Comments on: Merrell Bare Access 2, Merrell Road Glove 2, Saucony Virrata, and Saucony Mirage 3: Shoe Preview Videos From Running Warehouse

By: Kristoffer

Kristoffer — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Bare Access looks really cool and seems like a good choice for me as I try to transition slowly towards minimalism. A 15 mm stack height sounds suitable. I run in Saucony Mirage at the moment. Do you know the stack height of Mirage Pete? (I know that the heel-toe diff is four mm.)

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Kristoffer.

Mirage is 26 heel, 21 forefoot according to Running Warehouse.

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By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I'm finding it suddenly much harder to get too excited about cushioned shoes after yesterday.

My soleus had been getting really tight in my Hagio, Road-X 233, and Instinct. This has always been the case so I considered it biological, but I've also been experiencing discomforting medial tibial stress syndrome about 4 inches above the ankle bone. It go so bad half way into a 4 mile run about a week ago that I just took off my shoes and started walking home. It was taking too long so I started slowly jogging home barefoot instead. To my surprise I wasn't aggravating my shins at all so I kept at it all the way home barefoot.

I just had my first run in the Five Fingers Seeya yesterday. Fantastic. No shin pain and much to my surprise, no soleus or calf soreness during, or the day after the run. I have always landed midfoot, and did so in the Vibrams yesterday as well, probably with a bit more forefoot emphasis.

I don't really have an explanation for the lack of pain when moving to totally uncushioned shoes. Maybe a subtle form change I am not aware of. Perhaps after a couple weeks of ingraining I'll try shoes again and see if I've corrected something by going next to barefoot.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Stephen Boulet.

I'm with you - I'm really liking 0-4mm drop with cushion these days.

By: go gators

go gators — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Merrell, if you're reading, I'd love to do pre-release testing on the Bare Access 2, Road Glove 2, or both. I love the fit and feel of my Trail Gloves. I've been looking for a zero-drop, lightly cushioned shoe for road running but haven't found anything that's just right. I'm hoping either the Bare Access 2 or the Road Glove 2 will be it.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Sam.

You form changes in subtle ways as you alter the shoe you are wearing, which alters how force is applied to the foot and leg. My guess is that you simply altered the force triggering the MTS when you took your shoes off. I've had MTS issues in certain shoes as well, whereas others do not cause any problem. Amazing how small changes can make such a big difference!

By: Stephen Boulet

Stephen Boulet — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I'm most excited about the Virrata, with it's zero degree drop <wince> cough, cough. For me, zero drop + vibram = sore calves, but zero drop + EVA = happy calves.</wince>

By: Rod K.

Rod K. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Really excited for both of the Saucony shoes. Hope the new Mirage has a little wider toe box. I agree with Pete, 0-4 mm drop with cushion is a sweet spot for me as well.