| Terrain: | Trail |
| Arch support: | Neutral |
| Weight: | Men: 7oz | Women: 5.9oz |
| Heel to toe drop: | Men: 0mm | Women: 0mm |
| Pronation: | Neutral Pronation |
| Arch type: | High arch |
| Material: | Vegan |
| Strike Pattern: | Forefoot strike |
| Distance: | Competition |
| Heel height: | Men: 11mm | Women: 11mm |
| Forefoot height: | Men: 11mm | Women: 11mm |
| Release date: | Jul 2014 |
| Brand: | Merrell |
| Type: | Low drop | Zero drop |
| Width: | Men: Normal | Women: Normal |
| Price: | $110 |
| Colorways: | Black, Blue, Grey, Orange |
Rankings
Expert Reviews
Experts are runners, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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83 / 100 based on 6 expert reviews
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They fit me really well. [They] have a good, wide toe box.
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While this is the Trail version, I find it's ideal for Road use as the outsole is not aggressive.
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Overall, if you have wide feet, do a lot of long distance running on the roads or on the trails, and are looking for a shoe with a tad more protection and durability than most barefoot running shoes, the Merrell Trail Glove 3 is a great choice.
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It is very light and appears very durable
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The more I run in the TG-3s the more I REALLY LOVE these shoes. Lace them up tight and they feel like running barefoot but without the stone bruises. Just fantastic.
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The Trail Glove 3 is an impressive successor to the other two Trail Glove models and certainly is one of the most highly recommended styles on the market. People who are already big fans of these styles will certainly be happy with this model.
- The sole and the upper of the Merrell Trail Glove 3 were completely changed to improve one’s running experience. As a result of the updates, the shoe weighs around 15% lighter compared the previous version. It offers a much lighter weight without affecting its original performance.
- The new sole of the Trail Glove 3 comes with an enhanced off-road grip, making it ideal for running on varied surfaces. It also offers more flexibility than its predecessors and has better ground contact.
- The upper of the shoe was redesigned to deliver a more breathable and comfortable feel. Along with this is the new sneaker-like look of the shoe, a great look for daily use.
The Trail Glove 3 has the same fit with its predecessor. It has a wide forefoot and the heel and midfoot are of standard measurements. The shoe delivers great fit to runners with wide foot shape. Merrell is offering this shoe at a standard running shoe length.
The outsole unit uses the Vibram Outsole TC1 that delivers impressive grip on various surfaces. It also gives added flexibility for an enhanced running experience. Together with this performance rubber sole is the trail protect plate that offers enough amount of foot protection against sharp stones and rough surfaces.
The shoe uses the 4 mm CMEVA that delivers durable underfoot cushioning. It is light weight in nature yet it offers maximum shock absorption for a more responsive ride.
The upper uses the breathable air mesh that is also durable. It keeps the foot well-ventilated especially on long runs. The upper of the shoe is as breathable as the Merrell Trail Glove 5. It works perfectly well with the shoe’s non-removable footbed that is anti-microbial in nature and has the capacity to keep the foot odorless.
The shoe has TPU Rear Foot Sling that offers a reliable heel support. Together with the Merrell Omni-Fit lacing system, this shoe offers a secure and glove-like fit.
Comparison
