Below is my original review - and I have to edit it. I had purchased the 8 because, when I tried them on in the store that is all they had, and the gal said she thought the 7.5 would be to small, considering how the 8 fit my foot. So, I ordered the 8, and it just did not feel right. I realize now, with these glove like shoes, they NEED To be snug because they are meant to fit the shape of your foot very closely! So - at running stores they always push a slightly larger shoe - but DON'T go bigger with these. I was searching again for a winter shoe to replace my Vapor Glove, and I did not like any of the other zero drop shoes very much. So, I decided to give this shoe another try, and in the 7.5 it feels much, much better.

REALLY wanted to love these - I live in Utah, and we have harsh winters and rocky mountain trails. I absolutely ADORE the Merrell Vapor Glove, so wonderfully barefoot and natural to run in. I wanted these for colder weather and rockier trails where a little more shoe might be beneficial. The problem for me was in the ball/mid foot area of the shoe - here it feels like it is thicker in the sole, so when you walk, run, or even stand your toes are not touching the ground. The only time my toes made contact was on the "toe off" of your run. By the end of just a 1.5 mile run (on the treadmill, I wanted to be able to return them if necessary) the balls and arches of my feet were hurting. This is almost a negative drop, where the area on the ball of your foot is higher than the rest of your foot. I believe there is some type of rock plate or support there, specifically for trail running, but it is very uncomfortable. Other than this one feature, I loved the fit and feel of the shoe, really tried to love them...but they are not for me. If Merrell could come out with a Vapor Glove with perhaps a little more traction on the sole (not thickness, just traction) and/or a thicker upper (for colder weather) I would be sold! Oh....also...PLEASE - make at least one of each style in just black, or black with a little white - not all women want to look flashy in bright colors. Either that, or please make your mens shoes in smaller sizes, since they all come in a standard black in addition to the bright colors.