Battle of the Barefoots: Merrell vs. Vibram
One bright, sunny day, a runner not much different from yourself decided it was high time we get in touch with our early ancestral roots and homo sapien origins. The barefoot running craze took off at an alarming rate, boasting full body muscle toning benefits and a sense of natural freedom that human kind had forgotten.
These days it’s obvious that running around barefoot might have certain health benefits, but the amount of debris on the ground and hot paved surfaces has spiked slightly since the beginning of man. Enter: Vibram Fivefingers to the rescue! Vibram introduced their shoes as an alternative to going completely barefoot and facilitated the spread of barefoot running to more than just hippie enthusiasts. This season, a new barefoot shoe has arrived from Merrell. The questions remains, Merrell or Vibram, is this town big enough for the both of them?
Let’s break down the facts:
Activities:
Merrell: Running, walking, trails, casual
Vibram: Running, walking, treking
Design:
Merrell: Common shoe
Vibram: Distinct look, toes separated
Midsole
Merrell: 4mm EVA
Vibram: 4mm EVA
Footbed
Merrell: Non-removable, antimicrobial microfiber
Vibram: Non-removable, antimicrobial microfiber
Sole
Merrell: Vibram TC-1 rubber compound
Vibram: Vibram TC-1 rubber
Secures to Foot
Merrell: Lacing system
Vibram: Hook and loop velcro closure
Upper
Merrell: Microfiber and mesh
Vibram: Coconut Active Carbon Fiber
Toe Bumper
Merrell: Yes
Vibram: Yes, for each toe
Care
Merrell: Machine washable
Vibram: Machine washable
Price
Merrell: $109.95
Vibram: $99.95
Looks like you have a difficult choice ahead. While your decision may just come down to aesthetics, if you like the eye-catching Treksport or the incognito Trail Glove, the difference in range of barefoot shoes is important to note. Vibram provides shoes that are water specific like the Sprint or KSO, for indoor use only, for kids, etc. Vibram also has a sizable yoga following for their balancing properties. Merrell provides three sneaker-style shoes for men (the Trail, Tough, and True glove) and the sneaker Pace Glove, mary jane Pure Glove, and a mid-height strap glove (sandal?) Power Glove for women.
It seems that there may be room for the Merrell Barefoot series, and enthusiasts are making themselves known on the web. Whether it be the sneaker-like trail glove or the toe-hugging Sprint, the bottom line is barefoot. Both allow you to tone muscles you never knew you had, better your posture, and feel the freedom of leaving those bulky trainers in the dust.
Happy trails!