Merrell Women's Bare Access Arc 4 Trail Running Shoe

This is the third pair of Merrell Bare Access Arc running shoes I've owned. I love them! I have flat long feet with bunions and these have a wide toe box which makes them much more comfortable and they don't squish my bunions. They are very light compared to other shoes I've owned in the past. They even make my feet look smaller than other running shoes. I love the zero drop and the soles are light and flexible which I like. They held up pretty well considering I wear them pretty much every day and they've gone through a lot of wear and tear. I did get thorns going through the soles a couple of times and because the soles are not really thick like some running shoes, the thorns went through slightly into the shoe. However, I'd rather have a thinner, lighter, flexible zero drop sole than the thicker, heavier, non-flexible soles of many running shoes. These shoes also have very good traction for when you're out hiking or running on a trail. I will definitely be buying another pair of Merrells.

I'm a walker, and I have two pairs of these! The toe box is large, especially for Merrell, which I have previously found to be too snug. The sole is not super thick, so sometimes I feel the surface of what I'm walking on. But I think this is a good quality and adds to the lightness of the shoe and better traction. These are super comfortable, which I attribute to good materials and again, that larger toe box. The overall "footprint," no pun intended, is slighter than most shoes I've walked in. I like this, because I can feel better where I'm putting my foot -- thanks to it being a "trail running shoe" -- and I am less likely to trip. These breathe, so that's a good thing in dry conditions but I think they'd take on water if you're a puddlejumper. Just a really enjoyable shoe with good laces that stay tied.

Beware of buying these shoes! I would have loved these shoes if the arches were neutral. The high arches were a terrible fit for me even though the rest of the shoes felt very comfortable.The first time I wore these shoes outdoors, I noticed how high the arches were and how uncomfortable they made my feet standing up for over half a hour on the train. I decided to keep wearing these shoes because these were my first minimalist shoes and I thought the pain might be normal and that I just needed time to adjust to a different shoe style. I think a few days after wearing these shoes, I started experiencing minor pain on my left foot. I do a lot of physical activities (dancing and kickboxing) so I did not make the connection until after a month later. The pain is constant and hasn't gone away. I switched back to wearing converses today and I'm noticing that the mild foot pain seems to be lessening and hopefully it will heal soon. Unfortunately Merrell does not have a generous refund policy.***UPDATE***5/27/19: After wearing these shoes from time to time, I think the arch support really helps my feet. They are a little uncomfortable especially when I'm standing still, but they allow me to walk for hours without my feet aching so I'm changing my review from 1 star to 4 stars. I would buy these shoes again because they work for my feet.

The Hex Q2s are not anywhere near as comfortable as the Bare Access Arc 4s. I have walked hundreds of miles over the past 3 years and these shoes are still going strong. Laces finally fraying a little. The soles are so much more comfortable than those on any of the "hikers". The arch support is perfect and the tongue seamless and allows for expansion. The toe box is also roomier than the Hex Q2s. The shoe is so light you forget you have them on. PLEASE keep making the Bare Access Arc series!! I wear a nine and it fits perfectly. If you are on the edge, go a half size larger. But I found them true to size. Unless you are actually hiking on a rocky mountain, I don't see the need for the types of soles on the Hex 2 series. The Bare Access is more of a walking shoe.

I absolutely adore my barefoot shoes from Merrell, having owned a few pairs of Pace Gloves. But for our Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon, I wanted something with a touch more support. This seemed like a happy medium between barefoot vs. a true sneaker or hiking boot, and it is. The good news, the right shoe fits like a dream. Comfortable as it could be. The bad news: the left foot's arch support is at least a couple millimeters too far back, pressing into my heel in an uncomfortable way. While I did end up training for the hike in these as well as hiking it in them, I doubt I'd buy them again. And while i grant, I took these guys across 24 miles of moderate terrain, the toe plate is already separating from the upper, which I don't think should already be happening given the rest of my training was on roadways. I've noticed that quality control in Merrells does seem to be slipping in the last few years, especially in their lighter shoes.

I LOVE these shoes, and wear them nearly everyday in warm weather. They are so lightweight, I almost forget that I am wearing them. The mesh keeps my feet cool, and they are super cute. The toe box is roomy, and the heel fits without slipping. If you don't need much arch support, these are the shoes for you. I imagine your feet would ache if you needed such support. The tread is nice enough to prevent slippage on loose soil. I like these shoes so much, I have another brand new pair in the box for when I finally wear these out. Buy them when you find them, as they sell out quickly.

I bought these shoes for an all-purpose summer activity shoe. They aren't rugged enough for regular hiking trails, but for my aerobic morning walks on paved paths, they are perfect! I love the ventilation they provide and the comfort and support they give. I have high arches and these shoes provide good support. It also has a roomy toe box and that's great when my feet warm up and start to swell. No pinching or crowding. Plenty of breathing space. Just perfect for outdoor activities . . . I wear them everywhere I walk a lot. They're also quite sporty looking and work well with my colors of clothes.

This is my second pair of Merrell Bare Access shoes. I have been very satisfied with the first pair I had, but needed to replace them after three years of trail running. These new shoes fit as expected (I am a size 6). They are very comfortable and they look great. I hope I'll be able to keep them for several years.

These are the most comfortable trainers I’ve ever worn. Look really nice too.

Really like the lightness of the shoe and the fact that it is zero drop. Ran 3 marathons in them.

Since joining a running group, I have spent more time running on the road, and needed something a bit more protective than a true minimalist shoe (although I would still prefer those on a soft surface). These were exactly what I needed. They are lightweight, not too padded but the sole is thicker and more rigid than the minimalist Vibram Five Fingers and Vivobarefoot shoes I previously wore. I have very wide feet around the big toe joint and these fit comfortably, although I took a size 8 (compared to my VFF 7.5) to allow for this. Easy to wash, too, and the mesh structure means they dry quickly. Have worn these for a few months already and they are very hard-wearing, even the soles show very little wear whereas the Vivos used to get completely ragged within a year or so. Would not hesitate to buy these again.

Produkt war leider zu klein und roch sehr nach Chemie. Für den hohen Preis hätte ich außerdem eine andere Qualität erwartet.