Ordered this shoe because I wanted to try transitioning to minimalist shoes for hiking.  It's performing pretty well on long and rocky day hikes, even 18+ miles.  Love the Vibram sole!  The shoe seems to run small. Normally  I wear an 8, and I have multiple pairs of a much older Merrell Glove -- both the old slip-on and the Mary Jane styles, all in size 8, all absolutely awesome.  I got hooked on the Glove with those old styles, and I wish Merrell still made them!  I sized up a 1/2 size for this, to accommodate a thicker sock, but it's still tight across the foot, though the toebox is roomy enough.  I have to let the laces out to their maximum looseness.  If not, my foot starts to go numb.  I much prefer the old slip-on Glove to this, but definitely this new sole is slightly more robust than the old Glove -- possibly due to the "Trail Guard" feature?