I hate running because my shoes hurt my feet -- but no longer, thanks to these Merrills.  I overpronate and have really flat feet, wide toes, and a non-existent heel.  I had been using ASCIC Gel Kayanos and New Balance 993's before because they were both stiffer shoes, but the padding really irritated my arches after a while.  What's stiffer than a stiff running shoe?  Well, the ground, it turns out.

So I went to VFF Sprints, which I hated.  There was way too much heel slippage even when I cinched the heel straps all the way down, and my toes were jammed into the toe-slots.  Going up a size meant even more heel slippage and floppy-big toe pockets.  Clearly, the velcro mary-jane strap was not doing anything for me in terms of keeping my heels / toes in the right position!  Also, the seams inside drove me nuts, and I had to send back 2 pairs for manufacturing defects (holes in the fabric).

Then, I tried the VFF Bikila but I have tiny feet and really needed a size 35 in those shoes -- which vibram does not make!

Now, I have these Merrills and they are *awesome*.  I got them in a size 6, and I have about a pinkie distance to the front of the shoe, no heel slippage, and the arch is in the right place.  They are thin enough so that I can "feel" the ground, but padded enough that I don't get calluses.  For example, I couldn't walk on gravel with the VFF Sprints, but I can in the Merrill's. I've been having a problem with keeping them tied, but I think I can get one of those slip-grip things to cinch them down (like the ones you find on Keen sandals).

I definitely think the Merrills are superior to VFFs!  Added bonus: I can wear them outside the gym without people thinking that I'm a freak!

Btw, I plan on taking them to Hong Kong where they will be my primary shoes for urban walking and light hiking.  I'm super happy that they have a holey-mesh top so that my feet will be able to breathe properly!