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Spencer F.
Spencer F. Sendmail

Merrell Trail Gloves VS VFF

posted about 1 year ago | Report

I just started running again and have been going barefoot (had back surgery 3 years ago at age 20, hadn't run since). I tried to research minimalist shoes and narrowed down my search to VFF or Merrell Trail Gloves. I went with the Trail Gloves and have done a few runs in them. They feel a little thick and more restrictive, but I haven't run in any VFF's.

Has anyone run in both to give a comparison on how the two shoes feel in comparison? (Toe box, thickness, barefoot feeling, etc.) Thanks for any responses, suggestions, and what not!

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6 posts

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  • Mcm Mama
    Mcm Mama Sendmail

    I run in both, as well as barefoot on the treadmill. VFFs definitely have more ground feel and are more flexible. I really like them both, but I do most of my running in the VFFs.

    I've done a fair amount of talking about it on my blog http://mcmmama.blogspot.com - search for minimalist.

    Erika

    posted about 1 year ago | Report

  • Spencer F.
    Spencer F. Sendmail

    Thanks for the feedback Mcm Mama! It is finally warming up around here and I have been hitting the trails in my Merrell Trail Gloves. The little extra cushion sure was nice when I had to navigate larger gravel and sharp rocks. I still don't have VFF's to compare the feel to but I am really enjoying trail running in my Merrells.

    posted about 1 year ago | Report

  • Mark H.
    Mark H. Sendmail

    I tried them both out and chose the Trail Gloves. The VFFs just felt (and looked) weird. I saw no point in having my toes separated. The Trail Gloves felt a little snug at first, but I've come to like them. I'm also going to check out a new one I've heard about, the Saucony Hattori.

    posted 12 months ago | Report

  • Anton K.
    Anton K. Sendmail

    I have both, although I mostly run barefoot on soft sand with no shoes. I prefer the VFF on the road for comfort. I bought the merrels for running on trails quite recently. Unfortunately I dont have much in the way of trails in my area, just a big park, so I haven't used them much.

    posted 10 months ago | Report

  • Anton K.
    Anton K. Sendmail

    ..

    posted 10 months ago | edited 10 months ago | Report

  • Adam H.
    Adam H. Sendmail

    I like the feel of the vff better. The trail gloves just do not seem to feel right. I ran with Nike frees for about a year. For the last 6 months I have ran about half barefoot half vff. The vff are great! I have tried them on almost every type of terrain I could find. I have even done some high peeks in them. The MTG just feel wrong. I tried a couple of different sizes just to make sure the fit was right. They just do not seem to fit right where the arch meets the ball of my foot.

    posted 10 months ago | Report

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