Comments on: Merrell Bare Access Running Shoe Review: Zero Drop, Cushioned, and a Great Fit

By: Cliff C

Cliff C — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

great on the Go Bionic, this looks right up my alley. thanks for your blog

By: Sam

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

In reply to jkane.

The Altras are a bit softer under foot in my opinion, wither either insole.

By: jkane

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

I just started running in Altra's Instinct. How does the cushioning compare between the two (especially given the weight difference)?

By: ID

ID — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I love these shoes. Very light, and just a little cushion. My only gripe is the arch under the midfoot. After adapting to the flat footbed of Vivobarefoot and Lemings, it feels awkward for the first half-mile or so in the bare access.

By: Kat nowak

Kat nowak — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I have the merrell women's bare access arc 2 and I can not say enough good things about them. I was never much of a runner but this shoe helped me learn to enjoy running and they are so lightweight that I feel like nothing is holding me back! Love them!

By: GregH

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

I have this shoe and love it. So much so that I bought a second pair just for casual wear! Love the fit and look. I've only run up to 5 miles in them, but they feel great. I've noticed the same wear patterns on the toes, so will have to keep an eye on that. Nice review!

By: PMiller

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

good review, this is one of my favorite shoes and I agree with nearly everything stated except the ankle collar issue. Then again I wear toe sock liners with these and they have a little protection on the achilles. In regards to the toe wear on the sole, I've read elsewhere that the Bare Access 2 will have an all-Vibram outsole.

By: Stefan

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

I've been runnning this shoe now for a couple of kms, too. I come to the same conclusion as you, Pete. The only concern I have as a forefoot striker (if there is such a thing, at all) is that the lateral EVA chewed away very quickly. The Vibram rubber patch should extend over the entire width. Or at least over the lateral edge (like the NB MR00 for example).

I also find the slight arch support bump annoying (but this is just a very minor annoyance).

Regarding sizing: Runningwarehouse & Co suggest to go 1/2 smaller with this. I can't support this. I got both sizes, smaller and regular running shoe size, and stuck with my regular shoe size (US 10 for Brooks PureFlow, Kinvara, PureGrit & Co)

I'd love to see a Trail Version of the Bare Access. A MixMaster with 0 mm perhaps? Dreams ....

Greetings from across the pond.

By: Mat

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

Ive been running in the Bare access for 3-4 months now. I bought them to rotate with my Trail gloves. I had been previously running in the trail gloves on 100% of my runs but wanted a bit of cushion for longer runs.
The bare access has performed perfectly and is much more gentle on the feet than trail glove, although I find the cushioning equates to slower muscle reaction to ground contact and therefore slightly slower, more 'relaxed' gait.
This said, I wear them for 75% of my 'commuting' runs to work when speed is largely irrelevant.
Durability has been fine, the EVA (non-vibram) parts of the sole got a little scuffed but haven't degraded much overall.
The EVA can get penetrated by sharp objects and I pulled a large piece of glass out of the sole one day, luckily it did not get through to my foot!
I hated the 'arch bump' when the shoes were new, but after 1-2 months the feeling largely diappears as the sole compresses and moulds to the foot.
I suspect the 'arch bump' is a side-effect of the thick EVA in the middle of the show contrasted against the firm vibram sections, and is not intentional 'support'.
I will be buying another pair when I kill these ones

By: Nick Elkins

Nick Elkins — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks Pete, this review helped me to decide to buy these for my first pair of zero-drop shoes. I'm really excited, thanks!

By: Jeff

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

Took this shoe out for 8.5 miles this morning.
I have run about 50 miles in these and also have concerns about the EVA getting torn up. Mine is very beat up already. I also agree with another poster that I found my normal shoe size fit great, a half size down too small. The wide toe box is great!
Love the fit as an everyday shoe, but have noticed a bit of ankle pain since I added this to the running rotation. It is much more firm than the Hattori. Not sure if there is a relation, but I never had this issue with the softer Hattori. The EVA seems to be holding up better in the Hattori as well.
I also had an issue running sockless. It cut into my left ankle after about 5 miles. Maybe just a variant? No issue with socks.
The arch "bump" is much less pronounced in this shoe than the Trail/Road glove. I noticed it at first, but got use to it very quickly.
Great shoe overall. Thanks for the review Pete. Keep up the great work!

By: Pete Larson

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

In reply to jerry pangilinan.

Yes, Bare Access has more cushion, though both are zero drop.

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