Fewer trail models compared to road shoe models in the major manufacturers’ line-ups certainly makes sense as an explanation for the phenomenon.

Also, thanks to Mic and Martin for their insights.

Good points here.

Fewer trail shoes out there to choose from would be one explanation, and the mainstream brands typically only have a few models each so the smaller brands compete more here.

I tried the AllOut Rush and that was basically how I felt about it – more comfortable as a light hiker than a running shoe.

There are probably two main reasons:
1) As Pete have mentioned in the beging – most Runblogger reviews are on road shoes and readers prefer those shoes in the survey. There aren’t so many recomendations for trail shoes.
2) There is a big diversity in surface of trails. Every shoe (or manufacture) is designed for specific surface (Inov8 for mud, Nike for easy and dry paths etc.) Because readers of this blog live in different places, it is natural that they prefer different brands.
Btw. readers of Runblogger are probably mainly road runners who sometimes opt for a trail – probably some sort of city-trail or lighter trail. That might be the main reason for popularity of Nike shoes.

I think a reason could have to do with where trail shoes are purchased vs where road shoes are purchased. Road shoes can be purchased at every Dick’s, Sports Authority and local running store. In those stores, Saucony has a LOT of shelf space so beginner runners buy their first pair of “real” running shoes and odds are they are Saucony or another of the big 4 shoe companies. You get hooked, and continue to buy. Trail shoes simply don’t have the shelf space at brick and mortar, so the purchases are done online, where the variety is more… varietied.

I put over 2500 miles on my first pair of Pace Glove 2, currently around 800 miles on my second pair and I recently picked up 2 more pairs to stash away so I should be good for a while at least =)

The ascend glove was overpriced and lacked the lateral flexibility and proprioception which makes the trail/pace gloves great. I ran in them a few times then relegated them to wearing while I run errands.

I wish I could wear vivobarefoot because they seem to be one of the few brands which isn’t moving away from the barefoot/minimalist trend (for obvious reasons). I love their trail freak shoe and alot of their other models actually but unfortunately they are all too wide for me to wear comfortably.

As for the Ascend Glove, I think part of the problem was that it really didn’t separate itself from the Bare Access or the Bare Access Trail, and I think it makes sense that Merrell is discontinuing it in favor of those two models. I still use mine regularly, but I have to admit that upper construction aside, it doesn’t feel significantly different from the Bare Access in terms of ride or cushioning.

Looks like Merrell’s AllOut collection flopped with the site’s readers. Was never interested in them from the get-go. I wonder how popular they are with the hiking community, seeing as how they were positioned as a sort of trail runner/light hiking shoe hybrid?