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We love obscure detailed shoe reviews that answer my exact questions

This is a good shoe, especially for the price. Very comfortable for all day wear, so far quite durable in the 3 months I’ve owned. True that insoles are overkill. My only gripe is that they’re very slippery on wet surfaces so I only wear them in the dry. For the price they’re hard to beat.

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Earth Runners are the best! Just takes a good while to break them in.

Hello! I'm tempted to buy these but i'm concerned about the toe box width. There are a lot of reviews that say it is too narrow especially on the big toe. I have tried vivo primus lite 3 and they fit me well. I have a wide foot with the longest toe being the big toe. Please provide some feedback cuz i really want to buy these. And another thing, I'm a 42 , will they be too long if I go one size up, or half a size is enough? Thank you!

That sole, while more grippy than the previous generations of the vapor glove is faaar less durable. Those soft spaced out rubber lugs will wear down and after that you have a hole in your shoe. It's not a good trade off and it feels like a change that they made just to point to it and say "look here we changed this!" it's frankly poor design and it shows that they really have no vision or direction for what this shoe is even supposed to be which SHOULD BE their most minimal barefoot style shoe with an emphasis on durability where it matters most ie the sole of the shoe. Without adding anything that is going to take away from the complete barefoot feeling of the shoe. Its supposed to be a slipper with a vibram sole on the bottom. They already have the trail glove available to fill that niche. Idk wtf they are doing over there on the design team at Merrell man...

I wear these in London to city job almost daily. You can never be underprepared for city environment 😊

Thank you very much.could you tell me where I can buy them .I am in UK.

On feet??

Thank you for the review. I got the Magna with a 20% discount thanks to you 🙏

Wish the EU site had the sale too

Gotta love a Xero sale. Last fall I picked up the hemp Hana. Comfy shoe but worn down, so I got the Kelsos this time, which you quickly dismissed as ugly. My feeling is that all barefoot shoes are ugly and beautiful at the same time, and in this case I'm looking forward to trying my first leather minimalist shoe. Xero had a small clearance sale a couple months ago and I got a pair of the Speed Force. They warn you that the SFs are sized small, but they were sold out of the size up so I took a chance on my usual size. I managed to make them fit by using the extra eyelet. Incredible shoe, gave me confidence to start running again. These SFs are too tight for socks though, so I got the pair of Prios, the particular model you kept thinking were suede. Must admit, they look good!

I wonder if rain is enough pressure for it to go through the wool lining. Light rain is ok?

Just bought my first minimalist shoe this week, the primus lite knit which I'm really enjoying. Just grabbed my first Xero shoe today the Hfs 2 for a good price. As I'm new to barefoot shoes I'm not bothered that the new model is 1.5mm bigger than the previous model and cannot wait until they arrive.

The Mesa trail waterproof is terrible in my opinion. Just got a new pair after also owning a regular Mesa trial and many other models. The sole and upper is really stiff. Totally wrecked my feet and heels. Was in agony. They're going on ebay really soon. All other Xero shoes been good for me. Loving my new Ridgeway Chelsea. Great sole for casual wear. It's the special trailfoam layer that the Scrambler Mid also has that adds a bit of nice comfort.

Unfortunately only the US site gets the sale but still: AFFILIATE LINKS: If you buy some, you can support the channel at no extra cost to you: xeroshoes.com/go/CptAngelADV

Have you tried the Hfs 2?

I've been enjoying mine. I can tell they won't last long, but that doesn't bother me much. They are the loudest squeeky shoes of all time on smooth surfaces however!

I love these. Got them in gray

The best grip in a barefoot boot is the Ahinsa Hiker black xWide, second level would be the Ranger 2.0 from Belenka. Vivo and their Michelin soles are fine, but they don't reach the level of grip of the Ahinsa Hiker, and the Michelin sole wears out sooner than the Vibram.

Did you treat the leather with wax before the waterproof ice test?

Sizing down will sacrifice toe box width ; one size up will always ensure a better fit.

I have the magnas and they are the most comfortable shoes I have worn.

I got the leather ones, they get little bit wider when get wet and you walk in them

is it waterproof if not any merrell option which is vibram and waterproof thank you

Does aqua cloud have the same problem like the genesis with the back slap? I like the model but Genesis for me on the concrete has some slap on the toes and I need to tighten the straps ți remove that slap. But the problem is that it creates some hot spots în the upper part of the foot. Aqua cloud has some thinner sole or more flexible to reduce the need to tighten the straps that much?

Hello! What barefoot hiking boots would you recommend for the snow, sledding and heavy rain weather? I was looking into these bus water gets in 😢 Thanks! 🙏🏽

Thank you!!! Thank you!!! At last! Someone is actually talking about this!

That stretchy material is probably better long term because ive seen other reviews that the tracker had a lump on the inside that rubbs against your ankle over time.

Beautiful tasty toes, man 👣😍💙

i had 2 pairs of the 4s that lasted about 9 month each before the uppers started separating from the rubber (luckily merrel's warranty is solid).. the 5s lasted me almost 2 years and fit my foot perfectly

I’m sold on barefoot shoes and they are mostly all I wear, but I worry if a sock and a sole is enough when you’re hauling a 45 pound pack. For fast and light hikes I wouldn’t think twice. I’d buy the Magna Forest ESC’s.

Good video man

I am wearing Hykes Pinnacle and love them, best shoes I have ever owned. I will never go back to regular restricted shoes.

First off, great video I really appreciate the in depth comparison across all the models, it really helps make an informed choice. I also want ed to ask if you could you by any chance recap for me the ranking of how roomy the toe box of each model is with the overall size (length) held constant?

Not mindblowing. There are non minimalist running shoes like the saucony endorphin racer or some by asics that are actually lighter...but its a good thing. Merell makes an effort. Other minimalis shoe brands just make their shoes way too heavy

Whitin has a new 2024 version called "Barefoot Plus", and it's even cheaper. Check it out

My vapor glove 3s didn't last me a full year lmao. Left one wore all the way through from the heel. Just ordered the 6s, hopefully they last longer

Love the Magna Forest ESC boots but searching for the ideal sock to go with them. The Salomon socks I wore very comfortably with my conventional Salomon hiking boots are not ideal. But the boots are incredible, fit like slippers, grip like monkey’s feet so comfortable except the sock works it way down and rucks under my left heel, but only on the left! Breath but are waterproof enough, so no damp feet after a hike unlike in a Gortex boot.

Would love to see what you think of the VG6 Leather

Hi, I bought the Aqua Cloud last saturday in my true shoes size but went again today to switch to a smaller size because they felt too clunky on them. I finally changed the, for the Genesis because then are more narrow and I my feet aren’t that big. Love them!

For me the aqua cloud soles grip both on bottom AND on top needed for wet feet - yes!

I’ve been searching all over to get this information, finally!

You are supposed to wax them. Membranes will eventually start to leak, and then you can’t dry them (or very difficult). These boots are perfect.

Really a very informational video, thank you 😊

One more thing to consider: for an even more barefoot feeling, you have to go 1/2 size down and wear without the removable sole that gives extra cushioning (as suggested by Xero)... Confusion of the highest order... No wonder why they don't give you a base for measurement

Absolutely loved my pair. Wore throughout a summer on the farm. Sole peeled away after 3 months daily wear on the farm. Reglued at a cobbler and the glue actually made both the sole and the boot material rip (not a real rip through, just the material touching the glue peeled from itself) Traction is great, except on ice it’s the absolute worst Still rocking them with flapping soles cause they’re the comfiest boot possible. Not impressed with the durability so I’m considering getting the tracker esc if it’s wide enough

I am trying to get a reference point for sizing. I know my size for vivobarefoot primus trail FG. Did you go with the same size for this compared to your vivobarefoot ?

How the thickness of the sole of the forest EC compare with your feel grounds?

It's a forest shoe. Forests are not typically flooded with water. These shoes are not designed for high water environments or being submerged in water.