Buy Merrell Mens Access Sneaker Charcoal
I had become an instant convert to the front-foot/mid-foot strike movement after I found that it lessened the impact on my knees significantly. However, I'm not a long or medium distance runner by any means but was looking for a good pair of shoes that would serve multiple purposes - support minimal running for short distances, and also be versatile enough for multiple activities at the gym.
The Bare Access 2 fits this niche very well - the extra cushioning at the bottom makes it easy to run on hard concrete sidewalks or the treadmill without worrying about the hard impact on your feet. I found that the zero-drop is also perfect when it comes to squats, and has helped me focus on the movement of my entire body while squatting without letting the heel-height of a normal shoe take up the slack. The vibram soles look sturdy enough but I'm unable to judge how long they would last with regular wear and tear after only two weeks of use.
Fit: The sizing runs true, in my case. I normally wear a 9.5, and these shoes fit well for the same 9.5 with thin socks. The lacing holds fast, and I can feel the shoes' instep support under my arches. This may be a new feeling for someone used to regular shoes where the arch is not supported, but overall it fits your feet like a glove (if they made gloves for your feet and called them feet-gloves). The toebox is comfortable and I have had no issues with the toebox width while running.
Appearance: The shoes look great and could almost be mistaken for regular cross-trainers. I got the sedate black-on-grey model, so the appearance is definitely understated compared to the flashier colors available. These shoes could even be substituted for low-heeled casual shoes in a pinch.
Cons: Sometimes when running, I get the feeling that the lacing is not as tight as it could be, but that could also be because I haven't threaded the last pair of eyelets. Incidentally, I also feel some pull on the plantar nerves on the sole of my left foot but this is actually a pro because the shoe has made me aware that my left lower body is not as properly rehabilitated as it should be from a previous back injury. Maybe focusing on this while running will yield results.
Overall, I'm very pleased with these shoes as they provide a great introduction to mid-foot strike and recommend it to anyone with knee problems interested in running or just working out.
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Pros: HIgh quality, light weight, comfortable, high traction, look great
Cons: Black stripe on orange is painted on and can be scratched off.
I've had the Bare Access 2's for about a month now and they are excellent. I use these shoes to run in (25-30 miles a week) and for everyday use. They are super light and have just the right amount of cushion. I use the trail gloves for trail running, and VFF's for shorter runs, but the bare access 2's are perfect for longer 10+ mile runs when I want more support. In trying to find a lightweight minimal shoe with some cushion I ran in the Brooks Pure Connect's for several 5/10k's last year, and they never felt quite right, but these merrell's are perfect. If you are looking for a minimal show with no drop but want more cushion than VFF's or something from their "Glove" series I highly recommend these.
very comfortable like slippers. wore them for 2 full days at magic kingdom and 1 day lego land. feet felt great.
I love these things. I have a pair of the trail gloves and the low profile minimal sole has great feel and is super grippy and generally make my feet happy, but there is just not enough padding for a long day at work on concrete. These though are perfect, my feet don't feel like they're stuffed in foot coffins but there is just enough padding to make concrete bearable. They really do remind me of more padded trail gloves in every way, now if Merrell can just make these with a trail sole, best shoes ever.
I really like Merrell's barefoot line of shoes. I started out with the trail glove, which I use for--wait for it--running on trails. The trail glove is less cushioned than the bare access and is not my preferred shoe for walking around on the street. I also have both the original bare access and the bare access 2 and they are both wonderful as running shoes or all-day walking shoes. I like the 2s a bit better than the original bare access--they have tougher soles and they are better looking. Comfort is excellent with either pair.
Bottom line for me is the Bare Access 2 is a great multi-purpose shoe, light and comfy with just the right amount of cushion. My more expensive Saucony Triumphs (2 pairs) used to be my favorite running/walking shoes. The Merrells are more comfortable, better for posture and tire me less than the Sauconys.
I found these to be a great improvement to the previous version of Bare Access. The full Vibram outsole is a huge upgrade compared to the foamy stuff used before. I've already put around 300 miles on these shoes and have had no irritation/rub issues. Does run a half size larger as mentioned in the fitting. These are very similar to the New Balance Minimus MR00's. Does very well over stones and gravel on the roads. One thing you will notice is that it picks up small pebbles but does not cause any problems to the way it rides. The tread sounds cool too, almost like a tire going over the pavement.
I had become an instant convert to the front-foot/mid-foot strike movement after I found that it lessened the impact on my knees significantly. However, I'm not a long or medium distance runner by any means but was looking for a good pair of shoes that would serve multiple purposes - support minimal running for short distances, and also be versatile enough for multiple activities at the gym.
The Bare Access 2 fits this niche very well - the extra cushioning at the bottom makes it easy to run on hard concrete sidewalks or the treadmill without worrying about the hard impact on your feet. I found that the zero-drop is also perfect when it comes to squats, and has helped me focus on the movement of my entire body while squatting without letting the heel-height of a normal shoe take up the slack. The vibram soles look sturdy enough but I'm unable to judge how long they would last with regular wear and tear after only two weeks of use.
Fit: The sizing runs true, in my case. I normally wear a 9.5, and these shoes fit well for the same 9.5 with thin socks. The lacing holds fast, and I can feel the shoes' instep support under my arches. This may be a new feeling for someone used to regular shoes where the arch is not supported, but overall it fits your feet like a glove (if they made gloves for your feet and called them feet-gloves). The toebox is comfortable and I have had no issues with the toebox width while running.
Appearance: The shoes look great and could almost be mistaken for regular cross-trainers. I got the sedate black-on-grey model, so the appearance is definitely understated compared to the flashier colors available. These shoes could even be substituted for low-heeled casual shoes in a pinch.
Cons: Sometimes when running, I get the feeling that the lacing is not as tight as it could be, but that could also be because I haven't threaded the last pair of eyelets. Incidentally, I also feel some pull on the plantar nerves on the sole of my left foot but this is actually a pro because the shoe has made me aware that my left lower body is not as properly rehabilitated as it should be from a previous back injury. Maybe focusing on this while running will yield results.
Overall, I'm very pleased with these shoes as they provide a great introduction to mid-foot strike and recommend it to anyone with knee problems interested in running or just working out.
I have been running with merrell bare access for the last year. A great shoe that allowed me to run even though I had a torn meniscus. Light weight, zero drop, and good cushioning. The only problem was the shoe tend to wear out after 100 miles. The new Bare Access 2 has a more solid bottom with same conditioning. Very comfortable with much better wear. It is not quite as flexible as the bare access but still a great running shoe for natural running.
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